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I’m amped. And not from pilfering candy.
My blood is buzzing through my veins because, in little more than an hour, I’ll lay aside inhibitions, excuses–and a small portion of my sanity–and join thousands of writers around the world on a mission to write an entire novel…in one month.
November is National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo.
I signed up less than a week ago, not sure if I could accomplish such a lofty goal. I had a million excuses reasons as to why I couldn’t. It didn’t take long to see those reasons excuses for what they were.
Now I’m committed.
Coffee to my right. Notepad to the left. Computer front and center. Hoodie on my noggin.
After some prayer, last-minute preps and a bit of knuckle cracking, I’ll watch the clock strike midnight. Then it’s “on like Donkey Kong.”
You can keep track of my daily progress on Twitter @TanaraMcCauley. If I need input or ideas for names, twists, etc., I’ll update that information on my Facebook. I will also make time to post here weekly.
Have a great November folks! Lord willing, I’ll have another novel under my belt when I meet you on the other side of it.
Your turn: Do you have any lofty goals you’ll be challenging yourself with? Or any special plans for the month of November?
A novel starts off with an idea. If the idea is a good one, it takes root, causes a sort of anxious excitement that makes my fingers itch and stirs up feelings for these yet-to-be-developed characters.
I can spit out the first chapter in no time. Maybe even plot out the whole story in a very rough, quite pedestrian version of what will be the synopsis one day.
But the characters, at least in their earliest stages, are mere mock-ups of whom they will become. The setting is vague and undefined. The plot a loosened version of the overall journey. Because before anything of value can take shape, I’ve got to do the research.
And research, depending on the type, is not always my friend.
Get a person talking about their field of expertise (if, of course, that field is not uh…less than entertaining), watch their eyes light up, hear them tell jokes appropriate to their line of work. I love that kind of thing.
And being a story groupie, if I can get my hands on a novel that deals with my topic, I’m good to go.
Hands-on experiences? Sign me up.
Nonfiction litanies, statistics, histories, political climates, psychological analyses of personality profiles, numbers, dates, etc., etc.,…
The second hand on my watch gongs like a grandfather clock: when…will…this…be…over………………then it’s, “Good night and God bless.”
Don’t get me wrong. A lot of what I learn is fascinating, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing about it. It’s just hard for my brain to focus long when I’m reading something that’s not telling a story. Even with nonfiction books I latch on to the parts of personal testimony and anecdotes. The rest I read in doses.
Despite the weakening effect research has on my enthusiasm, I press on, searching out the details to make each story as realistic, entertaining, and impactful as possible.
I just drink lots (really…LOTS) of coffee in the meantime.
Your turn: What one thing poses an obstacle to your progress? How have you overcome it?
I’m going to keep this short. Because I’m supposed to be spending this week just enjoying my family, resting up, and
.
The girl in the picture has the view I’m missing, but at least I keep a steaming hot cup of luxury on my reading table. So I’m good.
Now back to the update on ACFW, one of the biggest writers conferences in the country and, if I base it on the experience I had, one of the best.
The worship was BEYOND amazing. Not just in the general sessions, but the entire time. God was so present my spirit just kept talking to Him and basking in Him throughout the day each day. It was rich and precious.
I didn’t meet a writer friend. I met many! A small cluster of us in different stages of our writing careers formed a critique group (super excited about that) and three special ladies–Caryl, Susie, and Ms. Susan–won my heart.
I had two appointments. In the first I got wonderful feedback, direction, and insight. I left encouraged. The second was not the best experience, but a breakthrough came from it, so I can only be grateful.
There is a temptation among all writers–whether fleeting or something they struggle with throughout their careers–to write to the trends or what is most likely to sell or become a bestseller, etc.
I encountered that temptation. And in the same day God crushed it. May it stay forever crushed.
I took a writing class taught by Mr. James Scott Bell. The man is gifted. And funny. Now I’ve got all these crazy ideas about how I can challenge myself, improve my writing, make the lives of my messy characters even messier, and complex plots deep and unpredictable.
I might try some of it out on you all. Maybe another short story series like last year’s Truth or Fiction Tuesdays. Except this one can be a genre series where I sharpen my skills by writing in genres I’ve never done. We’ll see. The biggest challenge in a series like that would be the speculative/sci-fi/fantasy genre. Love to read the stuff; I’m amazed by the worlds those authors create.
Dreaming up a whole new world myself, in a short story less than 1,500 words…I’m…getting……nothing. Except unicorns. Oh, and scorpions. Yeah. We might wanna leave that alone.
But I digress.
In conclusion. ACFW was great. Your prayers were heard. God blessed me with more than I could’ve hoped for, confirmed the call He’s placed on my life, renewed my passion and my obedience, then brought me home to the most amazing man and precious little people in my world.
I’m grateful. I praise Him. And I’m ready to tell some stories.
To view pictures of my time in Indianapolis visit my Facebook page or Instagram :-).
In less than a week, I will kiss my husband and kids goodbye, board a plane, hoist my carry-on in the overhead compartment, and fly to Indianapolis for the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference.
