Lena Jones

I am sitting on my couch listening to what to my ears is an awful sound. Ice hitting the window. After loosing power two winters in a row the word ice doesn't really bring joyful thoughts. I am praying we do not loose power again. It is so cold outside, no power -- no heat.

I am now on Face Book. It is so cool. I have found people I haven't seen in years. It is a really cool way to connect with people.

My book is on hold until after Christmas. I sent it to Jeff Gerke to review. I told my husband the one thing I really wanted to hear was that I have potential as a writer. Although he said many other things I also heard that. He had many suggestions for me, some rules of writing that I need to follow. But he also said he thinks the book has potential. It was not discouraging at all. I learned a lot. I am going to get to work on his suggestions as soon as the holiday hub-bub has passed.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Remember when you were a kid, and how excited you got when you heard your mom say, "no school, it's a snow-day."
My kids are so excited, the roads where we live are pretty snowy today and school was canceled. As an adult you think of everything that could have gotten done, how many errands could have been run. The kids think of snowmen, snow-slushies, watching movies.
When do we loose it, the spontaneity of what a snow-day brings? It is like we are being granted a free day. It's okay to eat yummy warm snacks, to watch movies all day, eat snow while throwing snowballs.
Yes, I have writing to do, I have writing goals for each day. Now, I have to adjust those goals. I will get some writing done but first I will enjoy my "free day" and play with the kids, drink some hot cocoa, and eat some warm cinnamon rolls and maybe if I'm brave enough get into a snowball fight with my nine year old.
My book will be waiting for me tomorrow, my children will only get a handful of snow-days, I'll take them while I can get them.

My wonderful friend is here visiting from Texas. Her boyfriend traveled back with her. I have never met him as I haven't seen my friend for two years. He had wanted to propose to her while they were in Iowa but he wanted to propose in the snow. I told him that Iowa doesn't always get snow in November but it was a nice thought, she loves snow and loves Iowa since she grew up here. Well on Saturday some parts of Iowa did get snow. My mom's house was one of them. He told her he really wanted to see the snow so they went to my mom's and he proposed. It was all very sweet and she didn't suspect a thing.
We went to David's Bridal and she found her dress and I found my dress. She has asked me to be her Matron of Honor. I am honored. My entire family is in the wedding. My daughter will be a Junior Bridesmaid, my sons will be ring boys and my husband will perform the ceremony. It will be a family event.
She was so happy and looked beautiful. She has always been a wonderful friend and I am so happy for her. She has waited years to find mister right and after seeing the two of them together I think her patience has paid off. He is a great guy who treats her wonderfully.

I pray everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be Thankful for.

Why are there so many rules. Adverbs, pronouns, proper-nouns, and yuck. Someone critiqued chapter 2 for me, someone I met at the writers conference. He loves my story, my characters, and he thinks I convey emotions really well. I couldn't believe, however, how many punctuation errors he pointed out. It was a little embarrassing but very helpful.

And when did the spacing rule change? In high school I was taught to put two spaces after a period. Now only one is needed, which was pointed out very frequently in the corrections.

So lesson learned: no matter how brutal it may be to see all of those marks and changes it is worth it if you really let yourself learn from those mistakes.

I'm sorry to bore everyone but I am still working on the concept of Show don't tell. I think it is a fairly normal problem for writers.

It is definitely becoming easier to spot the problems, I think that must be a good thing. One positive side to all of this work is my word count is growing. It was still a little short for most publishers. As I work on removing sections that are telling and writing new scenes that show the reader things my count has grown. Just by re-writing the first two scenes I have added over two hundred words.

I am going to start working on another article for Momsense magazine. I have submitted two, one of which they rejected because they said it didn't fit with their themes for any near issues. The second I haven't heard yet, it can take 10-12 weeks. (Keep your fingers crossed)
The new submission is due on December 15.

Oh and a book recommendation. My favorite writer Deeane Gist has now written several books. The second book she wrote I just now read it though it is a couple of years old. It is called
The Measure of a Lady. It is amazing. There is humor, romance, and what I like best is it is not a cookie cutter Christian novel. I highly recommend it.

I am off to Des Moines, my nephew is turning one. It is kind of sad, he is my only nephew and I have only got to see him a handful of times. Anyway, have a great weekend.

