Moving From Good to Great

"The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail..." - Charles Swindoll

This quote was in our Sunday bulletin in March and piqued my interest. I started thinking  about all the books I've read and why some were good and others were great. What tipped the scales to the great side?

The book I'm reading at the moment is crafted to perfection, and the storyline captivated me from page one. Here are some of the things I noticed:

1.  The historical references/language/customs are well researched. No modern-day idioms or sayings have popped up and pulled me out of the time period.

2.  Characters act in line with the society, values, and abilities common to their country and place in history.

3.  Descriptions of setting, dress, and appearance all occur naturally throughout the story. There are no long-winded paragraphs. Action is taking place when such details are slipped in like adding flavor with salt or pepper.

I agree with the quote above. The details add richness and depth, elevating a book to greatness.              

Writers and Readers:  Agree/Disagree? What are your thoughts on what makes a book go from good to great?

Photo Credit: David Siqueira

Know Your Audience

A friend and I were discussing why some of our favorite retailers have lost our business. We came to the conclusion that they didn't pay attention to what their customers wanted. They changed their marketing strategy and antagonized their most important resource: buyers.

How did they do this? Where I live, there's a strong conservative mindset. We also have many people over the age of 50. It's not that we don't want to buy at that store. The store doesn't have what we want. Seeing racks and racks of extremely short dresses does not attract our attention. Both of the stores we discussed also have rewards programs that leave much to be desired.

While we'd all like to think of writing as a purely creative endeavor, we cannot ignore the business side. My books (The Moses Conspiracy, The Scent of Fear, Out of The Mist, and The Christmas Wish) have strong elements of suspense. It's what my audience expects when they pick up one of my books.

In the Christian market, there are certain constraints, ones I welcome and embrace. Christian publishers have strict guidelines. However, with many writers self-publishing, they can do whatever they want. Yet, if a reader expects a clean story from an author they know and they get a nasty surprise, they'll feel betrayed. They might come back a time or two and check out new titles, but they'll eventually walk away if they're continually disappointed.

There's a struggle between writers and publishers on how much to push against Christian guidelines. I believe the decline in the number of Christian fiction titles has a lot to do with what our audience wants and expects when they pick up a book - a clean story, a strong spiritual thread, and quality writing.

Writers and Readers: What are your thoughts on knowing your audience?

Photo Credit:  Kimberlee Kessler

Pineapple Stuffing and Other Odd Combos

Recently, I posted a picture and a recipe for Pineapple Stuffing on my Facebook Timeline. While some people thought it sounded yummy, others couldn't quite put those two words together.

Anyone who knows me will tell you cooking isn't my favorite thing. When I tasted this recipe at a friend's house, I loved it. What a perfect side dish this would be for our church covered dish dinners. Someone told me it was easy to make, which sealed the deal for me.

It worked.

When I wrote The Moses Conspiracy, I set it in Washington, D.C. and Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. A lot of people scratched their heads at a futuristic novel in those two settings. What? No outer space? No aliens?

Why Washington, D.C., you ask? Two major characters meet in that location, impacting  the rest of the story. Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania? Since the book takes place in the year 2025 and freedoms are restricted, the popular Amish community experiences less overall control because it's a Tourist Zone.

It worked.

I would be remiss if I left you wondering about the deliciousness of Pineapple Stuffing and neglected to give you the recipe. Here it is for your eating pleasure:

8 eggs

2 sticks of butter

2 cups sugar

2 20-oz. cans of crushed pineapple, well drained

10 slices of white bread, cubed

Cream the softened butter and sugar together with a mixer. Add one egg at a time. Gradually incorporate the pineapple into the mixture. Fold in the bread cubes with a spoon.

Pour the mixture into an oblong pan. (I use a Pyrex dish.) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until golden brown on top. With some ovens, you might have to leave it a little longer. Enjoy!

Writers:  Have you ever tried combining settings, characters, or other aspects of a story that could be described as unusual? Please share.

Readers:  Do you have a favorite recipe that involved ingredients you wouldn't normally combine? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Susan J. Reinhardt

Warning - Danger Ahead!

A few blocks from my house, a warning light appeared on my car dashboard. Since the car is fairly new, I had no clue what it meant.

