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Category: Kat’s Writing Tales

Somewhere around early 2008 I desired to teach writers workshops. When a conference leader asked for those interested in teaching to send an application with qualifications, I wrote a short note about my desire to teach and the following:
 Qualifications: Published in twelve anthologies, sixty magazine articles, and wrote for the Plattsmouth Journal for eighteen months. Published Capsules of Hope Survival Guide for Caregivers, and held numerous book signings for A Cup of Comfort. I started a critique group in 2006 and today everyone in the group is a published author.
I thought myself well-qualified, but I didn’t get the job. 
Not even a reply from the Leader. 
Does that mean I did something wrong? 
No, however I did feel disappointed. 
Did I stop sending out requests to teach?
Absolutely not. 
 
And at that time Husband kept saying, “Mook, dream BIG.” 
 
And I did.
More To Come.

 

“Nice job,” my husband said when he read one of my articles published in the Sunday School handout called The Standard for the Church of the Nazarene.

 “Yes, I’m glad it’s published. Thrilled to see my name in print. Like the payment, but my goal is to be the feature story.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I want the front cover story.”

A month later I opened a packet with three copies of my latest article, ‘Basket of Goodness’ published in LIVE, a Sunday School Handout for the Assemblies of God church.

Although my hubby watched the Nebraska Husker football, I waved a copy of my story in front of his face.

At first he pushed it away. When I continued to pester him, he grabbed the paper and glanced at it.

“You did it, Babe. You have your feature story.” He grinned.

“I still wish to be published in Chicken Soup.”
“You’ll get there, Babe. You’ll get there.”
And last year I did. What a thrill.

Okay, I’m back to a few who say, “Well where is your book?” They know I published “Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers” five years ago. They also know I have a few hundred other ideas floating in my head for a novel, but for right now—well

I’m thrilled once more to say, “Hey, gang, this year I’m published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel . What a thrill. Wish my precious hubby were here to celebrate with me.
Several years ago I joined an online writers group where a published author posed the thought for a couple days and others responded.
When we talked about pacing, author Brandilyn Collins said:
I base my opinions on the fact that the actual wording of a sentence creates a rhythm within the reader. We live by rhythm. It’s so common to us we don’t realize it. But as writers we need to understand how to use sentence rhythm to create a desired effect in a scene.
 
When we are scared, our hearts beat faster. We tense. Our eyes move more quickly. Everything about our bodies picks up a heightened rhythm. In creating an aura in a scene, we need to pay attention to the rhythm of our readers.
I pulled a couple books from my shelf to see if I could sense what Ms. Collins calls rhythm.
“Why are you here?” she asked him.
“His Majesty has summoned you to the throne room.” He gestured to the

door and waited for her to lead the way.

Abijah’s heart began to race. Ahaz had never summoned her to the throne room before. “Perhaps…would he like to see his new son?” she asked.
“The king said nothing about his son. He sent for you.” (Austin, Lynn; God’s & Kings page 190.)
We can feel the tension in only those few words. And what about this short scene:
Miles passed by.
“I think I’d like to kiss you good-night sometimes.”
“Okay.”
“I heard that smile.”
“Did you expect me to say no?”
“I’m just thinking about it.”
Bryce glanced over. Her eyes were closed and she was drifting. He smiled, and didn’t break the silence. He was thinking about it too.
Slower paced—awe, but feel the rhythm.  (Henderson, Dee; Unspoken; pg 358)
HACWN friends, editors and publishers 2013

Do you love writers sitting around chatting and learning together? Me, too. I used the photo above to illustrate the family feel. Unfortunatly, all critique groups don’t feel like family.

When I first attended a critique group years ago, a woman I didn’t know well bluntly said, “You write in purple prose.” I didn’t have a clue what she meant.love the color purple, I did write poetry, but I submitted a double-spaced typewritten article in black and white, where did she find purple or even rhyme?
Unsure of myself, I didn’t ask what she meant. (Besides, you weren’t supposed to ask questions, just listen to the critique.) When I arrived home I called a writer friend, she explained the critique to me.
I survived six weeks in the group—seven well-published women and me. They taught me more in that space of time than in any critique group since.
Tough, yes. After each session I drove home in tears. My husband couldn’t understand why I returned, but I developed a tough hide.
 
