What We Write Reveals Who We Are

People who read my books know that I love the Lord. They are Christians, too, who enjoy reading inspirational romance as much as I love writing them. They know that I have a soft spot for geeks, have a tendency to wax poetic and get all flowery and symbolic, and I have a very silly sense of humor. They can tell that I relate to older people, so I always incorporate deep relationships with older characters in every story. My stories are much more unique than you'd expect. I'm different and not ashamed to reflect that in my writing. Readers can tell that I love simple, country living and down-to-earth personalities.

Those who read my books know that I struggle with faith and purpose. They know that prayer is important to me. They know I cherish second chances and starting over and making mistakes. They know that above all else, writing is my ministry. It's also an outlet and my connection to the world. My readers know that I strive to make my characters as relatable as possible because it is through those connections that deeper meaning takes place. I want my readers to experience my creative world and really feel every aspect of it. My ministry wouldn't work any other way.

Readers can tell that I root for my characters and fight hard alongside them to achieve that happily ever after. I won't spoil them though. They have to live and learn just like everybody else. Just like I've done over and over.

My readers can pick out bits and pieces of me scattered about: my quiet side, my romantic side, my artistic side, and my quirky side. They wouldn't put it past me to talk to cows or dust bunnies, to fend off heavy equipment with a stick, or to have intellectual debates about zig zags and the importance of facing the "right" direction in restaurants.

Those who read my books know that I spend quality time researching in order to add just the right amount of realism to my fiction. They know I pay attention to detail.

It's very evident in my writing that I am a southern girl, and I even write with an accent. They may not know that, even though my "accent" is there, it's been diluted by several rounds of editing by editors who are not southern. I don't want to alienate my fans from the north, east, and west.

My readers can tell that I'm not perfect, I don't strive for perfection, and I don't expect perfection for my characters. I hope that they walk away from my books knowing that it's okay to make mistakes and to not be perfect. I believe they know this and it's one of the main reasons why they read my books.

My readers know that I am human and they're okay with that.

What does your writing say about you?

Virtual Traveling for Research

I’ve never been to Sweet Home, Texas, the setting of my small town romance series, but the world my characters live in is as rich and real as any place I’ve visited in real life. That’s the goal that all writers strive to achieve – to add just enough realism to their fiction to draw readers in and create a deep connection.

Sci-Fi writers are experts at this. Not only have their readers never been to the futuristic realms of which they describe, but there is sometimes very little point of reference. It takes masterful skill to bring those worlds to life in a way readers can fully connect and visualize.

One way writers can do this is through virtual traveling. The internet is full of videos and pictures of places around the world and around the corner. A good place to start is Google or Yahoo with a search for a town or area similar to the setting in your story. At the time I was doing research for my series, I was looking for a Texas town with a funny name at DribbleGlass and stumbled upon Sweet Home, Texas. Not exactly funny, but something drew me to it. Another search and I was immediately lost in pictures and history of the town and surrounding area. I pictured my characters there and everything started coming together.

Never underestimate the power of your senses. It may be fiction, but the more real it is to you the more real it will be to your readers. I read about many writers who create soundtracks for each story to set the mood while they write. Also, I’ve heard of writers eating certain foods or lighting a candle of a certain scent. Or wearing costumes or wrapping up in a special blanket. They need to hear and smell and feel and taste their creative worlds. Virtual traveling adds a visual layer to the mix, and one I think readers will appreciate. It’s all in the details.

Go forth (on your computer) and explore this beautiful world God created. Just remember to let Him lead you in your travels.

“Even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139

Structure and the Creative Writer

I recently completed a three-day diet called the Military Diet with no success, practically starving myself for nothing. It was a great disappointment. Upon further research, I discovered that it only works if you have large amounts of weight to lose – 20 pounds or more. I should have done more research before starting because I only have about ten pounds to lose. Did you know that the skinner you are, the harder it is to lose weight?

The same applies to writing. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21:5).

