The Country Author

There are two types of writers: the SOTP (Seat of the Pants) writer and the writer who meticulously plots the story before she even types “Chapter One”.

I’m a SOTP writer. The only plotting I do is in my head in addition to research notes and jotting down ideas as they pop into my brain. I often tell myself  that I need to study up on the process of plotting a story and start implementing it. My comfort zone is sitting down in front of my computer and going for it. SOTP writing comes easy for me, but I suspect that once I master the art of plotting, it will come easy too.

Most of us seat-of-the-pantsers don’t know a whole lot about plotting. It does seem complex, even confusing. Do we want to take the time to learn, or just stay in our SOTP comfort zone? I suppose, as with any other endeavor, we can start with the basics. Allow ourselves to learn a few things and put them into practice. After a while, we’ll grow comfortable with this alien form of writing (well, it’s alien to some of us) and it’ll come second-nature.

As a practiced SOTP writer, I’m willing to explore the world of plotting. I’ve read about it,  and heard all about the fine points many authors use. From white dry-erase boards to post-it notes to the “snow-flake” method, there are a plethora of plotting techniques.

This week, I challenge my fellow seat-of-the-pants authors to pick one simple form of plotting to try. Don’t try to tackle anything too confusing, just stick to the basics. Here’s a list of several strategies I’ve come up with:

Simple List: Decide what the basic premise of your story will be, the main characters, the secondary characters, and the setting(s). Once you’ve made this list, you can either dive into writing and see what evolves, or you can take this simple list to the next level and add more info about characters and setting.

Characters: Some authors go into great detail describing each character (main and secondary) before they begin writing. Some simply list the names of all the players in the story, while others note each character’s goal, motivation, conflict, and any catastrophe they may face in order to achieve their goal. Some even decide ahead of time the character’s hair and eye color, stature, tone of voice, and other mannerisms.

Scenes: This step can be quite involved, but helpful in keeping track of where you want your story to go. If you decide to accept this mission, keep it simple. Come up with a beginning, middle, and an end. Decide who the major players are and what their role in the story is, where the story is set, and the main goal of the story and its characters. When you’ve tackled this much, you may add more information and begin to divide each part (beginning, middle, and end) into individual scenes.

Keep in mind, these “strategies” are very basic and come from someone who is a “plotting novice”, but I think it’s a good start. Have fun with this. I know I will.

Before I end this, I want you to know that if you are a SOTP writer, don’t be ashamed. As far as I know, there are no hard and fast rules in the publishing world that state you can’t be a seat-of-the-pantser. Some authors do very well writing this way, while some writers take days–even weeks–plotting every single detail and still can’t produce a good story. It goes back to one of my first posts: Were you born to write? Do what works for you, but don’t be afraid to try something different that may improve your gift to write.

When is a good time to write? Early morning before the rest of the family awakes? Noon, during your lunch break? Evenings, after the day’s activities are behind you?

Most authors know that inspiration can hit at any time, and not always when it’s the most convenient. Have you ever struggled for hours in front of your computer trying to come up with the perfect cliffhanger only to have it hit you at three in the morning, waking you from a dead sleep with no pen and paper close by and you’re too tired to get up and write it down? Or, perhaps you’re in the middle of a business meeting and your mind wanders to your latest manuscript, then suddenly the writer’s block that plagued you for the last two weeks is gone and all these ideas pop into your head. What do you do? Our creativity can peak at the oddest times, but there are ways to work around it. Don’t fight the urge to write. Losing a few minutes of sleep is worth getting up and writing those thoughts down. Getting them out of your system just may give your mind the rest it needs. Keep a notepad and pencil on your nightstand so you’ll be prepared for those middle of the night mind forays. When you’re stuck in a meeting or in class, getting up out of your chair to write down your thoughts isn’t what I’d recommend. However, you might be able to inconspicuously sneak a few words on paper, or wait until you have a break. A small notebook is a must-have tool, just don’t get it mixed up with your homework or business paperwork, and don’t allow your writing to cause inconsideration of others.