I knew those women wanted the best for me.
So what is purple prose?
  • The flowery speech of King Jameth,
  • Too many descriptive words to convey a simple thought.
  • Lengthy convoluted sentences.
  • Paragraphs of descriptive dialogue.
Editors and readers like concise sentences made up of active verbs and specific nouns. After you write, edit. Edit again. Cut more. Remember many editors pay by the word. Edit your work as if every word cost you $1. Now practice cutting your word count by 200 or 400 words.
One last thought–our move to another city took me away from the woman with a harsh critique, but not from writing. It pays to take what feels like harsh criticism handed to us for our good.
Sally Jadlow 

How do I justify spending the money to attend another Heart of America Christian Writers Network Conference (HACWN) in November? 

After all, I’m on the Leadership Team for Omaha Wordsowers Christian Writer’s Conference and knee deep into the plans for April 24-25, 2015.

But after praying about it, waffling back and forth, I finally said, “This is something I enjoy. The Littleton’s allow me to teach workshops and I love meeting new authors, editors and publishers. Why not attend?”
After the 2012 HACWN conference I understood why I attend year after year—I saw at least four women latch onto a writing future. One of them, Rachel Skatvold is ready to release her first novella, “Beauty Within” next month.
What are the five reasons I attend HACWN year after year?
  1. Inspiration: I’m totally selfish. My number one reason is to find that extra “Umph” to keep me writing through the next year. When I hear about others accomplishments, I’m excited to arrive home and set goals for the next year.
  2. Encouragement: To cheer on another author is like a gift to me. I’m rejuvenated when I have the opportunity to meet “new to HACWN” attendees, give them a pep talk, pray with them and share what I’ve learned in the last year.
  3. Network with editors and publishers: Put my face before them, yes. But also to dig into their needs, both industry and personal. Ask, “How can I pray for you?”
  4. Learn what’s new in the writing industry: Be aware of the changes, but realize the world still wants to hold a magazine and/or a book. I’m also learning how to publish an E-book. I choose to live in a progressive world full of change.
  5. Support your closest writer’s conference. Because of Mark and Jeanette Littleton and their many volunteer helpers, HACWN is available year after year. By attending each year and paying our dues, we make it possible for new authors to have the same opportunities we’ve had in the past.
My new author friends with Rachel Skatvold on the right
Really there are six reasons. Carol Cumberland and family “house” our Omaha group. We have stayed in her home five times—this November is # sixth time.
I can’t wait until November —who knows what new friends I’ll make.
A tidbit from the Lionhearted Kat:

In a panel discussions the topic of payment for anthology submissions came up. Many writers responded with, “I don’t have time to submit something when I’ll only receive $50.”

By the end of the emails that flew back and forth, I felt like a less-than-good-writer because I submitted to low-paying venues.
Truth is, I like writing for Cup of Comfort, Love is a Verb, Rainy Days, Picket Fences, Angels, Miracles and Heavenly Encounters, and Chicken Soup: Finding My Faith. My work is published in fourteen or is it seventeen anthologies now?No, I don’t earn a living on those stories, but God honors all work.
Last week a District Superintendent qualified the district churches. “We don’t have second-hand churches or less than stellar preachers. We do have many small churches in villages that pay little or nothing. The pastor is bi-vocational—that doesn’t make him or the church less than the mega work in the city.”
The same is true with authors. We may not make big bucks on an anthology, but our words are in print and we will never know what needy soul will read our story—the right story for their need.
Angela Hunt
Angela Hunt

When the term POV comes up in the critique group I cringe. At least I did until recently.  Last fall when I attended Heart of America Christian Writers Conference in Kansas City, Angela Hunt talked about POV—Point of View.

