How do you find time to write?

by Brooke Favero

Do you remember watching Seinfeld? Classic show. How about the episode about the Summer of George? I'm asking because I feel like this summer has been the Summer of Brooke--where I'm in a fog of unmotivated laziness and the juice of it drips down my chin. I feel like George. Now of course I'm not actually lazy. I'm raising four daughters and there is no time for actual laziness. (Laziness is a luxury I can't afford.) But I'm exhausted at night, my only time to write, and I crash out on my pillow instead of emptying my head of story ideas and scenes.

I want to write. I need to write. It fills a part of me that no kid kisses or husband dates can, but lately I haven't been able to shake the summer and stay awake to feed my passion. I used to find time to write by staying up till the wee crack of dawn. But it hasn't worked this summer. For some reason I need sleep so my writing time has become precious and sporadic. This isn't good enough. I need ideas.

I don't have a top five today. Or even a one. I need your advice. I need you to finish this sentence:

I find time to write by . . .

I know everyone is balancing some part of their life or sacrificing it to write. So how? Do you create a routine? Or do you fill in the cracks of your life with words on a page? How do you stay awake and shake the summer?

No More Rejections!

Post by Kerrie

Rejection.

It is such a harsh word. It is definite, direct and always seen as negative. When I think of rejection, I think of someone being left at the alter, a child being ignored by her parents, or a guy asking a girl to dance and she laughs in his face. That to me is rejection.

Yet as writers, we toss it the word around  like a ball and even wear it as a badge of honor.

I want to know when a "no thank you" from an editor, agent or publisher became synonymous with rejection.  I don't see them as the same thing at all.

Imagine you are at a nice restaurant and the waiter asks if you would like to order the chef's special; Chicken breast stuffed with blanched fresh spinach leaves and Boursin cheese,  sauteed Shiitake mushrooms and baked asparagus with balsamic butter sauce. You think it sounds it good, but you want something else, so you say, "no thank you."

When the waiter goes in the kitchen to put the order in and the chef finds out you ordered something else besides her special, do you think she screams and drops to her knees, sobbing, wondering what she did wrong and agonizing over the fact that you didn't want what she was offering?

I don't think so. It boils down to the fact that you were offered something you didn't want, so you responded politely with a "no thank you." It wasn't anything personal, you just didn't feel like eating chicken.

Isn't that the same thing that happens in publishing? We send our work out to see if an agent, editor or publisher is interested and they respond with a "yes" or a "no thank you."

They are not rejecting us or our work, they are simply responding to us. They know what they want and not everyone is going to offer them what they are looking for. Rejection can beat us down, but a response is just that--a response. There is no judgement attached to it, making it easy to move on. It is much easier to tell our critique group, "I got a response from an editor today..."

I say we start a movement or even a revolution stopping writers from using the word rejection! Let's call it like it is (a response) and stop being martyrs for the sake of our art. I think we would all be happier as a result.

Now all we need is a catchy slogan....

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Last Monday Book: Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel

Post by Jenny

Today’s Last Monday Book—Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel, by Mike Chinn—is a departure for me. I have no plans to write a graphic novel (and no skill to illustrate one). In fact, I’m pretty sure I rolled my eyes the first time I heard the term “graphic novel,” thinking it was merely a high-falutin’ name for a comic book. But my boys, my 12-year-old in particular, have been bringing home more and more graphic novels from the library, and I’m becoming aware of what a huge market it is. So I thought I would do a little investigating.

Graphic novels are older than I thought. A Contract With God (1978) by Will Eisner is considered by many to be the first, and Eisner is credited with coining the term “graphic novel.” But in the 1930s, Lynn Ward’s novels God’s Man and Madman’s Drum were told entirely in woodcut images, with no dialogue or narrative. As an even earlier precursor, Charles Dickens’s novels, dating to the 1830s, were often serialized and heavily illustrated.

And the graphic novel is not an American invention. Post-WWII Britain had its black-and-white “picture digests.” The ongoing adventures of Belgian George Remi ’s young reporter Tintin began in 1929 and have been translated into 80 languages. Japanese Manga dates back to the Occupation, and Japan is the world’s largest market for comic books and graphic novels.