God gave me a pretty good balance of left and right brain. While I am a creative writer, I rely on extensive plotting to make it all come together. Call it structure, if you will. But which kind works best?

Like the diet I tried, what works for one may not work for another. I struggled through several methods before finding a plotting structure that works for me. There are many resources available to writers, and I encourage you to do your research, try several things, and find what works for you. I used my plotting journey as a basis for a workshop I developed called: Forget the Fluff: Mastering the Fab Five Plotting Books to Get That Novel Outlined and Drafted in 30 Days. The 5 books I’m referring to are: “Story Structure Architect” by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, “The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler, “45 Master Characters” by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, “First Draft in 30 Days” by Karen S. Wiesner, and “Book in a Month” by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. There’s a lot of information, and I break it down into a method that’s easy to follow.

Let’s not forget the ultimate resource – the Bible. Whether it’s dieting or writing, the Bible has an answer for everything. Whatever you seek in life, do so according to God’s will and let Him be your guide. Understand that even the most diligent of plans will fail without God.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step….PRAY before you take that first step!

Blessings!

Lettuce Makes the Cheese Fall Out

The Bible tells about order and organization and planning and being prepared. Luke 14:28-30 says, "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'"

The same goes with tacos. Yes, tacos. Lettuce, while oh-so-delicious, is also a bit flighty. It jumps ship at the slightest disturbance. And it takes everything on top with it. I've learned over the course of my lifetime of taco-eating that layering a taco is essential. Either the lettuce must go on bottom, with the weight of other toppings to hold it down, or it must go on last. There's still a risk of losing lettuce if it's on top, but at least it doesn't take anything with it. Namely my precious cheese.

And the same goes with manuscripts. They take careful planning. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser determines the level of conceptualization and depth of preparation.

There are many layers to consider. I've talked before about the layering process and even offer a workshop for those who are interested. Extensive research on the subject has led to a precise list and method for building the perfect taco...er, novel. As with lettuce, the placement of certain aspects of a story is essential to the success of the whole.

Will you make it to the finish line and be able to write the words THE END? Or will pieces of the plot fall apart onto your literary plate?

Order. Organization. Planning. Preparedness.

Before you sit down to build your tower, will you take the time to count the cost? Have you prepared a stable foundation for your characters?

Kind Words for Authors

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. - Proverbs 15:4

I recently watched a video on YouTube, a compilation of advice for authors by some of the most well-known authors of today. Write for yourself, write every day, write what you know, and be persistent. These ideas are nothing new, but to hear them from the best in business makes it that much more powerful.

And therein lies the critical component - inspiration. Our brains know many things, but sometimes it takes an outside source to get the message to our hearts. We can learn a lot from those who've traveled the path before us. Action is only half of what it takes. Motivation makes up the other half. Writing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Putting your bottom in the seat is the easy part, but wrapping your head around the task at hand is more difficult. That's why many authors post daily mantras to get the creative juices flowing. For Christian authors, scripture works well as the mantra of choice.

There is no denying the power of encouragement from others. It's a driving force that fuels all sorts of things from academics to athletics to art. Thoughtful words of kindness from professional authors in the business can give us the boost we need to make our daily word count. The book of Proverbs talks about this power to encourage in a positive way. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." (Proverbs 15:4)

Let's show Christ-like encouragement to our fellow authors, building each other up with joyful and positive words. Take a moment to call, text, write, or message some of your writer friends (or strangers) right now and encourage them today!

Is Your Plot Too Contrived or Coincidental?

In the quest to write something that is marketable, it's all too easy to slip into bad habits. Using plots that are too contrived, meaning they aren't natural, will no doubt blow up in your face later down the road. You might think that if it worked for others, then it's sure to work for you, but that isn't necessarily the case. If one person breaks onto the scene with a plot that is farfetched and manages to sell it to a major publishing house, it doesn't mean that others can put their spin on it and achieve the same grandeur. In the world of publishing, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Editors are finnicky. Send them something that's too contrived and they may think you're insulting their intelligence. And you have to think about your readers, too. You have to give them more credit than that. Readers and editors these days are looking for real plots. It's fiction, but the situations could really happen. They want extensive research. They want your characters and plot to be believable.

