Check it out!

Click on the cover to get to the Amazon page.

Check out the latest how-to book from my favorite how-to-write-fiction author, James Scott Bell.

As soon as I skimmed the table of contents, I downloaded the book on my Kindle Fire (for only $4.99). I've already devoured the first couple of chapters, highlighting and taking notes as I read. Down-to-earth, practical, and easily grasped , Bell's writing on writing gets me itching to write, to put into practice the concepts he explains so well. There are a lot of great books on writing out there, but, IMHO, Bell is the BEST!

Here's the description of the book from the Amazon page:

Learn the inner secrets of selling fiction to an ever-increasing audience of readers! Bestselling author and writing coach James Scott Bell brings you powerhouse techniques and strategies in this collection, much of which is from his popular posts at The Kill Zone blog. PLUS, interviews with some of the best writers working today, including: Sandra Brown, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Jonathan Kellerman, Barry Eisler, Joseph Finder, Peter Straub, Steven Coonts, Katherine Neville, Andrew Gross, Lisa Jackson, Kathy Reichs, M.J. Rose If you’re serious about selling your fiction, Fiction Attack! is your battle plan for breakthrough. Praise for the writing instruction of James Scott Bell: "I had a novel with problems I didn't know how to solve. After James Scott Bell's class, I knew the solutions. This was easily the most practical writing class I ever attended. I sold my novel using what I learned." — Darrell James, author of Nazareth Child

OTHER WRITING BOOKS BY JAMES SCOTT BELL (all recommended by Yours Truly):

Plot and Structure

Conflict and Suspense

The Art of War for Writers

Revision and Self-Editing

New Year, New Directions

I realize my attention to this blog for writers has been sorely lacking. The past two years have been unique and  challenging. In 2011, I underwent three surgeries in 11 months, including carpel tunnel surgery and surgery to repair three neck discs. 2012 was a year of recovery and restoration. It was also a year I filled the pulpit for a small, local congregation until they found a pastor. I miss what I came to call "my little flock." Preaching every Sunday had me delving in God's Word and gave me a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

I continue to write my award-winning newspaper column, God, Me & a Cup of Tea, for the Indiana Gazette and post the column every Sunday on my weekly inspirational blog. In March, the column will celebrate its sixteenth birthday. Imagine! I would have never dreamed when God gave me the vision in the mid-1990s to write a weekly meditation column for the local newspaper that I'd still be plugging away at it 16 years after it first saw print! But "He who calls me is faithful" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

On January 1, I launched a new daily blog, God, Me & a Cup of Tea Daily, to offer "a spoonful of encouragement" with a Scripture verse and a brief poem or prayer.

Since 2010, I've served as the director for the Punxsutawney Christian Women's Conference, being blessed to have been involved with the launching of this fun and inspiring ministry to women.


I continue to mentor developing writers through the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and The Writing Academy. In 2010 I was honored to be a member of the writing team that rewrote two of the Guild's writing courses (the Writing Essentials and Apprentice courses), along with Julie-Allyson Ieron, Karen O'Connor, and Roger Palms. It was definitely a high point of my writing career.

from left: me, Karen, Julie, and Roger

from left: Julie, Karen, Jerry, and me

 
After writing two novels, which were considered by several Christian publishing houses, and starting a third, which sputtered out in the wake of the three surgeries, I enrolled in the Christian Writers Guild's Craftsman fiction course. I'm excited to have Sandra Byrd as my mentor as I work through the course and my work-in-progress. I'm excited about attending the Craftsman four-day residency program in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in March.

Although my speaking and teaching schedule is wide open, I will be teaching a writing workshop at the 2013 Writing Success one-day conference near Stoneboro, Pa., on Saturday, April 27.

And I continue to pray for God's direction.

As for this blog for writers, I'll post information of interest from time to time. Do check the links in the sidebar to various blogs, web pages, and skill-building opportunities for writers. These links stay updated even when I don't!

