Ever Read Something Completely Wrong?

The other day I was looking through my emails...I get over 100 a day...and I came across this headline:

Diary of a Tummy Tuck.

But what I read was:

Diary of Tammy's Truck.

Now, this isn't the first time, nor will it probably be the last time I miss-correctly read something. And it was funny, you know?

But the new headline really made me think. If Tammy's truck could speak, what would it say? Would it be tired of hauling the dead Christmas trees to the drop off spot every Christmas? Would it whine because it was always asked to haul the old furniture and stuff? Would it just want a few days off at the beach?

A tummy tuck is one thing, hauling stuff your entire life without pay is quite another.

But then again, perhaps wanting a tummy tuck is a little like hauling stuff your whole life, and wanting a new lift; something that says, "Hey, I'm just not going to carry around that fat anymore."

Okay, I'm a little off my rocker today, but I also have a couple of new ideas floating out there. Will I ever use them?

Whose to say?

But the ideas are intriguing, you know?

How I Write My Books

Often the question is asked, "So how do you write a book? There are so many chapters and so much writing to do, how do you ever get it finished?"

Other questions are usually, "How do you get your ideas," or "How do you keep the story going until the very end?"

Questions like these are valid, but often, they get in the way of sitting down and writing your own book.

When I write a book I do a little research. I don't spend days and days on it, because I've learned that I quickly burn out. After a bit of research I get going on my book. Sure, research will then occur during the process of writing, and I make time for it when the occasion comes up, but I don't make my book about the research, I make the focus about the story.

I usually make a goal of a chapter a week. That way, I have a direction to travel. And I try not to think too far ahead, I just take each chapter as it comes.

Ideas come to me in the least likely of places, and sometimes, even from those in my family who have a great idea for my next book. A River of Stones came after I'd been writing the fictional story of a girl named Samantha whose parents were divorcing. Like my personal story, Samantha was confused. She wanted to know if she'd caused the divorce; she wanted to know why her parents didn't love each other any more.

One day, I was watching the Oprah Winfrey show, and someone was talking about a book called, Stones in the River, or something like that. And the idea came for the title.

For Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones, my husband read an email and told me about it. "You know, a story about the five stones that David gathered to defeat Goliath would make a great book."

 

The rest is history.

One way to keep your story going to the very end is to plan out the chapters ahead of time, but since I'm not one to follow what I've written down, I prefer the seat of your pants method. I have an idea of the beginning, an idea of the ending, and some idea of what's going to happen in the middle, but I try to be open to the characters and listen to what they want. And I need to tell you I've never been disappointed.

In the long run, a book must have a good plot and plenty of tension; that's the page turner stuff. And then the character's have to be great, not flat-cardboard varieties, but full blooded real individuals.

How I write books may be different from the way you write books, but the important thing is that we write them, and keep writing them until the end of time.

Are You Shopping for a New Story?

Are you shopping for a new story? 

Hopefully, in preparation for the trip, you make a list.

You look through your cupboards and refrigerator to see what you have so you don't duplicate.

You plan a time when the shopping trip will work the best in your hectic schedule--preferably without the children.

Photo by Lars Plougmann, courtesy of Flickr

You may even look over your finances. At least in your minds eye you have a pretty good idea of what you can afford. You may even clip coupons and look for sales--a great thing if you have the time.

So what does this have to do with shopping for a story? Well, let me just tell you.

Photo by xJason.Rogersx, courtesy of Flickr

• Making a list is a bit like organizing your thoughts before you write, kind of like those dreaded outlines. Especially if you're writing a novel, some outlining is in order. But choose the outlining method that is best for you.
• Ideas don't often come as easily as Mary Poppins flying down  with her umbrella. You must search for them; often, in the most unlikely places like a bank or a department store--maybe even a cupboard.
• Time for writing must be planned, it's not usually going to come to you. For this reason, and because my mind works better in the morning to early afternoon, I try to do most of my writing then. When I had small children I worked between naps and during the evening when they were in bed. Yes, I also wrote during the day when they were awake, but it was difficult I assure you.
• Are you looking for a publisher? An agent? Do you want to do the book on your own? These questions are better answered early on. Are you willing to spend more money on your manuscript, over paper, stamps, mailing envelopes or boxes by going the route of self-publishing? Actually, self publishing or POD publishing doesn't have to be the big expense it used to be, but you need to know early on what you're going to do with your novel once it's finished. 