The problem that a lot of writers run into is that they want their characters to go from Point A to Point B. Now the quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line, but what if that doesn't work with your story? All too often, writers will jerk the plot around in an effort to achieve what they want to achieve in the way they want to achieve without regard for what happens naturally.

The thing you have to remember is that when something happens, there is always a reaction. Sometimes there is only one specific reaction, and sometimes there are several. Humans are notoriously predictable. If you write a scene in which the characters react in a way that is not natural for the sake of your plot, readers and editors are gonna know it. They're going to say, "He wouldn't do that." Or, "She would never say that." Or "That would never happen."

How many times have you found yourself thinking those exact words while reading a book or watching a movie?

You may justify it because you feel like it's the only way to get from A to B without destroying the carefully-laid plan for your characters.

Here's my challenge for you: next time you want to take the easy way out so you can get from A to B without breaking any of the plot bricks you've carefully laid DON'T! Go for what is natural and see what happens. This is a lot easier for pantsers than plotters like me. I know.

Think about this:

A plot that is too contrived requires a certain amount of coincidences to make it happen. Coincidences lead to weakness in the plot because both are blended with an abundance of willing suspension of disbelief.

This ain't bad in small doses. As with alcohol, it should be in moderation.

So you've gotten your plot laid out just the way you want it. There are a few coincidences in there and at times is seems a bit contrived, but you managed to get the characters from A to B. That's all that matters, right? WRONG!

True, you made the journey. You got them there, but the plot is now weakened and worse for the wear.

I urge you to take the road less traveled and forego the easy way. Take your time. Do the research. Make it real. Make your characters real. If you do, it will be no coincidence when I see your novel on bookstore shelves!

Jayna Morrow’s debut novel hit #3 in category on Amazon and was ranked #1 on the Top 15 Most Popular Books on Slake.com. Morrow brings to life heartwarming stories that embody realistic plots with an uplifting message, giving readers a sweet and warmly satisfying sense of love and hope.

Morrow is the author of the Sweet Home, Texas series, starting with her debut novel Garrett; numerous sweet contemporary and inspirational works; a short read with several other Prism Book Group authors, A Blizzard Wedding; and several children’s books. She has been featured at eReader News Today, Daily Cheap Reads, Working Writers and Bloggers, Books for Book Lovers, The Old Stone Wall, Lilly’s Book Club, Book Goodies, Nearly Brilliant, Goodreads, and Christian eBooks Today. She is an active member of the East Texas Writers Association and is a regular guest speaker, presenting mini-workshops on plotting structure, drafting a novel in 30 days, and the layering process. Her next novel to be published will be Gabriel (Fall 2013).
In addition to writing novels, Morrow is an elementary school reading teacher. She and her husband, Chip, are patrons of the arts, especially fine arts and music. They also enjoy the outdoors and frequently go off-roading, canoeing, barge riding on Caddo Lake, and camping.

She is a devoted mother to two precious little girls, Rebekah and Ella, and spends a majority of her time creating memories with them. Jayna, Chip, and the girls live in East Texas, near the Lousiana border. You can find out all about the writer and her books at www.jaynamorrow.com

Getting Good Press

“The Word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+ are all sites in a hard-working author’s self-promotion arsenal. The idea of creating a “viral circle” and keeping things buzzing in the cyber world is essential for branding and name recognition. It’s not just for self-published authors anymore. Even the big New York publishers are leaving most promotional work to the authors nowadays.

Reluctant writers who shy away from technology may find it difficult to forge a path in today’s publishing arena. Modern readers want to connect with their favorite storytellers in ways that were never possible until recently.

