I Make Stuff Up for a Living

By Dan Walsh

I should start off my post today (in an effort at full disclosure) by saying my inspiration came from reading my friend Rachel Hauck’s Novel Rocket blog post a couple of weeks ago on April 19th, called, It All Boils down to This… I'm a Writer.

I've been writing novels full-time now since 2010, part-time 2 years before that. I'm just about to release Novel #18 on May 15th. I'm not sure, but I think Rachel's been writing quite a bit longer than me and has more novels published. Still, as I read her blog, I was nodding constantly in agreement.

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Ready For Christmas Yet?

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 17 novels, including The Unfinished Gift, The Reunion and When Night Comes. He has won 3 Carol Awards and 3 Selah Awards. Three of his books were finalists for Inspirational Book of the Year (RT Book Reviews). Dan is a member of ACFW and Word Weavers. He lives with his wife, Cindi, in the Daytona Beach area where they love to take walks and spend time with their grandkids. Click here to connect with Dan or check out his books. 

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The title I really wanted for this post was from that classic old Yuletide song: It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas, but it was too long.

Here’s the thing, this weekend I just finished my newest novel (#17). One I’ve been working on all summer long (in Florida, our summer starts around mid-May). Our nickname is the "Sunshine State" with good reason. It’s warm and sunny the better part of the year, and especially during the long summer months. People come to vacation here from all over the world this time of year. They visit all the theme parks like Disney World and Sea World, and many of them spend a few extra days tanning themselves on our beaches. My wife and I live in the Daytona Beach area, historically referred to as, “The World’s Most Famous Beach.”

The novel I just finished is called Finding Riley, Book 2 in my inspirational Forever Home Series (Book 1 is Rescuing Finley). It’s also a Christmas novel. Yes, that’s what I said. Which means, I've been writing a Christmas novel for the last four-and-a-half months during the dog days of summer. Turns out, this is my 5th Christmas novel. And this past weekend it dawned on me…I’ve written every single one of them during the hot summer months here in Florida.

That’s not how I planned it, it’s just how things worked out (more to do with things like schedules and deadlines). Why do I bring this up? I don't know. Maybe I'm looking for some extra credit. I'm not talking about money here. All my Christmas novels, thankfully, have done very well. And readers have been extremely kind in their reviews. But I imagine many of them picture me writing these Christmas books wearing a thick sweater, sitting by a cozy fire, a nice mug of hot chocolate beside my laptop, a Johnny Mathis Christmas CD on in the background. Occasionally, I pause, glance around the room at all the beautiful sparkling Christmas decorations for inspiration.

I wish. 

Here’s the real picture…I’m wearing a short-sleeved shirt, short pants and flip-flops. I have the air-conditioning turned down as low as I can afford (to ward off the beads of sweat that would otherwise constantly run down my back). Throughout the day, I try NOT to look outside, because all I see is sunshine and palm trees.

So, where does my inspiration for these lovely, inspirational Christmas tales come from? I’ll tell you where (and why I’m fishing for compliments here)…from my wholly unassisted imagination. As I pondered the hardship I’ve had to endure (well, okay…that’s overstating it a bit), I’ve wondered if my challenge is not unlike modern-day actors who work on hi-tech movies almost entirely created with CGI special effects.

Have you ever seen those “How They Made ________ “ documentaries? It makes you realize just how talented some of these actors and actresses are, as they try to act and react to big things happening which none of them can see. All they see are the other actors in their costumes and these huge green screens everywhere. Directors are having to tell them what will movie-goers will actually see weeks or months later in the theater.

Hey…that’s an idea. Maybe I could set up some green screens in my house and project some beautiful Christmas scenery on them.

Well, let’s end with 2 things. 

 

First, a blatant plug for my new Christmas novel, Finding Riley, which you can Pre-order from Amazon for $3.99 by CLICKING HERE. It will release 1 month from now on Oct 1st.  

 

And secondly, I'd like to ask those of you who write novels to share some of your crazy writing stories. I'm talking about unusual behind-the-scenes stuff that most readers would never imagine. The kinds of things that have really challenged your ability to be inspired or hindered your motivation.

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Pilates for Your Imagination

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. For relaxation, he writes westerns. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two homeschooled children on crazy but fun research trips. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

Imagination—To create a picture without using your senses.

Does crafting the perfect sentence—both grammatically correct and rhythmically pleasing—get you published?