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. E.L. Doctorow


Wow! Finding how to make the reader feel the rain instead of telling him about it is way harder than it sounds.

I am re-reading In The Rain and am finding lots of telling. I want the reader to feel what the characters are feeling, smell what is being smelled, hear what is being heard.

Jeff Gerke (a writer-publisher-freelance editor) calls telling Blah Blah Blah, I have lots of Blah Blah Blah right now. I am planning on sending my manuscript to him at the end of the month but I already know what he's going to say.

Anyway haven't posted in a while so I thought I would update anyone who cares.
Talk to you soon.

This is crazy. It seems as a writer there are not a lot of opportunities to relax. I can't even watch television to relax. I now analyze everything. The characters and what makes them unique, I think of ways to write the scene I'm watching. How could I make the character sound like that on paper. How can I get the reader to see what I'm seeing on the screen. I find myself describing the setting in which the scene is taking place.
Any-who that is my whining for the day. I guess it is maybe a good thing, it may help my writing but it makes taking a break a little more difficult.

Our family made a decision Saturday. We decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International.
A young lady spoke at the conference Todd attended. She is now in college, but for years she had a family from America who sponsored her. They wrote her letters and of course financially contributed to her as well. The testimony was amazing and it brought my husband to think about how easy it would be.
Last night after searching the website Olivia found her new "sister" Hailen. Hailen is almost six years old and lives in Columbia with her grandma and her dad. We are excited about being used by the Lord in her life.
How much do we take for granted, food, clean water, clothes, a roof over our head, and generally a little money left over. Every five seconds a child under the age of five dies because of mal-nutrition. Sometimes the problem seems too daunting, how can our little bit help, it will be insignificant. I can promise you, to Hailen our thirty bucks a month will be of huge significance.

My wonderful hubby is flying to Atlanta tomorrow for a conference. He will not be home until late Friday night. He takes short trips sometimes and each time I wish I was going with him. I miss him a lot while he is gone.
My plans for the week are to finish re-reading my MS and making some changes. I think writing is definitely easier than re-writing. I would much rather just continue working on my new book but then In the Rain will be put aside and I worked much to hard to do that.
I am also getting started on planning a Christmas musical for the kids at church. I have enjoyed working with the kids at church. We are going to have a fall party. This will be the first time I have organized an event. Hopefully all goes well.
Enough of my rambling. Have a blessed day.

Well the first novel is finished, now what am I doing. OKay, let's see, I have done character building for my next novel. This is an exciting part of the process, this is where fake people who do not exsist come to life.
I have also decided on an opening scene for part two of In the Rain and an opening scene to another book.
Sleep has once again begun to elude me. Apperantly the best time to write books is in bed when I'm supposed to be sleeping.
I have also started the first official re-write of In the Rain. Like they say writers write, authors re-write.
One other project is an article for a magazine submission. Writing an article is entirely different than writing a novel but it is good practice.
It is 11:28 we will see when I fall asleep tonight. Good night all.

I haven't blogged forever. We are going to be loosing our Internet here at our house so I stopped blogging but today I had to share with anyone who may actually look here.

I AM FINISHED!!!

Yes my book is done. I have shed tears of happiness today. I know the road hasn't ended but has just begun.

I went several months ago to a women's conference with a session titled something like how to loose 300 pounds in a week. Well I thought it was going to be about shedding the clutter in our hearts and how it affects our spiritual lives etc. Oh boy was I wrong, it was literally about shedding clutter, not from our hearts but from our homes. I discovered this before the speaker even began speaking, the garbage bags under our seats were a tip off. I was so overcome with dread I wanted to leave. I did not want to be preached at about how I keep house and my piles of clutter. What difference does that really make.
Because I am a pastors wife and people from my church were sitting with me I didn't feel like I could get up and leave,(the fact that the district superintendents wife was the one teaching the class may have also kept me glued to my chair.) I am so glad I stayed, it wasn't a hugely spiritual renewal or deep revelation about God but it was so practical. She talked about all the extra stuff we have and how it weighs us down and even how it can affect our children's ability to learn.
Why am I telling you all of this and did I do anything with what I heard is what your saying. I did come home and clean out several junk drawers,(yes several, not one but several) I also boxed up about twelve boxes of toys and clothes. I felt pretty good about myself until stuff started getting cluttered again. I think it is a decision we have to make, THROW IT AWAY!!! If you haven't seen it, let alone used it in a year you don't need it.
I have begun the process again, this time with several more trash bags in hand. It feels good getting rid of things and it really does free up space in your mind. I really think there is truth to this, the less we have to worry about, find a place for, and pick up the more room we have to think about things that are really important.
After we declutter our homes it is good to declutter our hearts and minds, we need to make room for the new things God has for us.

