Being Open to Change on the Road to Publication by Amy Lillard

Amy Lillard

We’re told to write the stories of our hearts, but also be aware of market trends. Can we have it both ways? Author Amy Lillard shares how being open to change helped her become a published author—and how she found fulfillment in that change. 
~ Dawn

Being Open to Change on the Road to Publication

If you had told me five years ago that today I would be writing Amish romance I would have scoffed. “Amish? Well, they are interesting and unique, but romance? I write contemporary romantic comedies. Not books about the Amish.”

And yet here I am. I just signed my second contract for a trilogy of stories all about the Amish. And romance of course. Even though this is where I have landed, it’s not where I started.

So how did I get from contemporary rom-coms to sweet-sweet Amish romance? By being open to change.

It all started one fall day about a year after I had signed with my agent. She had read my screwball romantic comedy set in Tennessee. She shopped it around with no buyers even as I started a new book, a new series.

It had been a while that she had been trying to sell my novel, long enough that I had lost track to all the places where she had sent it, all the editors and houses that had turned us down. Trying to get a handle on the possibilities that it might have, I called her office to find out which, if any, houses still had my book.

Honestly, I expected to get her assistant on the phone. She would tell me that she would have my agent get back to me. But when I made contact, my agent was on the line. We talked for a while, then she finally said, “There’s nothing wrong with your writing; it’s what you are writing. I’ll tell you what you should be writing, but you’ll laugh.” I promised her emphatically that I would not laugh. She said Amish romance. And I laughed.

But after a trip to the local Christian bookstore, I stopped laughing. Women were nudging me out of the way to get to these books all written about the Amish. So I bought a few for myself to see what the buzz was about.

Two weeks later, I started my series. A year after that, I signed my first contract.

I won’t tell you that it was easy. I shifted sub-genres and went from mainstream romance to Christian stories. Was the change worth it? Absolutely! I still write romance—my one true writing love. I still work humor into my stories.

But my writing has become even more fulfilling to me. Now my stories can be read by generations. I write about God-loving people who live a simple life that most of us can only imagine.

I can’t say that switching genres is right for every writer. And certainly, I can’t recommend that everyone stop all projects and begin a book about the Amish. But I will say, be open. You never know what’s waiting around the next bend.

Five years ago I could not have imagined writing Amish romance, but I am so glad I took a chance and did.

Katie’s Choice

Katie's Choice

Katie Rose Fisher loved Samuel Beachy with an intensity that shook their Amish district. No one doubted they would one day marry, until Samuel turned his back on the church and joined the world of the English. Alone now in Clover Ridge, Katie Rose dedicates her life to God and the school children she teaches each day. Although she secretly longs for more, Katie knows God’s hand is at work, and she is happy.

News correspondent Zane Carson never even knew Oklahoma had an Amish community until he got the chance to live among them and learn about their day-to-day activities. Their simple way of life is intriguing, but not half as much as the young teacher.

Katie Rose is flattered over the attention she receives from Zane, but she has resolved to never marry. Even if she were to entertain the idea, it surely couldn’t be with an outsider like Zane. Never one prone to the restraints of organized religion, Zane finds a comfort in the rituals and blessings in the day to day righteous living of this small Amish community. He finds himself, God, and love with Katie Rose.

But as Zane draws closer to Katie Rose, Samuel comes back to repent his ways and return to his place at her side. Can Zane convince Katie Rose that he is committed to adapting to her way of life, or will Samuel win her affec- tions back for himself once again?

From Amy Lillard . . .

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course! I love homemade tacos, shoes, and romance novels—not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

To learn more, please visit:

Website: http://www.amywritesromance.com

Blog: http://www.amywritesromance.com/blog/

Facebook:

Amy Lillard ~ Author

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Lillard-Author/177732292332322?ref=hl

Writing for the Young Adult Market By Krista McGee

Krista McGee

Know your audience.
Young adult writers need to spend time with teens, get to know them. Writers can’t assume their adolescent experiences will translate into comparable experiences for 21st century teens. The reality of life as a teenager today is radically different from what it was twenty – or even ten -- years ago. Though the pressures are similar, the pace at which kids are exposed to those pressures has increased dramatically. The avenues through which those pressures come are far more varied, subtle, and dangerous. Teens today develop friendships over Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, Path…They rarely pick up a home phone and think a PC is an ancient artifact. Their computers are handheld, and much of their self-image can be found within the slim confines of their iPod Touch. The stories that will resonate with them acknowledge all that – and more. Even if the story is set in the past (or future), current realities must be considered.

