Monthly Archives: December 2012

Experience the Season

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

Experience the Season

By Nandy Ekle

Bright sparkly lights. Cold wind. The taste of peppermint. Festive music. The smell of burning wax from candles. The silvery icicles hung from the tree in our living room window. And magic in the air. These are my memories of Christmas as a child. My mother made new ornaments every year from Styrofoam balls and sequins. My dad wrapped presents and made his own bows. We three kids tried a little harder to get along so Santa wouldn’t bring us coal.

A very strong memory I have is of my parents collecting toys and fun things for a family we knew who were having a hard time. Mom and Dad took us shopping to help find little trinkets for the children of the family since we played together. Our job was to pick out dolls and hair brushes and pony tail holders, wrap them in the colorful paper, then be quiet and pretend we didn’t know anything about it. When my friend, the oldest daughter of the family, called to tell me about the sack of presents left on their porch Christmas Eve night, I had to act amazed to hear that such a thing happened, all the while giggling inside myself.

As an adult, wife, mother, grandmother, we have tried to make our own traditions. The endless baking. Sitting on the floor with gifts, paper, tape and ink pens spread out while I wrap presents. Gathering the same addresses every year for the Christmas cards.

I think in the past couple of years a new tradition has started. This one has nothing to do with the rest of the family, but has everything to do with feelings. The last few years I have woken up on a cold morning humming a song that inspires a new story. I sit at the computer as the sun slowly rises over the horizon and the magic of the season makes a new story appear on the “paper.” The best thing to do when that happens is to go with it. Let the memories, feelings and emotions of the holiday flow and you’ll probably find your best story.

Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.

TEACHING CREATIVITY

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TEACHING CREATIVITY

by Sharon Stevens

“Teach kids to understand everything but to fear nothing.”

Kevin Honeycutt

Almost twenty years ago I sat next to Kathy Gist at the Frontiers in Writing Conference at Amarillo College. She had submitted a story for the contest and all of us in attendance were waiting for the results. Kathy won in not only her category, but the best of all the writings that year. The judges for her wrote magazine articles and their talk was about getting your work published. They loved her story! She had taken a sweet memory of her father, and after his death she had taken fabric from his old shirts and quilted them into a wall hanging for her and her family. She wrote that she gathered them up and buried herself within the folds and grieved with each cut but healed with each stitch.

The look on Kathy’s face was priceless as the presenters listed all the publications and magazines that would be interested to carry her story. They told her to submit it now, as quick as she could and to as many as she dared. And she did. She sent her work to Guidepost and Country magazine among others. It was published in Country and then she found out she had won the Guidepost Short Story Award. The prize for this was a week in New York City with five other winners who would spend their time visiting with agents, publishers, other writers, and teachers of the craft of writing.

I thought of Kathy today as I watched Natalie Bright finish up power points for her own presentation. How blessed I was to be beside her as she went over each graphic chosen especially for this talk. Our daughter, Andrea Keller, a teacher at the Sally B. Elliott Elementary School in Irving Texas, had invited Kevin Honeycutt to Skype, and Natalie to speak at their special author’s event. Natalie teaches creative writing for children at various workshops in Canyon and Amarillo, Texas, She is also the Program Chair for the Frontier in Writing Conference and a blogger for Wordsmith Six Blog. Natalie and Jodi Thomas would be traveling to Dallas for the Dallas/Fort Worth Writers Conference this weekend and had graciously consented to give a talk to the kids over writing and a connection to oil. Natalie and her husband Chris have Sunlight Exploration, as a geologist with an oil and gas business, and she had written the book “Oil People” as a middle reader.

My husband, Joe Stevens was the photographer for the book. He has such a gift in photography, where did he tap into this talent?

Jodi Thomas is a guest speaker at the DFW Writers Conference and her topic is, “To Teach Creativity, Writing Deeper.” And this brings me to the inspiration for this blog.

How do you teach creativity, how do you ingrain writing? To inspire, sure, to instruct, ditto. You can do all of these things. But to be able to take those lessons and create a story is something that comes from within. As I watched Natalie I was overwhelmed with all the emotions exploding in my heart. The colors, the graphics, the whole kit and caboodle came alive and sang to my soul.

I felt the same way when I took Creative Writing classes from Jodi Thomas and DeWanna Pace at the urging of my good friend Connie Hirsch. Jodi taught each of us in the class to write from our own heart. They taught us the craft of writing and the mechanics, but it went so much deeper than that or higher above. They inspired us to tap into ourselves and find a way to transfer that onto print. I also am touched in so many ways with each guest speaker at Panhandle Professional Writers like Barbara Brannon from Texas Tech University Press as they share their passion and gifts. In just a couple of hours they take a simple subject and weave a connection that we can use to our own benefit.

