BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

The Painful Truth about Deadlines

Albert Einstein is the father of relativity. He said time is relative to the observer. “A few minutes spent with a pretty girl,” he explained, “goes by much faster than a few minutes sitting on a hot stove.” It’s hard to argue with logic like that.

 

Writers experience “time dilation” when immersed in the shadow of a deadline. For some reason the hours and days pass far more quickly in the last few weeks before a project is due. Such pressure creates deadlineitis. Here’s how to know if you’re on deadline:

 

1. You open your calendar program five times a day and count the remaining days to the deadline.
2. At least once a day, you divide the number of pages needed by the number of days left to the circled date on your calendar.
3. TUMS has become one of your basic food groups.
4. Television is no longer a source of entertainment but a reservoir for possible solution to your plot problems.
5. You visit monster.com to see how difficult it is to post your resume.
6. You envy magazine writers who only have to produce 2,000 words (less than what you have to write today).
7. When you wake up you say, “Good Lord, it’s morning,” instead of “Good morning, Lord.”
8. The cat looks infinitely more kickable with each passing day.
9. You wonder if your editor will believe that you’ve been stricken with Ebola.
10.  Your great outdoor adventure is picking up the mail.
11.  When you go outside, you ask your spouse, “What’s that big burning sphere in the sky?” She tells you it is the sun.
12. You step from your office or writing corner and your spouse introduces you to the kids.

 

Deadlines can be awful things, but in the end, it is a far better thing to have one than not. No matter how tough the final days of writing, I feel blessed to have a contract, a publisher, and an opportunity to write one more project.

 

Now, where’s that cat.

 

Al

Congrats to Susan Dollyhigh

I received an email from Susan Dollyhigh and wanted to share it with you. I love hearing success stories from BRMCWC participants. She attend our conference for the first time last May. Her short article "What Does a Quarter Buy?" won grand-prize in the Women of Faith's Shine the Light Contest. The piece was published in the September/October issue of Connection Magazine. Congrats Susan.

With Susan's permission, I've attached the piece below. Enjoy.

What Does a Quarter Buy?

 

            What can you buy with a quarter?  Not even a pack of gum today, but in 1963 a quarter would buy my lunch at school. With this bit of trivia I’m telling my age but it’s worth it to tell the rest of the story.

            A painfully shy little girl in my first grade class whose name I don’t even remember seemed to always stand off by herself at playtime. Her clothes were not as nice as the other little girls. Somehow I found out this little girl didn’t have a quarter to buy her lunch. Now, I’m not sure if they had the free lunch program back then and if so why she didn’t participate, but I do remember being upset that the little girl didn’t have lunch money. I told my grandmother about this little girl one evening and for the remainder of my first grade year, she sent a quarter for me to give to that little girl to buy her lunch. A dollar and twenty five cents a week. Doesn’t sound like much of a big deal does it? But over the years I realized that it was.

            My grandmother worked in a factory – a factory where she sewed for eight hours a day in a large warehouse full of women and with the deafening roar of the sewing machines echoing all around. The lint from the garments they sewed was flying throughout the warehouse like dandelion seeds on a windy spring day. When my grandmother emerged from that windowless building, her hair would be filled with that lint.

             Little socializing took place in this factory. A loud whistle blared to mark the beginning of the work day and the women scampered hurriedly to their seats. The sound of the whistle blasted throughout the day decreeing a ten minute break in the morning, a lunch break, a ten minute break in the afternoon and finally one last time as the workday came to a close.

            My grandmother’s wages were based on her performance. But she remembered the days of the Great Depression and was happy to have her job. She was proud to meet her quota and to occasionally exceed it which meant a small bonus for her to take home.

            In 1963, I know a dollar and twenty five cents was more than pocket change to my grandmother. I also know that her generosity made an impression on my mind and heart that has stayed with me for five decades now. Alice Elinor Adkins Shelton, my grandmother, was Jesus to that little girl. And at the same time she was showing another little girl how to be Jesus to others. All for the price of one quarter a day.

(c) 2008 Susan Dollyhigh. Used by permission of the author.

Cosmetic Surgery #3

In earlier posts we discussed how to tighten our prose with a little cosmetic surgery. We’ve taken the scalpel to compounded prepositions (out onto the road) and pleonasms/tautologies (He blinked his eyes. It was the color of black ebony.) Now it’s time to turn the sharp edge of the blade to adverbs.

 

If you’ve attended a writer’s conference, then you’ve heard, “Cut all the adverbs you can.” And for good reason. Adverbs are the tool of the lazy writer. Adverbs modify verbs but some verbs don’t need or want modifying. Adverbs are often overused. Don’t get me wrong. Adverbs can be very useful. They have a place on the page. Ideally, an adverb does the work a verb can’t finish. If the verb is strong, then you don’t need an adverb.

 

Tight writing is writing that flows. Adverbs are speed bumps that trip the reader. Question an adverb’s right to be in a sentence. If you can take it out and the sentence is unchanged, then send it packing. However, if you can’t come up with a verb that can carry its own weight, then call in the adverb to help.