There is First Person POV. The “I” person is sharing their personal story. This is often used in memoirs.
The Second Person POV: you, yours, yourself is used in letter writing or possibly a speech.
In the Third Person Omniscient POV an all-knowing narrator not only reports the facts but may also interpret events and relate the thoughts and feelings of any character. Charlotte’s Web by EB White is a good example.
Much of what I read is written in Third Person Limited POV. My problem—my fiction work often has talking heads or someone sticking in their thoughts where they shouldn’t be.
Angela Hunt’s Facebook
I’ll admit I’m not the best teacher on POV, but I’m beginning to recognize when I’ve interjected words where they can’t be if the material is written correctly.
There is a new novel buzzing around in my brain. Sometimes I fall asleep thinking about which character said what. I’ve decided the story is told by the ex-wife and her teenage son. Two people using third person limited POV.
Sound asleep I woke up, sat up in bed with a blazing revelation. “They can’t say that. No one can know what happens in the hall. The wife is in the restroom and the son in a hospital bed.” Wow!
Today I picked up a book, I’m assuming should be third person limited POV. The stilted dialogue might not bug me if I could figure out who is where and when. A young single woman is sharing her story. When a young single man comes along she thinks he couldn’t possibly like her for more than a friend, he’s good looking and she’s homely.
The single story teller gives lots of back story before she meets the guy. While they are talking we get his thoughts. “Wow, her smile is gorgeous and she doesn’t wear a ring.” Then back to her sharing her life history with him—much of what we know from the back story.
He thinks, “Wow, maybe God sent me here to marry this woman.” (Hallmark I understand—at least they give a few days instead of minutes.)
When the young lady suggests he have lunch with her family he accepts. When the two young people walk out of the restaurant, we have the dialogue from the parents. “They’re going to get married aren’t they?”
Okay, so maybe the author is writing in Third Person Omniscient—but I don’t get it. Think I’ll try and learn the Third Person Limited well before I put my novel in the computer.

My random writing thoughts for today.
Lionhearted Kat
A detoured sheep drawn by Savannah Wilkes

Write a fun story using the two sheep photos. You can add your story to the comments here, or on WordSowers facebook page. 

Happy Dreams drawn by Savannah Wilkes
Robert McKee says, “A STORY must build to a final action beyond which the audience cannot imagine another.”
When you finish your story for the newspaper, an article for magazine or a novel, all problems are resolved.
“We’re supposed to be better writers than they.The audience wants to be taken to the limit, to where all questions are answered, all emotions satisfied—the end of the line.”  McKee suggests, “The audience’s emotional involvement is held by the glue of empathy.”
Story on Amazon

There is no word count needed–be creative.

Remember, even a short story needs a beginning,
a middle and an ending. Have fun and send your stories to lionheartedkat@cox.net

 

In years past I kept in touch with writers on TWV2. I posted, asked questions and learned from the well-seasoned authors that served as moderators.

Many of you know Sally Stuart published The Christian Writer’s Market Guide for years. Then a few years ago she sold her business to Jerry Jenkins. Side note: In my opinion, the market guide is a must for every author.
One day on TWV2 Sally posed the question: If an editor rejects a manuscript with a form rejection, is it OK to ask them to explain why?
My response: A month ago I sent two articles to an Adult SS handout editor. The same day the editor rejected both of them with a form letter stating, “These do not fit our needs.”
I replied by email. First I thanked him for the quick response and then I wrote, “I realize my articles didn’t fit your needs. Do you have a particular topic you are seeking? A hole that needs to be filled?”
Next day the editor replied, “Need Easter story for next year.”
Every Author Needs One
I found an old article I’d written years before and never submitted. Sent it. Sold it. Celebrated.
What did I learn? Form rejection letters say nothing more than ‘can’t use that manuscript at this particular time.’ They don’t say your writing is junk or the article isn’t good. I became bolder after such a great response to my email and have continued to write for this editor—more than once I’ve asked, “What hole do you have that needs filled?”

A few years ago I received a note from Jeannette Littleton, “Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers will be released April 10th with your two stories.”

Then the Publisher’s Assistant wrote, “We need your help. Every author is paid to help market.”
Lord, we could use the money, but I don’t know how to market. In the past, you placed someone in my world that wanted to use his or her spiritual gifts. Please, Father, give me that person now.
A few moments later, I heard the answer. “You have more expertise than you think. Hire yourself. You knock, I’ll open.”
“Is that you, Lord?”