Getting their attention is no easy task either. Diminished are the days when readers enter brick and mortar bookstores and select books from a pre-selected group on a shelf. Book trailers are replacing back cover blurbs. The readership is there, but they crave a more visual format. Juicy electronic tidbits send them to Amazon and Barnes and Noble to download books onto their various devices.

Why do authors work so hard for so little? What drives them to make it in this world at all cost? And what do all the changes in cyberland mean? Quite simply, it means we, as authors, must learn to accept change and focus our efforts on what is most important. I think you’ll be surprised by what that is.

Jesus.

He faced the ultimate task of venturing into unknown territory, networking with people, and making sacrifices for the greater good. He lead by example and had the support of the Father behind him.

How about you? If you want to get good press, you need to start with the support of the Man Upstairs. Pray for guidance in your path. Then you’re ready to begin your literary journey. Be prepared to make sacrifices along the way. Learn a lot and love what you do.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve You with words!

Elements of Awe and Wonder

Wonder n. 1. One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel

Awe n. 1. A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might.

So let’s get this straight, in order to create awe and wonder in literature, I need to include astonishment, surprise, admiration, marvel, reverence, respect, and dread? And I need to do it with a sense of authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, and might?

Tall order. Let’s break down the elements of awe and wonder.

Awe can be carefully woven into your story with strategic use of theme. Whether your characters are struggling with a relationship with God, dealing with adversity, finding love in unlikely circumstances, or falling into the waiting arms of friends and family, allowing them to learn and grow as real people do will bring about that sense of awe that’s necessary for a successful novel.

Wonder is what brings readers to the point of awe. Think of it as a gatekeeper. It pushes them forward to the edge of their seats. Once there, they are captive. You can take them in any direction you want to go. Will you show them dread or great beauty? Respect or reverence? The choice is yours.

But while you’re creating a sense of awe and wonder in your fictional stories, let’s not forget stand in awe and wonder of the Great Creator. Psalm 34:3 says, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

Dancing vs Writing

There are several hot dancing shows on television right now, but they don't quite do it for me. I watch them, don't get me wrong! But I'm an old-fashioned girl, raised with southern tradition. Ballroom dancing just isn't popular 'round these parts. Clogging? Yep. Square Dancing? Yep. And it's those dances that I cut my teeth on.

I grew up watching my grandparents square dance. I loved the music. I loved the skirts and petticoats. I loved the flash of pettipants when the ladies twirled. My grandmother also clogged. Her father was a tap dancer, so she got rhythym naturally...in addition to playing several instruments. In fact, just about every single member of my family plays atleast one instrument and/or sings and/or dances. Our family reunions are more like jam sessions than anything else. So it came as no surprise when I expressed my interest in clogging.

Now I've said it before in detail about my start in the world of clogging, so I'll keep it simple. Plus, this blog entry isn't about clogging, but rather how dancing relates to writing. So why don't I get back on track and get to the point. In dancing, we would call that missing a beat...or being off by a half-step. Twenty years later, I can see some comparisons between writing and dancing.

1. Anyone can learn how to dance, but only those who love to dance will succeed at it. Anyone can learn the craft of writing, but only those with a burning passion will succeed at the art of writing.

2. Some people are born dancers. Some people are born writers. DON'T ARGUE!

3. Dancers are notorious perfectionists. So are writers. There are just as many ways to execute a push off as there are ways to tell about it. There is a constant struggle to get the steps right. There is a constant struggle to get the words right.

4. Dancing is for show. I haven't met many "closet" dancers, and I haven't met many "closet" writers, either. Writers have an inner, burning desire to BE HEARD. We may not want people to look at us directly, but we want to be read. Dancers are exhibitionists with their bodies. Writers are exhibitionists with their words.

Now get those fingers dancing across the keyboard!

What My Teaching Career Taught Me About Writing

Over the summer, something magical happens. The organization fairy pays a visit to my empty classroom and transforms it into the most magnificent, color-coordinated learning environment on the planet. Books are sorted, supplies are materialized, papers are filed, new draperies are sewn, bulletin boards are trimmed, and desks are placed neatly in rows. When I arrive for in-service week, my co-workers and I take in a few workshops and meetings, and then have lunch and reminisce about our relaxing summer vacations at the beach.