As for topics, well, anything goes. Superheroes and the supernatural are well-represented, but other bestselling graphic novels have covered such weighty subjects as the Holocaust (Maus) and the Iranian Revolution (Persepolis). Graphic novels are also great vehicles for adapting previous works, from Ancient Greek myths to more modern science fiction.

After setting the scene historically and geographically, Chinn examines the elements of the graphic novel. Some of them—such as panels, framing, and speech balloons—are exclusive to the genre. But much of his advice regarding story elements—character development, pacing, exposition, overlapping plotlines—applies just as much to general fiction.

Though I can barely draw stick figures, I enjoyed reading about the illustration process. The addition of artwork to a “grown-up” storyline adds a whole new dimension. This got me thinking about how all writing, from the most concise poetry to the longest fantasy epic, relies so heavily upon the author’s powers of visualization and description—whether we render those descriptions in words, pictures, or both. The next time I’m working on character or scene development, I’m going to think inside the frame and ask myself how a graphic novelist might see it.

Are you a reader or writer of graphic novels?

Waiting To Write

Guest Post By Edna Pontillo

Waiting To Write

By Edna Pontillo

All set to write -
Coffee, favorite pen, notebook - go. Oh wait!
The dog needs his meds,
Probably should take him for a quick walk
Or throw the Frisbee for a little bit,
I’ll just feed him before I get back to writing.

Okay, ready to write. Oh, wait!
Darn phone, Check caller i.d.
Have to take this.
While the phone’s in my hand,
Guess I’ll make that dentist appointment.

Now I can get back at it. Oh, wait!
I better put in a load of laundry.
While I wait to hang out the laundry
(I’ve got to do it early before it rains)
I’ll straighten up quickly and
Run the vacuum in the living room.

Sit, Stay, Write – oh, wait!
Is it too quiet in here?
I’ll just turn on the radio.
What!?! Those stupid politicians,
I’ll write a letter telling them what I think
And send a copy to the editor while I’m at it.
Better go with light music, less distracting.
I’ve got to get to my writing.

I need to get to this next chapter – oh, wait!
Isn’t that charity pickup today?
Dang! I meant to put that stuff together yesterday.
And then I should check a blog or two.
NO! WRITE!

Fresh cup of coffee and I’m ready to write – oh, wait!
Book group is tonight,
I have to finish reading the last chapter and
I promised that I would bring the low-fat treat.
Do I have all the ingredients? No, so
I’ll just make up my shopping list,
No sense going to the grocery store and
Not getting everything I need.

Then I have to get busy writing,
Because it just can’t wait.


Edna, a retired educator, has always loved reading, writing, writers, and teaching writing to students. Since her retirement , she has begun work on a children’s novel. She dabbles in poetry and has been following Pat Stoltey’s emails about How’s The Writing Going?


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The Top Five Ways to Ram a Hook into Your Reader

By Brooke Favero

I'm querying right now and this week I was gently rejected by an agent. The agent held onto my query and pages for nine weeks, so I want to believe I was on the bubble--meaning, I was close but not quite there yet. When I received the rejection I wasn't devastated, sure I would have loved to be represented by the agent, but I'm seasoned enough now to pick myself up and learn from it.

Gratefully the agent didn't send me a form rejection and said my story had a lot of potential. My pages just weren't enough to get the agent excited. I took this two ways: 1) one my writing/voice needs to get stronger and 2) my first chapter needs a stronger hook. I'm so grateful for this criticism because it got me thinking and rethinking and thinking some more.

The beginning chapters are critical for hooking the reader. I know this, you know this, this is a known thing. I thought my story started with a hook--it has action and character but where it falls short is hinting to what the story is about. After reading my first chapter, my daughter said, "It's interesting, I guess, but when do they get to the good part." The good part, my inciting incident doesn't happen till page 18. For a middle grade book, page 18 might be the kiss of death.

