To make your writing more exciting and add depth, use dynamic verbs in place of generic.
Doing this will make your writing richer.
| Generic Verb | Dynamic Verb |
| Jump | Leap, bound, hop, skip, prance |
| Run | Sprint, dash, bolt, gallop |
| Play | Amuse, entertain |
| Go | Move, proceed, leave, depart |
| yell | Shout, howl, wail, scream, |
Rory C. Keel
TEN STEPS TO FAME
By Natalie Bright
When my story “The Race” was selected for Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul, I realized few had even heard of my name, but everyone knew about this international series. At the suggestion of a friend who is a bestselling author, I agreed that I should take advantage of the Chicken Soup name by holding an autographing at our local Wal-Mart.
Following is a list of ten tips for organizing a promotion in your town or neighborhood, including several things I should have done better.
1. Find your business frame of mind.
Publishing is a business and marketing is all about timing. Take an objective view and coordinate a plan for best promoting you and your current project, whether you have previous publishing credits or not. Research your options.
2. Compile a mailing list NOW.
Gather addresses for a mailing list now, or email list, into a database that is user friendly. It should be versatile for printing labels and cards, or merging to a newsletter. As your exposure increases, you’ll find more and more uses for mailing lists. I wish I would have organized my list with the capability of determining writers versus bookstore owners. I have a mailing of over 500 names and addresses, and I have not clue where I met some of these people
3. Organizational contacts.
Communities harbor a multitude of clubs needing speakers. You probably know several people who are members. Mail fliers offering free talks, along with details on proposed topics. If you receive an invitation to speak, deliver a well thought-out, informative program. I’ve met so many people at events which led to invitations to other events. Networking is important as you work to establish a name for yourself as an author.
4. Compile an industry contacts list.
Build a professional database of bookstore owners, book buyers, librarians, and newspaper contacts.
5. Think outside the bookstore.
Consider advertising in unique ways that have a direct relation to the work you are promoting. Many different kinds of stores might be willing to host an autographing. Does your anthology’s theme tie into a scrapbook store, floral shop, or espresso bar? Ask the owner of that specialty gift shop when she experiences the most crowds and schedule an autographing during that time.
6. Plan a merchandise tie-in.
Inexpensive give-aways to coordinate with your book are fun and will enliven your event. My toddler inspired my story in Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul when he refused to eat anything but fish crackers. The store manager contacted the vendor, who agreed to provide free crackers for the autographing.
7. Remember holidays.
Does your anthology relate to an important retail day or holiday? Schedule an autographing the day of or prior to that special day. Storeowners and managers can provide you with a wealth of information. The manager of the store in our community told me that Mother’s Day has the third largest sales of the year and ninety-one percent of American’s participate. We decided to hold the autographing the day before Mother’s Day. The time was set during the busiest traffic being after lunch through middle afternoon. My table was located on a main aisle in front of the book department. I had a steady stream of shoppers the entire time and sold three cases of books.
8. Do-it-yourself printing.
If you have a good printer and software, design your own postcards and flyers. The key is to purchase quality paper.
9. Spread the Word. Never underestimate the power of “buzz”. Your family, friends, and fellow writers will generate talk about your success.
10. Get personal and show appreciation. Personal contact is crucial to a successful promotion on the local level. Show your appreciation to these folks with a personal note or phone call of thanks after the event.
If you hit stumbling blocks, and you will, remain professional. One neighbor could not believe I had a story published and told me I had too much time on my hands. On the other hand, our city’s mayor bought two copies of the Chicken Soup when I was seated next to her in a local eatery. Always carry extra copies in your car. You may be surprised how quickly word about your writing buzzes around your town.
You Are Worthy!
Ignore the doubting voices. To some it may be one little story in a book containing many, but consider the big picture. One published piece serves as a stepping-stone to advance your exposure as a writer. Every opportunity to become published or to talk about your writing lends credibility to your career.
Natalie Bright
Outtakes 16
Heroes
I’ve been blessed to have heroes in my life. My parents were my first heroes. They didn’t do anything big like break world records or find the cure for a terrible disease. They lived quiet, ordinary lives, working to feed, clothe and house us. They taught us the value of honesty and hard work. We learned responsibility and owning up to our mistakes. Best of all, they provided a positive example for us to follow. They weren’t perfect, but they did their best to raise six girls with lots of love and praise. They even admitted to making mistakes and asked forgiveness.
