Visitors: Part I: Jan Irvin, January 19th, 2017

     In this late week of February, around the Miami Valley winter is giving way to spring. We thought it was significant to share the Plot Sisters' visitors these past few months on our blog. It has been a privilege of sharing conversations with two local authors; Jan Irvin and Fred Marion. We've divided this blog post into two parts. Here's Part I: Jan Irvin, January 19th, 2017.

Jan Irvin (publishes under J.E. Irvin)

    Although a few of our Plot Sisters had known Jan before her speaking engagement with our writing group in January, she opened with getting to know each of us a little better.  She asked us to give a short introduction about our own individual works in progress. This led into her speaking about her books, The Dark End of the Rainbow and The Rules of the Game, that were both published by Whiz Bank LLC, a small publisher out of Florida. Contests can provide opportunities many writers over look. Initially, her first chapter was entered into a contest to which she won, and that event opened the door to her first published book.

     As a retired public school teacher and adjunct professor from Wright State University Jan found that her own writing has been a life-long activity. She had submitting numerous short fiction pieces and endured many rejections before she began to get accepted on a regular basis at literary magazines. She shared with us craft specific advice along with encouraging tales of tenacity. Among the many craft techniques she sprinkled in the importance of finding the arc of the main character, character motivation, and the impact of pacing. Jan outlined four themes that are "must-haves" for her writing:  1) Mystery, 2) Surprise, 3)Suspense, and 4) Romance. One of the many admirable qualities Jan possesses is gratitude. Her humble spirit and excitement that she can share her published work with others is apparent and contagious. Thanks, Jan!

*If you'd like to learn more about Jan or her books go to: https://janetirvin.wordpress.com/ or follow her on facebook : facebook.com/darkendoftherainbow.


~Cindy

Measuring Success

I love writing. I love rewriting, fixing loose bits, brightening the fuzzy spots, clearing out the rubble. It is a habit and a hobby, and I can spend blissful hours lost in the worlds I'm making. But I've never had one thing published, ever. I don't count blogging as publishing and I don't care if other people do.

So why go on writing?

Point #1: There are people in the world who go their whole lives without finding a lasting passion for something. Work, eat, sleep, love your loved ones; repeat. Life is busy, but is it full? I count it as a tremendous success to find something you love to do. The passions that drive us to excel come from something unique within us. We have to work to find them.

So, if you find something you love, you're an explorer who's found a place worth planting a flag on. Celebrate your success.

Point #2: Once you've found something beautiful, you really do want to share it. In comes the idea of publishing. The only thing is, it shouldn't be the very next thought. Publishing is hard. There are lots of little steps between finding and sharing. Steps that might make it easier to go on writing when you feel discouraged.

Point #1a: Find a writing group. That may not be so easy, so if you do it, remember to celebrate that success, too. The PlotSisters met in a writing class and we just never stopped meeting. If you want to meet other writers, you have to go to events and talk to people. If that gives you hives, then it's a big success when you get out there.

Good writing groups will give you praise and criticism. If you find a group that only does one or the other, ditch them. They won't help you. If you feel discouraged after a critique, think clearly—are you being too sensitive, or is your group a bunch of jerks? This is an important point. Critique can hurt, especially if the critique is spot-on.

Point #1b: Sending things to editors or agents is hard. First, you worked to make your stuff good. Then you had to write a cover letter. Groan. After that, a synopsis and bio. Oh, and I forgot to mention everybody has different formatting rules. Groan again.

So when you actually manage to send something in for consideration, you've accomplished something. It's worth celebrating, really.

Point #1c: While you're waiting for the probable rejection that's coming, remember that you love writing. Everybody gets way more rejections than acceptance. Receiving a 'no' is part of writing. Keep trying. The things you love are worth it.

Happy Writing!

~Jen

That Time of the Year Again

Here we are, 20 days into November, and I'm guessing that many of you are in the thick of writing for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). If you're not familiar with that challenge, you can head on over to the link provided for the details, but the crux of the challenge is this: to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Yes, that's right, at the end of 30 days, a person should have a first draft of a novel in hand.

This is the third time I've written a first draft in less than a month (twice I've participated in NaNoWriMo), and while I find that each time, my style of writing has been different, my life's commitments have been different, and my attitude has been different, what has stayed the same is my approach to writing those 50,000 words.

And here's my best advice:

1. Sit down with your writing utensil. I know that sounds funny, but it's true. Lots of people say they are going to write but never bother getting their butts in the chair. Wherever and however you write, you need to get there first.
2. Ignore all unnecessary items. That could mean Facebook and Twitter, laundry that really doesn't need to be done, or the book club you were supposed to attend. If you put aside a few things that can wait until after the month is over, you will have more time to write.
3. Be ready to write at a moment's notice. One day that I logged almost 6,000 words was the day I had my draft open and ready to go all day. I didn't have a huge chunk of time, but those little intervals, by the end of the day, really added up. 
4. Write, don't revise. Any person who has "won" NaNoWriMo will tell you the same thing: put the story on the paper and don't go back until you've hit the 50,000-word mark. Sure, you might have written the most horrible sentence in the history of horrible sentences, but who cares? Get the story out. Then worry about the rest of it.