So as writers, how do we hook the reader, develop our protagonist, and hint at the ride the reader is about to experience all in the first few pages? I thought I knew but apparently I need to keep working. I'm a goals-and-lists kind of girl, so I created:

The Top Five Ways to Ram a Hook into Your Reader:

1. Strong Writing Style. Duh. So what is it? It needs to balance mimetic writing with showing, not telling. It grows weak with play-by-play narration, overwriting, and telegraphing. And it needs a voice, the style with which you write. Your voice will develop the more you write, study and learn...but mostly write.
2. Tight Tension. Here are the 5 T's of Tension: The Stakes, The Pace, The Dialogue, The Setting, The Stakes. (Yes, "The" is the common T but it's late people, work with me.) The reader has to feel some sort of tension to turn the page. So give them a reason.
3. Creating Characters Readers Want Care About. Readers will stop reading if the characters don't feel real, flawed, proactive, motivated and somewhat likable. My husband is reading Game of Thrones right now and he hates all the characters so much he feels no desire to finish the book.
4. Hinting at a Plot. Readers need to know where the story is going or they will stop reading. You don't have to give the story away but foreshadow, hint, wink, bat your eyes, or something.
5. Avoiding First Chapter Pitfalls. Backstory, info dumping, exposition, throat-clearing and setup are all snoresville and turn readers off. Don't justify them, don't do them. I know, it's tempting but good writing weaves backstory and info into the story's action.

What are your tips for hooking the reader?

Seriously people, I need to know your tips.

The Power of Potter

Post by Kerrie 

In 2007, book seven of the Harry Potter series was released, but it wasn't until I saw the final movie on Sunday that I realized that it is over. There are no more Harry Potter books coming, no more movies. Since 1998 when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was launched, I have had either a book or movie to look forward to. Now, there is silence. No new quests, no new teacher of the Dark Arts, no more horcruxes, no more Voldemort. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny are now in the land of happily ever after.

All of this got me thinking about the power of a book. JK Rowling created a world and a series of books that impacted a whole generation of kids. Many, like my son and daughter, don't remember life without Harry Potter. My daughter has especially been effected. As our family sat in the packed theater, watching this final saga unfold, she shed many tears; mourning the loss of the characters who died, but, moreover, I think, mourning the loss of this chapter in her life that is now closed.

Wow. As a writer, it is pretty amazing to think that what we write has the potential to shape a generation. I am sure that was not JK Rowling's intention when she sat down to write the first Harry Potter. I bet she didn't sit at her table telling herself that she was going to write a series of books that would sell over 400 million copies and make her a billionaire.

Like all writers, she had a story in her head that wouldn't let go and she had to write it down. But the key to Rowling's success is she didn't give up. For five years she worked on the first book and outlined the rest of the series. She persevered. She didn't let anything stop her. She didn't let the fact that she was a single mom on welfare stop her from pursuing her dream.

For those passionate about writing, JK Rowling is a great example of how dedication and perseverance can bring success. There will never be another JK Rowling, but write the story you were called to write and you never know what will happen...

For more on JK Rowling you can:

• read Brooke's post from Friday, What Would JK Rowling Do
• Watch Rowling's interview with Oprah

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Monday Rerun

Happy Monday, everyone. Instead of writing a new post for today, I spent the weekend watching my sons play a total of nine tournament baseball games. I left a notebook out on the table last night in the hopes that the magical post-writing fairies would pay me a visit, but no such luck. So today's post is a rerun. And, thanks to my ongoing internet service troubles, I'm posting it late, too. Have a great week!

Yoga Practice
Post by Jenny

I have a few yoga-loving friends. They are lithe and energetic and fit, but despite being excellent advertisements for the discipline, they have yet to convince me to attend a class. I’m afraid that public displays of contortionism (mine or anyone else’s) would have me giggling uncontrollably. I do have a yoga DVD, however, which I practice along with in the comfort of my home. I used to do it every weekday, then three mornings a week, then two, then—maybe—one. Then…none. For a long time, none.

I realized recently, as I strained to pick up something off the floor, that either my arms have shrunk to T-Rex proportions or my hamstrings have lost what little flexibility they once had. Because my sleeves still fit, I had to assume it was the latter. I was tempted to ignore this turn of events, but I knew that, in the long run, sticking my head in the sand (if I could even reach the sand) was not my best plan of action.