My husband was another hero. Bill was a bit of a devil in his youth. His mom told me if I had met him when he was a teen, I wouldn’t have had anything to do with him. Maybe, maybe not, but the man I knew and loved was a good man who loved his family and mine. My husband served in the Navy, trained as a paramedic after leaving the military, and worked until the cancer sidelined him. Even after an accident paralyzed him, he kept going, and proved to those he met that handicapped was a state of mind, not a state of being. Bill told people I was the most precious thing to ever walk this earth. He was truly special.
I could continue listing people who have touched my life, made me dream big things, and helped me achieve my goals. I won’t bore you with pages of names and their contributions to my life. The point is we all look up to someone. We acknowledge those who mean so much to us because they held places in our hearts and lives. We honor them because they were human, flawed, but with redeeming qualities.
Heroes play a primary role in our writing. My current novel HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW has three heroes: Dr. Mike Lofton, Sheriff Travis Cooper and Clive Dalton. Mike and Travis achieved their status because they befriended a lonely, ignored seven-year old girl. They vowed a spit vow to take care of Kate Walker to the end. When Kate became ill, they rescued her and earned her grandmother’s undying love. Both let her down because they were mere mortals, yet they never forgot the promise. When Kate returns to Harley to bury her grandmother, they rally to her side to be the friends she’d always loved.
Clive Dalton enters Kate’s life when she marries Jonathan Meyers. He loves Kate, but respects her relationship with Jon. He hides his feelings by treating her like a kid sister. Dalton in many ways is bigger than life. He’s honest, honorable, loyal, and when Jon’s widow needs help with King Phillips, he becomes her fiercest protector. He assumes an I-am-going-to-protect-you- from-all-harm attitude that annoys and angers Kate. His determination to stand between the woman he loves and potential threats leads to a rift in their relationship. Instead of detracting from his sterling qualities, he becomes human. Flawed, yes, but Clive remains a man worthy of respect, admiration, and love. After all, who wants Sir Galahad perfection when a real man is available?
Cait Collins
POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE
Empty Halls
“No! I don’t want to! You can’t make me!” Did you ever try to force a toddler do something? I’ve heard the expression, “. . . pushing a chain.” Or think about styling your hair when you only have so much time and even less talent. Maybe you’ve “herded cats.” Can you remember trying to pick up mercury that came out of a broken thermometer?
You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you—frustration at its highest, which leads to anger and depression and, finally, completely giving up.
Sometimes that happens with words too. You hear the voices whispering something juicy, something that you must write down and sign your name to. You know it has to be a whopper because why else would it keep running through your mind with so much energy? But when you open the door to get up close and personal with the shapes moving and whispering behind that curtain in your head, it vanishes leaving only the hint of laughter and a voice saying, “Fooled you!” Sometimes the words just won’t come out.
The way to beat this is to write anyway. So the words to a particular story don’t want to make an appearance; write words that do. I once read a profound quote: “A writer writes.”
Close your eyes and imagine what the inside of your imagination looks like. Imagine your characters locked behind cell doors. Imagine all the little story starters you have as patients laying on tables in a laboratory waiting for your special jolt of electricity to start them up.
If nothing else, write about the inside of your head.
Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.
Nandy Ekle
Foundation and Details
Over the last year, I have been involved in planning and building a new facility for the church where I attend. In the planning, every aspect of the building has a purpose. The measurements of the foundation are laid out on paper and then the details are considered, what color of paint, what kind of flooring? Will the congregation be comfortable with the seating? What about sound quality? What happens in an emergency? Is the lighting adequate? The list seems endless.
The day came when the project started and the foundation was poured. At the end of that first day, I stood gazing at a slab of concrete that didn’t come close to looking as large as I had imagined. My mind said something’s wrong! The plans confirmed the size was correct!
Every day since, I have watched as each wall was raised and the roof now appears atop the building, and my perspective has changed. The building has been transferred from ink on paper, to a multi-dimensional object that better fits the concept I had imagined.
As a writer, a similar process takes place, only we use words as the building materials. We hold a story concept in mind with all of its grandeur and we begin to write, one page then two, our mind says something is wrong! What we see doesn’t look like what we have imagined, so we wad the paper up or hit delete.