One thing different I would like to try this year is a Q & A format. Sometimes looking for information about proper grammar, style, formatting, and other such information for writers can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you're just starting out. 

In addition to the helps I've listed in the sidebar, you can pose your question to me by either typing it in the COMMENT section below this blog, or emailing it to me at michelehuey@yahoo.com. I'll post an answer as soon as I can. 

Blessings as you seek and fulfill His purpose for you!

Michele 
 

 
 

 

E-books and publishing

Here's a good blog on the effect of e-books on the publishing industry:

http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/publishers-desperately-trying-to-protect-print-sales-and-failing/

Hmmm . . . I just may offer Before I Die, my first novel, as an e-book in 2012. What do you think?

Whiskey Run update

Whiskey Run update:
Last week's word count: 16,911
This week's word count: 17,277
Words written: 366

No new chapters, though. I went back through chapters 1 through 6 and added and deleted. I need to move forward with this thing . . .

A couple of interesting articles you might want to check out:

"Seven Habits of Serious Writers" 

"How to Get More Done By Pretending You're on an Airplane"

"Kathryn Stockett's 'The Help' Turned Down 60 Times Before Becoming a Best Seller"

That's it. Short and sweet this week.

Until next week . . .

Keep writing!

Finding the spark again

Sixteen thousand-plus words into my novel, I stalled out. I combed through the chapters I'd written, tweaked it, and hoped I could recapture the story, get into my character's mind and heart, and get the flow back. I began an update on this blog, hoping the accountability of reporting weekly word counts to an unseen audience would create a spark.

But it wasn't until I met with my Writing Academy critique group at the WA's writers retreat last weekend that the flame flared. I went back to my room and rewrote the end of chapter 6, knowing--finally--where the next chapter would go. As the words flowed, I was once again in 1916 Whiskey Run, inside my protagonist's mind and heart. The excitement was back. I couldn't wait to write again.

Last year, neither of my online critique groups--both fiction critique groups, although we've critiqued nonfiction, too--was active. And it showed. We feed each other. Online critique groups are especially convenient. We exchange one chapter a week and critique at our leisure, in our jammies if we want. 

So, if you want to recapture the excitement, stir the muse, and get the words flowing again, join a critique group. If you belong to one, keep it active. You'll be glad you did.

Whiskey Run update:
Last week's word count: 16,301
This week's word count: 16,911
Words written:  610  

Fresh wind, rekindled fire

I've been looking forward to the 2011Writing Academy Writers Weekend  ever since I was asked to attend as a mentor. I'll meet with writers and critique their fiction manuscripts at the beautiful Mt. Olivet Conference and Retreat Center near Minneapolis. And, after the year I've had, it'll be a retreat for me, too.

Suffice to say carpal tunnel surgery, seven months of pain from three herniated neck discs, surgery to repair them, a flu-like virus that had me down for a month, and an allergic reaction to wasp stings have made 2011 a challenging year. Not to mention the crushing disappointment when the editor who asked to meet with me at the ACFW conference last September--who liked my book manuscript and my ideas--emailed me to tell me the publishing house committee turned down my book proposal and wasn't interested in any of my ideas.

All this drained me physically, mentally, and spiritually.

So I need this retreat.

And God made sure I got it.

Besides meet with writers, I plan to soak in the peaceful surroundings, rest, read, and write. I've packed the March through August issues of The Writer (which I haven't had the chance to read yet), and my folders for story call outs and my Pathways to God devotional assignment (due Sept. 1). I'll also edit a fiction manuscript from one of my Novel Buds, my online critique group. And I just downloaded a free ebook on my Kindle yesterday for some leisure reading (and analysis of how other fiction writers write).

And, oh yes, work on my own novel-in-progress, Whiskey Run.