Write for a specific audience.
No matter what you write, you won’t be able to appeal to all teens everywhere. Teens, like adults, have varied interests, are at different places socially, spiritually, and emotionally. Some writers in the Christian market cover pretty heavy subjects  – drugs, sex, suicide. They address those themes, not because they are seeking to push the envelope, but because their audience faces those issues at school and at home, and those writers want their readers to see those issues handled from a Christian perspective. On the other hand, the audience I write for are predominantly Christian kids who are truly seeking to live the Christ-life. I don’t discuss sex, drugs, and suicide, not because I want to avoid those topics, but because my audience wants to hear more about how to deal with apathy, how to grow in their faith, how to find their self-worth in Christ and not in the opinions of others. My books do not appeal to all audiences, but I never intended them to. I write for a specific audience, and I am overjoyed when I get emails from readers thanking me for speaking to them through my stories.

Keep it moving.
Teens today don’t like to wait. Thanks to DVRs and Youtube, there is little need to watch commercials – at least not for more than 5 seconds. They can complete research for their term papers online in one night – no scouring books after finding them with the card catalogue. Food is fast, and opinions expressed in 120 characters or less. As much as some of us want to spend several pages developing our exposition, we just can’t. Descriptions have to come between dialogue, a sentence at a time. And dialogue has to be fast, moving the plot along.  Less summary, more action. Cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. Keep the kids turning pages or you lose them – after all, they have a group chat and an Instagram daily challenge they could be doing right now.

Dora here. Do you write for the YA market?

What are some of the challenges you've faced and how did you overcome them?

About Krista McGee

When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. 

Right Where I Belong
Purchase Link

Natalia’s about to discover her place in the world . . . and it’s not following in her father’s footsteps.

After watching her father jump from one marriage to the next, Natalia has completely written off love. And when her father divorces his third wife—the only one who has been a mother to her—Natalia is ready to write him off too.

Needing a change of scenery, Natalia leaves her home in Spain and relocates with her stepmother to sun-soaked Florida. But she didn’t realize just how far a new school, a new culture, and a new lifestyle would push her out of her comfort zone.

One of her biggest surprises comes from Brian, a pastor’s son with an adorable smile, who loves God with a sincerity that astounds Natalia. She doesn’t want to fall for him, but she can’t seem to avoid him long enough to get him out of her mind.

Love is the last thing Natalia wants. Even so, God has her right where she belongs.

Writing on Assignment

Knowing of Ada Brownell's newspaper experience, on this organization day, I asked her: 

"Your job as a reporter taught you how to write on assignment. How has your experience in that area enabled you to  prepare assigned stories for books and deal with deadlines? Do you find it helps you write faster?" - Sandy

Ada: Every day, reporters sit down at the city editor’s desk and tell him what is happening on their beat and the expected stories. The editor also tells reporters about news he wants them to cover. Assignments are given sometimes, too, for the weekend edition.

After he talks to the staff, the editor makes up a budget to fill up the “news hole,” – the space around advertisements reserved for news. He expects the assigned stories well before deadline.

Writing on assignment for a Christian magazines and books is similar, but sometimes restricted. For instance, I wrote curriculum on assignment and had to follow a format where each part of the lesson had a certain amount of space and followed specific guidelines.

A free lance assignment is good for a free lance writing business, but can be challenging. For instance, an editor made an assumption about the spiritual needs of a certain city, and the expected news sources were offended at the assumption -- the story angle. I had to think up another angle.

Another time, when I interviewed a female pastor for a special edition, I discovered she was getting a divorce. She was chosen by the editor, who didn’t know about the divorce. I talked to him and he decided to run the story not mentioning the marriage breakup.

My biggest assignment challenge was given by an editor who traveled to another nation to cover a ministry. He had interview notes and a stack of information about the ministry and the country. I had to write the story from that and my own research. Putting everything together was difficult, but I did it.

Most assignments, the writer gathers his own information. Ask yourself, what do I need to know? Then make a list of things to do, information sources, and people to interview. Who are the experts on this subject? Who is involved or had experience? What facts do I need to double check? Who has a great quote on this subject or where can I find information or an illustration?

You need to double check facts. For instance, in ghost writing for a pastor his key illustration was the number of mountain peaks in Colorado over 14,000 feet. He had the wrong number.

Another time, a minister made a statement about the percentage of pastors who drop out of the ministry each year. He gave a source and the info wasn’t there. I contacted research organizations and they didn’t have the number, either. Finally, I contacted my own denomination and used the numbers they provided, since the pastor was a member.

Writing on assignment is serious business. You agree to gather the needed information and write the piece by a deadline. It’s great motivation to write fast.