With a bit of trepidation, I dusted off my DVD and gave the routine another try. A couple of the poses were challenging—one in particular, which I think is called ‘Tangled Paperclips’—but, all in all, I did okay. And it occurred to me that I didn’t completely bomb because I had a history of consistent practice to fall back on (not literally, thank goodness). My muscles hadn’t lost the memory of what they were supposed to be doing and tried their best to do it again.

The same is true with writing. If my writing muscles are toned by frequent use, it’s much easier to get back into the routine after taking some time away. Like any other workout, there are days when I can’t wait to get started writing, and I burn through two hours with energy to spare. And there are days when I have to force myself to write, when it feels awkward and clumsy, and I‘d rather give up and eat something.

I used to think everything I wrote had to be perfect, and I still revise and obsess more than I should. But I have also come to realize that writers—like yoga devotees, like tennis players, like musicians—need regular, consistent practice. And practice doesn’t have to be perfect.

That’s why it’s called practice.

How do you keep your writing muscles in shape?

It’s Good to Be the King

Post by guest blogger, NCW member Maggie Goins

It’s Good to Be the King

That would be Stephen King: world renowned, bestselling author of over 30 books, some of which many will never, ever, forget (or, perhaps, get over). I bow down before his writing majesty. I am not worthy.

Have you ever read King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft”? I had, probably ten years ago, and was inspired and encouraged by it, somehow braver about exposing my writing to the world. When the NCW book study class of this wonderful writing tool was offered, I signed up, excited to take an in depth look at it after a decade of its sitting on my shelf. Our group consists of Kerrie, myself, and three new, interesting writer friends.

The first thing that surprised me about the book this time around, was how much I had forgotten about him. The basis for his stories could have been taken from his own young life, far from being one of privilege or opportunity. King had to work very hard, like many of us, to get his big break, maybe even harder. He is talented, obviously, but his main advantage was his mother, who always believed and encouraged him, just as his wife, Tabitha, does to this day. We all need this kind of faith in us, and as he says, “They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.”

Our first assignment was to read the first 80 pages for our discussion. Honestly, I could have talked and listened for another hour. This week we’ll read 50 pages, still pretty much in the memoir-like section of the book. I’m again inspired by his humility, work ethic and his love of language and can’t wait for our next group discussion.

If you haven’t read this book, promise yourself you will. You’ll certainly learn from this King and find you may need to talk to someone about it, as well.

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The Top 5 reasons to ask yourself what would JK Rowling do?

Oh it's Friday and I'm excited. I have tickets to the final Harry Potter movie tonight. Since I'm switching it up and nixing the round ups I thought I'd give cred to JK Rowling today. I know, many blogs gush over JK. It's JK this and JK that. But as writers, we can learn a lot from JK both in her publication story and her style.

Some people live their life by the motto: What would Chuck Norris do? When writing, I think you can apply JK.

Here are the top 5 reasons to ask yourself what would JK Rowling do?

1. She believed in her idea and persevered. It was six years from when she started writing Harry Potter till her story was picked up by Bloomsbury Press. And according to the extras on her website she rewrote her first chapter of Sorcerer's Stone many, many times. So hang in there, you can do it.
2. She got an agent. Contrary to urban legend (I've heard some big ones), JK Rowling submitted her work to agents. Sure, she was picked up by the second agent she queried (I sorta hate her right now) but it still took her agent a full year to sell the manuscript. Which goes to show, even great stories need an agent and a bit of luck. Work toward getting an agent, they make the publishing life easier.
3. She has great style. As a writer, you can learn how to write well from reading the Harry Potter series. Kidlit shows how JK Rowling tells then shows and does it well. Nathan Bransford points out five tips from reading Harry Potter. Writing style and voice, she has it, you need it. Write, write, write, study, study, study.
4. She gives back. JK Rowling's Wikipedia page has a whole section on her different philanthropic efforts. Rowling said, "I think you have a moral responsibility when you've been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently." It's important to remember your community and those in need, so remember.
5. She can shake up the industry. With her soon-to-launch website Potterville, she's cutting out the e-book retailers and selling directly to her fans. While most authors should still use the tradition channels for distribution, JK Rowling's move is gutsy and may influence the direction of publishing. Maybe her efforts will make publishing easier for us, or not. Either way it will be fun to watch how it plays out.