The story doesn’t look like the grand story in your head, because it isn’t finished!
Don’t give up too quickly, create an outline, the foundation, and then build your story by filling in the blanks with the details.
Rory C. Keel
Rejection and Inspiration
By Natalie Bright
The rejection came in the form of an email at 9:57 P.M. Extremely nice note encouraging me to “keep trying”. The first thought in my mind is to head as fast as possible to the nearest Barnes & Noble. This may seem twisted in some way, but to surround myself with aisle after aisle of books restores my soul and reminds me why I love to write; I love to read even more.
Every section offers so many undiscovered secrets and delights, how can you pick just one?
I enjoy holding a new found treasure in my hand, flipping the clean pages, smelling the newness, and getting lost in the tale. Sometimes I can’t help but to glance at the ending (yes, I’m that person). To feel sad when I reach the end of a good story inspires me to keep digging and learning and discovering, ‘how’d they do that?’
Where do you seek refuge to renew your creative spirit and find inspiration?
Natalie Bright
Outtakes
Grocery Shopping
It’s that stress-me-out time of the year. My calendar begins to fill with all the obligations of the season. There’s the family Thanksgiving dinner, black Friday planning, black Friday shopping, my brother-in-laws’s annual merry unbirthday party, the sisters dinner, the company holiday luncheons, ornament exchange at church, and the list goes on. Each of these events requires food, so I will sit down with my calendar, my coupons, my holiday shopping-and-planning-notebook and begin to make my grocery list.
Start with the basics. For example, I’m making the dressing for Thanksgiving. So here’s what I’ll need: corn bread mix, onions, eggs, chicken broth, seasonings, celery, a roasting pan, and foil.
Once I have the basic list, I sort through my coupons to see what matches and begin to revise the list to correspond with my coupons. I have 25 cents off on 3 packages of corn bread mix, 75 cents off one container of seasonings, 50 cents off eggs, two coupons for discounts on broth, 25 cents off on foil, and one for the disposable storage bowls I left off my basic list.
The list is further edited by brand, size, quantity, expiration date, and limitations. The final list looks something like this.
6 15 oz cans Swanson’s low sodium chicken broth 50 cents off on 3 can purchase
6 packages Martha White’s yellow corn bread mix on sale 3 packages for $1.25; one 25 cents off on 3 packages.
1 dozen large grade A Eggland’s Best eggs 50 cents off coupon
1 McCormick poultry seasoning ,65 oz bottle. 75 cents off
1 rolls Reynolds aluminum foil 50 foot roll or larger 25 cents off
2 packages of 2 cup Ziplock storage bowls 3 to a package $1.00 off
1 container diced onions in the refrigerator case
1 container diced celery
Now I have a detailed list I could give to my nephews along with the cash, and they could battle the crowd at the store. So what does this mean for a writer?
I make a basic list regarding the characters and storyline for a novel. On a first draft of my novel, I have basic ideas of my characters, setting, time of year and so on. As the story develops, the details emerge and the characters become more alive and the settings are more vivid. I update the list as I go. By the time I’m on the final edit, all the details are filled in and an agent or editor will have the necessary details to present and promote my project.
Getting the details right takes time and effort. It also requires being open to change as the story develops. Making notes of the progress helps prevent errors like the hero has blue eyes in chapter two and brown eyes in chapter ten.
I also use lists to spark creativity. There are some days when the muse is not with me, so I make my grocery list. Instead of green beans, I refine the item to Green Giant French cut green beans. Olives become large, jalapeño-stuffed Spanish olives. Ground beef is lean ground sirloin 90/10. After a few minutes working this exercise, I find my inspiration and get back to writing my novel.
Cait Collins
POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE
Deliberate Randomness
The clouds lazily crawl across the sky. They look like big old cotton balls and you feel comfortable watching them while the white globs of fluff change and begin to take on shapes. The longer you stare, the more recognizable the shapes are. The shapes morph and become other shapes.
Later you’re sitting in the office waiting for your appointment. Looking down at the tile floor, you notice the flecks of color in the squares. They seem to be random, but after a minute or two, they begin to look like objects or people. You think you see a strange story in the floor.