There is a season for everything under heaven, including writing.

Can you think of other times the urge to write may happen? While grocery shopping? When driving to and from work or school? During a phone conversation? Sometimes we can excuse ourselves long enough to jot down a phrase or two, but often we can’t. As Christians, we need to ask God to help us remember the ideas we get. Praying before we sit down to write should become a habit. As we learn to listen to God, we’ll hear Him tell us WHEN to write, and how we can retain those ideas when we aren’t able to put them onto paper.

I came across this blog post today about genres, and thought I’d share it with you.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/the-rules-of-genre

This week I had planned to post something that would fit in the WHEN category now that I’ve touched on the WHO, WHAT,  and WHERE of writing.  However, time is getting away from me (planning a weekend trip, not to mention school starts next week), so I’m going to post an article I wrote back in January 2009 for another blog.

English is undoubtedly one of the most complicated languages in the world, and we authors can attest to this. Having done well in school, especially English, I usually don’t run into problems with my spelling. However, there are certain words I stumble over—words the typical spell-check program won’t catch. Words like chose, choose, breath, breathe, lose, loose, and so on.
When writing, I do a lot of reasoning when words like these pop up. Should I type choose or chose? My character is faced with a decision. She needs to pick which way to go. Well, the word I don’t want is chose (rhymes with hose) because that’s past tense, so the correct word is choose. Okay, good so far. Now I need a word to indicate that she stands to misplace something. Since we’ve established that chose rhymes with hose, the word I need should rhyme with choose. She will loose her mind if she’s not careful. No? The correct word is lose? Like loser? Oh, man! Loose has a harder s sound, like goose, but the word choose has a z sound like lose (with one “o”). What gives?
No wonder people from other countries have a hard time learning our language!
How about breath and breathe? My character needs to take a moment to inhale and exhale. She needs to do something that rhymes with eat. I guess she needs to breath. Eat doesn’t have an e at the end of it, so breath has to be the right word, but that doesn’t look right. It is supposed to be breathe.
See what I mean about this crazy language of ours? Not everything is consistent. So, what’s an author to do? Many times I consult my big, fat Websters dictionary, other times I rely on my critique partners to catch my blunders, but these methods aren’t foolproof. What I’ve chosen to do is make a list of my most troublesome words. The act of writing them down reinforces something in our brain so chances are the naughty word is less likely to go unnoticed next time. I don’t know if there’s scientific proof to back this up, but it works for me. What works for you?

The last two weeks I talked about the WHO (the author) and the WHAT (the genre). This week I will discuss the WHERE (the place where you hang your author hat). This writing space could be a small table in the corner of the family room, a fancy L-shaped desk in the den, or even a seat at the local library. No matter where you plant yourself and your imagination, here are a few hints to keep those creative juices flowing.

* Designating a specific area trains your mind to get to work. The act of sitting down at your desk or table cues your brain to focus on the task of writing, much like the bell at school tells students it’s time to get to class.

* Atmosphere is a great motivator. If you write historical fiction, making a desk out of an old door or surrounding yourself with antiques will feed the imagination. Hanging pictures on the wall of places, people, and events pertinent to your story will help keep you inspired.

* A reliable computer (desk top or lap top) with a good word processing program is a must. I use MicroSoft Word which enables me to format my manuscript, track changes, and check spelling. It also comes with a built-in thesaurus.

* Keep plenty of office supplies on hand: computer paper, replacement toner for your printer, note paper, pencil, and pens.

* Reference books: Keep a dictionary, thesaurus, and even a road map at your disposal.  There are many good books about the writing craft that will help you hone your skills. Those that teach plot and structure, character development, and self-editing are especially good to have on hand as well as books about the setting and era of your story.