This is the third day of school for Olivia and Caleb. Wednesday, the first day, I didn't even cry. That is a first for me. Typically the first day of school is spent with me in tears the entire day, this year I kissed them both and waved good bye. They needed to get back into their routine, I needed to get back to mine as well. In the three days they have been back I have looked at my WIP more then I had over half the summer.
There is something to be said about routines. The only way I get things done, bible reading, writing, cleaning is when I consistently do it regardless of what else needs done.
Hopefully it won't be to much longer before all of the work has paid off and my book is ready to submit.

I submitted an article to MomSense magazine ten grueling weeks ago. Everyday for ten weeks I checked my email, holding my breath. Three days ago, I sat on the couch next to my hubby and checked my email, there in my in box, the sender address MomSense. You know the feeling of you know you want to see, but your afraid too. That is what I was feeling.
I finally clicked read. As you may have figured out based on my title they did not want my article. Had Todd not been sitting next to me I would have lost it.
The reply was nice. Stating that the reason they did not want my article was not based at all on my writing ability. They encouraged me to look into the list of themes for upcoming issues and try again.
I learned several things. The first is that no matter how good of a writer you are, there may not always be a place for what you are writing. The next thing I learned is they can't accept it if you don't submit it. Is it fun reading, "we are not able to place your article at this time" no it isn't fun but if I don't submit anything I will never hear "we would love to print your writing."
That is my sad song and dance but I know that eventually there will be a happy song and dance.

Cruise countdown, one week.

I think it is easy to try and figure out what you would do in somebody else's shoes. The problem with writing is that not all people react the same way. The hardest part of developing characters is creating them with differences. One character will react to a situation different than another character.
If every one of my characters reacts the same way to a traumatic experience, or a piece of good news then I have not developed them enough to know who they really are. I have been trying to watch others and how they react to situations. I have heard that listening to how people talk and react are one of the best tools a writer can use. So if you ever see me staring at someone, don't think it is because I am crazy. I am just doing research. (But don't rule out the crazy thing)
So as many times as we try to determine what we would do in a situation we need to realize that God made us different and one persons response is not right or wrong. They are as unique, just as you are.

I just joined an online critique group and sent in my first chapter. I have only received on email in response to my submission. I was very encouraged by the critique.
Basically they thought my writing was okay. I didn't break any major rules. The one thing he encouraged me to do was add more sensory descriptors. What is the character seeing, smelling, touching, hearing.
He also mentioned not to rush my story. I think I have been so caught up in not adding unnecessary words that I end up rushing through the scenes without bringing the reader into the story.
It was not a rave review but now I have something to go on as far as what I need to work on.
Thank you to everyone who has read parts of my story and given me your honest opinion. I would love to hear that my writing is great and wonderful, but that will not help me become a better writer.

I asked my seven year old son a question this morning. I asked him what his favorite story in the Bible was. He thought for a minute, milk from his cereal pooling in the corners of his mouth. He swallows and answers "Jonah and the Whale" I asked him "Why?" and in true seven year old boy fashion he answers, "Because mommy that is awesome. A whale swallowed him and he didn't die, then the whale threw him up, that is cool."
Of course then he wanted to know mine. It took me a minute but then Mary the mother of Jesus and David came to mind. Both of their stories resonate deep. Mary was an average girl, engaged to an average man. I am sure they would be living in an average house. On the outside, nothing was out of the ordinary.
David was the smallest of Jesse's sons, a Shepard boy. He watched sheep, his older brothers had more important responsibilities. David was average.
God took Mary, the average, ordinary girl and planted within her His son. David was chosen to be the next king, he was a Shepard, now he would be king.
Both of these people had a role to play. What if when the angel came to Mary she decided it would be to embarrassing to be pregnant, it would ruin her reputation. What if David said that he was to small to be king, to small to go to battle. They both had to say yes.
God has great things for all of us, but we have to say yes.