“You said you planned to ditch your fears. Get serious about my plans for you. Spend more time talking to me about your needs and allow me the honor and glory.”

I prayed on the way to work. I felt giddy when I arrived at the office. My non-believing co-workers laughed at me when I announced, “I just hired myself as my promotional manager.”
The laughter ceased when I ditched my fear and marched to the cubicle of our company social committee chairperson.
“Nanci, I have two stories in this Cup of Comfort anthology,” I handed her my copy. “Is it possible the social committee will host a book signing?”
Five Devotions by Kat
Five Devotions by Kat
My stories in Cup of Comfort unleashed a dynamo in action. Every day I spent more time in prayer–kneeology production. Every day another door opened. My co-workers saw God in action.
One day I announced, “I have scheduled 6 book signings, 4 newspaper interviews, and 2 radio interviews.” An hour later I reported, “A patient just called about her bill and guess what? She is in marketing. She gave me tons of leads.”
Later, Peg, the host of my first book signing called. Before we hung up she said, “I have a degree in marketing, lets meet. I’ll coach and you’ll sell.”
What have I learned?
  • Pay your dues. I didn’t miraculously have the ‘know how’. I spent three years in study on FCW, Wordsowers, TWV2, and HACWN. I set goals, journaled praises, and wrote daily. I attended writer’s conferences, studied grammar, asked questions and accepted critiques.
  • Pray. “Kneeology” is promised production. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Ephesians 4:6 (NIV).
  • Pitch your product. In the past, I mumbled to my co-workers about my sales. Now I email my progress to friends and family. I have also become more vocal about my freelance status. I hand out my business card or a flier I just happen to have in my purse. My card says freelance author, but I know God calls me Freelance Missionary.
  • Praise Him. Allow the Lord to receive the glory. Being vocal about the answers to prayer has been an ongoing witness to others.
Follow my lead, hire yourself, tackle new ideas and brainstorm often. Then when you look in the mirror say, “Look out world. I’m a dedicated go-getter with my bosses highest good in mind. I might be untrained, but I’m willing and I have a great attitude.”
My stories in “Cup of Comfort” helped build my marketing skills. Who knows with the continual writing and the promise of another book coming out, I might end up on Oprah or Joyce Meyer. With the Lord, all things are possible.

To finish the story: Yes, I published in each Cup of Comfort until the publisher decided not to publish another one.

My stories have been published in many more anthologies also. What I learned with marketing Cup of Comfort became my stepping stone into real sales. I’m still an inspired go-getter.

Lee Warren is a freelance writer and editor from Omaha, Nebraska, and one of the founders of WordSowers Christian Writers. He has written six non-fiction books and hundreds of articles for various newspapers and magazines. He has also edited more than 50 books that are currently in print.
I met Lee at the first meeting of Omaha writers, before we chose the name WordSowers. For several years Lee served on the Steering Committee for WordSowers—he enjoys helping new authors find their voice. He is on staff for CLASSeminars, A Christian Writers Conference held in New Mexico and has presented dozens of writers workshops over the past few years.

Interview Questions:

Lionhearted Kat: When we met you worked at a bank. When did you decide you wanted to write?
Lee:My parents divorced when I was eight years old, so my dad came to get me on Saturdays to spend time with him. He was a painter (the kind who paints houses) and he owned his own shop, so we would often stop by there on Saturday afternoons. While he was busy, I often gravitated toward his big manual typewriter on his desk. I’d scroll a piece of paper into it and begin copying liner notes from albums, articles from newspapers, etc., sometimes picking up a story where it left off. I didn’t know it at the time, but the writing bug was planted in me back then.
During my teen years, I wrote poetry to deal with my emotions. As an introvert, the written page was my only safe place. During my twenties, I wrote songs to deal with my emotions. I became a Christian in my mid-twenties and a few years later got online, where I landed a singles column with Christianity Today Online.
And then in my thirties, I received a flyer for a Christian writers conference in Kansas City. I was intrigued so I registered and attended. For the first time in my life, I was among kindred spirits – creative types who expressed themselves with the written word. That’s when I really knew I wanted to write.
Lionhearted Kat: Before you started writing fulltime, you drove to Kansas City to attend a monthly writers group or critique group. It’s a long drive to Kansas City, how often did you go and how did that dedication help you as a writer?
Lee:The Kansas City conference above I mentioned took place in 1998. For a few years, they had annual conferences, but then the network changed hands and the new directors changed the conferences to scaled down versions that occurred quarterly. For the next few years I drove to Kansas City and attended nearly every one of them. I ended up building a relationship with an editor I met at one of those quarterly conferences and I still write for him to this day, even though he has changed publications.
Being around other writers on a consistent basis – writers who were serious about pursuing publication – really fueled my creative juices. Everybody is busy. Everybody has family issues, and church issues, and various other issues. But being around writers who were writing in spite of all that made me want to do it as well.
Lionhearted Kat: Were you involved in a critique group during the beginning years of your writing journey? If so, how did it help? Or if not, why not?
Lee:Being introverted I never had a big desire to be part of a face to face critique group. Takes too much out of me and too often those groups are not structured. They become social gatherings rather than critique groups. I did participate in a couple of them though – one with a few other writers here in Omaha. We would meet at Barnes and Noble monthly. The other one was not face to face. It was an online ACFW critique group. I was part of that for maybe a year.
I benefited more from going to writing workshops at conferences – especially ones that were dedicated to the craft. I took one workshop in which novelist Nancy Moser taught about the importance of showing rather than telling and that helped me a great deal. I took another one with novelist Angela Hunt about structuring a novel. It was gold. I sat in on workshops in which professional editors tore stories apart and then put them back together again. Andy Scheer, who used to be the editor at Moody and is currently an agent, taught one such workshop and I attended it several times. Again, it was pure gold.
Lionhearted Kat: You’ve given dozens of workshops over the years. Is there one workshop you enjoy presenting more than others–why?
Lee:I teach one called “Article Writing 101” that I really enjoy because part way through, I can see people’s faces begin to light up. They come to the class not really knowing how to structure an article and once they learn some basic journalistic techniques, then they feel equipped to give it a shot. I love that.
Lionhearted Kat: Your Contemplating Redemption is one of my favorite blog sites. One of your recent posts tickled my funny bone. I so related to your “Losing My Technological Touch.” What prompted this so true post and how do you think people older than you will keep up with the every changing technology?
Lee:The site you are referring to is my author website. But you picked up on the tagline: Contemplating Redemption. Most of my writing is steeped in redemption of one sort or another, so that’s the theme for my author website.
As a writer who is just trying to make ends meet every month, I have taken on a lot of different type of work. I love to edit, so I became an editor. I love to encourage writers, so I became a writing coach. I knew more than the average bear when it came to setting up blogs, so I began setting up blogs for writers. But somewhere along the way, I bit off more than I could chew and I found myself drowning in technology.
I think the moment of truth came about a year ago with I tried to set up an e-book for an author on Amazon.com and I lost a ton of time on the project. Learning to format the e-book wasn’t bad, but the layout afterward was a nightmare for me. The text somehow flowed into a hidden boundary. A horizontal line just appeared on the bottom of every other page and I couldn’t figure out how to get rid of it. Then the author told me he had a bunch of photos to insert. I was in over my head and I admitted it to the author.
I just learned to stick to what I can do well and then hire someone to do the rest. And that’s probably my advice for people who are older than me. Jump in, give it a try, but if you find yourself getting too frustrated or in way over your head, find someone who can do it for you.
On a Personal Note:
Lionhearted Kat: You are big into sports, watch them and write about them. You also interview many sports celebrities—often on the fly—in a few minutes. What do you enjoy most about talking with those in the sports world? Is there one interview you haven’t done and hope to in the future? 
Lee:I love talking to the athlete who doesn’t have a big name, but who is working hard behind the scenes either to excel on the field, or to excel in his or her faith.
I interviewed a baseball pitcher named John Wasdin in 2006, I believe. He was pitching for the Texas Rangers and was near the end of his career. Not many people knew who he was, but he found a way to stay in the game because of his work ethic, willingness to adapt, and continuing to tweak his game. Those players are called journeymen.
We were in the Rangers clubhouse in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. I introduced myself as a sportswriter for a Christian publication and he pulled a seat up to his locker, inviting me to sit down. That doesn’t happen often. During that interview, I learned that he had witnessed to a Triple-A player when he was in Triple-A himself and that player became a Christian. Wasdin made a commitment to disciple him, but after he got called back to the big leagues, that made face to face discipleship impossible. So he committed to discipling that player on the phone every night after their games were over.
Digging for and finding a story like that is invigorating for me as a journalist. They are inspiring and faith building. Journalists live for the “get.” They want to get the story nobody else knows about. I feel that way too, but I want to get the journeyman story because the odds are stacked against him.
Even in a story like this, redemption is always lurking.