* Adequate storage space: You’ll need a place to house your supplies and reference books. This is no problem if you have a den, but if space is limited, all you’ll need is a small book shelf or a couple of bins.  Consider purchasing a crafting tote on wheels. They’re large enough to carry a lap top computer and several books, have lots of pockets where you can store notebooks, paper, etc., and are mobile so you can take your “office” with you.

Remember, you can write anywhere. Always keep a note pad and a pen or pencil with you so that when ever an opportunity to write presents itself, or if you’re hit with an inspiring idea, you’ll be ready.

Here’s a list of some great writing spaces:

• On the bus commuting to and from work.
• A doctor’s waiting room.
• In the park during your lunch hour.
• The food court at the mall–one of the best places to people watch. Good for character development.
• In a garden.
• Hotel lobbies.
• Libraries.
• Coffee houses.
• A quiet spot overlooking a river.
• Near an old building, church, or temple.
• At an airport.
• Living room in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep.
• Fire look-out towers. I hear you can rent them when not in use. Talk about solitude!
• Lounge areas at book stores.
• A court room while in session (if open to the public).
• A vista point along a “safe” stretch of highway.

Do you have a favorite place to write? If so, please share it.

Genre (pronounced ZHON-RAH) is a French word defined by Merriam-Webster as a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content. The genres most publishers recognize are general and few, and, as authors, we have the arduous task of fitting our manuscript into one of them. Too bad our writing isn’t so black and white. Fortunately, within most genres, there are sub-genres, thus making our job a bit easier. Here’s a list of the most common genres:

Fiction

Historical – set during historical events predating the life of the author. Publisher preferences vary regarding what dates are considered “historical”. Some draw the line at the 1960′s, while others may allow more recent decades.

Children – stories geared toward children, their level of comprehension, and what is deemed appropriate for their age group.

Young Adult (aka YA fiction) – stories that preteens and teens would enjoy and are appropriate for their age group.

Women’s Fiction – Books marketed toward women and the issues they face.

Fantasy – Involves magic or other supernatural forms. The setting is often mythical or imaginary.

Science Fiction – Stories are based on science. The setting and characters are often imaginary.

Horror – The intent of this genre is to horrify, unsettle, or frighten the reader. Characters can be real or imagined such as spirits and other supernatural beings. There is always a presence of evil in these stories.

Romance – The main plot of these stories is a love relationship between a man and a woman. Some publishers require that both characters emerge in the story within the first few chapters. Usually these stories have a happy ending. Sub-genres include Historical, Contemporary, Comedy, and Paranormal (see below).

Chick Lit – stories by women for women usually possessing a light, humorous tone. Considered more personal than General Fiction, Chick Lit explores issues most women face from dating to weight loss.  Sub-genres include Mommy Lit, Marriage Lit, and Christian Chick Lit.

Westerns – Although these books can be regarded as a sub-genre to the Historical genre, not all Westerns are about the Old West. True, most of these stories are about the wild American West back when it was first settled, but many Westerns are contemporary. From ranchers to rodeo, this genre remains a favorite for both men and women alike.

Paranormal – Paranormal means “beyond” normal, or anything that cannot be explained by science and, unlike Sci Fi, the setting remains in the world as we know it. Think of Dracula, The Werewolf, and the Twilight Saga. This genre can also be a sub-genre of Romance.

Mysteries – This genre involves characters who investigate crimes and other mysterious events.

Speculative Fiction – Genres that speculate about worlds that are unlike the real world such as science fiction, horror, and fantasy.

Non-Fiction

History, Science, How-to, and Self-Improvement books fall under this category. Also Documentaries,  Autobiographies, Biographies, Bible Studies, and Devotionals. Basically, any book based on fact, true events, real-life people, etc.

Other genres not listed above include poetry, plays, collections of short stories, and graphic novel (comic books).

I’d admit, my list is not conclusive. There are just too many to name, but I think I succeeded in listing the most common genres used today. You can see the difficulty facing authors in coming up with the precise genre that fits their writing. It’s important that you choose one to concentrate on, at least until you’ve got a few published works under your belt. Targeting one specific genre helps you to brand yourself in the publishing world. Don’t worry about what is hot in today’s writing market. Most established authors will advise you not to write for the market, but rather write what your heart tells you to write. The market is fickle. You’ll fare better to pick the genre you’re most interested in.

