November Cometh
November starts this Friday. How that happened, I don’t know. But the year has sped by.
Remember that girl? From last November? That’s me. Yup. In the throes of November. The agony of writing a first draft in one month.
It’s called National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo. And I wrote the first draft of My Mother’s Chamomile last year. This year, I hope to get a good start (at least 50,000 words) on my next novel.
50,000 words.
It’s completely do-able. I just have to buckle down and do it.
And make sure the writing isn’t completely horrible by the end of the month.
Although I made it last year (in 2 weeks), I’m not so sure about this year. I’m writing a bit of a more challenging, more literary novel. The voice is different. Setting, characters, plot…all very removed from what I’ve written before.
But I’m excited. Very excited.
If I don’t end up making it, oh well. At least I tried.
For now, though, I need to start cleaning off my desk. And stocking up on coffee.
So, tell me. Have you ever set a crazy goal for yourself? Maybe a marathon or a sewing challenge. Did you make it? Give up midway? Do better than you expected? You mind sharing how you did it? I love hearing from you!
5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me
Time for some fun. Namely, 5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me. (I was going to do 10…but that seemed a little crazy).
1. In third grade I had a short, unflattering haircut. My teacher mistook me for a boy named D.J. It was mortifying.
2. A few years ago, I was invited to an 80’s party. I decided to dress the way I did in the 1980’s. Nailed it.
3. I once accidentally auditioned for the Grand Rapids Opera. I knew I was doomed when a little girl diva snubbed me after I sang. Long story short…I didn’t make it.
4. As a little girl, I dreamed of starring on Saturday Night Live.
Photo by Jessica Wilson
5. I started my writing career as a playwright. My play “Merry Chrismukkah” was published in 2006 and has been performed at at least 5 churches!
Your turn. Tell me something that I probably don’t know about you! It could be fun!
I Breathed
This last weekend, I participated in the Breathe Christian Writers Conference in Caledonia, Michigan.
By “participate” I mean that I…
~Sat on the planning committee as the hospitality coordinator (a full year commitment)
~Refilled a few coffee pots (seriously, the writers get scary if they’re without coffee for too long)
~Led a workshop about blogging (so I feel really compelled to keep up with my blog right now…)
~Sat on the “Ask the Author Anything” panel (I’m still trying to get used to this author title)
~Met with new and seasoned writers to discuss blogging, novel writing, the life of an author, etc. (which was exhausting for this introvert…but so rewarding)
~Signed a couple copies of Paint Chips for very kind book lovers
I also had the pleasure of sitting and listening to a few very special presenters. I’m still working on processing the experience.
But, for now, I’d like to encourage any of you who are writers. October 10 and 11, 2014 is the date for the next Breathe Conference. It’s a fabulous weekend full of relationships, writing discussions, Spiritual refreshing, and just plain old fun. Save up your pennies and mark off the dates on your calendar. This is a conference you don’t want to miss!
Getting Ready to Breathe
Tomorrow, at this time, I’ll be running around with bubbly bumpy nerves flitting about my tummy. Excitement and nervous energy and massive doses of caffeine will keep me going.
Tomorrow is the first day of the 2013 Breathe Christian Writers Conference. I’m leading a workshop on blogging (for which I feel under qualified). I’m also on an “Ask the Author Anything” panel discussion. Anything? Oh boy. On top of that, I’m the hospitality coordinator. And that makes me more nervous than anything.
I just need to remember to smile. Have fun. See the good in all situations. Well. Most situations. Some. A few.
Can I tell you something? This conference is a reunion. The people coming feel like cousins and aunts and uncles. A few even feel like siblings.
It’s a huge, crazy family of writers who come together to fill the air.
We fill the air with our exhaled words, marking the pages of our writings. We breathe in the support of each other.
Even with the flutters in my tummy, I can’t wait to spend time, taking in the life giving air of other writers.
Tell me. What energizes you? What keeps you going? Encourages you? How can I encourage you better?
Defeating the Kindergarteners
Kindergarteners are the big kids. Well, at least when you’re in pre-school. Then those kindergarteners are big, huge, intimidating, JUMBO kids.
And my boys and their pre-school buddies have been facing off against those big old kindergarteners in soccer at recess for a week. Every day. Every single stinking day, the kindergarteners have won.
“It’s so embarrassing,” Mr. A said last week. “Losing to the big kids embarrasses me.”
“Well, it’s better than losing to smaller kids, right?” I asked.
He shrugged.
This week, my boys were scheming. Working on strategy for how to get the soccer ball away from the big kids.
