Seeing Your Writing

This might sound like an opaque subject, but seeing your writing for what it is isn't always easy. You have a few critics; those that don't like your writing, and a few raving fans, those who say they like everything you've written.

Seeing your writing like it is, is a bit like "looking through a glass darkly." There are times you feel as if you've just about made it, other times you wonder, "Have I been wasting away my life doing something I'm not really good at?"

Photo by: Bohman, courtesy of Flickr

You may have received writing awards of some kind, had a book published, been asked to speak at writing groups...still, that nagging sensation won't leave you alone.

Photo by: Pensive Glance, courtesy of Flickr

For me, knowing where I'm at in writing takes introspection. And while it's nice to get kudos from others and even negative reviews from others, in reality, it's what I think about my writing that really matters. And what I think can help me to make the necessary improvements.

Do I struggle with setting, or is it dialogue? And how can I improve?
Do I use the five senses, easily, just like I do in real like when walking the mountain path, or does this aspect of my writing need work?
What about plot? What about grammar? What about theme?

I don't know about you, but I feel as if I'm always learning something new to help me in seeing my writing more clearly. Sure, a well-meaning critique can help, so can a writing class, but in the end it's about seeing my writing, really seeing it. I need to let go of excuses. I need to let go of feeling sorry for myself. I need to hold my chin up and keep writing. I need to keep learning.

Perfection isn't possible, but improvement is.

Get Smart: Learning as a Writer

What do you want as a writer?

I discovered this recently when I posted the top 5 blogs I'd written for 2012 and 2013. And what the research has taught me is that writers (most of all) want to learn.

It isn't enough for them to write until their dying day. They want to get better not only by writing but by reading and attending classes and applying what they have learned.

When have you learned that has had the most impact in your writing life?

Photo by: aflcio, courtesy of Flickr

Has it been a conference? When you've borrowed that new writing book from the library? When you've attended that class?

Do you find yourself trying new things like I do, because it's exciting to get out there and do more than sit behind the desk and write?

I LOVE attending conferences, but I also love teaching them. I love teaching one on one, but I also like the energy and ideas that a big group brings.

How do you feel about editing someone's book for free, or writing a review?

When it comes to writing and publishing, the learning curve is as much about making your writing great as it is about helping someone else to make their work great.



Photo by: Philip Taylor PT, courtesy of Flickr

When was the last time you taught a class for FREE or agreed to work with a new writer one on one for a couple of hours without asking for money?

True, if you have a business like I do, you're in it to make some money so that you don't have to get that job at McDonald's, but there is something beautiful and fine about that free visit with a writer.

I give writer's a free visit the first time they come to me for any writing service. I like to do this, because I learn quickly if the writer and I are a good fit, and I can assist them in their project even if we're not an especially good fit by directing them to someone else. I learn loads too; about writing styles, writer personalities, and what gets individuals excited about writing.

I love to give free classes too. Have you ever taught a class and realized you were learning along with the class? This happens to me all of the time.

Being smart as a writer isn't always about writing. It's about learning and it's about reaching out.

League of Utah Writer's Conference

Need some help with your first novel? What to learn the intricacies of short story telling or non-fiction?

Then you'll not want to miss the League of Utah Writer's Conference.

It starts today and continues through tomorrow. Yes, you can still sign up at the door and get in on most of the fun including meeting with an editor or agent.

I will be around on SATURDAY so you might want to look me up at one of the sales tables. I would LOVE to discuss with you your new book whether it be fiction or nonfiction. If you're ready to have your work published, or just about, Idea Creations Press will be there to answer your questions and to give you a special 'conference only' deal.

I will also have my books for purchase at a discount and free gifts!

Please come by. I would love to meet you.

Kathryn

Newest book
published by Idea Creations Press

Newest Kindle pamphlet on Book Marketing:

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Taking Your Time as a Writer

I don't know about you but this new book I've been writing I want to sell--yesterday. I'm excited because I feel as if I've got some pretty good stuff to share.

The problem?

I am not finished with the book and I haven't had anyone read over it yet!

Years ago I thought my first serious piece of writing EVER WRITTEN would sell.

What?

That's right. I thought that all I had to do was put pen to paper, type the story out and it would sell.  Unfortunately, it took 8 long years before I made my first sale and I was writing almost daily!

If you're a beginning writing this revelation may discourage you. You may wonder if all the years of practicing is worth the wait.




Photo by: chocolate-dessert-recipes.com, courtesy of Flickr

It is.

Taking your time as a writer is a bit like waiting for the chocolate cake to come out of the oven. You begin by getting out all of the ingredients. Mixing up the batter. Putting the batter in the pan. Cooking it at the correct temperature. Getting the cake out when the buzzer dings and letting the cake cool. After the cake cools you frost it and then maybe you don't eat it right away because you're waiting for the party to start.

Sure, a cake isn't going to bake for years but you're still going to have to go through the steps. Missing a step is like forgetting to turn on the oven or trying to frost the cake while it's still warm.