I’ve worked on my proposal and one-sheets (all that’s great about your novel on one page), practiced my elevator pitch, become acquainted with other first-timers via a group thread, and have been praying for God’s will, whatever it is, to be done.
I’m ready…almost.
The idea of being among hundreds of other authors–all Christians, all with the goal of using the craft of writing to glorify the Lord and touch lives while doing it–is astounding. And I’m amped to worship with these folks.
I’m praying to walk away with a new writing buddy. Not just a “trade likes on Facebook” type of buddy (though I’ll take those too :-)), but a special sister I can connect with on that deeper level to take this journey with.
The worship and the buddy connection I’m anticipating are enough to have me so excited I burn calories just thinking about them.
But then I think about the appointments–those two fifteen minute slots I’ll have with an editor or agent (I won’t know who/which til I get there)–and I ask, “What on earth have I gotten myself into?”
It’s silly really, I know. Tell that to my beating heart. Tell it that those fears of showing up to my appointments and not remembering my own name (let alone the summary of my story in thirty words) is unrealistic. As is the notion that I’ll open my folder to pull out a one-sheet only to find it empty, or open my mouth and start selling my story…in Chinese.
This past week the nerves have put me in a very “productive in every area but conference preparation” sort of mode.
Instead of fixing the formatting issues on my one-sheet, I’ll look at my 3-year-old and think, “I haven’t updated her baby book in a while.” I’ve trimmed my plants, organized closets, categorized photos for goodness sake…anything to avoid thinking about that whopping thirty minutes of the conference weekend.
According to all that’s sane and scriptural, it’s ridiculous. The worst thing that can happen is I pitch my book and they’re not interested. Rejection is nothing new in the world we writers live in. So, being at peace with that potential outcome, why can’t I shake these “interview” jitters?
I don’t have a concrete answer. Some on my first-timers loop (my new peeps) have suggested spiritual warfare, which they’re experiencing in various ways. And it makes sense, since introversion walks a fine line between personality trait and personality flaw, and it’s definitely an area where I’m susceptible.
It could also be the weakness I have that Christ uses to tell me “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
And like I told my peeps, “Though I’d love to be that person who’s so confident and carefree their only worries are what places of interest to visit during free time, I have to say that my insecurities have made me cling to God and bury my face in His robe like a child stuck to the leg of a parting parent. So I’ll take it.”
Regardless of the why, however, the what is not an option. I will, for lack of a better epithet, “get er done.” I will polish my proposal, put some more practice on these pitches, fix this annoying alignment issue on my one-sheet, and, oh yeah, pack.
And I will ask for your prayers.
Pray for me that I will finish strong in my preparations, and that I will go to this conference trusting God. Pray also that He will help me to just be myself, to be open to and serving of others, to be confident in Him and joyful. Pray that His will be done.
And pray for my family that He watches over and guards them while I am away, and that He brings me home to them safely. And if you are willing, pray the same for the hundreds of others rowing the same boat that I’m in. We all need it.
I wrote this almost a year ago. Now that my story is finally ready for the pitching stage, I thought it appropriate to share again :-).
The elevator pitch. In the writing world, it’s a short summary of your book that can be told to a prospective agent/editor/publisher in the time it takes to get from one floor to the next on an elevator. For a wordy introvert like myself (I’ve been known to counter my shyness with excessive talking) it’s an enticement to take the stairs.
An elevator pitch is just one of many tools a new writer must have in her belt. And I’m not talking about a cute belt. I’m talking a manly, well-stocked, durable belt that’s multi-pocketed and ready for the long haul.
When stepping out of the dream of one day becoming a writer and landing into the hard reality of pursuing publication, you quickly learn terms like elevator pitch, query letter, synopsis, and – somebody fan me – rejection letters. You start stocking the pockets of your belt with resources to enhance your ability, hammers to keep you pounding away on the keyboard, measuring tapes to keep you persevering, and salves to thicken your skin. And you don a hard-hat to keep you from getting discouraged when you learn that even with the best of tools many don’t make it in this business. And soon enough comes your moment of truth.
I’ve never been fond of rejection. And though I can take criticism, I’d prefer it gently if at all possible. As for putting myself out there (pitching, sharing my fears and failures, digging in and doing the writing) to think nothing may ever come of it…well, that’s altogether a very frightening prospect. As I learned about the odds and stared down my own inhibitions, I had to really ask myself: Am I up for this?
Answer? I am.
Though the publishing world is like a well established building – with bestselling authors and timeless books dressing it in grand arches, majestic steeples, and ancient friezes – there’s always room for a new wing on the latest floor. And whether that wing be expansive, or cozy and closet-like, I think I can make good use of it. I have stories to tell and a world to tell them to.
So while the solitude of the stairs is a comfortable choice – and physically healthy in a literal sense 🙂 – this writer is training her introvert to come out of her shell, sticking her nervous Chatty Cathy in the timeout corner, sucking in a deep breath, saying a prayer (and another, then another)…and taking the elevator.
Aside from your regularly scheduled writing time (you do have that don’t you????) how do you write when spontaneous inspiration hits? Do you grab a notepad and scribble away?
