Tulle, Lace, and Ribbons...for the bride!

On Saturday, my little sister will begin her new life with an incredible young man. And we are all incredibly excited for her!

Needless to say, we currently find ourselves surrounded by enough tulle, lace, and ribbon to swaddle the mountains that hem in our beautiful valley. Now, if only those same mountains will drive away the clouds are supposedly going to sweep in come this weekend. (The wedding is outside!)

Rain or shine, it is going to be a beautiful ceremony and the chaos of the past few weeks of preparation has given me plenty of food for thought, and feast of ideas for future use in my own writing. This is what a writer's life should be like!

If you're finding yourself drained this week, take some time off to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. Do something creative. Then get back to your desk and write about what you discovered!

30 Days of Thankfulness in Writing – Day 13: Peanut Butter and Ketchup Sandwiches

Last night I had time enough after walking through the door to hang up my coat, stash my laptop, and replace some scattered books to their respective shelves before the doorbell rang. At the door were two young guests, both under the age of seven, who would be spending the evening with me while their mom and dad had a much-needed date night.

As a single woman, my apartment isn’t exactly a child’s paradise, but whenever the two munchkins come to visit they end up having more than a good time. If it wasn’t for my downstairs neighbors having two little ones themselves, I’d wonder what they thought of the shrieks, giggles, and occasional booms coming from overhead.

One of their favorite things to talk about when here is how they are standing over someone else’ home. Everyone else they know lives in a real house, so the concept of an apartment building is still novel to them. “Am I standing on a light bulb, Edifur?” “We have to tiptoe so we don’t wake up the baby, right?” And with every little sound of a door closing or someone moving outside I get asked, “What was that? Are they coming here? Is it mommy and daddy already?”

If you haven’t already guessed, my honorary munchkins are more than a little inquisitive. I always try to find funny ways to answer their silly questions, but I also try to answer their serious ponderings as honestly, and simply as I can. Don’t ask me why, but for some reason last night they were asking me about Golden Dragons and Vampire Bats. They’re also storytellers (a family trait). They love regaling me with tales about something that happened — usually repeatedly with more and more laughs each time — and I do my best to act just as surprised the tenth time as I did the first.

After playing tickle monster, letting them beat me at Wii Sports (which was surprisingly difficult for my competitive nature to handle), and teaching them how to play checkers (they saw my crystal chessboard in the “library” room and wanted to play with it), I decided it was time to settled down on the couch with a book. Bed time had come and gone, and I didn’t want the Munchkins to turn into Munsters. 

I ended up selecting Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It’s a little old for them, but I really enjoy the series and I thought Percy’s perspective would keep them entertained. Of course the things I found charmingly goofy they found to be pure genius. A crazy girl named Nancy Bobofit who loves peanut butter and ketchup sandwiches? A teacher who sprouts bat wings and then explodes into a pile of sand? If my neighbors hadn’t been wondering what was going on in the apartment of the “quiet girl who’s never home” before, they were now.  (By the way, Viv, I take full responsibility if they start calling Nana Grandma Nancy Bobofit or if they asked for an odd breakfast this morning!)

Last night served as a much needed reminder  to me that it’s the simple things that leave the biggest impact. The world is still fresh and full of possibilities to a four- and five-year old. Life is all about adventure and excitement. It’s something that’s easy to forget when slogging through each day trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

So, as I get back to writing today I’ve decided I need to find my own Nancy Bobofit and maybe some peanut butter and ketchup sandwiches....

7 Ways to recapture your creative spirit

There are days when I feel as if my creativity is as elusive as Peter Pan’s wayward shadow. I can jump at it and try to corner it all I want, but just when I think I have it in my grasp, it wriggles away and I find myself sitting on the floor crying because I can’t make it stick. While I may not have a Wendy Darling to sew it back on for me, I do have a few tricks that help me get back to writing when I feel like I’ve lost my “shadow” for good.

7. Get up early and watch the sun rise.

The most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen was from the window of a plane. I watched in awe as the towering clouds took on a grape-juice-colored hue and slowly turned rose quartz pink. Then, in a flash of blinding light, I found myself staring at a sea of white that reminded me of pictures of Antarctica. I spent the duration of the flight donned in thermal wear, a thick parka, and hiking through the snow with all the equipment an explorer needs to discover a new world.

6. Get away from the city lights and stay up all night stargazing.

There are few things I find give me a shiver of delight the way the stars do on a moonless night. The fact that flaming orbs placed light years apart can, from our vantage point, create an image the entire world recognizes in the form of constellations just amazes me. As a young girl, I was obsessed with Greek mythology. I gobbled up every book in the library I could find on the subject and still remember many of the stories to this day, so for me, it’s like looking for old friends in the sky.