 

For example, here is a weak sentence: She ran quickly to the door. Quickly doesn’t bring anything to the table. The easy fix is: She sprinted to the door. Stronger verb equals stronger sentence. Here’s another: He examined the document closely. Better: He scrutinized the document.

 

Examine a page from your latest project and see how many –ly words you can remove. Again, if you remove the adverb and the sentence goes limp, try a stronger verb. If that doesn’t work, then the adverb is needed and should be welcomed with open arms.

 

Alton Gansky

Stressed?

Have you noticed that the U.S. economy is in trouble? Of course you have. It dominates the media. I’ve undertaken an extremely unscientific study. When I’m out at a restaurant, Starbucks, or any other such place, I look at how many cars are in the parking lot, how many other patrons there are, then I ask the server or manager, “So, has business been off lately?” The response is always the same. They close their eyes and shake their head.

 

“We’re off 30% from the previous month,” a restaurant manager told me. “You don’t want to know how far we’re off from this time last year.” This was at one of the most popular restaurants in our city.

 

I stopped by the store where we buy chemicals for our spa, mostly because they had a huge sign offering 75% off. In chatting with the owner I mention that people are telling me their business is off by 30%. He said, “I wish it were only 30%.”

 

Ouch.

 

Let’s face, we’re living in stressful times. As Christians we have the advantage of knowing God is in control. True as that is it is sometimes hard to incorporate that fact into our emotions. One of the things I do is recite Scripture. Here are two of my favorites.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6—

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight. (nasb)

 

Sermon in a paragraph. What we do: Trust in the Lord. The degree with which we do it: all our heart. What we refuse to do: lean on our own understanding. What else we do: acknowledge the Lord in everything we do. What the Lord does: Straightens our path.

 

Here are two more. (I’ll let you do the sermon in a paragraph part.)

 

1 Peter 5:7—Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (niv)

 

Philippians 4:6-7—

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (nasb)

 

I recite these verses not because I think the words are magic, but because I believe they are true. During His temptation, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture. His example is a good one to follow. When the stress builds, try repeating one or more of these verses.

 

Be at peace.

 

Alton Gansky

Ron Benrey on the 2009 Faculty

It's a joy to announce that Ron Benrey is returning for the 2009 confernece. Ron is a familiar face at BRMCWC having been on faculty for the last few years. He is a popular teacher and brings a boatload of experience and knowledge that every budding writer needs. Occassionally Ron and I lock horns (in the friendliest way of course) and he always leaves me with something to think about.

Ron has a new line on his resume. Recently he joined his wife Janet as a literary agent. His clientele is growing with writers in CBA and ABA markets. The bio below comes from the Benrey + Benrey site. As you can see, he's a chronic underachiever.

Ron Benrey, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction, began his writing career as Electronics Editor of Popular Science Monthly. He is an experienced non-fiction writer who has written more than a thousand bylined magazine articles, eight published books, and scores of major speeches for the CEOs of Fortune-100 companies. Ron has taught dozens of fiction courses and workshops at major Christian Writers’ Conferences, including Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mt. Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, San Diego Christian Writers Conference and Write! Canada. Ron holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a juris doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law. He’s a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Due to technical difficulties . . .

Okay, no technical difficulties are involved. However, I have a project to get out the door by tomorrow and few other issues to deal with so I won't be able to post until later this week. Hang in there.

Alton Gansky

The Riddler Returns

Returning this year to help with out our new freelance track is John Riddle. If you look up the word "hoot" in the dictionary, you will find a picture of John. It's funny, gregarious, and has a passion for writing . . . and promoting (as you will see from the material he provided.) John has taught at BRMCWC several times and we get requests to have him back. John will be one of our freelance track teachers. Freelance writers are those intrepid souls who focus on a wide range of writing projects, from articles to books. He is a fountain of information. In addition, John is the founder of I Love to Write Day which you can read about below. John provided the following bio:

John Riddle is a freelance writer and author from Bear, Delaware. 

 

His byline has appeared in major newspapers, magazines, Web sites and trade journals all across the country.  He is the author of 34 books and has worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects.  John is also the Founder of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots campaign he launched in 2002 to have people of all ages practice writing every November 15.  Last year over 20,000 schools all across the United States held special I Love To Write Day events and activities.  He is a frequent speaker at both Christian and secular writing conferences, and recently appeared at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  You can learn more about John by visiting www.ilovetowriteday.org

 

Special Offer - Sign up for I Love To Write Day (it's free) by e-mailing John at johnriddle@sprintmail.com   Tell him how you will help spread the word about ILTWD in your community, and you'll receive three e-books AT NO COST:

 

    "How I Made $66,270 in 9 Months Writing for Websites"

 

    "Getting a Book Contract in 30 Days or Less"

 

    "The PAC Method for Writers; How Prayer, Attitude and Confidence Can Lead You to a Successful Writing Career"

How to Eat an Elephant

It's a frightening moment worthy of a horror novel. No matter how bright the day, how clear the sky, things become gloomy when a person sits down to write their first book. Fingers refuse to dance over the keyboard. The normally high octane V8 engine of imagination bogs down and runs like an 50 year old gas lawnmower. On the monitor glows an image to make the likes of Stephen King cower and consider taking up romance novels: the blank page. Page 1 to be specific.