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?

I love Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Book Review: What Happened To Goodbye

Post by Kerrie

This summer I've enjoyed being a book reviewer for the BlogHer book club. Here is my latest review:

My teenage daughter loves Sarah Dessen's books and after reading What Happened to Goodbye, I can see why. Dessen is a talented writer who portrays a realistic view of teenage life, and at the same time, weaves well written prose through a compelling story line that even someone like me, who has been out of high school for many years, can relate to and enjoy....READ MORE

Oh, Snag!

Post by Jenny

In the grand scheme of things, my boys would probably rank clothes shopping somewhere between standardized testing and low-budget clowns. But they must occasionally accompany me to choose some new duds or risk dressing like castaways. The last time we were out, we discovered some lightweight athletic shirts we could all agree on. The boys loved the comfort and the colors, and I loved the price. The only problem—which we discovered when my younger son had a close encounter with Velcro and came away looking like a scratching post—is that they snag. On everything. I’m pretty sure I even saw a snag spontaneously burst forth, as if releasing some kind of freaky alien spores.

From gum in the dryer to interminable rush-hour detours, life is full of snags. So is writing. A writing snag is something that pulls a reader’s mind in a distracting direction. A snag can come in any size—large (an entire scene that doesn’t work), medium (an exchange of stilted dialogue), or small (a single wrongly-placed letter). At a recent funeral, for example, I read in the program that the “internment” would immediately follow the service.

My brain: “Oh, snag.”
Me: “What?”
Brain: “There’s an extra ‘n’ in there. The proper word is ‘interment.’”
Me: “You’re really going to bring this up now? At a funeral?”
Brain: “Well, yes.”
Me: “Ugh. We’ll discuss it later.”

As it turned out, that very afternoon I read a short story which mentioned the interment of a body.

My brain: “I told you so!”
Me: “Okay, okay. You don’t need to gloat.”

Internment means detention or imprisonment. Interment means burial or entombment. I suppose one could argue that a body is detained and/or imprisoned upon burial, but the words aren’t truly synonymous. Hence the snag.

Keep a sharp eye out for snags, because a snag is how a WIP says, “Whoa, Bessie. There’s trouble in these parts.” (I’m not sure why I think a WIP would sound like an old-timey sheriff, but there you go.) So the next time you run across a snag, in your own writing or someone else’s, stop and consider how to smooth it away. Because snags draw attention to our writing for all the wrong reasons…and they never fix themselves.

Have you ever encountered a writing snag?

Northern Colorado Writers Blog Carnival

Northern Colorado Writers is made up of over 200 talented writers, many who also have a blog. I asked them to send me a favorite post to share with all of you. Help me support them by visiting their blogs and leaving comments. Then come back here and share which posts you enjoyed the most.

Chuck Harrelson: Quoting Quotes to Quote Quotes

Beware Computer Programmers That Carry Screwdrivers

Michelle Mach: Beads & Books

Review: The Artists Way

Cathy Smith: Chuckling Boomer
Focusing on Multi-Tasking

Patricia Stoltey: Thoughts About Writing...

A Sunday in the Life of Me


Dean Miller: And Then I Smiled
Unnamed Memory

Kay Theoderatus: Fiction Lessons From My Reading
Dealing With Writer Envy

Rich Keller: Cranial Burps
Cranial Laughs: The Most Accurate Presidential Candidate Speech of All Time

Cricket McRae: Hearth Cricket
Win a Free Author Website

Heidi Windmiller: And Then She Writes
Do You Lick Your Fingers After Touching a Hedgehog?

April Moore: Folsom 93
I Have the "Folsom Prison Blues" Blues

Kerrie Flanagan: The Writing Bug
Redistribution of Power

Jenny Sundstedt: The Writing Bug
Writing Naked

Which posts did you enjoy reading? Why?

