Seven Words of Writing Wisdom

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Words of writing wisdom...they were everywhere at the September 2014 American Christian Writers Conference in Saint Louis!

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Wherever I turned—from the opening address, to the keynote speaker, to workshops, to chats with fellow writers, all the way to the closing remarks—I found “writerly” wisdom to gather and tuck away for later contemplation.

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Since this is Seekerville’s SEVENTH birthday (!), I’ve chosen seven “words" of writing wisdom gleaned from various ACFW 2014 venues to share with you today.

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1 - DON’T BE BORING. This “word” was heard repeatedly throughout the conference. Keep your reader engaged. Escalate the stakes. Ditch drawn-out, ho-hum narratives. Pump up the dialogue, remembering that “white space” on a page lures a reader in more quickly than a solid page of unbroken text.

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2 - Deliver on reader expectations. Readers read fiction for how it makes them FEEL. They want to live vicariously through your protagonist. If you’re writing romance, they want to relate to the heroine, fall in love with your hero, and find a happily ever after. If you’re writing suspense or Amish or Biblical or speculative—whatever—deliver on the expectations that a reader holds for those genres.

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3 - The core of your story is about change—the protagonist’s journey. Plot is the externalization of the inner journey of character growth—what makes the journey happen. Keep this element in mind by establishing a simple moral premise for the story that will undergird the scenes throughout and guide character growth.

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4 - Goal, Motivation and Conflict drive your story. GMC keeps it on track, it’s the glue that holds it together. Make the GMC strong and clearly defined so a reader can buy into it, embrace it, and eagerly turn the pages to see what happens next.

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5 - Don’t let anything stop you from writing. If you believe God has asked you to write for Him or if you’re testing the waters to see if that’s something He wants you to do, find a way. Commit to regular writing (even if only minutes a day). Learn the essentials of the craft and apply them. Get words on the page so you can grow as a writer. Make writing a priority.

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6 - Don’t forget WHY you wanted to write your story in the first place. What initially sparked the need, the sense of excitement, the passion, to tell it? Write that “spark” down and post it by your desk. Stick it on the bathroom mirror. Place it on your nightstand or fridge--wherever you’ll see it on a daily basis as a reminder. When you’re slogging through that muddled middle, you will all too easily forget what originally inspired you. So make a point of regularly reminding yourself of what first lured you to want to write the story.

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7 - Don’t compare yourself to other writers. This is hard for me. I want to write fast like so-and-so. I want to come up with full-blown story ideas while I sleep like my friend over there. I want to be a social media sweetheart like that other guy. But God has made us all unique, with different strengths, energy levels, responsibilities, time constraints. Each of us has a part in God’s plan—only YOU can write the story God has given you to tell in the way He wants YOU to tell it. You aren’t accountable to be a clone of “that guy over there,” but you ARE accountable for how you use the gift and the calling God’s placed on you.

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BONUS WORD OF WISDOM. If you believe God called you to write, stick close to Him. Daily pray. Listen. Obey.

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For those of you who were also in Saint Louis, what other words of writing wisdom did you come home with? And for those of who were unable to attend, which of these “insights” catches your attention as most applicable to your own situation and why?

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If you’d like to be entered in a drawing for a copy of my November release “High Country Holiday” (in stores now!), mention it in the comments section, then check the Weekend Edition to see if you’re a winner of one of SEVEN copies!

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Glynna

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A Holiday Reunion... When Cody Hawk returns to Canyon Springs, Arizona, to make peace with his ailing father, his bad-boy reputation is still intact. So is his love for the woman he was forced to leave behind.  But the privileged Paris Perslow is still off limits.

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When Paris needs his help with the annual holiday gala, Cody braves the town’s disapproving glances for a second chance with his first love. Years ago Cody promised he’d return for her. But with everyone and everything against them, what will it take to prove to Paris that his love is the perfect gift?

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Glynna Kaye’s debut book “Dreaming of Home” was a finalist in the ACFW Carol and Maggie awards, as well as a first place winner of the “Booksellers Best” and “Beacon” awards. Her 4 1/2 star “At Home In His Heart” was chosen as a Reviewers Choice finalist by national magazine RT Book Reviews. “High Country Holiday,” her eight Love Inspired and the seventh set in the mountain country of Arizona, is on the shelves now!

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