I had to make a quick decision. Should I continue and check it out when I arrived at my destination or turn into a shopping center parking lot? I didn't have a peace about ignoring the warning. What if I got stuck on the highway?

A quick look at my auto manual didn't help matters, so I backtracked and took my mother's car. When I got to my destination, I stayed calm and discovered the light meant my tire pressure was low.

The Service Department at the dealership gave me an appointment for noon. I picked up the car and drove there. When they checked the pressure on the back passenger tire, it didn't even register. The mechanic informed me I'd pick up a nail. They were able to repair the tire and send me on my way.

Around the same time, I was working on a chapter in my manuscript. I'd written a scene that I enjoyed a lot, but a warning light came on inside my spirit. This passage could be misunderstood by readers.

I re-worked the scene and softened it, but it's still not right. I've made a note to do some serious editing when I'm finished with the first draft. While we want readers to have a strong emotional reaction to our writing, crossing certain lines will cause big problems.

Writers:  Please share about a time when you wrote a scene, but sensed it wouldn't sit well with readers.

Readers:  Have you ever read a book that contained something (other than violence, profanity, or sexual content) that made you want to throw it against a wall?

Photo Credit:  fcl1971

Make "Someday" Today!

Once people discover I'm a published author, they'll often make statements like, "I'm going to write a book someday." I've learned a thing or two over the years:

1.  It takes a quality decision to write a book. I can talk about it for a decade, but unless I take steps to make that dream a reality, it will never happen.

2.  We've all heard it:  Writers write. We can hang out at writing blogs, hobnob with authors, go to conferences, but that won't make us a writer. It takes sitting down, opening a document, and working on a project.

3.  If we wait until we have time, we'll never write. We must MAKE TIME to write. This may mean giving up or curtailing a favorite hobby. When writing became a priority for me, I had to limit the time I spent crocheting and doing crafts.

When I first started, I was working with my husband in a small business. We talked and decided that part of Wednesday would be my writing time. No matter how much time we set aside, consistency is critical. That time was blocked off on my calendar, and my husband held me accountable.

Getting into a habit takes time: Make "someday" today!

Writers:  Did you have a moment when you decided writing was something you would pursue? Please share.

Readers:  These principles apply to many areas of life. When did you stop dabbling in an area and get serious about a project?

Photo Credit:  O_M

From Hunt-and-Peck to Proficient

I stepped into the 7th grade typing classroom with its rows of Underwood manual typewriters and the huge keyboard diagram above the blackboard. My days of hunt-and-peck typing would soon be a thing of the past, and I'd be closer to my chosen profession of secretary.

The glamor soon wore off as the teacher put us through endless drills. Finally, we began typing blocks of text. Looking down at our hands brought a sharp reprimand. This was a touch-typing class. In 8th grade we encountered more drills, more challenges, and built our speed.

Five years of typing classes taught me some important lessons:

1.  A strong foundation prepares you for bigger and better things.

2.  Repetition embeds needed principles in your brain.

3.  Practice promotes manual dexterity for typing and promotes what I call "muscle memory." After awhile, your fingers respond to the brain's commands with lightning speed.

We all want to be experts overnight, but it takes time and hard work. Instead of moaning about the learning curve, I've embraced it. Those halting initial steps toward our goals - whether writing or some other endeavor - will have a reward if we don't give up.

Writers:  How did you build your writing foundation?

Readers:  Learning how to read takes time and effort. What gave you the most difficulty with acquiring that skill?

Proverbs 13:4 (KJV): " The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."

Photo Credit:  andreweld

Ask The Easy Questions

Sometimes we're looking for answers, but we don't even know the questions.

As a repair person for commercial/industrial water softeners, my late husband's philosophy was go back to basics. Before getting into complex solutions, see if the problem is related to something simple and easy to fix. Even I learned to ask a customer, "Did you check the strainer?"

When I'm having difficulties with my writing, I ask the easy questions first:

1)  Do I have a strong opening hook?

2)  Am I giving backstory when I should be jumping into the action?

3)  Am I raising story questions to keep the reader turning pages?

4)  Are the setting details vivid enough?

5)  Is there a take-away for the reader?

Those questions alone could fix what ails your manuscript. If you're satisfied with the answers to these questions, then you can pursue the more involved issues like story structure, deep point of view, and inconsistencies in either your story or characters.