Much of Christian writing today is by assignment. It's one of the best ways to sell your work. Look at listing in the Market Guide and send editors your resume, along with a few ideas.

~~~

A.B. Brownell has been writing for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a daily The Pueblo Chieftain in Colo., where she spent the last seven years as a medical writer. After moving to Springfield, MO in her retirement, she continues to free lance for Christian publications and write non-fiction and fiction books.

newspaper reporter. She has a BS degree in Mass Communications and worked most of her career at

Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult  http://buff.ly/XeqTvH or https://www.createspace.com/3962829

Swallowed by LIFE: http://buff.ly/TLkr0a

Confessions of a Pentecostal: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088OP460

  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries    
  Twitter: @adellerella

   Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

Do you have a background that has helped you write faster? Do you write on assignment? Can you give additional pointers for meeting deadlines?

Historical Photo Tour by S. Dionne Moore

We're doing something a little different on Seriously Write today. S. Dionne Moore shares with us how she researches her amazing historical romances and for a bonus, she shares some of her photos for her latest release. Because of size restrictions, I've embedded her photos into a slideshow. I hope you enjoy it and the notes she took during the tour. ~ Angie

One of the reasons I write historical romance is that I love conducting the research. For my May 2013 release, A Heartbeat Away, I traveled to Sharpsburg, Maryland, the setting for the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, for you Southerners).

For what its worth, I traveled to take these pictures after I had the contract for A Heartbeat Away already in hand. This was a confirmation trip, a way to discover and confirm how the citizens of Sharpsburg were affected by this terrible battle and to double check for accuracy on some key points.

Since A Heartbeat Away is less about troop movement and the intricacies of who won/lost, hearing stories about the citizens was paramount. Specifically, I wanted to see the battlefield through the eyes of Beth, a woman with a heart to help, yanked from her tendency toward introspection to witness the pain and ferocity of wounded and dying soldiers whose needs trumped her own. I wanted to see what she would see, hear the screams and imagine the horrific smells that would engulf the town for days and weeks after the battle had ended, and obtain a visual of it all from Piper Farm (near where Gerta’s fictional home would be). I went in with a list of specific questions based on the direction I knew the story would take (one reason a synopsis is crucial!), but with an ear out for any fact that could be added to make the scenes come alive, while adding another layer to the protagonists inner conflict.

I hauled my iPad along for note-taking during the tour, and a bluetooth keyboard so that I could write on the manuscript at night. Beyond those two pieces of equipment, I had my iPhone. I asked questions and took notes on the iPhone when I was inside the museum absorbing what I could about the condition of the Confederates at that point in the war. That most of them had lice -- lived with body lice, really -- was a given and stumbling upon a “louse trap” on display was just what I needed to show the problem in a unique way. There were so many details to immerse myself in, yet I also had to draw a line. Historical fact can weigh down a book. Walking the line between too little and too much is always risky. Some readers want factual details, some do not, so I work hard to strike a balance.

Sharpsburg is a very small town, unscathed by commercial development, a true gem of history frozen in time by the town's refusal to allow commercialism to mar what they have worked so hard to preserve. I was taken on a private tour by Bob Murphy of RCM History Tours. His prices are very reasonable and he accommodated my desire to walk some of the tour. I stayed at the snug and very clean Mary Hill House, where there is a remnant of the battle right there on the parlor floor -- a bloodstain, soaked deep into the very old hardwood floors.

About the Author

S. Dionne Moore started writing in 2006. Her first book, Murder on the Ol’ Bunions, was contracted for publication by Barbour Publishing in 2008. In 2009 she moved on to writing historical romances as an outlet for her passion for history. In 2010 her second cozy mystery, Polly Dent Loses Grip, was a 2010 Carol Award finalist and she was also named a Barbour Publishing 2010 Favorite New Author. In 2011, her first historical romance, Promise of Tomorrow, was nominated a 2011 Carol Award finalist.

Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Moore moved to Greencastle, PA in 1993, then to Mercersburg in 2009. Moore enjoys life in the historically rich Cumberland Valley where traffic jams are a thing of the past and there are only two stoplights in the whole town.

For more information, visit her Website at www.sdionnemoore.com.
Follow her on Twitter: @sdionnemoore
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sdionnemoore

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/sdionnemoore

Creative Best Series: Four

Annette M. Irby

We’re building on our study of Galatians 6:4-5 in the Message Bible. Today let’s consider the third line:

Make a careful exploration of who you are

and the work you have been given

and then sink yourself into that

It’s time to lose yourself in your calling. Once you know what you’re called to do, God gives you permission to lose yourself in that calling. To become immersed. Learn everything you need to learn. Commit to being successful. Put aside things that might hinder your full pursuit.

Pruning.

God has often pruned me—led me to cut back on areas that weren’t profitable in my life. He is determined that my time be used wisely. And He knows if I am stretching my limbs to work on too many things at once I will be moderately helpful in those areas, but never truly over-the-top successful at any one of them. Those seasons are about prioritizing, even at the risk of other people’s disapproval. But when God begins pruning your activities, it’s best to learn how to humbly say no to those asking you to take on more and get back to what’s highest on His priority list for you.

So what can stop you from sinking yourself into your calling?

Doubt. “I thought I knew how to write. Judging by this chapter, I was wrong!”

Accusations. Setting up materials at a book signing with a fellow author who is bestselling and award-winning, thoughts come: “Who do you think you are?”

Fear. Not just fear of failure, but fear of success. There’s comfort in the familiarity of anonymity. What happens if we succeed? Our books become bestsellers and suddenly there is a greater demand on our time? More visibility?

Let go.

God knows your dreams. He called you. He knows what you need. In fact, the closer you’ve gotten to the Lord, the more His aspirations for your life have become your own (Psalm 37:4). Let go of your own hold and let yourself sink into His perfect plan. Let go of control and striving. To turn our analogy a bit, did you know that the best way to float on water is to let go? You go limp, letting your legs rise. If you strive to float, you’ll tighten up and sink. So, to get where you want to go, let go. Give your dreams, your calling, your writing to God. Let Him make of it what He will. Let yourself sink into His plans. Don’t panic. Just relax into God’s purposes.

Give yourself permission to sink into the calling, the work, God has given you. No more excuses. And no more guilt.

Be your creative best!