5. Play dress up with a child.

Both my mom and my dad would occasionally play dress up with us kids and attend royal balls, tournaments, or have tea with us in Paris. Looking back, I can’t think of a time I was more imaginative than when I’d put on my dad’s dress blues or one of my mom’s dresses. Last night I played princess with my cousin’s little girl, and her stories would have gone on late into the night had daddy not said it was time for bed.

4. Listen to live music outdoors

I love music! Even more so when I can see the performers in action. Earlier this month I was at Pike’s Market for the day and watched an amazing group playing outside the original Starbucks Coffee Shop; had I not been with a group of high schoolers, I would have stood there all day. Music captures the soul in a way that few other art mediums can, and during the summer you can usually find more than one festival or concert in the park to fill your creative spirit. If you find something you particularly like, get a CD and add it to your writing playlist for a burst of inspiration when the summer venues close.

3. Buy or borrow a book full of pictures of a place you want to visit.

I have several books about Scotland (a place I will visit before I’m old and gray!). The landscapes astound me and the mossy ruins lead me to wonder about the lives lived and lost behind those walls. I also collect postcards of all the places I visit and ask friends to bring me back a few when they travel. When I’m looking for ideas on how to describe a particular scene, I’ll often refer to the books and postcards for inspiration.

2. Make a collage of inspirational quotes that motive you (Or read old love letters…)

I personally don’t have a collection of love letters laying around, but I do have a few encouragement notes from a dear friend that I treasure. They remind me of my passion, and encourage me to press on when I’m struggling to find my way. I also keep quotes I discover around me. Some are on the white board in my kitchen; some are on my bathroom mirror. Still others are tacked, taped, or pasted around my desk and writing areas. Quotes remind me that I’m not blazing new trails in unknown territory and that plenty of others have made their way before me. If they can do it, well, so can I.

1. Pull out the first story you wrote and kept. (Ignore the inner critic and read it as you did the first time you wrote it)

Most of the stories I wrote as a child have been lost over the years (multiple moves will do that). But I do keep a couple of plastic file bins that I’ve filled with scraps and stories I’ve written since then. Pulling those out and reading them lets me see where I was and how far I’ve come. It also reminds me of the early excitement I had when I was first starting to write, and I find all sorts of “new” ideas to use in my current WIPs.

I’d love to hear from you! What helps you catch your elusive creative spirit when you need it most? Post in the comments below!

–Jen

What inspires you to write?

Earlier this summer, I asked a couple of my friends if they would be willing to share what inspires them to write. This week, my dear friend Brittney Breakey weighs in....

What inspires me to write? That is such a huge question. To say everything would be cheating, right? Okay, how about my top five?

The Power of Suggestion

Mom and I were in the office, unpacking boxes—way past my bedtime. She reached for a shabby book. “I remember loving this one,” she said. “Britt, you should read this.”

Being eight years old, I took her words very seriously. In the midst of empty pizza boxes and packing peanuts, I grabbed the book, scurried to my bedroom, and zipped through the first half of The Hidden Staircase. When I read the last page, I had a serious decision to make. Should I be a detective like Nancy Drew or a writer like Carolyn Keene? You can probably guess which one I chose.

I began filling spiral notebooks with stories like The Escape of Rose Collins, The Wacky Hat Party, and Minnie May the Cat. I got so busy writing, I stopped reading altogether.

But don’t worry. I didn’t stay stupid forever.

My Rekindled Love for Reading

I wrote my first book without reading more than two books of fiction. Shudder. Can you believe it? Then I listened to an interview and the author said, “Don’t even think about writing until you’ve read at least 100 books.” I took those words seriously and thirty days later, I’d read 32 middle grade novels. Talk about a powerful wave of rejuvenation! Now I can’t go a day without reading fiction. It’s food to a writer’s belly.

The Library—The Best Place on Earth

Oh my goodness, I could sit and read in the library for my whole life. The second I enter those glass doors, time stops. And that is the honest truth.

Livin’ Life Kick-Starts Creativity

Life is packed with writing material. You accidentally burp into the microphone as you’re reciting the Declaration of Independence. A wasp stings your ear the second you say, “Will you marry me?” You wet your pants when a cousin sneaks up and scares you. You get attacked by wasps on a family camping trip. You slip on a banana slug and break your leg. All these things are downright miserable, but they all scream Book Material! You can take the worst day that you ever had, give it time and it will become hilarious. Horrible Day + Time = Powerful/Funny Story. As Neil Gaiman says, “Go get your heartbroken. Then come back and write about it.”