For most new writers, the thought of writing a book is thrilling, adventurous, and fun. Actually starting is more like doing one's own root canal. Perhaps it's the numbers that pirate away the thrill: 350 pages, 90,000 words. Sure sounds like a lot. That's because it is a lot.

The new writer has done her homework: studied the "How to" books: examined books in their genre or topic; took the time to notice what established writers are doing; and attended Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference more than once (I know, I have no shame). Oh, but the thought of all those words. A 90,000 word book has approximately 450,000 letters and still the fingers are slow to get started.

What's a writer to do? I suggest, if you'll pardon the pun, taking a page from doctor and novelist Michael Palmer's book. Of course, I speak metaphorically.

The October 9, 2008 Writer's Almanac by Garrison Keillor reminded me of the power of small steps. It's Michael Palmer's birthday. The ER doc has written many fine suspense novels while still practicing medicine. After a school friend published a book, he decided he would give it a try, but he had a problem: he worked 80-100 hours a week. Not much writing time left there. Still, he had made up his mind, so he wrote The Sisterhood at a rate of one page per night. One page a day.

You've heard this before: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How does someone finish a marathon? One stride at a time. How do you write a book? One page at a time. The numbers are simple: 365 days in the year means one book a year (or thereabouts). Two pages a day leads to about two books a year.

When the new writer sits in front of that intimidating blank page frozen by the number of pages that must follow he suffers from the paralysis of analysis. Forget the other pages. All you need to be concerned with is the one page. You can defeat it. It's just a piece of (virtual) paper. When composing, don't think about the book, think about the one page. Once you've beaten it into submission, you can start pounding on the next page. You might be surpised to find a book at the end of the process.

Alton Gansky

Cosmetic Surgery #2: Pleonasm and Tautology

Pleonasm. What a great word. Just saying it makes a person sound smart. Try it. Go ahead. No one is listening. Pleonasm. As fun as the word is, it's not a good thing for a writer. Writers should do their best to avoid pleonasms.

  

What is it? I'm glad you asked. Pleonasm describes the use of unnecessary words. Superfluous words. Unneeded words. "Free gift." If it's a gift, then it's free. Cut the unneeded word. Consider this sentence: "Are twelve pieces of chicken sufficient enough?" If it is enough, then it is sufficient. If it is sufficient, then it is enough.

This applies to statements about the obvious. "He blinked his eyes." As opposed to blinking his elbows. "She fell down on the ground." Just say she fell. One can't fall up, and as far as the falling to the ground, that it assumed. Now it would be different if the writer is clarifying the condition of the ground: "She fell to the gravel driveway." Knowing that she's falling on gravel makes the fall worse.

We writers make this mistake all the time. It seems no matter how hard we work to get rid of pleonasms they still find their way into our work. In a novel I wrote a few years ago I wrote, "She carried a towel in her hand." Okay, it's not bad, but how else would she carry a towel if not with her hands? To make things worse, the offending line appears on the first page of the book. Sigh.

Don't feet bad if you're prone to such things. Shakespeare's work is filled with them. Here's one from a Raymond Chandler in The Big Sleep: "Beyond the garage were some decorative trees trimmed as carefully as poodle dogs." Are there poodles that aren't dogs?

Chandler presents and interesting case. He writes in the voice of his protagonist and his protagonist just might say "poodle dogs." So, is Chandler playing loose with language or bringing a sense or realism to the voice of his narrator? Tough call.

Related to the pleonasm is the tautology. A tautology is a redundant repetition in meaning or idea. In an episode of CheersFrasier is arguing Diane and says, "So you're saying that I'm redundant, that I repeat myself, that I say the same thing over and over again." The ultimate tautology. Most are not so convoluted. "Black darkness," is a tautology. Here are a few more: "planning ahead;" "new innovation;" and the mother of all tautologies--"suddenly and without warning."

Half the fun of writing is tightening the prose. Eradicating pleonasms and tautologies will strengthen your prose.

Alton Gansky 

Kudos to an Alumni

Congrats go out to one of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference alumnus Dan Case who won first prize in the 2008 ACFW Genesis contest for contemporary fiction. You can read about the honor here. Dan’s book, The Voice, has a great hook and sounds like a good read. He reports that there has been interest in the work.

Dan describes himself as a freelance writer, speaker, actor, musician, cat lover, and a radio broadcast geek. Way to go, Dan.

***

Do you have a success story? Placed an article? Had a poem published? Won a contest? Landed an agent? Signed a contract? Had a new book come out? If so, then let me know so I can let our readers know. Don’t be shy. We love to rejoice with others.

Alton Gansky