Guest Blogger ~ Tamera Alexander

TAMERA ALEXANDER is the bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered, the three-part Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Rekindled, a CBA bestseller, has won critical acclaim and was chosen as one of Library Journal’s Top 5 Picks for Christian Fiction 2006. Rekindled and Revealed triple-finaled in the 2007 RITA® Awards sponsored by Romance Writers of America—Rekindled and Revealed for Best Inspirational Novel, and Rekindled for Best First Novel. She and her husband make their home in Tennessee with their two college-age children, and a seven-pound Silky named Jack.

Her most recent release, Remembered, is in stores now and garnered the following starred review from Library Journal: *This follow-up to Rekindled and Revealed is a rich historical romance by possibly the best new writer in this sub-genre… Descriptive prose and memorable characters set within an engrossing love story make this an essential read for those who like 19th-century Western romances with faith subtly interwoven throughout.

Tamera is currently working on her fourth novel, part of her second three-book historical series with Bethany House which is set in the Colorado Territory. She’ll be presenting a workshop on Dissecting a Novel at the ACFW Conference in Dallas in September. You can visit Tamera’s website and her blog.

Thanks for asking me to guest blog on Novel Journey today, Ane. I’m excited to be with you guys. I was recently asked a question by a fellow writer which led to a longer discourse between us on learning to write novels, so I thought I’d share some of what we discussed here.

She asked, “What’s the best thing you’ve done to learn how to write novels?” Invariably, I answer…by reading them!

1. Learn from your favorites—

One of the ways in which I’ve learned to write novels (and continue to learn) is by reading them. By taking them apart, piece by piece. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read a ton of great “how to” books (and have listed some of my favorites below), but I’ve learned the greatest and most lasting lessons from reading other’s work. From finding what works and what doesn’t. How did the author get me to cry on page 28 or laugh out loud on page 47? Or have me gripping my afghan in a strangle hold? All veracious readers have favorite novels that resonate with them, that they’ve read time after time. The next time you reread one of your favorites, try looking more closely at:

*Point of View (Note how many POVs the writer used, how they used POV to deepen characterization, are the transitions smooth and fluid?)

*Characterization (Did you already care about the characters after only two or three pages? Did the author plant a burning question(s) in those pages that kept you reading?)

*Pacing (Is the plot quick-moving? Does it keep you turning the pages? If yes, what hooks did the author use and where were they placed? How long are their chapters?)

Reading a novel as a writer is far different than reading it as a reader. In the Wizard of Oz when the professor is in fear of being found out, he cries out, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” But when you read to learn, you very much want to pay attention—to everything that “man (or woman) behind the curtain” is doing.

Suggested Reading for Writers:

Stein on Writing by Sol Stein

How to Grow a Novel by Sol Stein

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins

Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain

Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

2. Join a professional writing organization—

If you’re a writer of Christian fiction and you’ve never attended a Christian Writers’ Conference, please try to work it into your budget and your schedule this year. I’m part of American Christian Fiction Writers and our annual conference is coming up in September in Dallas. James Scott Bell is the keynote speaker (he’s a master of teaching fiction writing), and there are comprehensive sessions for all levels of writers. The training I’ve received from ACFW has made all the difference in my writing—and in my being published. You can find more information about this professional writer’s group and their annual conference at ACFW.

3. Find a writing partner—

Finding a compatible writing partner has been one of the greatest joys in my writing career, and one of the greatest helps in relation to accountability in writing. She and I critique each others first drafts before we submit them to our editors, and she’s helped me to grow in my writing—both in my voice and in my technique. We’re pretty brutal with each other. We both know we enjoy each other’s work so while we do try and remember to point out the “what’s working” in our first drafts, we never shy from speaking the truth in love—no matter how much rewriting is involved.

You say, “Sure I’d love to find a great writing partner, but how?” Attending Christian conferences is a great way to facilitate that because you’ll be around a lot of other writers who desire to hone their writing skills too. Many organizations (ACFW among them) has critique groups you can join. I’ve been involved with two successful critique groups in the past and so appreciate those journeys. Pray about it. Ask God to direct you to that person or persons, in his timing, and in his way. Don’t force it. Let it come naturally and from him.

4. Never forget that I have a lot to learn—

Writing is a process. Just as a book may be months or even years in the making, so the skill of writing takes time to be honed, to be polished to a sheen. We can all learn from anyone, if our perspectives are right.

Something that has helped me in every stage of my writing career has been knowing this—nothing happens to me that doesn’t first filter through the loving hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. He’s known since the beginning of time how many books I would write in my lifetime. It may be six, it may be twenty-six. But no matter the number, I want to be centered in the middle of his will for my life. And while I’m critiquing at conferences or partnering with another writer over a manuscript, I always pray God’s will for their life, whatever that is. How could we want any more or less?