And then again my heart is so full as I watch my daughter gather ideas using all she learned with her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, but also with Podstock, Follett Higher Education, Destination Imagination, BrainPop, Girl Scouts and on and on. And then there are the people who have touched her life such as Dr. Alice Owen, Dr. Elaine Roberts, and Elaine Plybon. Who was their teacher that gave them their gifts? Andrea has volunteered for years every which way she can, and stores tidbits everywhere she goes. Teaching children with Autism keeps her sharp in all the ways she can give them a voice. Her creativity knows no bounds. Where did she find this spark? How does she transfer it to others? It boggles the mind. My husband and I may have given her life, but the extras she created on her own.

Each and every person connected together share the essence of their creativity. Some exude through their very soul. The definition in my 1890 Webster’s dictionary only describes creativity as related to creation as in birth. And maybe it is nothing more than that. But I believe creativity is what takes a scene or an idea and gives it life, and helps it to explode with vivid colors bright with everything that gives us spirit.

I won’t be there to watch Andrea shine, or as Natalie gives her talk or Kevin Skypes, but I will be blessed to hear them as they share their excitement when they return home, or watch their postings on facebook or email. As God and John Wayne are my witness I know with their creativity they will touch the life of a child, or a parent, or a teacher. And each of those will return to their own homes and their own families and pass these moments on to their siblings and to their friends, AND this will perpetuate an endless cycle of heritage and legacy for eternity. What a treasure!

I think words taken from the musical drama “TEXAS” says it best. “Take good news where you are going, say to the waiting dead that your brothers intend good things. And here where you once followed the Buffalo, a kind and happy people will build their homes and cities in joy and Thanksgiving-trusting in one another, friends to one another. Yes, that’s what I mean, honored warrior and chief. And we will remember your suffering and the suffering and sacrifice of your people and of my own Mother who sleeps in this ground where you will sleep, and so will the better and more beautiful make this land because of you. And our children, and children’s children will remember. WILL REMEMBER!”

Sharon Stevens

What a Character

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Outtakes 72

What a Character

By Cait Collins

 Sometimes it seems my stories are flat. My main characters work, but there’s a presence lurking in the shadows. It’s a being that is not living, but whose influence is felt. I encountered this situation with Miss Lucille and Rance Phillips in my current work HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW. Miss Lucille dies in the early pages of the story. Rance has been gone for a number of years. Still these two people have pivotal roles in the story. They are definitely characters, but how can they contribute to the development of the tale?

Incorporating memories brings the character front and center. There are many things about her life in Harley, Texas, Kate wants to forget. But hearing the story of Miss Lucille’s “adoption” of Travis and Mike forces her to relive the day she came to live with her grandmother. Kate’s life had been bleak following her father’s death until her Grams takes over as guardian. Under the care of her grandmother, the young girl begins to grow and develop the characteristics that keep Kate strong even during the worst of times.

Letters and journals give glimpses into the deceased’s life. They provide back story and an eye witness account of the events that drive the story. Kate reads a letter from Rance Phillips, the antagonist’s father. Rance and Miss Lucille were an item, but the Texas gentleman viewed young Kate as a granddaughter. His letter reminds her of the day she bought him two scoops of vanilla ice cream. His words confirm an abiding love for her. The scene and the reactions of Kate, her son, and Dalton provide emotional impact for the reader.

One of my favorite scenes is the reading of Miss Lucille’s will.  This is no boring whereas and wherefore reading. The lady recorded her will. Imagine each heir hearing the voice and witnessing her expression as the deceased detailed each bequest. Each heir is left with no doubt as to Lucille Walker’s opinion of his or her character and the impact they had on her life.

Non-traditional characters can be tricky, but they may create some of the best drama in the story. Joe Nichols, one of my critique partners, is writing a novel about the rodeo circuit and an exceptional bronc. I love his seamless transition from the cowboy’s point of view regarding a ride to Trail’s End view of the event. By incorporating the horse’s thoughts and emotions, he makes the animal a major player in a promising first novel.

Non-traditional characters have the potential to spice up a story. Experimenting with various ways to bring these beings into the tale is a challenge, but it can be fun. Give it a try next time a scene lags. It could be just the fix you need.

Active Writing cultivates new Material.

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Reasons to Write

by Rory C. Keel

Why do I write? Is it because throngs of fans demand it, anticipating every word of my next masterpiece? Is it because I honestly expect to make millions of dollars on a bestseller, or desire to be famous? No.