Jeff Gerke asked an interesting question on his writers tip of the week page. Why do you want to be published?
It was a thought provoking question. When I first started my WIP I just wanted to write it for me, because I have always wanted to write a book. After spending time writing and my husband telling me that I should pursue my writing passion and possibly publication I really got excited about that possibility.
So here I sit, pondering over the question why do I want to be published?
My grandmother wrote. She wrote articles, kids stories and short stories. To my knowledge she had an article published and she took writing classes. Cancer ruined her dream and she became to sick to write and later passed away.
I know my love of reading was passed from her and I assume my desire to write probably came from her as well.
I believe it is safe to say my number one reason for wanting to get a book published would be in her honor. I have written the acknowledgement in my mind a dozen times and when the time comes for my first novel to be published it will be because of her dream and for her.
I don't know if that reason is approved by the writing industry but it is what is propelling me forward, that and my wonderful encouraging husband who believes I can do anything and tells me so all of the time. Thank you hubby.
So here I sit, blubbering like a baby, the smell of my grandmothers books and ciggerette smoke invading my memories. It is good to keep in mind why we are doing things, so this one is for you Grasmy.

It's official, I cut the first three chapters of my book. 6,000 words less, but the new beginning has the hook that the original was lacking. I don't think adding words will be difficult. As I edit each scene I am able to add words by creating setting, deepening my characters.
It is still not easy but I am excited about the story again.
Rachel Gardner, a literary agent whose blog I read, had an entry about craft versus story. Which is more important and which comes easier? For me the story comes much easier than all of the rules of writing. Point of view errors, telling and not showing, those things I have to work hard to get down.
I was told by Jim Peterson and the Colorado writers conference that craft can be taught, but you can't teach someone to be a storyteller. That comment will be an encouragement to me when the nitty gritty of writing become difficult.
I am going to begin my countdown to my cruise, my hubby and I leave in 22 days. I am so excited.

Our family is going camping this week. We will camp for four nights. The longest I have ever camped is two nights. Also a first, we are taking our two and a half year old son. As adorable as the child is, he is a handful. My biggest concern is the fact the he has one speed, fast. Around, fire that could be an issue. I have decided it won't be much of a vacation for me, but the kids will love it so it will be worth it.

I haven't decided if I am going to write during our trip. I told my husband he wasn't allowed to work. When I told him I was going to take my computer, he didn't think that sounded fair. I think being out in nature could be very inspiring so I will at least pack several pencils and and notebooks. I may use the opportunity to read a book my friend got for me. She knows the author and got it signed for me. Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deanne Gist. She is one of my favorite writers now. Courting Trouble and A Bride Most Begrudging are some of her other books. Her books always have unexpected turns.

This is my farewell until at least Friday. I am sure I will have many stories to tell and pictures to show. Pray the weather will cooperate with us.

I am not sure who said it first but I have had quote pounding through my head. "Writers write, authors rewrite"

The writing is very easy, most of the time. Now I am looking at all 8o,ooo wds of my MS and I think okay I wrote it, now what.

Now I have to make the choice, do I want to be a writer or an author?

Of course I think all aspiring writers have the same goal, to become a published author. This is where the perseverance needs to kick in. I want to see this story completed. Does that mean it has to get published for me to be happy? Well of course that would help, but knowing I wrote something, as good as I could with the abilities I posses, I think that will be enough for the first novel.

I will not be able to end there. I am excited about writing stories. I love sitting and letting the story pour out. So yes, I will write and then rewrite and rewrite if that is what it takes to be an 'author'.

Living in Iowa for nearly my entire life has taught me that weather can be very unpredictable. My poor state has seen flooding for the second time in fifteen years. In 1993 the residents of Iowa were informed that a flood like that only happened every hundred years, they were off by 85 years. Some places in Iowa have seen worse flooding than in the historical 93 floods. I am blessed to live far from any rivers or large streams. Even our basement is dry. My heart goes out to those who may loose all of their possessions, even their homes in the raging rivers.

This spring has also been a year for tornadoes. Again, growing up in Iowa, I have been in the basement a fair number of times. This year however it seems every night we are watching the forecast to stay safe. The people in Parkersburg, and more recently Little Sioux have experienced nature more than they ever imagined. I feel so helpless as I see the footage of houses ravaged by the monstrous storms. I believe the last count in Iowa of deaths related to tornadoes was at eleven. I think it is easy to forget these people when we are continuing life as normal. Their lives are anything but normal. I pray that the Lord will help me to remember that no matter how rough things get for me their are people who are going through much worse.