Christian romance author, Jayna Morrow, is published with Prism Book Group both in print and eBook formats. With a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Texas and elementary teaching certification from LeTourneau University, Jayna has been in the position of both teacher and student for many years. Jayna makes regularl guest blogging appearances all over the internet, and has even been featured at eReader News Today, eFiction Finds, and Christian eBooks Today.

Did you pick up on the sarcasm in that first paragraph? In reality, I am my own organization fairy, complete with construction paper wings dusted with chalk. I spend several days a week during June and July in my hot classroom (there’s only air conditioning on certain days) sorting books by level and topic, taking inventory on supplies, filing and prioritizing paperwork, sewing new draperies and reading cushions, decorating bulletin boards, experimenting with different seating arrangements, and scouring yard sales for treasure chest trinkets, more books, craft materials, and odds and ends. Summer is also the time for the bulk of my lesson planning. Going through the TEKS and matching them up with fun projects and engaging activities, so I’m prepared for every teachable moment, makes me a better teacher.

And therein lies the key to success that applies to writing as well – preparation.

I’m a plotter by nature and that means putting on my teaching cap and doing a lot of prep work. I’d never take on a class of 22 students without a lesson plan, and I’d never take on a new manuscript without an outline. From characters and plot points to problems and solutions, I have a method for them all. Every day for a month, I uncover another layer in the pre-writing process. Then comes the rough outline and first draft. Finally, a finished product I can work with on many rounds of editing. In all, it takes me about 4 months to complete a novel. My goal is 4 books a year, so I’m working on efficiency to improve my productivity. Like my students, I have goals.

I have many writer friends who are pantsers, and all I can say about them is that they are like those gifted students who never have to study and make straight A’s. I commend them. Writing a novel is no easy task. I’m the kind of student who has to study a lot, take good notes, highlight important information, and keep a detailed binder on everything. Maybe that’s why I’m a plotter? Teaching and writing go hand-in-hand. It’s a process that spans a certain length of time, requires a fair amount of learning, and involves setting and achieving goals.

Have I accomplished all my goals? Yes, some of them. Then I set new ones. My experience as a teacher has taught me to set high expectations. I’ll let you, the reader, decide if I achieved those expectations.

Attention for Aspiring Authors

Search for me on the internet, o’ readers, and know my every waking move!

The search engines are revving into high gear. What’s trending? You. The likes on Facebook are rolling in every time you sit down and post about your work in progress. They are eager to hear your thoughts, see where you check in, and observe your ways. Even when you aren’t online, your fans are thinking about your books and eagerly awaiting your next release. They follow you on Twitter because your intellectual ravings keep them entertained all day. The glamorous life of a bestseller is more wonderful than you can ever imagine. Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.

Now wake up.

It’s easy to get caught up in all the glitz and glamour of the writing life. The view from outside is often skewed. More often than not, writers never achieve this level of success. While self-publishing has given more people a chance at the ultimate prize, it’s also diluted the market to the point where only a miniscule amount of writers can make even enough money to write full-time. Forget about fame and fortune.

You may be wondering why God would give you a burning desire to write but not pave the way for success. I know I do. Things are happening for me, but very slowly. I may never achieve the ultimate dream I have for myself, but I will never stop writing. It’s all about the writing. Fame and fortune would be nice. I pray that is God’s plan for me, but I will not stop writing no matter what.

Which brings me back to fame and fortune….and Psalms. Psalm 139:1-18 to be exact.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

We are all in this writer’s journey together. Each of us has a crucial role in God’s plan. No matter if you never make a dime as a writer, or become a household name, or hit the bestseller lists – know this: Jesus has friended you, He follows you, and you are trending in His house. The Lord keeps tabs on your every waking move. He is your biggest fan. Who can ask for more than that?