How long is the retreat, you ask? Not long enough. (Thursday, July 28-Monday, Aug.1, with Thursday and Monday travel days)

My writing goals for the coming year include finishing Whiskey Run; formatting and uploading my first novel, Before I Die, to Amazon and B&N as an ebook; ditto my second novel, The Heart Remembers; submit book proposals for said novels to a couple of smaller book publishers; putting together and publishing a third book of meditations (compilation of favorites from my column since 2002); and writing and submitting more PE stories and articles.

I probably won't get all that done. But man without vision will perish.

But I plan to come back with fresh wind beneath my wings and rekindled fire in my heart.

****
Update on Whiskey Run:
Word count: 16,301
Words written since last Thursday (Thursday to Wednesday): -40

No, I didn't go backward. I read and revised what I'd already written in November, adding and deleting text, which left me with 40 less words than I had last week. The reading and revising stage is now done. I'm ready to start writing chapter 7.

BTW, I read that the late Dick Francis, author of the best-selling horse jockey/racing mysteries, did not revise or rewrite. "He labored over each sentence . . . until it was as good as he could make it and then moved on," Readers Digest Select Editions editors wrote. Wrote Francis in his autobiography: "My first draft is IT."

Hmmmm . . . . sounds like what I do--agonize over each sentence until I'm satisfied I got it right. But I still go back and tweak, perfectionist that I am.

Punctuation points

In my editing, I come across writers who use ellipses in place of periods and commas, resulting in overuse.

To illustrate:
"In the beginning was the Word . . . and the Word was with God . . . and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Correct:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Ellipsis points (three spaced dots) are used to indicate an omission of a word, phrase, line, or paragraph from a quoted passage:

"By faith Moses . . .  was hidden by his parents . . . because they saw that the child was beautiful" (Hebrews 11:23).

When used to indicate a break in thought or faltering speech, ellipses are called suspension points:

"I . . . uh . . . I . . . didn't . . . uh . . . see you."

Too often I see suspension points/ellipses used  in place of commas or periods:

"She showered . . . put on her makeup . . . blew her hair dry . . . and ironed her new capris . . . all in the half hour before her blind date arrived."

Commas will do and won't distract the reader:

"She showered, put on her makeup, blew her hair dry, and ironed her new capris all in the half hour before her blind date arrived."

When you find yourself using ellipses or suspension points, ask yourself:

• Am I omitting a word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph from a quotation? If so, use them.
• Will a comma or period create the effect I want (which is a pause or break in thought)? If yes, then use the comma or period.
• Do I want to suggest faltering speech? If you do, then use the suspension points.

Ellipses, or suspension points, are like pepper: Use sparingly. Sprinkle in with care. Too much, and the dish is unpalatable.


Update on Whiskey Run:

Word count: 16,341
Words written since last Thursday (Thursday to Wednesday): 101

It doesn't look like much, but I didn't work on this for 15-10 minutes every day, as I planned to. I didn't make it a priority. Fie! Fie! 

My excuse: It's been since November, and before I can move forward, I have to go back and review what I've written, immerse myself into the story once again. So I combed through the first two chapters, reading and revising.

Not as much as I wanted to do, but more than I'd done in seven months. 

Getting back to it

I'm not.

Writing, that is.

And I want to be.

Then why aren't I?

Good question.

I could give the excuse that I don't have time. Too many other things to do, like play Scrabble on Facebook or update my blogs (I maintain three--this one, my inspirational blog, and the Punxsy Christian Women's Conference blog.) or edit a manuscript or review CWG lessons or . . .

I need to be writing. And I need to set it as a priority.

In November, I left my heroine in a one-room schoolhouse wondering how to prove that her fiance didn't murder the miner in Whiskey Run. She'd just found the match to the cufflink found at the murder scene in her desk. After 16K words, I let it go. Too much else going on.

I need to get back to it.

I want to get back to it.

I will get back to it.

I'm the type of person who doesn't like to leave things undone. All the laundry had to be done in one day, even if I did seven or ten loads. The entire house had to be cleaned in one day. It irked me that I couldn't lose 25 pounds in one week. Now I have 50 pounds to lose.