This week I will share with you reason number 2 of why I write.

Reason #2 – Active Writing cultivates new Material.

As a writer do you struggle to find new material to write?

For me, ideas often come to mind when I am actively writing, as if one idea sprouts from another. As my story moves along, writing one sentence after the next, a scene will unfold unlocking a previous thought. Occasionally a secret door in that scene will open showing me an object or a thought that feels out of place and doesn’t fit. These are what I call my story seeds, seedsfor another project.

 Story Seeds                                                           

Story seeds are small bits of information that emerge in your thoughts. They can be simple objects like a single red sock hung on a clothesline: why is it blowing in the wind as if forgotten, or was it intentional and a signal for someone? Maybe an animal such as a small brown dog runs through your thoughts while you write. Why is he alone? Does he have a master? These story seeds may be a specific place you’ve never been before or a mysterious person that suddenly emerges in your mind and then vanishes. When these items appear, I quickly record them to use in a future piece.

 Make a List

Make a list in a small pocket notebook or journal of story seeds when they happen. When you struggle to find something to write, use the list to spark a story. Ask when, where, who, what and how about each item on the list to generate the next story.

Make your list!

Rory C. Keel

 

 

It’s Called Networking

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It’s Called Networking

by Natalie Bright

Throughout the world of business, professionals network. Everyone does it, from skilled surgeons, teachers, CEO’s, office managers–you name it. At some point in their career, these workers will attend some type of meeting to learn more about that profession. When I worked in human resources, conferences were invaluable. It’s where I learned about the new labor laws and where I found a network of people who worked in the same industry that I did. People I could call on, if I needed information or help. People who were saavy as to the latest trends or tools that I needed to know to do my job effectively.

Writers are No Exception

In Economics and Finance 101, the first thing you learn is that every smart business owner has at least one year of working capital set aside to get through the bad times and the second thing you realize is that every successful business owner puts everything they make right back into their business. An owner’s priority is the facility, equipment, goods, and the people; everything it takes to make that business a success, and they network with others in their profession.

Writing is a business after all, and at some point in  your career, you’ll need to step into the business world of publishing. You need to know about social marketing, query letters, proposals, characterization, plotting techniques, and you need to network with people who understand what you do. Editors, agents, and writers all love stories. It’s what we do.

YOU the Man

So what have you done for yourself lately to advance your writing career? What have you put back into your business? As a professional writer, one of the best ways to make an investment in YOU is to attend a writer’s conference.

Here are two of my favorites, and they’re scheduled for the same weekend in 2013 (drat!) Whichever you might choose, they are both well worth your time and money.

OWFI 45: Revive! Strive! Thrive!

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, Inc. May 2-4, 2013 in Norman, Oklahoma. Conference topics generally includes a good representation of every genre. Fun and friendly group! http://www.owfi.org

DFWCon May 4-5, 2013

Dallas/Fort Worth area writer’s group sponsors this conference which features a ton of agents. Each attendee gets one free pitch session, so research those agents and agencies carefully. Don’t waste your time or theirs by pitching something they do not represent. This huge conference is well-run and organized, and I met so many serious writers who are firmly focused on learning everything they can about the publishing business. It’s a total brain overload for two days on everything writing and it’s wonderful. http://www.dfwcon.com

Network, learn, and keep writing!

http://www.nataliebright.com

Music to Write By

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

Music to Write By

By Nandy Ekle

 I love all kinds of music and this time of year is rich with tunes. There are hymns to God as well as love to fellow man. There are songs about the magic of the season and joy of children learning about Christmas. And there are always love songs because this time of seems to inspire romance.

For the past few mornings I have woken up with a certain song in my head that I’ve heard on the Christmas radio station. It’s not necessarily a happy song, and that’s why it continues to play through my brain. I know there’s a story in that song.

When I hear the words, its’ easy to slide into that zone and visualize the confusion and torment the singer feels. I hear, see, and feel the whole thing play out. I can even smell the scents in the room where the holiday party is taking place. The character in my head picks up a nibble from a tray and I taste the morsel as he/she pops it into his/her mouth.

My job now is to write down what my character tells me through the song. I need to let go of the reins and let the zone overtake me completely to get my own words on paper.

Listen to one of your favorite Christmas songs and let your senses take over. Let the magic of the season write the story for you.

Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.

ADDRESS UNKNOWN

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ADDRESS UNKNOWN

By Sharon Stevens

I was putting the finishing touches on my husband’s Santa coat for his performance as Cowboy Santa for The Hide Out. Earlier in the day I had read the Canyon News article about Gene Vaughn Morrison and Bill Anderson and the musical drama TEXAS. This instantly brought me back to another time and place years ago.

