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.