"Yard by yard, the going's hard; but inch by inch, it's a cinch."

So I work at it every day, making sure I eat right and get a walk in. Little by little, those pounds will come off. And, at nearly 60, I can't do the laundry or clean the house in one day anymore. I do one load a day, and keep the house "rid up."

So it is with writing a novel.

I must--I will--make it a priority to set aside 15 to 30 minutes a day to work on it. To write. I'll have to fight to urge to "finish the chapter." Finishing can be a hangup. I don't have time to write an entire chapter, so I don't write anything.

A seventeenth century French writer used the ten minutes waiting for his wife to finish dressing for dinner to good use: to write. And in a year, he'd written a book.

Little things add up. Ten minutes six times a week is an hour, four hours a month. It's not what I want--I want four hours a day. But right now I don't have four hours a day. And so my unfinished novel languishes in "someday-land."

I'm going to do a brave thing--some might call it foolhardy. I'm going to post on this blog, every Thursday, how many words I've written in Whiskey Run since the last Thursday blog post.

I'll start today:

Whiskey Run:
Word count: 16,240
Words written since last Thursday (Thursday to Wednesday): 0.

Are you having trouble finding time to write? Don't despair. Just do it. Toss all those negative thoughts and excuses out of your mind and just write!

In the long run

I had good intentions. I was fired up, inspired about this blog for writers. But that's the way it is when a project is in its idea, design, and launch stages. The true test lies in the long run. Endurance.

On June 6, I had surgery to repair three herniated neck disks--after seven months of sometimes debilitating pain. (For more on this, read my inspirational blog entry, "Selah.") Which is what happened to my endurance. Seven months of pain takes a lot out of you--body, mind, and spirit.

I might have been down, but I wasn't out. I'm slowly getting back in the run, even if I have to walk--plod--at first. Sometimes I'm itching to get back to the novel I started back in November, when my left arm first started going numb. Sometimes I'm too tired to care. I have a list, though, on an electronic sticky note on my computer desktop:

1. Prepare my third book of meditations for publication and release this fall
2. Prepare my novel, Before I Die, to upload to Amazon and B&N as an ebook
3. Complete Pathways to God assignment

Add in bookkeeping (I haven't even started 2011 yet), my radio program and column, mentoring, editing, preparing for speaking engagements, organizing a fall women's conference, writing articles for at least three publications, submitting stories for publication in upcoming Chicken Soup books, planning and implementing the 2011-12 adult Sunday school publicity program, getting ready for the 2011-2011 school year. Gee, I'm tired just writing about it.

It looks like a lot, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Endurance begins when you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, ignore the pain, and take that step.



PS. NOTES:

• I've done away with the weekly schedule for this blog. I'd rather it be spontaneous. I'm an organized person and thrive on lists, but sometimes organization tosses creativity out the window.

• Literary agent Steve Laube just launched  Publishing News, a e-newspaper with the latest on what's going on in the publishing world. Some interesting stuff. Why not subscribe to it and keep up-to-date? I did.

110 ways to avoid writing, part 5 (final)

91.    Read a stack of papers your son brought home from school
92.    Call your best friend to see if she wants to order a pie from the school’s PTA
93.    Call your grandmother across the country to catch up
94.    Check all the ink pens, hiliters and markers on your desk and in your purse and pitch the ones that don’t work
95.    Check the counter on your Web site
96.    Re-read your bio
97.    Re-read your publishing credits
98.    Check your Inbox
99.    Smear your hands with hand cream
100.    Wipe off hand cream from your keyboard
101.    Count the number of days left in this month
102.    Brush your teeth
103.    Gargle
104.    Floss your teeth
105.    Separate all your paper clips
106.    Watch the snow melt or the wind blow through the trees
107.    Trim the wicks on all the candles in the house
108.    Read a novel to study how it’s done
109.    Exercise
110.    Take a shower