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About On Writing

Post By Kerrie

Stephen King's book On Writing is one of the best books about writing. No, I take that back, it IS the best book about writing.

King opens the book by sharing his writing journey and we see that he struggled. Yes, Stephen King struggled, just like the rest of us, to get his writing career going. Then in the second part he talks about his writing toolbox and gives great advice and strong opinions on the craft.

This amazing piece of work is funny, poignant, informative and a must read for every writer. I don't lend my personal copy of On Writing to anyone and I do mean anyone. If the president of the U.S. wanted my copy it would take at least 10 social services guys to pry it out of my hands while I screamed obscenities at them.

I also don't normally deface books and am not typically a re-reader, but On Writing is the exception. Dozens of pages are dog-eared, the margins are written in and I re-read it whenever I can.

Starting on Tuesday, I am leading a 4-week, On Writing, book study through Northern Colorado Writers. This gives me an excuse to read it again and then discuss it in depth with other writers. We are also going to apply his words of wisdom to our own writing and then share that with each other. My insides feel like a shaken-up soda right now I am so excited.

Here are some of my favorite dog-eared, underlined passages in the book:

"You must not come lightly to the blank page. I'm not asking you to come reverently or unquestioningly; I'm not asking you to be politically correct or cast aside your sense of humor. This isn't a popularity contest, it's not the moral Olympics, and it's not church. But it's writing, damn it, not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business. if you can't or won't, it's time for you to close the book and something else.  Wash the car maybe."

"I am convinced that fear is at the root of most bad writing."

"The hours we spend talking about writing is the time we don't spend actually doing it."

"The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better."

Have you read On Writing? If so, what did you learn from it?


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Declaring Independence

Post by Jenny

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Though July 4th marks the celebration of an American holiday, independence, as we’ve seen in such dramatic examples this year, is an idea that has no geographic or political boundaries. Independence inspires revolution and builds nations, but it works on a smaller scale, too. Fledglings seek independence from the nest. Kids seek independence from their parents. Cats seek independence from everyone.

In the spirit of the day, let’s all take a moment to declare independence from something that’s holding us back in our writing lives. Perhaps you belong to a critique group which doesn’t meet your needs, but you’re reluctant to call it quits because they’re such nice people—and the snacks are delicious. Or maybe you need to put a little distance between yourself and social media. It’s fun, and it can be useful, but it can also be a huge distraction. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m willing to bet that whatever your long-lost friend from third grade is doing these days, it’s not as important as your WIP.

Today, I’m declaring independence from the word ‘never.’ I have nothing against the word itself—it’s a fine word that can have great dramatic effect. One of my favorite examples comes from the movie Batman Begins. The stately Wayne Manor, besieged by a gang of vigilantes, is burning. Bruce Wayne is trapped. After loyal butler Alfred (whose last name, by the way, is Pennyworth) dodges flaming debris to rescue his billionaire boss, Bruce asks, “You still haven’t given up on me?” And Alfred replies, “Never.” Because Alfred is played by Michael Caine, it sounds like “Nev-ah.” Which makes it even better.

But many writers use ‘never’ in self-defeating ways. We say we’ll never finish our novels, never get published, never make any money, never get our big break. Used thusly, ‘never’ becomes a heavy anchor around the neck, and who has the desire or strength to carry that around all day? So I’m going to try and use ‘never’ only in contexts that I’m certain are true (e.g. I’ll never be 5’7” tall) or affirming (e.g. never give up). Take notice, all you negative nevers. I’m kicking you to the curb.

As for my old nemesis, chocolate, well, that truly is a case of never say never.

From what will you declare your independence today?

Book Review: Getting To Happy

Post by Kerrie

I am a book reviewer for the BlogHer book club. I recently red the book, Getting To Happy by Terry McMillan.

The book, Getting to Happy, the sequel to Waiting to Exhale, by Terry McMillan is a story of true friendship, family, love, forgiveness and redemption. The book chronicles the lives of four women, all around the age of 50, who have all reached a critical juncture in their lives. We share in their journeys as they experience hardships and challenges, but their friendship remains strong, providing the strength they need to persevere.

Getting to Happy was definitely written with... (read the complete review BlogHer).