Even if you missed out on NaNoWriMo, these tidbits will help you at any time. So go ahead and choose a month that works for you, and see how many words you can get done. I'm sure you'll surprise yourself and in no time, you'll have accomplished that dream.

Happy Writing!

~Christina

Starbucks

Where it all began!  At least our writing group that is. Every other week, like clockwork. We meet. We exchange critiques, ideas, encouragements, and suggestions for improvements on each others' writing. I'm getting ready to head out the door soon, but wanted to take a minute to just take a deep breath.

Today is September 1st. This weekend is the last official weekend of summer and bam! just like that it's Fall. Many of the Plot Sisters are teachers or former teachers of some capacity, not to mention mom's of school kids, and Fall always translates to BUSY. There's a challenge into staying balanced in responsibilities, but yet continuing to devout time to develop one's craft. And I'm trying my best to devote time in front of the computer screen or trying to keep a legal bad in front of me to write the ideas that keep beating around in my head. "You have to get 'em down on paper" How many times have we heard that? A lot. And it's true. I've got several irons in the fire and when I can't extend on an idea on one project I have to move on to another project and pound out some words. It wasn't as productive of a summer writing wise as I would've liked, but I can't reflect too long about the past or I'll never move forward. And there's so much in the future that it's not worth giving up to stand still.

Happy Writing!

~Cindy

Just Do It

It's hard to believe that the last time I posted, I'd just returned from my Happy Place. June meant lazy days, and the promise of a long, hot summer.

Two months have passed since then. Despite the chaos of summer, The Plot Sisters have met on schedule. Much writing has been done, but very little blog posting. And that's okay, right?

Right.

Because not all of us find as much value in blog posting as I do. I use my personal blog for communicating with my friends and family, but also as a means to practice my craft. I use this blog as a way of connecting to people, but it, too, helps me practice the craft. I have found, over time, that--get this--I am a better writer because of all the writing I do! Who knew that practice could do that? (Wink, wink.)

But writing a blog takes up a lot of time. And by a lot, I mean A LOT. I could probably work on some of my short pieces or clean my house, improve my lectures or spend time with friends. I choose to use my time the way I want to, and you, my friends, do the same.

What I want to emphasize, though, is that in order to become the writer you envision, you must write and write often. If you don't want to work on a blog, then simply journal. Or jot down some poetry. Or write paragraphs that sum up your day, or start a new piece. I don't care in what way you do it, but as Nike says, "Just do it." Now.

Happy Writing!

~Christina

Happy Place

I woke up this morning after a week's vacation to realize that while I hadn't done much writing over the past week, I had done much soaking. As in soaking in the inspiration, the peace, the serenity, the goodness that comes with a venue I call, "My Happy Place."

Happy Places are so important for all of us, whether or not we realize it. Happy Places help us become who we are and who we should be. They keep us calm in the midst of personal hurricanes, and at least for me, they can lend guidance when I most need it. Happy Places can help us grow, heal, and just be.

What is your Happy Place? And what does it do for you?

Happy Writing!

~Christina

Underneath It All

Summer is here! Summer means lots of things. Sunshine, hot-weather, and yard work are among the many items that come to mind for me.

A few weeks ago I was surveying my half-acre lot, making a mental inventory of all I needed to do to get my yard in summer shape. I discovered an area I had neglected. Regretfully, I had let numerous thistles grow underneath an evergreen tree. The thistle patch was abundant. If only they were flowers. But they aren’t. The thistles are unsightly weeds. Poking through the base branches of my pine, alongside my thistle patch, was also a mostly grown mulberry tree. I had willfully let that mulberry tree grow after a former neighbor identified it.  The neighbors who were extremely environmental and health conscience had asked if I’d let the tree grow so they could pick berries. That was a handful of years ago. Those neighbors have long since moved and the only ones picking berries these days seem to be the birds that devour the fruit and leave reminders of their diet on my sidewalk.

I figure I have two choices. Choice number one, I can utilize nature’s fruit and implement the mulberries into my diet. Alternatively, I can discard the mulberry tree in attempt to beautify my landscape. There’s no sense in letting a tree so invasive grown unless I’m going to capitalize on what the tree produces. The scenario got me thinking about the decisions I need to make in regards to my writing endeavors.

It appears I’ve been so worried about certain aspects of writing that I haven’t done an intensive general evaluation on “what’s growing under my tree.” What’s impacting my writing holistically? Time management. My emotional life. My creative flow. Lack of editing motivation. There are many things to consider. The longer I go without a full evaluation the more work I’m making for myself. I would’ve been more aware of the thistles and the mulberry tree in my yard if only I’d made time to take a good look. The thistles are gone, but the tree remains. The mulberries are still green, but they will ripen soon. My days are numbered and I’ll have to make a decision and with inaction I’m making a passive decision. It’s time to for me to weigh the options of my yard and my writing. But in the meantime, why don’t take a moment, too. Do you know what’s growing under your tree?  

~Cindy