Does owning a bank account with free refills get you published?

Does marrying the CEO of a publishing company get you published?

Help your odds at getting published—write a stellar plot. I don't want to read a book you published through manipulations. I want to read a stellar book, one the publisher was forced to publish because the plot was brilliant.

You’re going to need an imagination, and no bottomless bank account’s going to buy one. Here are a few tips to exercise your plot-making skills.

—Daydream. In pictures, not words. If you can’t, I’m sorry. So sorry.

—Imagine a smell. Then imagine a taste. Next, a touch. Now a sound. And finally a picture. Anything. Then try combining two. Can you mix three? All five?

—Read. Turn off the blasted TV. Throw it over a cliff.

—Study gorgeous paintings. Make the figures move. Give them a story.

—Think of a sarcastic statement to everything around you. WARNING: Choose what comes out of your mouth carefully.

—Talk to children—toddler to teen. Brainstorm anything with them.

—Make your main character your imaginary friend.

—When telling stories to friends, work it. Make it funny, visual, and expressive.

—Spend time with creative people.

—Don’t resist. Observe people. Make up stories about them.

—Don’t keep your imagination in your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. Be curious. Be daring. Be naughty.

You’re responsible for your education. Work it!

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A Perfect Complement

by Cynthia Ruchti

"Look how the clouds make a perfect complement to the scene," our host said on our tour of Oregon's beauty. 

Hours earlier, we stood on the shore of Trillium Lake, near Mt. Hood, as clouds rolled in. Soon, we we dodging raindrops to get back into the vehicle that took us to lower elevations, toward our host's home. After the rain spent itself, the clouds thinned again and split apart so we could see edges of light outlining the clouds. With sunset approaching, the outline turned from bright-white to orange to crimson against pockets of blue.

Rather than praise the return of blue or the brilliant color palette of light, our host said, "Look how the clouds complement the scene."

His words made it to my ever-present notebook within seconds. What a great perspective! Too often we see clouds as barriers to the real view. What if instead they are enhancements? The perfect foil, perfect backdrop, for spikes of light, creating something to reflect, ensuring the viewer notices the contrasts?

Rather than resent their presence, wouldn't we then see clouds as a vital part of the picture?

What if the latest rejection is actually brush strokes on canvas to provide a foil for an upcoming acceptance? What if a disappointment is the base for an outline of riotous light? What if having to rewrite the whole second half of your novel because of a sticking point you discovered two sentences from the end produces a more compelling story than the cloudless original?

This is what we saw when we got to Mt. Hood: 

As we toured the grounds and the lodge, we waited for the shroud to lift. We walked to another spot for a different angle. Still encased in clouds. A peak of sun seemed on its way, if we gave it a few more minutes. But the majestic mountain refused to let its face be seen no matter how long we waited or how much we wanted to see the top of the mountain.

The clouds got in the way? In some respects. But in another way of thinking, they added an air of mystery. I had no trouble believing the rest of the mountain was there. Thousands, perhaps millions of others had seen it. Many had captured its image by camera or artist's canvas. It likeness had been sculpted in bronze and stone. Our host told stories of his ski and hiking adventures and helped us imagine how much more of the mountain lay beyond the clouds.

We didn't walk away disappointed, as we might have. The clouds formed a complement to the scene and forced our imaginations and faith to take over.

Novelist, caregiver, parent, teacher, striver, what circumstance clouds are forcing your imagination and faith to take over these days?

Where's Jesus in this?

Mark 9:7 CEB records one of many times in the biblical account when God demonstrated how a cloud can FORM and enhance the scene, not hide it. "Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, "This is My Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!"

What if that same message came from the depths of the cloud in your view? Isn't it?

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What I learned About Writing at Disney World by DiAnn Mills

What I learned About Writing at Disney World
by DiAnn Mills

The imagination has no boundaries at Disney World. From Epcot to Magic Kingdom, you can experience one thrill after another. The imagineers refuse to limit their minds to logic and reason. They dream first, knowing if an idea bursts into the mind, a means to make it happen is there also. Color, sound, fantasy, and animation combine to entertain and establish memories long after the visitor returns to reality.

Dream on!

Some of the visitors never want to return to the real world. They much prefer the one where love and laughter rule the day.

Isn’t that what we want to provide for the readers? Don’t we long for them to close our books but never close their minds to the delight of the adventure?