Believe me, I know.

I like learning from other writers and I still do. And in order to learn one must be open to feedback of every kind, not all of it desired.

Photo by: chocolate-dessert-recipes.com, courtesy of Flickr

In the long run, it's going to be a long run so be prepared to learn all you can.

Book Reviews that Teach

Book reviews. I've been getting a few of them lately for my new book, "Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones" and a few things have remained consistent.

• Wanting to read the book--again.
• Taking notes in the margins.
• Wanting to gather their own stones to remember what they have learned.

My second book

• Desiring to use what they have read for their current struggles.

Yes, all writers need a little pat on the back and I'm happy for those I have recently been given. I am also grateful for those reviewers who have struggled with certain aspects of my book and haven't been afraid to share their feelings. These views help me too. For I will be writing and publishing again, you can be sure of that.

I'd like to think that all writers are continually learning, growing and perfecting their craft. Now that winter is over and the spring buds are peeking through the soil, I am thinking again of the growth and learning I have received through the years by writing and by getting reviewed and critiqued.

Sometimes it's hard to hear, but I am grateful for the challenge to improve my next work.

Take a Class to Help you with Your Writing

As I writer, we spend hours in front of the keyboard; minutes that take us in to days and months and years, but how often do we take a well needed break?

I took one just today. It was a class called, "Limitless Living," and it was taught by Marnie L. Pehrson. In the class I learned some important keys to living, among them:

• "We are energy living within an ocean of energy. Energy can also be called light, truth and intelligence."
• There are 4 core passion types: Service, Truth, Empathy and Potential. I learned how my passion type helps me in life both negatively and positively. (If you take the test link that I posted yesterday you'll have a greater idea of what I mean). 



Photo by: Deejay_fbr, courtesy of Flickr

• I am Potential, which means I like to inspire others to action. You may be Potential or you may be Service, Truth or Empathy.
• I also learned that I'm not the only person struggling with the same issues. Being in a class with others desiring to improve their life empowers and connects me to them. I learn a lot, not only from the instructor, but from other class members.
• I also learned how BIG money was in stopping me from my dreams and I got some things cleared up. What is stopping you? 
• I learned about feelings. "Feelings are not bad or good, they just are." 
• I also learned that if I wanted to lose weight I needed to stop thinking of it as "losing weight." From now on I will call it "releasing weight." I will be grateful for my body and how wonderfully it functions for me now. I will thank if for what it has given me today.

No, this wasn't a writing class, but in all experiences, especially those that change you for the better, a writer has an opportunity to use it for good. I plan on doing that very thing.

DECEMBER 10

Line upon Line

One of the greatest things we can learn from the scriptures is that we don’t have to learn everything at once.  “Line upon line,” we can receive all that the Lord has waiting for us. 

You may have found as you have read and recorded these last nine days that you needed, even wanted, more than one day to reflect and experience a specific idea.

I hope so. Just as I hope you decide to stay with your thoughts on making journaling a part of your daily life. Take these ideas as slowly or as quickly as you would like. If you’d like to stop here and reflect, even continue with what you have been learning, and dig deeper, please do.

Begin the next segment in January if you’d like, or even later. Search the scriptures as you’ve never searched before. “Come unto Christ.”

Either way, just as you did on the first day of December, I want you to record your testimony. How have you felt through this experience? What have you learned? How and in what ways has your testimony increased line upon line?

Studying the scriptures is a large segment of your journey, but it isn’t the only way to seek Christ. But it is a beginning; a grand beginning.

Continuous Learning

I think it's important to learn new things; not only for yourself, but to help you in your relationships with others. Knowledge what my body is really doing has usually in my life outweighed my fears of finding out. Confronting my fears and seeking out knowledge does more for me than pretending that the "potential" problem doesn't exist.

I know a few folks who would rather pretend all is wine and roses rather than accept the reality that is. I know of others that live in the muck "that is" and never venture beyond the sand pile. The trick I think is to find that spot somewhere in the middle, where reality is in existence and the light is shining overhead.

Grandpa and Bekah learn about Photography

Continuous learning is about seeing the tough stuff in our own lives; it's about reaching out our hand at the public library, and seeking out that book. It's about filling our minds and hearts with the goodness that is out there and having the wisdom to see the bad for what it is. An opportunity to see what we want to do with our own life.

Continuous learning is about change. It is seeking for truth, and when found, discarding the old stuff. It's about dreaming and hoping and cheering when someone we love meets their milestone and has the courage to go even further.

Continuous learning is about us. It's about looking in and looking out at all there is to life and having the courage to write it all. It's about faith. It's about work. It's about returning home with a newfound desire to make every moment count.

Continous learning has to do with what you learn today, and what you learn tomorrow. It's about never giving up when times get tough. It's standing ready when a friend needs you and dropping everything else. It's standing true to your spouse when it would be far easier not to. It's staying in the game.

Continuous learning helps a good writer to be a great writer. And what writer doesn't want that?