Nothing can bring your writing to a halt faster than a migraine. My son turned seven and got presents while his mommy got her second ever migraine. It lasted for several days and my writing and my children received far less attention than I would have liked.

I am back to my laptop and was happy with the rewriting I completed today. I have been trying to find the 'moment of truth' in my WIP. Several things happen to the protagonist but not one of them directly brought her to that decision making process. I discovered it today and it really brings that defining moment into the story.

I probably have done the process backwards, I realize now that I should have established the moment of truth ahead of time but this is a learning process.

If anybody has any tips on the process they use to write I am open for advice. I know some people use an outline, others just write. I just started writing and plotted as I went. I have noticed a little inconsistency with plot lines and time lines. Maybe an outline would help.

I don't think anyone who is not a novelist would understand when I say, I can't hear the right voice.

I listened to a CD from CCWC about POV. Mary DeMuth talks about each character having a voice that is unique to them. While reading my MS I realize that I have a voice unique to the female characters and to the male characters but not to each individual character. They sound very similar, yet in real life each person has their own voice. A unique style, a certain phrase they use allot, even the way the structure sentences. My goal is to rewrite the scenes and give each person a voice of their own.


Off the subject of writing. I have had only my youngest child for several days. Ethan is a joy and a handful at the same time. He is two and a half and he is a reminder that God has created us each inimitable. We are designed for His glory. My older children have always been very agreeable and eager to please. Ethan is neither. That is hard as a parent, and I have to correct a lot of his behaviors but I think as he grows older those traits will be good leadership potential. It is important to remember that we are all created for a purpose. The personality traits we posses are not there by accident. God can use us all in wonderful ways.

Thank the Lord for the Sabbath. I have decided not to do any writing on Sunday. It is hard when you have an idea but I think the Lord will honor us when we honor Him.

It was a quiet weekend, the two oldest kids were with the grandparents. Saturday I used my time to sit by the lake and write. It was very productive and relaxing, minus the bugs buzzing around my head. Nature can be so beautiful, yet creepy all at the same time.

My goal is to have the rewriting of the first four chapters of my manuscript finished by the end of this week. I plan on sending it to an agent soon. (Please pray).

I am anxious to begin writing my second book. The idea is exciting. I need to finish this one first though. The first draft is written but needs loads of improvement.

All things are possible with the Lord. Trust Him to direct your steps and your dreams.

Another day in the life of a writer/mother/wife/daycare provider. It is amazing how even in the short amounts of time I get to spend writing how much can be accomplished if I really focus on what I am doing. I think as with anything in life if you want something bad enough, you will do whatever it takes.
My chapters are beginning to look like something from an entirely different book. The small changes add so much to the depth of the story. Cutting out unimportant scenes that really add nothing to the story at all, seems scary. Watching the word count fall gives the illusion of taking away from the story but when I reread the finished product, I realize I have added depth while removing words.
It is all a process. Not an easy one however. I think it is harder to rewrite than to write. Maybe I am strange. At least when you are writing the first time it is more about the plot and the characters. The second time you have to make sure everything you say is actually needed and that it all makes sense.
I am off to watch a movie recommended by Patricia Hickman Stranger Than Fiction.

I have been working on editing today. I learned so much at CCWC. I have improved my writing a lot. Writing is the best way to improve your writing.
The thing I have struggled with the most is show not tell. At the conference Jeff Gerke gave a wonderful illustration that explained it so clearly. Telling is like having a blank screen during a movie. Just a voice, nobody is doing anything. It is boring. Showing is when you bring the actors onto the stage and they are actually doing something. That example has changed my writing.
It is a process and I continue to learn. I am ready to learn more and apply it to my wip.

Hello all. I am starting a blog to journal my journey into the writing world. I recently returned from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and learned so much. I am very excited about starting my career as a writer.
My real name is Jennifer Jones. That is a very common name so I have chosen to write under the pen name of Lena Jones. Lena was the name my grandmother wanted as a pen name for her writing. My grandmother is now in heaven, in her honor I am taking her writing name.
I live in Iowa with my husband and three children. Olivia is eight, Caleb is 7, Ethan is two and a half.
My husband and I have been married going on eleven years.