The Canyon High School drama department was performing “Becket” as their one-act play, and Kathy Gist and I were working on the costumes. The art teacher, Charlotte Brantley, had bought all the material and we were sewing the final pieces. I will never forget Gene standing beside me while I hand stitched the final button on his cape for his role as the Bishop.

On the spur of the moment Kathy and I decided to take the opportunity to ride the Greyhound bus to see their performance in Odessa. We got off the bus and caught a cab and gave the cab driver the address of where we needed to go at the college where the one-acts were being performed. This driver meandered through the campus and drove into this entrance and that, taking the scenic tour on our dime. We had no clue where we were going, but we thought he did. He truly knew where he was headed, but was hesitant about getting us there.

When we finally pulled up to the theatre entrance he told us the charge was twenty dollars. In 1971 this was good money, especially for me as I was living on my own, paying all my expenses while working part time at the nursing home. This money represented probably a week’s worth, no maybe a month’s worth of groceries for me. We had no choice. Kathy and I divvied up our dollars and gave it to the cabbie. Even worse than losing so much money was that we were so late we missed the performance, which meant we didn’t get to see all our hard work come to life onstage.

Kathy Gist sat beside me again at the Panhandle Professional Writers Frontiers in Writing Conference as she won Best of Show for her story. The judges stood in front of all of us gathered and excitedly told Kathy to send her story to several different magazines. They even listed the addresses of where to write for writer’s guidelines as well as where to submit her stories. Kathy went on to have this story published with Guidepost Magazine and her award was to attend the Guidepost Short Story conference in New York.

As writers we have so many opportunities to send out our stories. And with the Internet the possibilities are absolutely endless. But we can never forget to research our destination to make sure we go in the right direction. We may think we know EXACTLY where our thoughts need to go, but in all honesty we ourselves are missing the point. This is not saying we shouldn’t stray from our intended path now and again, but it is very important for us to weigh our options before embarking down what appears to be a promising road. At all times we have to be mindful of the correct address in case our bread crumbs are eaten before we can retrace our steps. We can’t expect the post office to deliver our message if we don’t have the write destination. They are not Santa whose only address is the North Pole!

I came across “The 1941 Reader’s Digest 20th Anniversary Anthology” at our Buffalo Bookstore. In it was the most wonderful story called, “ADDRESS UNKNOWN” by Kathleen Kressmann Taylor. The story involves a time before World War II and the rise of Nazi power. This powerful message revolves around both sides of the horror and tragedy of this time, and totally reverses the meaning of the address of the soul.

I will always miss Kathy. She was so kind to me over the last several years with our heritage project in Canyon, and our storytelling at The Fountain on the courthouse square. I don’t have her correct address in Heaven, but I have no doubt this message will be delivered without any problems. I was very careful as I wrote where I thought my words needed to go.

Read the Contract

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Outtakes 71

Read the Contract

by Cait Collins

I am appalled by the number of people who will affix their signatures to contracts and documents without reading them. Or if they read them, they do not understand all the terms. Instead of asking questions or requesting an attorney review the contract, they scribble their names on the dotted line. Bad move for anyone, but how does this impact a writer?

While I prefer to believe most people are honest in their business dealings, I know this is not always true. Think back a few years when writers would see an ad in a writers’ magazine representing a publisher. “Get your novel published today.” A friend of mine saw such an ad and gave me a copy. I followed the instructions and submitted my first novel. Several weeks passed before I received a letter of acceptance with the contract to follow. I was in heaven until I received the contract. Not only did I lose all my rights, I would be required to give first right of refusal to the publisher for all future works.  If I was unwilling to do the changes they requested, they would hire someone to do the rewrites. The real kicker was the “publisher” required me to pay $3,ooo.oo for the privilege of seeing my book in print. What a wake-up call! I keep that contract in my files to remind me to read the fine print.

Unfortunately there are unscrupulous agents, editors, publishers who prey on writers desperate to be published. They promise the moon, get the signed contract, but never follow through on the promises. How many promising authors have been burned and give up?  Trust your instincts. If you are uncomfortable with the submission requirements such as reader’s fees, or unreasonable time frames for response, back off. If after meeting an agent or editor, you have that funny feeling something’s not right, or you don’t click personality wise, make no promises. Request a business card and check out the agent or editor on predator websites or read references from other writers.

Reputable agents, editors, and publishers may present you with a good offer, but can you negotiate a better deal? What’s the harm in investigating the possibilities? And remember to ask questions. If you don’t understand clauses in the contract, have an intellectual properties, copyright, or literary attorney review the document. Remember this is a business. A few extra steps just might save you disappointment and problems in the long run.