Our goal is for our readers to root themselves in our story world and never leave.

Disney’s Mission statement as of 2013 shows their commitment to creativity and quality: “The Walt Disney Company's objective is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information, using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer products….”

Garbage Band Rhythm - Who would ever think?

Here is what I learned about story after visiting Disney World.

1. Characters come to life with smiles, gestures, and personality.
2. Characters are timeless. We remember each one and how they touched our hearts.
3. A story world is painted on a canvas with a setting that enhances every   moment of the story.
4. Content is king. Every word must be bathed in gold then polished and put on display for the world to admire.
5. Experience is the takeaway. Writers succeed when the reader closes the door to the outside world—repeatedly.
6. Disney holds the keys to the kingdom of marketing and promotion. Lovers of the magic are free to maintain the enjoyment with reminders they can hold, sing, view, wear, dance to, and even eat! Writers too must develop ways for readers to find full satisfaction in story.
7. Writers always have room to grow and expand story techniques. Each new set of characters and plot are stronger and more defined. Stronger dialogue and deeper emotion draws the reader into critical situations. Setting enhances a richer theme.

Walt Disney’s philosophy is an inspiration for all of us. “All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." 

Think about your current story. Can you incorporate the Disney philosophy into your adventure? Do you have the courage to pursue the world of story?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an

adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

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The Big Idea of Your Novel

by Allen Arnold 

 

There’s a classic story, probably mostly true, of how a monster movie screenplay was pitched to Hollywood studios.

In 1975, Jaws had become one of the first true pop-culture summer blockbusters movies. Imagine shortly after that you are trying to get the green light for your screenplay about a monster in space. No one in Hollywood is exactly standing in line for this story. It’s up to you to create interest in it. But you know you’ll only have a few minutes at most with the major studio heads. What can you possibly say that will cause them to pay attention?

The folks tasked with this came up with a brilliant pitch for the screenplay.

They positioned it as “Jaws in Space”.

That’s it. Three words.

And that’s all it took to hook a powerful studio. The line was so catchy and yet so simple. And the rest is history.

Alien became not just a blockbuster movie but a decades-spanning franchise. It even has an equally powerful positioning line for the movie poster: “In space, no one can hear you scream”.  

Both lines – one for internal Hollywood decision makers and one for the people buying movie tickets – are visceral and unforgettable. They draw you in. Leave you wanting more.

Can you describe your novel in a few powerful words? Not a few paragraphs –a few words. A sentence at most. You need to because that’s the attention span of most people. Anything beyond that and most people won’t remember. They have too many other things competing for space in their brain – including what they are going to eat for dinner, when to pick up the kids and whether they have clean clothes to wear tomorrow.

You need a phrase that causes your target audience to smile, gasp or lean in closer. The goal isn’t to tell them your whole story. It is to cause them to want more so they will buy and read your story. That’s it. Accomplish that and you are on the way to growing your tribe of readers.

When done right, the catch phrase or positioning line captures the concentrated power of the primary concept that makes your story unique. It is what will draw both agent and publisher to your proposal. It is what will turn the potential reader’s head and then keep the pages turning. It is what will fuel buzz in the marketplace.

To be sure, there’s an art to crafting the right succinct phrase. Some credit Blaise Pascal for saying, "I'm sorry I wrote you such a long letter; I didn't have time to write a short one." It’s true, saying more with fewer words is hard work. That’s okay. Do the hard work.

Start with the central premise that makes your story unique. If you find yourself hitting a brick wall when trying to come up with this positioning line, the problem may lie within the story itself. Perhaps the story doesn’t yet have a truly unique premise or twist. If that’s the case, spend more time on story development and then craft the positioning line.

The goal of a great line is to leave people wanting more. It must be intriguing, unexpected, compelling, playful, or disruptive.

The more generic the line is, the more forgettable it will be.

The more detailed and wordy, the more folks will glaze over. That’s why great positioning lines rarely include character names – because names aren’t the big idea or original concept.

The more obvious a line is – the less compelling. A great line for a romance novel is never “Will she find true love?” Because, um, the answer is apparent. Asking a self-answering question as the tagline only highlights how predictable the story is.

Now it’s your turn. What is the hook for your current book?