Then you gaze across the room at the bookcase and notice the grain of wood. The swirls and peaks catch your attention and pretty soon you have another vision of something vaguely familiar.
Randomness is a hard concept to follow. There are patterns all over the place, especially where we least expect them.
Keep your eyes open to the most random spots in your world and see if a picture doesn’t arrange itself for you.
Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.
Nandy Ekle
PATRIOTISM
by Sharon Stevens
n. patriot+ism- love and loyal or zealous support of one’s own country,especially in all matters involving other countries; nationalism. Websters New World Dictionary
In honor, memory, and celebration of my grandparents Richard & Anna Groves
What I know about patriotism I learned from my grandparents. During World War II families were encouraged to invite servicemen from the local air base for holiday meals. Rationing dictated they could only host two men at a time. The soldiers chosen for my grandparents refused to come unless they could bring a third. Their friend was of Chinese descent from California, and though he fought in Uncle Sam’s army he was unwelcome outside the base.
Grandfather had served in World War I in France in the Balloon Corp when the Armistice was signed. He knew how it felt to be so far from home at any time, but especially during the holiday season. Also their son was serving in Italy. Grandmother found it hard to imagine her first born a world away, and hoped he could find refuge with a family there. So without hesitation they opened their hearts to these three young men.
My mother remembers that first Thanksgiving of the war. They ate turkey with all the trimmings, and cakes made within rationing guidelines.
From that point on the soldier became a surrogate son. Christmas came and went, New Years and Valentine’s Day followed. Every spare moment found him at their address and not just for meals. Weekends were spent playing cards and listening to the radio with the family. Many of the other soldiers spent time off the base riding the bus downtown, to the drive inns, to the dances…his refuge was found within.
I have thought back over my grandparents efforts many times. Outside their home this young man would have faced certain discrimination, an ugliness aimed at his features though he wore the uniform of an American soldier.
In sharing the family hearth my grandparents weren’t marching in cadence with a military band, or saluting the flag with their hands over their hearts as the Star Spangled Banner stirred their soul. Their gesture spanned countless generations of dedicated Americans. They were doing what they could for the war effort by offering a warm meal with filling hearts while they filled bellies. Our family celebrated freedom just by welcoming a young soldier, AND the two friends who refused to leave him behind…simply a shining example linking the heritage of all patriots across time.
Through this legacy I know wars aren’t just won on the battlefield. Patriotism is practiced by those warriors who merely keep the home fires burning.
Sharon Stevens
Outtakes
Thank you
It’s almost done. Sixty pages, three chapters and the second draft of my fourth novel HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW will be ready for final editing. I don’t have a publisher, agent or editor. Yet. The point is that I will have finished the book.
I have so many folks to thank. Without their support, guidance and encouragement, I might have been tempted to drop the project and try something else. So here goes. I’ll start with my good friend Cynthia Hunt who read the novella, liked it but wanted more story. The agent who listened to my pitch and told me it would not sell as a novella. However, I had enough plot twists and ideas to develop a novel, so write it. I have a wonderful family who allows me bounce ideas off them. They support my dream of selling my novel and will celebrate with me when that happens. I have great friends who follow the progress of the story and can’t wait for me to complete the book. I support myself with my writing as I work toward the sale of my novel. I have a great manager and team who support my creative writing.
Last, but definitely not least, I owe so much to Natalie, Sharon, Nancy, Craig, and Joe. Meeting after meeting they critique the pages I read. They offer sound advice, point out the errors without demoralizing, and they give me tons of smiley faces. I treasure their input and friendship. And I wish every writer had such a support group.
Writing is a solitary profession. A writer spends so much time alone in an office, or on the couch, staring at the computer screen or legal pad, and painstakingly give life to a story, poem, song, non-fiction book, memoir, or article. Sometimes you can feel so alone in the process. I compare the writer’s journey to the road a woman travels when pregnant. Can you imagine going through morning sickness, weight gain, runs to the bathroom every ten minutes, hours of labor without family and friends behind you cheering you on? How sad would that be? The truth is we need each other to share the good and the bad. I’m blessed and freely acknowledge it. I wish every writer, every person, would be as fortunate.
So to all of you who have been with me in this journey, I say thanks from the bottom of my heart. I could not have done it without you.
Cait Collins
Wordsmith Six 