Reasons to Write

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Reasons to Write

Rory C. Keel 

Why do I write? Is it because throngs of fans demand it anticipating every word of my next masterpiece? Is it because I honestly expect to make millions of dollars on a bestseller, or desire to be famous? No.

Over the next few weeks I will share with you a few of the reasons I write.

Reason #1

I write to tell a story. Everyone loves a good story. Children drift off to sleep with their heads cradled gently in downy pillows, and their minds full of colorful images from fairytales. Young adults turn the pages of books filled with adventure, loyalty, and sometimes tragedy. They experience a spectrum of emotions as they learn the meaning of dedication, true love, and even loss. Adults feel alive with the thrill of a great suspense novel. As we grow older, we can gain a sense of who we are, and where we came from by reading of our youthful yesterdays.

For a few brief moments in time, a story affords the reader the opportunity to escape reality. Traveling through time into other dimensions, we can explore the far reaches of the future, or a place in history. A story allows the reader to become someone else, able to triumph over evil, or transform into the bad guy. The words of a story can inspire us to overcome the odds stacked against us, and we can experience the exhilaration of victory.

Everyone has a story–write yours.

Rory C. Keel        

NOVEMBER IS DONE! YOU HAVE A NOVEL! Now What?

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NOVEMBER IS DONE! YOU HAVE A NOVEL!

Now What?

by Natalie Bright

November is done, and what a great month it is for writers: National Novel Writing Month. It’s a thrilling time to be a writer because of the endless opportunities.

Switching Gears

Did you participate this year? I tried, but had to stop mid-way and switch projects because I could not stay focused on the time period at hand. Another character popped into my head and I just had to give her some attention. That’s when the word count flew. I got more done in the last part of the month than I’ve ever thought possible.

Yay for You!

Many of you blogged about or shared your progress on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for that, and cheers to those of you who stuck with the work at hand. It’s so hard to power through that first draft and you should congratulate yourself. Writing an entire book is an amazing accomplishment.

One post, however, gave me pause for concern. The word count was impressive for this author’s NaNo November 2012, and it was followed by a listed publishing date of ‘December 2012’.  My heart hurts for this person.

You want your book out there more than anything in the world. I understand. Don’t do it.  Don’t jeopardize your writing career. That first power draft is not ready for publication. You need to make several more passes through your novel, and I’ve found it’s impossible to analyze these key components at the same time. Each aspect must be looked at separately.

You’re Not Done Yet!

Here’s your editing checklist.

Add sensory elements. The rule is you want at least two to three (or more) senses in every scene. Show me what your character hears, tastes, smells, feels, and can see. And then there’s the whole list of internal senses to consider.

Dialogue. Does the dialogue ring true for each character? Are there plot elements or information the reader needs which can be clarified through dialogue?

Helping Verbs. Best advice I’ve ever had is to search and highlight the word ‘was’. As you power through the first draft, it’s easy to type ‘was’ and keep going. Sometimes when you stop to consider a better word, you might loose the image of that scene. Press on, but always replace those helping verbs with active verbs later.

Chapter Hooks. It’s so important to end each chapter with a hook. Give the reader a reason to keep turning those pages. Make a pass through your novel, reading out loud the first sentence and the last sentence of every chapter.

Critique Groups are next. You need an unbiased opinion from a group or a reader who understand story craft. Even though your mother is proud as punch that you’re holding 60,000 words which you typed all by yourself, she might not be the best one to give you a valuable critique.

Leave it alone. You read this right; shove your baby in a drawer. Go back to your life for a few days, weeks, even months, and then come back to that novel with refreshed eyes.

Grammar check. Read your novel out loud. Not just some parts, the whole thing. Awkward sentences and grammatical errors and strange word substitutions compliments of your computer will be revealed during this pass. Typos are a no brainer–don’t have any.  Also consider over-used clichés, point of view, shifts in verb tense, word echoes, and varied sentence length. No one ever said this writing business is easy. This is hard work people so get back to it.

Finally, publish away!

It took me forever to realize that our creative brains don’t work in a linear manner –1, 2, 3.  I think our subconscious muse is always working on our stories but the images may come in fragments, never in perfect chapter order and sometimes not even on the work in progress. Don’t stress over it. Just make notes of the scene as it comes to you. You can fix everything during the editing process – that’s when the real work begins.

It’s a thrilling time to be a reader. There are so many great stories out there–keep up the good work everybody!

http://www.nataliebright.com