Lionhearted Kat: In the past you mentioned how you enjoy Jan Karon books. Is there another author you enjoy—one of those that the minute their latest book is off the press you gotta have it? What is it about the author that drives you to read their work?
Lee:I’m a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. His characters are often flawed, wounded, imperfect people who are just looking for another chance at love. That resonates with me, given that I’m 47 and never married. And there’s that redemption theme again.
I also love Richard Ford. His Bascombe trilogy about a sportswriter named Frank Bascombe is something to savor. He does something with a male protagonist that many in modern literature are unwilling to do – he explores the protagonist’s emotions as he struggles through his disappointments. I love that. As a man who is willing to explore my own emotions, I feel like I have a friend in Bascombe.
Lionhearted Kat: Last fall you participated in the National Novel Writing Month. How did you manage your daily schedule and producing a novel that fast? Where did you write most of your work, in a recliner or in a coffee shop?
Lee:I wrote that novel exclusively at night in restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores. I got into a rhythm most nights, writing 1,666 words (the average you need to hit the 50,000-word goal) in two and half hours. That’s doable for anybody if you’ll turn off the TV. I was dead tired most nights by the time I finished, but it was a satisfied tired.
Lionhearted Kat: Because you are involved in other conferences, you are able to travel to other states. If you had the opportunity right now to travel, where would you go and why?
Lee:I’m assuming you mean traveling to the conference of my choice? If so, I would go to Mount Hermon. It’s probably the premier conference in the CBA and I’ve never had a chance to go. If you mean non-conference related traveling, I would love to travel to see the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments in New York, Paris, London, and Melbourne.
Lionhearted Kat: I know as a fulltime author you face struggles in receiving payments on time and also, you’ve had some physical issues. Is there a specific need you’d like us to pray about for you or your family between now and the conference?
Lee:I don’t really want to get specific, but you have named all three of my primary struggles as a full-time freelancer – finances, health, and family concerns. I would love it if you would pray about all three of those areas of my life.
Interviewed by The Lionhearted Kat, one of the Leadership Team of WordSowers Christian Writers Group and the author of Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide forCaregivers. She is published in seventeen compilations and has written numerous magazine articles. After the death of her husband she wrote From theEyes of  joyful Widow.

 

Join us for our live hangout:
Pre-Published Author Platforms
February 6th at 10:15-11:15 am

 

~ ~ ~
Conference Sneak Peak
 Meet Gabriele Udele from Beacon Hill Press 
who will be presenting a workshop this year.

Gabriele Udele--Beacon Hill Press Editor

Wordsowers Writing Group is excited about Gabriele Udele presenting a workshop at our WordSowers Christian Writers Conference on March 1st. I first met Gabriele at the 2013 Heart of America Christian Writers Conference in Kansas City. She represented Beacon Hill Press, a publisher in business for over ninety years.

 
Lionhearted Kat: When did you begin work at Beacon Hill Press and what is your role there?
 
Gabriele:  I have worked at Beacon Hill two different times—from 1999-2004, and from 2013-present.  My title is Consumer Product Line Editor.  I am a content and acquisitions editor for Christian Living books.
 
Lionhearted Kat: What do you wish you’d known when you first started in your position?
 
Gabriele: I wish I’d learned the Chicago Manual of Style when I was in college! We used a different documentation style when I was in school.

Lionhearted Kat: See more of the interview and what Gabriele will share at the conference by reading LIONHEARTED KAT INTERVIEW