My Greatest Inspiration—Matthew Allan Jones

Every Saturday, my brother, Matt, and I read my work-in-progress, which he calls “Top Secret.” It’s truly the simple things he says that inspire me to keep going. He’ll quote a line and look at me, waiting to see if I caught on. Then we’ll share a smile. Or he’ll ask me to read a chapter again, just because he likes it. Or he’ll text me during the week, wondering how many words I’ve written. His innocent enthusiasm for this story is pushing me to persevere.

About Brittney Breakey

Brittney is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature and the Christian Writers Guild. She’s currently working on a humorous middle grade mystery novel—and loving it. She also operates Author Turf, a site exclusively created to showcase authors.

Walking on Water

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Matt 14:28

Growing up in Sunday School, I became very familiar with stories about David fighting Goliath, Jonah and the Great Fish, Daniel in the lion’s den, and Jesus feeding the multitude with two loaves and a fish. I loved imagining what it would be like if I’d been one of those people; if I’d seen what they’d seen, or done what they’d done.

I particularly liked to hear about Jesus walking out on the stormy sea towards a boat tossed about in the angry squall. What would it be like to walk on water, I wondered. Would I have stepped out like Peter? I was convinced that if I had, I would never have sunk though.

I happened across this passage again a couple weeks ago, and as I read it I could picture Peter standing with his hands on the rail, prepared to step over the side regardless of Jesus’ reply. He was ready to do the impossible.

It’s funny, when the story is told more emphasis is placed on Peter becoming distracted by the waves, sinking, and calling out for help. We focus on the fact that Jesus reached out immediately and pulled him up, indicating that God is always there to rescue his children, but we fail to realize that it doesn’t say Jesus ran to him and saved him. Peter was already near enough to be grabbed, which indicates he had walked quite a ways from the boat by that point.

History remembers the the names of those who step out of the boat. We know there were other disciples on board that night, but we don’t know how many, or specifically, which ones. Peter is the only one mentioned by name.

The same is true of war memorials. We remember those who risked all, not those who ran from the battlefield or stayed home. Marie Currie is remembered for exploring an anomaly on a piece of film placed on a rock, and for her subsequent work with radiation. The list goes on.

Dreams are just that…dreams…vapors in the night. That is, until we take the steps to turn them into reality. It requires courage, determination — and a bit of insanity. Notice that even after Peter got out of the boat and stood solidly on the sea, not a single person present attempted join him.

I have a song from Kutless I like to listen to when I’m struggling with decisions to stay still or move forward. It has a line that says, “It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, impossible is not a word. It’s just a reason for someone not to try.”

When Jesus pulled Peter up and asked him “Why did you doubt?” it’s important to remember, he wasn’t chastising him for believing that if he got out of the boat he could walk forward through the massive waves, he was telling him not to become distracted by what was going on around him and to focus instead on his final destination.

I want to encourage you to do the same with your writing. Don’t be one of the nameless men on the boat. If you have been blessed with being given story to tell, step forward boldly. Don’t let anyone else distract you with tales of the impossibility of being published. Don’t become discouraged when your manuscript comes back with more red than black. Learn. Grow. And always remember: Even though writing is largely a solitary endeavor, you’re never alone. There will always be someone nearby to reach out a hand and pull you back up if you do begin to sink.

Back to the Storyboard!

For the first time in two years, I’m getting ready to submit a book query. All my chapters have been edited and re-edited. The story flows well. All but one or two of the loose ends have been tied up — and those left are meant to leave the reader to wonder and imagine what will possibly be coming next. And finally, I’m about finished polishing my query and proposal.

It’s both exciting and intimidating. On one hand I feel as if I’m setting out on a grand adventure with no idea where I’ll end up and no promise it will end in happily ever after. On the other hand, I could compare it to trying to land a dream job in our cruddy economy. All I have to do to see the “competition” I’m up against is search any number of the writing hashtags used on Twitter. There are some pretty amazing, dedicated writers out there right now.

And yet, I find myself incredibly inspired. I believe in my work. And from what I’ve heard back from some of my test readers, my writing is engaging, the story is intriguing and fun, and they’re really looking forward to holding a hardbound copy in their hands instead of having a Word Doc on their computer.

The thing I keep asking myself though is, what do I do with myself while I’m sending out queries and waiting for responses?