Allen Arnold loves the epic adventure God has set before him. From the mountains of Colorado, he leads Content & Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries (led by John Eldredge). Before that, he spent 20 years in Christian Publishing - overseeing  the development of more than 500 novels as founder and Publisher of Thomas Nelson Fiction. He was awarded the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. But that doesn't really describe the man. Allen savors time with his family, craves the beach, drinks salsa by the glass, is hooked on the TV series "Once Upon a Time" and is passionate about helping storytellers tell better stories from an awakened heart. 

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The Closet Experience by DiAnn Mills

The Closet Experience
DiAnn Mills

Do you grab your readers by the hand and lead them into your character’s closet? Is she messy? What kind of shoes does she buy? Are they worn? What’s her favorite color?If not, you’re making a terrible mistake. Why? How can a reader encounter story without stepping inside the character’s closet?

A writer’s goal is for a reader to experience story vicariously through our characters. That means all of the assigned traits ensure the character comes alive. 

The reader lives her dream through the character

Real.
A friend or a fiend.
The character might greet them at the grocery or at work.
The character refuses to leave the reader’s mind.
Soon, if the writer successfully captures the reader’s imagination . . .
The reader becomes the character.

Now what’s required for the reader to be in that exclusive position? Here are a five ways to ensure your reader has an unforgettable magic carpet ride.
1. The writer creates a character whose motivation and resulting behavior fits backstory and temperament.

2. The writer understands deep POV and slashes through distancing the reader from the character. Through sensory perception that is up close and personal, the schism is eliminated. 

3. Body language, emotions, and dialogue subtexting fit the scene and are accepted as appropriate.

Don't even try to tell me you're loving this.

4. Every word is weighed to assure the reader is personally involved with the character.

5. The writer constantly searches for new ways to deepen the reader’s adventure.

My suggestion is to flip on the light in your character’s closet and invite in your readers. Those special people who read your books will thank you for it! 



DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

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10 Tips to Exercise Your Imagination

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. www.peterleavell.com.

Our minds destroy the planet in one moment and save humanity in the next.

Or, we write a scene of death and torture, thievery and mischief, just before we go to church and worship an ever-loving God.

Yeah, we’re writers. We’re messed up.

Our imagination is our weapon of choice, and if we don’t keep our mind honed, we’re missing out on our potential. A few tips to expand your mind—

1: Solving problems—our specialty. Like a solitary chess player, the mind is divided between two equal opponents. Guy/Girl, Bad Guy/Good Guy, Happy/Sad, Bad Situation/Good Situation. Practice getting a character into problems you have no idea how to extract him or her, then think, think, think. Get your character out! No worries—this isn’t a math story problem. So no tears.

2: Imaginations soar. Let it go! (My 12-year-old daughter is singing in my head right now.) Take time to reflect. Think big. Think bad. Think gloriously.

3: Dig. Dig through books. Dig fiction and nonfiction. Dig YA and dig philosophy no one understands. Dig poetry and plays. Digging books expands your mind.

4: Observe. Watch others carefully. What depths of good or bad are humans capable of? Or depths of feeling? In a café, I watched an 8-year-old boy in the corner booth crying. Not tears of a tantrum, just red eyes and tracks down his cheeks. Quiet suffering. His parents and grandparents ignored him. Listening, I learned his grandfather sitting next to the boy was going into surgery the next day, and they were discussing odds of survival. My heart broke for the lad, giving me a new depth to my own emotion.

5: Tell stories. But verbalize them. Make your tale as entertaining as possible—perhaps funny or intriguing points of views. Verbalizing good stories is great practice.

6: Be curious. Ever curious. And satiate your curiosity. I’m reading about clouds right now.

7: Balance rest and exercise. Come on. You’re a grownup. You know how your body works by now. Maximize your potential by exercising and eating what’s good for body and mind.

8: Hang out with exciting/interesting people. They fuel your imagination!

9: Brain synapses are important. Synapse is how information passes through the brain. Getting the left and right hand side of the brain to talk with each other is vital. I memorize poetry and recite. Then write. When I grow weary, I juggle—passing the tennis balls from the right side of my body to the left gets the two sides fired up and talking.

10: Learn math. Sigh. So you don’t have to make up a point when the title says ten points. You never know, it may help with problem solving, even if there are tears. (small, humble text)

Maximize your potential! Keep your mind humming!

By the way, two months later, in the same café, a grandfather with a walker sat at a table with a happy 8-year-old boy.

What do you do to maximize your imagination's potential? 

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