In conclusion, write to your heart’s content then look at the list of genres and see where your story fits the best.

Over the next several weeks, I’m going to address the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY of writing. This should be fun, don’t you think? I’m not giving any hints as to what each of these subjects will entail, except for the first one…obviously. Keeping you in suspense just might get you to come back.
Do you know if you were born to write? The Bible states in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 that we as Christians are given spiritual gifts. Some of us have the gift of wisdom, others the gift of knowledge, prophecy, healing, and so on. In verse 28, we learn that God also gives the gift of administration and teaching. God does not equip everyone to preach or teach, but each of us play an important role in the Body of Christ. A teacher can’t teach without students, and a preacher can’t preach without a congregation. If someone attempts to preach without the God-given ability to do it, he or she won’t have a congregation for long. The same holds true for any other talent. Not everyone can paint a landscape, construct a house, design a website, or write a novel. If you don’t have the natural propensity to do any of these things, you’re just spinning your wheels. We need to be honest about our own talents. Have we been equipped to weave a story that not only entertains, but serves a purpose? I believe that God gives each of us a desire to fulfill His destiny early on in life, Christian or not. Think of a young child who can’t stop doodling, a teenager who loves photography, or a person who lives to mingle. My daughter is a social butterfly. She’ll go out of her way to greet someone and express a genuine interest in that person. She has done this at a very early age, and I can’t help but wonder if God plans for her to enter the medical or psychiatric field where she can practice her nurturing ability. Think back to when you were a child. What are some of the activities you enjoyed? Did you write poems, make greeting cards, or create plays for you and your siblings to participate in? These are the kind of clues that will indicate your talents. I also believe that God will give His children the ability to enjoy the talent He blesses them with.  Sure, some might try to run away from it, but once they take the first step, they won’t get enough of it. As a child, I wrote tons of stories, but lacked the courage to share them with others. Did I look at my ability to write as a gift from God? Not at all, but when I stopped long enough to listen, I heard His call and took it serious. Today, I enjoy writing. I treat it as a ministry and God has blessed my efforts.

I hope I addressed this subject of WHO an author is. It is not someone seeking fame and fortune, but rather someone who truly wants to make a difference by serving the Creator of All and putting His gifts to good use. If you’re still not sure if you were born to write, don’t worry. If God has called you into this ministry, He will keep nudging you until you hear His call.

Born July 19, 2010 at 2:08 pm and weighing in at barely one post, this baby blog is not too long to be boring (I hope) and just long enough to inspire and encourage. Seriously now, it seems God had placed upon my heart a longing to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I ignored it for a long time thinking that I wouldn’t have the time to commit to properly maintaining a blog. That is until the other night when I found myself unable to sleep due to all the ideas streaming in and out of my mind. I tossed and turned for several hours before getting out of bed, grabbing a notebook and pencil, and making a list of all the thoughts keeping me awake. Within an hour, I had 52 items written down. That’s a year’s worth of ideas I can blog about at one post a week.  I knew at that point I needed to do this. Excitement bubbled up inside despite the late hour as I placed my newly formed list in my “to do” file and returned to bed.

On an even more serious note: The main purpose of this blog is to inspire and encourage authors, specifically those new to the world of writing and publishing. I want to get down to the basics, explore what it takes to be an author, and provide information in plain English. I also want this blog to be inviting and fun. All my posts will come from a Christian prospective. As a sinner saved by grace, I wouldn’t be here if not for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my desire to convey that all things are possible with God, including reaping success as an author if this is what God has called you to do.

I’m looking forward to this new adventure, and if there’s one thing I’d love for all who read this blog to realize, it would be to know they are valuable part of God’s Kingdom.

Will you join me on this journey?