~~~~~

Jordan Ambrose is looking for passion. From her husband. And, as Randy Ambrose will tell you-she's great at pushing his buttons. The problem? He's hiding out from intense emotions, like passion. So their love life is lackluster. Well, except for those letters. 

Jordan discovered a box of love letters in her husband's home office closet. Why doesn't he act like the "R" from the letters, so clearly written to "J"? If she can drag him away from his writing desk, they can talk about it. But will Randy stop hiding and love with abandon?

This series first appeared on Seriously Write in 2009.

Tips for Breaking Through Writer’s Block by Jennifer Beckstrand

Jennifer Beckstrand

We probably all face it at one time or another along our writing journey. That horrible feeling that comes when we’re sitting in front of the computer screen and we have ... nothing. What do you do to get the creative juices flowing again? Today on Seriously Write, author Jennifer Beckstrand shares six tips that have helped her break through writer’s block. Enjoy! ~ Dawn

Tips for Breaking Through Writer’s Block

Have you ever sat down to write and found you couldn’t come up with a single creative thought? Have you ever reread your newly-written chapter and said, “Wow, this is horrible?” When this happens to me, I fall to my knees, lift my hands to the sky, and yell, “I should have been a brain surgeon!”

When I started writing professionally, I realized something I hadn’t expected to learn: Writing is hard work. Holding a finished book in my hand is super fun. The actual writing part, where I sit in a lonely room with a Jane Austen doll as my only company, can be exhausting.

New York Times bestseller Brandon Sanderson says, “Ignore this thing they call writer’s block. Doctors don’t get doctor’s block, your mechanic doesn’t get mechanic’s block. If you want to write great stories, learn to write when you don’t feel like it. You have to write it poorly before you can write it well. So just be willing to write bad stories in order to learn to become better.”

The bottom line: Writing is hard work, but anyone, anyone, willing to do the work can succeed.

So, when writer’s block (which technically doesn’t exist) gets you down, here are a few helpful hints that have helped me get back in my chair. (My knees get tired kneeling on the floor for long periods of time.)

Even if all you manage to write is junk, write the junk. At least you’ll be working on your keyboarding skills. Just getting words down helps unstick the block, and you might even find that some of your ramblings turn out pretty good.

Know your characters. When I get stuck, it is often because I don’t know how my characters would act, or I have forced them to react in ways not consistent with who they are. Don’t squeeze your heroine into a box if she won’t fit.

Don’t write boring scenes. If you are bored with a scene you are writing, then think of your poor readers and have pity. Find another way to advance your plot. Never, ever put your readers to sleep.

Don’t force your plot into a direction it doesn’t want to go. If you find yourself contriving plot points to make your story work, writer’s block is a signal that you are about to make a huge mistake. Listen to that voice that’s holding you back and change directions.