  

  Photo by: Philip Taylor PT, courtesy of Flickr

• Marketing is a BIG deal. In fact, it's said that the marketing of your book will take more of your time than the writing of it. I like to put aside at least 15 minutes a day for marketing my newest book--and balance the marketing with the writing I am constantly doing. Some days the entire day is spend on marketing.

Yes, shopping for a new story is kind of like planning and then going on a shopping trip. It's made easier when you have a great idea, can organize this idea and make time for writing and never forget that the shopping experience is not complete even after you've published writing your book.

When it comes to marketing, whether you choose mainstream publishing or POD publishing, be assured that there will be a lot of work ahead of you in getting the word out.

I wish you success.

Kathryn

Vacation Ideas Worth Remembering

I have just returned from vacation, and with that fun experience, some thoughts. All of those I'll be sharing today have to do with growth of one type or another--and more specifically--life.



Jesika enjoys the beach

My first experience occurred when I was waiting to get on my plane. You know the routine. Stand in line. Get your bags checked. Take off your shoes. Place all of your carry on bags on the metal thing--what is that metal thing called anyway? I've just forgotten. Oh, yes, the conveyor belt. Walk through the detector. Put your shoes back on. Gather your supplies. Head to your plane. Wait some more.

In this waiting I sat nearby a woman and her husband. They had a baby and were trying to keep her occupied. A sign on the carpet in front of me read: Warning Wet Carpet, but I hadn't noticed that the carpet was wet.

The sign had been placed who knows when, before either of us sat down.

I found myself listening to the couple who were now trying to find the bottle of water that they'd filled to mix the formula in. But they couldn't find the bottle anywhere. Finally, they discovered it underneath their chairs, but it no longer had water in it. Somehow it had spilled. They both got up and returned a few minutes later, the bottle filled and the formula swimming in its natural habitat.

And then, sure enough, a call was made for a particular flight. They got up with their baby and proceeded to their plane. But not before I heard the woman say in passing, "Looks like the sign was up even before we needed it."

I have thought some about her comment. How things were prepared for her mishap even before the mishap happened. And it made me wonder: What things by God or by man through God are prepared for us ahead of time?

Though this episode may seem inconsequential, it does make a point.

• Have you ever been prepared ahead of time for a job that came later, except you weren't expecting a new job? 
• How about preparing for a new home, that came suddenly, when you least expected it? 
• I find myself wondering about my preparation in journalism and writing, hardly expecting to own a publishing company--at least one that didn't need a big office away from home.

After that experience I was drawn to other comments that connected with it.

"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

"I shall not pass this way again."

What are your thoughts about the first quote? The second quote?

 

Writing a pirate book?

You may want to consider this.

Although I'm afraid to do many things,
 I would never consider walking the plank.

 The above two photos were taken on the Lexington carrier ship;

Corpus Christi.

I have thought substantially about doing things that I'm afraid to do. I also know that this moment will pass and a new moment will take its place. My trip showed me that. And life continues to move forward, whether I want it to or not.

Heather enjoys the water

Marketing Pamphlet in the Works

I'm working on a marketing pamphlet right now, one that will help writers to market their book with little or no out of pocket costs. I like the idea of getting the information you need all in one place, and believe me, I know how many hours it takes to get those great ideas the other way.

My working title is "11 Free Ways to Market Your Next Book + 1," the plus 1 being that cost effective item that I just couldn't leave off the list.

Art by: fostersartofchilling, courtesy of Flickr

My goal is to have the pamphlet finished by the end of the month, and the following month to go through the revision process.

Topics will include: Getting Reviews and Interviews, Writing a Blog, and more. If you have any ideas on what not to forget please send me a note. I'm open to ideas I may not have thought of.

If I use your idea, I'll send you a free e-copy of the pamphlet for your perusal. If I'm already using your idea I'll let you know that  I am and will definitely thank you for taking the time to write to me.

I always appreciate letters.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Kathryn