Writers:  Do you have your own set of story diagnostics? Please share.

Readers:  Do you try to analyze why you enjoy or don't enjoy a book? What catches your interest or makes you yawn?

Photo Credit:  beni bb

The Agent, The Author, and The Social Media Expert

1.  Literary Agent, David Van Diest, guest posts at The Write Conversation. He addresses 5 misperceptions about writing a book proposal.

If you're anything like me, this task ranks right up there with the synopsis. I'd rather write an entire book than either of these, "please publish my book," pieces. This post might give you a bit of relief.

2.  Multi-published, award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke, talks about Planning for Courage in her latest blog post.

3.  If you're reading this, you're on Social Media. Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, talks about Eight Social Media Posts You Should NEVER Share.

Writers:  What is the one task you dread on the publishing journey and why?

Readers:  What type of information do you avoid sharing on the Internet?

Photo Credit:  ljleavell

Cheat Sheet or Quick Reference Guide? Part I

Before the Internet, high school students would sometimes pick up notes that gave a summary of a book. Instead of reading for hours, they would base their report on the facts in these brief, but thorough, evaluations. Teachers hated them and could usually spot when a student used a "cheat sheet."

There's a saying that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Author unknown to me.) The problem with getting by on as little as possible becomes apparent when we hit a snag.

A lot of writers learn the buzz words and just enough to get by. They may even score publication. What happens though when the problems they face go beyond their "cheat sheet?"

It's important to learn as much as we can about our chosen profession. When we understand the underlying principles, we can find solutions to the inevitable roadblocks we encounter in our works in progress.

Writers:  Please share what steps you take to increase your knowledge?

Readers:  In your chosen profession, how do you improve your skills?

Photo Credit:  bredmaker

Pay Attention!

I've always had a fascination with those guards, who stand at attention. Tourists snapping pictures, kids trying to make them laugh or respond to questions - nothing distracts them. We can learn a thing or two from these dedicated sentries.

1.  Focus - They have a job to do, and they do it without making excuses. Can you imagine one of them going to his commander and complaining that he can't stand still that long?

We writers grumble way too much. I'm too tired to write. I can't think of anything. This is too hard. Yes, emergencies happen, but a daily occurrence? I don't think so.

2.  Training - These guards are prepared for their task. They go through rigorous training, so they'll know what to do in the event they're called upon to defend their post.

Are we willing to put in the time and effort to learn our craft? Do we give our best effort when it comes to the work we produce?

3.  Professional - They take their assignment seriously. It's an honor, and they treat it as such.

Do those of us who get writing assignments - no matter how small or how big - realize the privilege we've been given? There are plenty of others, who would jump at the opportunity to write for publication.

Writers and Readers: Please share your thoughts on the privilege we've been given in our writing or other profession? How long did it take you to achieve your goals?

Photo Credit: lumix2004

The Little Foxes Spoil The Writing Vine

Like Red Riding Hood, we think the big, bad wolf presents the most danger to arriving at grandma's publishing house in one piece. Unfortunately, the little foxes can destroy our writing dreams.

As writers, we spazz over big stuff like getting an agent or editor. Does our story have the big emotional reaction, lots of tension, and multi-faceted characters? All of those things are important, but there are small things that can spoil our writing vine. Let's look at a few of them:

1) Writers Guidelines - ignore them and pay a hefty price. Agents and editors are looking for reasons to hand out rejections. When they receive material that doesn't meet their requirements, it's easy to send it to the circular file (wastebasket).

2)  Grammar & Spelling - If we don't have the basics down, publishing pros will assume our storytelling ability is also lacking.

3)  A Half-Baked Idea - Like a cake that's not quite done, this idea needs further development.

4)  Copying Other Writers - I once heard an author say, "God made you an original. Don't end life as a copy." It's one thing to admire the talents of others, but we need to develop our own voice.

5)  The Publishing Industry - It works in its own peculiar way. The more we know about how a book gets into print, the better the chances are we'll succeed.

Paying attention to the details will produce big dividends. It may mean the difference between an editor or agent tossing our manuscript aside or turning the page.

Writers: Can you think of other small things that can spoil your writing vine? Let's talk. :)

Readers: Does it drive you batty when authors produce awkward sentences or misuse words? Please give an example.