Put in the time. Sit in the chair. Start typing. Don’t get up to check if you turned off the iron. Don’t look to see if anyone has posted another cute kitty picture on Facebook. Don’t call your mom and ask her for that recipe you’ve been meaning to try. And don’t call your dentist and beg him to schedule you for a root canal.

Don’t forget to pray. Heavenly Father loves you. He wants you to succeed. Ask for His help. It may not come in the form of 10,000 words a day or an idea for the greatest novel ever written, but help will come. You might be blessed with an extra 30 minutes to write or a really nice fan letter to keep you going. Help will come. You can count on it.

But keep writing while you count.

Miriam's Quilt

Miriam's Quilt

Miriam Bontrager has loved Ephraim Neuenschwander for as long as she can remember. As young teenagers they make a secret pact to wed when they come of age. But when Miriam’s headstrong brother is arrested and her sister is discovered with child, Ephraim decides that Miriam, with her disgraced family ties, is not worthy of him. Heartbroken and shattered, Miriam vows to never again trust her affection to anyone. But will she surrender her heart when a man of simple faith and gentle ways shows her how to love again?

Of course Seth Lambright thinks Miriam Bontrager is pretty, but she’s also too stuck-up to pay him any notice. That is, until she comes to his stable after Ephraim’s devastating rejection. Spending time with Seth’s horses gives Miriam comfort and helps her mend, but her presence nudges Seth dangerously close to falling in love. Unable to ignore the way she tugs at his heart, will he risk everything to show her that there is more to love than the pain of bitter memories?

Jennifer Beckstrand

I grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, I naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of my six children needed help with homework. After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years. 

I now write Amish romance. There are three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series. Kate’s Song, Rebecca’s Rose, and Miriam’s Quilt are all available in stores and online. I recently signed with Kensington Books to write another Amish romance series: The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. I have four daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, and one adorable grandson. I live in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with my husband and two sons still left at home.

To learn more, please visit www.jenniferbeckstrand.com. 

We Just Celebrated Our 1,000th Post!

Celebrating Our 1,000th Post!

We're always looking for guests and topic ideas. So, we've come up with a quick survey to help us help you. Please take a moment to fill this out. (Feel free to select as many as you wish in each section.) We'd also love to hear from your writing friends, so feel free to pass along the link.

3 Tips For Battling Blogger’s Block by Susan Stilwell

Susan Stilwell

We’ve all been there, staring at a blank screen and wondering what on earth to blog about. We want create content that keeps our faithful readers interested, but also engages new readers. How can we push past those mental blocks and keep our writing fresh and relevant? 

Pay Attention To Headlines
Look at what’s happening in the world today. From serious world events to celebrity weddings to neighborhood news, topics are trending and people are talking. Find a topic that intrigues you, then do some research. You don’t have to be an expert; you just need to have an opinion that’s rooted in facts. Study and ponder, then offer your two-cents worth on a timely subject.

Write about Popular Culture
Do you have a favorite television program? Did you watch a recent (or classic) movie? Have you tried the latest Starbucks offering? Write about it! Share something insightful or funny or quirky about your experience. Popular culture connects us and gives us an opportunity to share a biblical truth our readers. One of my most popular posts was about a spiritual insight I gained while watching the television program, “The Voice.”

Don’t Be Afraid To Change It Up 
You may have a schedule that your readers expect, but it’s okay to deviate from time to time. Interview a fellow blogger or invite them to guest post. Play around with your favorite photo editor and try your hand at a creative image. Share a special memory or a particular struggle, being careful with sensitive details. Personal stories can be refreshing and offer a powerful connection to your readers.

Don’t forget to take a few extra minutes for SEO, especially if you’re writing about current events or popular culture. Those descriptive headings, tags and labels make your post more visible to search engines, which will help direct readers to your site. 

Dora here. What about you? Anybody else staring at a blank blogger screen?

How difficult is it for you to come up with fresh, engaging content?

About Susan Stilwell

Susan Stilwell is a freelance writer, motivational speaker and Bible study leader who loves discovering God at work the ordinary, day-to-day stuff of life. Passionate about God’s Word, she’s a prolific devotional writer and a popular guest blogger. She and her husband Steve enjoy their empty nest in the beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia. You can connect with Susan on Twitter at @susanrstilwell and on her website, www.susanstilwell.com

Celebrate with us!

We Just Celebrated Our 1,000th Post!

We celebrated our 1000th post here at Seriously Write last week. Your hostesses are always looking for guests and topic ideas and would appreciate if you took a moment out of your busy day to respond to a quick survey. Your responses will be compiled and will assist us in finding guest posters and topics to encourage and equip you on your writing journey. Here's the link to the survey. Feel free to pass it along to your friends. :-)