“I’ll just run right over and kick the ball away to (Insert name of a friend…use your imagination). Then we’ll run and run so they can’t catch us,” Mr. A said and grinned with pride at that idea.
His brother, Mr. T (I pity the fool), gave him a fist bump.
At 3ish that day, with all my kids in the van, I asked if they’d played the big kids in soccer.
“Yeah,” Mr. A said.
“How did your strategy go?”
“It didn’t work.” He giggled. “But we have a new strategy.”
“Yeah!” Mr. T said, his massive gold chains catching the autumn sunshine (not really…the tinted windows block the sun). “Tomorrow, when the big kids start playing us, I’m going to blow a whistle and call all our pre-school friends to come play. All. At. Once.”
“They’re big, but we’ve got more friends,” Mr. A added.
***
Here’s the thing. Life is full of big kids. Big problems. Bills. Meanies. Dirty dishes and sticky floors.
Sometimes we don’t get the promotion we worked so hard for. We’re overlooked. Forgotten. Rejected.
Big kids.
But, you know what? It’s all in your perspective.
To a pre-school kid, a kindergartener looks forever taller, bigger, faster. But to me, a kindergartener is still so little. Still needs so much help in this world.
To adults, some of our problems seem forever consuming of our lives. Defeating.
But, really, if we let them boil down to what they really are, sometimes they don’t seem so big.
Sometimes we realize that we can defeat them.
And not through our own power. But through Christ who infuses us with His strength. His power.
Originally, this was going to be a post about how hard the publishing world can be. And how BIG it all seems.
But, as I started writing, I realized that this isn’t just about writing. It’s about being human.
And we all need to remember the courage it takes to go up to the big kids. Every. Stinking. Day. What it takes to keep trying. To never ever give up.
Sometimes the most brave thing we can do is to get out of bed in the morning, knowing what we have to face.
Here’s the thing. You aren’t alone. We’re together. And we have a Power that is stronger than finances or work stress or rejection.
And He’s working all things together for our good. He’s going to keep working on us until we are made perfect. He will never give up.
I don’t know about you. But that makes each upward step a little less painful and exhausting. It makes it feel possible.
What about you? Do you have any “big kids” you need to defeat? Feel free to share. Or send me a message. I’d love to have the opportunity to pray for you!
Dishes and Bluegrass
Dishes and laundry are never ending, impossible to win, mind numbing chores. And I hate chores. Always have. Always will.
But, last night, my dishes had found their way into my sink. Seriously. I think they breed there. I didn’t have a chance to write a single word during the day and had planned to write after dinner.
But the dishes. Oh. The dishes.
My writing space is in the kitchen. And all I could see were the dishes, food crunchifying on their surfaces.
I got up, turned on the faucet, and started scrubbing. Do I need to add that this was the second load of dishes for the day? Or is that just something we all understand? Stinking breeding dishes.
I turned on Pandora (I know…I’m so 2007…whatcha gonna do about it?).
I’ve been listening to a lot of Bluegrass lately. A. Lot. It’s what gets me into the mode of writing this new novel.
Scrubbing dishes. Banjo twanging. Rinsing cups. Voice lilting.
Mind on a daydream vacation.
I don’t mind washing dishes when my imagination drifts.
I thought of my character and her friend. Remembered a story I heard that inspired me. Heard my protagonist’s voice, hollering at her friend (a happy holler).
The beginning of the novel popped into my head.
And, I think, it’s a good beginning. It sets the mood. Gets the reader ready for what I want them to experience. Invites them into the story world of my protagonist.
Oooo. I can’t wait to tell you about this novel. But I’m not ready quite yet. I think you might just like it!
Now. Off to write!
Pictionary
I’m currently in the first draft phase of writing a new novel. It’s an exciting,
terrifying,
exhilarating,
excruciating
process. And I love every little bit of it.
I’m researching and writing and dreaming. Part of my process is sketching what I think a scene should look like (because I’m afraid I’ll forget it when the time comes to write the scene). This novel will have more visuals than my other two books (and BIG visuals, at that).
So, the other day, I drew this…
I posted it to Facebook and it got quite the reaction.
I thought I’d put it up here and see what you think…
Can you figure out what’s going on in this sketch? Or can you come up with your own fun idea?
I know what this scene means…but I’m not going to tell!
(by the way, as I said on Facebook, this is why I write and haven’t pursued the life of an illustrator)
Nightmare
Make sure you check out the fundraiser for The Hope Project.
