3 Writing Tips

Good Morning everyone!!

I did an interview over at Christian Writer's World on Wednesday (if you go there and comment before next Friday you could win a copy of my latest book) and someone posted they enjoyed my writing tips. So I started thinking, why not offer a few writer's tips on here as well. I'll start with 3 and see if anyone is interested in more.

1. Pray over everything writing related. This is very important, if you truly want to succeed.

2. Write everyday - even if it is just a sentence. If you aren't working on a novel, start small with a journal :o)

3. Join a writer's group! I can't encourage you enough to join a group. American Christian Fiction Writers, is my favorite.  If you can find a local group, check them out. But before you pay your dues, make sure they are there to learn writing and encourage each other and aren't just a social group. The time you spend socializing could be used writing.

I hope you enjoyed these three tips. If I get a lot of comments on this post, I will post more writing tips. So let me know. Do you want more tips?

Writing on Vacation

James and I just got back from a week vacation. I told myself I was going to write so took the netbook, writing notebook, jumpdrive and away we went!

First off, writing in the car DID NOT WORK! Why? well, I didn't bring the little table top that "might" have stablized the netbook as we drove on bumpy roads and took curves at amazing speeds! So after an hour of frustration at the jumping mouse, I gave up.

Then when we got to the hotel, we discovered there was just sooo much to do! Hoped out of bed in the mornings and away we went. We walked alot to get to places, once there we saw amazing shows, saw beautiful wildlife and enjoyed talking to the locals. Needless to say, it was way past my bedtime when we returned to our room, so no writing in the evenings.

Now take heart dear readers... there are things you can do writing related while on vacation. 1. Take lots of pictures for future books or your scrapbook. 2. Buy research books (I brought home 5, plus a new baby name book) 3. Relax and allow yourself to enjoy the time off from writing, your writing will be better if you take the time to relax your mind.

If you are a writer, do you write when on vacation? if you aren't a writer, do you take your work with you when you go on vacation?

Writing is Easy ... Really? Is that what you think?

Writers, write....

Except, sometimes they get stuck.

This is what happened to me. I was writing along and wanted a scene where my hero and heroine could have a "date". Not just any date, but a date where they would be alone and could talk about some things that they really needed to talk about.

You're probably thinking, so send them on a date. What's your problem?

My problem... The year is 1886. The time is Spring. I didn't want the "normal" date for these two. You know, picnic, dance, or social event. No, I wanted something really special.

And so for several days now, I've been praying, "Lord, help me out here. I don't know what I want but I want something special."

Today He gave me my break through!

So tonight I am happily writing a very romantic scene/date.

And you thought writing was easy?

Laughing, sometimes it is. Sometimes, not so much.

Writing... A Lonely Business?

Yes and no...

Writing can be a lonely business but it doesn't have to be.

You may join all kinds of writers groups, join all kinds of social media groups and talk writing to your friends every chance you get but as most writers know, you are the only one facing your monitor when it comes time to sit down and write.

I used to feel lonely, I'm a social girl most of the time. Internet stole a lot of my time because I was lonely and wanted to "chat". Now that isn't true.

I have a friend who is with me all the time. As a matter of fact, he is the true author and I'm the co-author of all my books. He sits with me every minute that I am writing. Who is this ghost writer?

Jesus. He is my best friend. And we co-author books.

I used to think I was alone and then one day it dawned on me. I pray before I write. I'm constantly asking Jesus/God for help and He is always there to answer questions, get me over tough spots in the book and even helps me do research.

You are not alone either. Ask God to become the author of your books and writing time.

Loneliness will become a thing of the past... I promise.

What is conflict?

Dwight Swain described conflict as "two dogs fighting for the same bone".

I have a love hate relationship with conflict. I hate making my characters suffer but I love when the story is interesting enough that the reader will keep reading the book.

There are three kinds of conflict.

Man against man: Example all the Indiana Jones movies
Man against nature: Example the movie, The Perfect Storm
Man against self: Example the movie, Spiderman 3

Try to figure out other movies or books that have one of these three forms of conflict. Be sure and share your ideas here.