For one, I’ve had a chance to catch up on some of the books that have been piling up next to my bed the past few months. I also have a few non-fiction writing projects I’m in the middle of. But lately I’ve spent more time in the business side of writing than the creative side. Between edits, letters, pitches, and blogs, it’s been months since I wrote anything brand new (other than taking a few notes here and there that is). Sure, I’ve spent the last few months with the characters in my book, but it’s been revisiting the same story. Like any hooked reader, I keep wondering…what happens next?

So that’s what I aim to find out. I’m dusting off some old notes, refreshing my memory regarding outlines and histories, and going back to writing fresh scenes. Really, what better time is there to start the next chapter then when I’m still on the high of completing a major project?

Oh, and I just realized that there’s an added bonus…it’ll keep my mind occupied while waiting for a response to the queries that are about to go out!

No Illusions

I have been blessed with meeting some amazing new writers over the years. I met today’s guest blogger through a mutual friend and we instantly connected. Jezika is an amazing young woman who continues to press forward in her quest to become a better writer, no matter what setbacks she stumbles across, and has been an incredible encouragement to me as well. Jezika lives with her husband and adorable son in Tennessee. - Jen

Writing is a lot like Quantum Physics in the fact that nothing is certain and rules sometimes exist merely for the sake of being broken. A magician may perform a trick for an audience, and even though we are skeptical, a part of us holds our breath in anticipation as he slowly opens his palm to reveal an empty hand. The object has vanished right before our eyes.

A writer uses these very tricks to her advantage.

Illusions, when executed skillfully, can draw a reader in from the first few words. Authors take ordinary characters and transform them into pulsating beings, capable of human emotion. No verbal promises have been made to the audience, yet they know something extraordinary is about to occur. The hook has been planted, and oblivious to the world, the pages begin to turn. The real magic in writing is keeping your reader interested, even if that means revealing the unfamiliar in a way we all can relate.

When I first started writing I kept a journal, but then I realized all my feelings appeared censored upon the page. You promise yourself honesty, but the lies are so much easier to swallow. Writers are extraordinary costume flies. Each wall contains a different story, and no one questions what appears in black and white.

The emotions within me feel like they are consuming at times. The page in front of me swells into a full moon bringing on the literary transformation. A passion smolders inside of me. The words twist my bones as I shape shift from character to character. I lose myself in the euphoria of creating others. There are times when I never want to return, but all writers must come home at some point.

My inspiration comes in so many forms. A beautifully written sentence can fuel the fire for days, or the ache in the eyes of a stranger that mirrors your own pain. Write for yourself then for the world. Take criticism as a grain of sand and one day eventually, an hourglass will form. As a writer, I die a little each time I send my work into the unknown, but every time I reach the other side a little wiser.

My only advice is to keep writing. Even clouds have the capability to become magical beings if we believe hard enough. A good magician may never reveal his secrets, but a skilled writer already knows how the show ends.      

— Jezika Stevens

The Return to Creativity

Between my day job and some additional editing jobs I’ve taken on over the past few months, I’ve noticed my personal writing has been increasingly pushed into the background. Especially where my book is concerned. At first it didn’t seem like that big a deal, but as the weeks passed I started to feel more and more disconnected. Even my daytime daydreams seemed to be fading into the deep recesses of my mind. There has been more than one occasion when I’ve worried I lost the key to my imagination and wondered if I’d be able to find it again.

Yesterday, however, I found myself inexplicably caught up for a few moments and couldn’t wait to get home, slip into a tank top and yoga pants, strip off my makeup, and jump onto my bed with my laptop. When it comes to writing, I’ve found the most effective spot is in my room. I’m comfortable, I’m less apt to be distracted by any clutter in the kitchen or videos and books in the living room, and the face I present to the world — the editor — has been completely banned from this place.

Here I am free to be creative, to express my most heartfelt thoughts. This is my sanctuary.

At first I was a bit concerned I’d have trouble getting started because it had been so long since I’d last opened one of my chapters, but it turns out I needn’t have worried. Everything else in my life was forgotten: bills, upcoming tasks, a close friend’s imminent move across country…they all faded into the distance as I slipped easily from this world into the realm of Fancy. And in that moment I felt more content than I have in a while.

I didn’t realize how much I missed my characters or how big a part of my life they have become. It was as if no time had elapsed at all as we moved together from one page to the next...and the next. Before I knew it, my Lego Darth Vader alarm clock (go ahead and laugh) was telling me two hours had passed. After expressing my surprise, Bobblehead Han Solo (a gift my aforementioned friend gave me earlier this year) seemed to give me that cocky grin he’s so famous for and ask, “What kept you so long?”

Needless to say, I was quick to promise him and the others I wouldn’t let it happen again anytime soon.