I had a nightmare.
It started out nice and happy. I walked into an enormous building, on my way to sign a book contract with a REALLY AWESOME publisher.
What publisher? I don’t know.
All I know is that I saw the guy, walking around with a big contract. Seriously. It was poster board sized and said “CONTRACT” on the top.
The problem was, I couldn’t get to him. Every time I got close, he’d hop over to a different side of the building. Not only that, he’d change appearance, too.
Finally, after what felt like hours of chasing the dude, I caught up to him. And, get this, he didn’t know who I was. That’s always awkward. Right?
I noticed that everyone had on beautiful clothes. Dresses and tuxedos and feather boas. I had on jeans and a tshirt…a wholly tshirt. Blerg!
“Here’s the thing,” Contract Man said. “I don’t think you’re right for our publishing house.”
“But…I thought…” I stammered and blubbered and tried not to sob.
“We have, however, decided to offer you something else.”
At his words, I perked up. Suddenly, I also wore a dress. A really frilly one, too. “What’s that?”
“Here. Have a baby.” Contract Man handed me a baby wearing a dress that matched mine. “And, listen to this…she already speaks Japanese!”
Alarm buzz.
Nightmare over.
I hope so at least.
The Hope Project
October is when leaves come to full color just before dropping to the ground. Well, here in Michigan, at least.
The trees are left nude, vulnerable. Exposed.
By the end of the month all that’s left are wiry, twisting branches. The dark covers us earlier. Soon, the sun will be only an occasional visitor.
But all the while, all through the winter, hope waits inside those branches. It waits until just the right time to bloom into flowers that will grow into leaves.
Hope waits. Just below what we can see. All we have to do is wait. Watch. Remember that it’s true.
In life, we often have the opportunity to become that hope for someone else. And that’s what we’re doing this October. I hope you’ll help me out.
The Hope Project is a ministry based in Muskegon, Michigan. It’s purpose is to “restore hope to victims of human trafficking”. Instead of restating all that they’re about, I’d love to encourage you to go to their website. (click HERE).
This month, I’m holding a fundraiser to support The Hope Project. 50 cents from each (the download costs between $3 and $4) ebook purchase of Paint Chips will go to The Hope Project. I’m excited to use this book to help rehabilitate victims of trafficking in my own state.
How can you help me raise funds? Here’s a list…
1. If you haven’t downloaded the book…go for it! This is the BEST month for you to do so. Just go to Amazon if you have a Kindle or Barnes and Noble if you have a Nook.
2. Tell your friends! Share about this fundraiser on Twitter, Facebook, Google+…where ever!
3. If you’ve already purchased the book, would you consider donating directly to The Hope Project? Every little bit helps. They also have tshirts for sale. I LOVE this one and plan on purchasing it for myself!
4. Consider how you can collect extra money to donate to a cause that fights human trafficking. Collect pop cans. Rake leaves. Get creative. Every dollar makes a difference!
Human Trafficking is a problem 27 million people live every day. But it is very possible for us to do something to stop it! Hope is a very powerful thing.
Credo
Long ago, I took a creative writing class at Great Lakes Christian College. The professor, the great George Brown, told us the importance of having literary representation.
“I gotta get me a agent,” I wrote in my notebook. (I thought poor grammar was hilarious. Sometimes I still do.)
After I finished the first 5 drafts of Paint Chips, I researched agents that represent Christian authors. My first pick was Credo Communications. Why were they first pick? Because they’re located in my city. And because of a few clients they represented that impressed me.
I emailed. They responded. They only represented non-fiction.
Bummer.
So, I sent letters begging agents to represent me. 11 letters (in the biz, we call them queries). 10 no thank you letters. 2 were encouraging. 1 said, “Yeah, I’m going to have to pass”. 1 never responded.
It was all good. One of the encouraging letters told me that the novel needed more work. So. That’s what I did. 6 more drafts of Paint Chips.
Well, we know what happened to my little novel. It was published. And now my second novel is in line to be released in January.
Still, I knew that I needed an agent. Someone to help me navigate the crazy world of publishing. Someone to hug me, kick my tuchas, keep me on schedule. An agent that would knock on doors on my behalf. Who could give my career a little boost.
And…
And…
I just signed a literary agreement with…
Credo Communications. My dream agency. I’ll be agented by Ann Byle (she is fabulous and wonderful and believes in me).
Sometimes when God puts a little dream in our heads, He just wants us to be patient. I think this was one of those instances. And it happened at just the right time.
susiefinkbeiner.com 