Or do you drum your fingers while waiting for the computer to boot up (or your tablet to charge, or your kid to pause Angry Birds on your smartphone :-))?
Though I used to be ever so proud of my fancy handwriting back in my high school days, it has since become chicken scratch, and I can’t stand to write longhand unless I absolutely have to. I already write my name like I’ve signed a million autographs. I can’t imagine trying to decipher notes scrawled in the dead of night while half asleep.
Yet some still relish the novelty of pen against pad.
My mind is always churning. I comfort myself with the notion that I’m a writer and, as such, my thoughts should walk a creative distance outside the box of normal thinking folks. Honestly, though, sometimes I suspect I’m a blurted comment away from being professionally observed.
As for those thoughts I think, they tend to come in scenes with the promise of a story somewhere. Absurd or dull ones get shot down as quickly as they come, lingering ones may turn into a short story (or at least get the nod of an honorable intention to make a short story), and great ones get scribbled down and chewed on with the promise of a full book someday.
Then there are the write-a-paragraph-and-never-touch-again scenes. There’s a story, typically something of redemptive or moral value, but I don’t know what it is. It could be anything, so why limit it to one thing? But if I don’t limit it to one thing, how will it ever become anything? And there I go again, off on my mental tangent…
Now here’s where you come in! Written below is a very short scene. The characters are there (at least the initial two), and the stage is set for something…
That “something” is up to you.
Throw me ideas for conflict, questions, promises, future hopes, past regrets, titles…whatever comes to your mind after you read the paragraph.* If your mind embraces the scene and takes off with it…feel free to write it out and add to the story instead of just offering your idea.*
Here goes…
The bed was hard and stiff, as if it had been soaked through then dried in a harsh summer sun. Jenise perched on the edge with one leg crossed over the other and fingered the cheap dove necklace sticking to her skin. The window facing her was lifted just high enough for a small bird to fit through, as high as it could go, and despite several holes in the screen, no air seemed to come in.
A cart rumbled up to the door and paused, then rumbled away again accompanied by the faint tunes of a radio with poor reception. Jenise took a long drag of her cigarette and blew the smoke over the sleeping form of her new husband. Only his fingers moved in response, the rough tips finding the back of her polyester slip and sticking like velcro.
“David,” Jenise called in a soft, shaky voice, half hoping he didn’t hear…
Now it’s your turn! Tell me what happens next. Where are they? Why are they there? What’s keeping her awake while he’s sleeping? What’s she thinking about? I can’t wait to see the ideas that come pouring in.
And that’s not all…the most creative, workable idea or add-on will receive a new copy of James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure, a must-have for every writer or writer-to-be. Be creative and have fun!
*Please do not submit using profanity, gratuitous sexual content, or malicious violence.
I’ve finally compiled a list for my Seven Books in Seven Weeks marathon. Thanks to everyone who posted or emailed your suggestions. It took a while to filter through and decide which seven books would occupy hours of my time over the next seven weeks, but now that the list is done I’m ready to hit the ground reading! Or…something like that.
And now without further ado (for the record I initially wrote that as adieu (don’t ask me why I did it, nor why I’m telling you)), in the order in which I’ll be reading them, here are my Seven Books in Seven Weeks:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg
Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren
Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead
Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock
Week one officially begins this Friday (4/26). I will post reviews of each book the Saturday after they’ve been read, so my first review of The Language of Flowers will be available Saturday (5/4).
If you’ve never read any of these books or, Lord willing, you’ve read them and believe them good enough to read again, join me! I’ll be posting my progress on my Goodreads profile and we can chat throughout the week.
In addition, at the end of this marathon I’ll be giving away a few of the books in the list. Anyone who participates through shares, retweets, comments, and reading along will be eligible to win. (Make sure to note in the comments if/when you share on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest so I can enter you in the drawing).
Thanks again to everyone for your recommendations and participation. Now let’s get reading!
I’m constantly reading. Sometimes, if I’m lucky, I’ll find a book impossible to put down and conquer it in a day. Other times I’ll find one that’s good but I can put it down, so with the day-to-day of family and other responsibilities it’ll take me a little longer to get through it.
And last, but most unfortunately, every now and then I’ll come across one that’s terrible. But because I’m nosy and have a hard time not finishing what I start, I’ll carry it around like a shackle on my leg until I’ve finally dragged myself to the end. Though I always tell myself, “I just have to know if there’s a point, a redeeming quality, anything to make me feel like I didn’t waste my time,” I usually get to the end and say, “Why on earth did I waste my time with that?”
Anyway, I’m in the mood for a reading marathon. Seven books in seven weeks. Just the thought of it has me excited.
What’s this mean for you? Two or three things:
If you have a book you think I should read (and not one of the terrible kind just to make me suffer), post your recommendations and I’ll consider it if I haven’t already read it.
With each book I’ll post a review. That way if you haven’t read it yet I can provide some insight as to whether or not it’s worth your time.
This one is optional but I’ll be ecstatic if you do it…you can join me! They don’t have to be the same seven books, just the same volume and timeline.
I’m eager to start so put in your recommendations. With your help I hope to compile a list and get the first leg of this race started by next weekend :-).
