Monthly Archives: April 2013

Apr25

write like your life depends on it

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    Yesterday I had the privilege of presenting two of the many workshops offered to middle school and high school students at the Youth Writing Festival at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. My workshop, “Write Like Your Life Depends on It,” was intended to empower students who love to write with the knowledge that they possess a rare and marketable skill. We talked about how they can prepare now for future career options that will allow them to make use of their superpower.

    Most of all, I encouraged students to be honest about what they would like to do–it’s okay to say I want to be a professional writer. It’s a skill to celebrate, not cover up. When I was open about my desire to write for children, it was amazing how opportunities, people and resources came my way.

    Let me encourage you to be true to your calling too!

    Here’s the list of career options I shared with the students. Maybe it will inspire you, too, if you’re unsure what you want to do when you grow up. (No rush!)

    Novelist (any genre)
    Non-fiction writer
    Journalist
    Copywriter
    Web content writer
    Game content writer
    Blogger
    Screenwriter (TV or movies)
    Speech writer
    Playwright
    Grant/proposal/application writer
    Poet (perhaps as a lyricist or greeting card verse writer}
    Technical writer (for example, business writing, textbook content, medical writing)
    Freelance writer (magazines, newspapers, online columns, work for hire projects)

    Writing-related career options:
    Editor
    Proofreader or copy editor
    Writing instructor or tutor
    Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations
    Critic/Reviewer

    Have YOU used your superpower today?

    I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork.~Peter De Vries

Apr22

are you out of your mind yet?

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frog on a pencilIt’s no secret that we writers spend a lot of time living inside our heads. We write at stop lights and on park benches, in waiting rooms and sometimes at the movies. We may not be putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard every moment, but on that little “screen” tucked neatly between our ears, we’re crafting dialogue, untangling knotty plot twists and musing about our main characters. It’s part of the process for most of us. I know that’s true for me.

Maybe that’s why most writers are often introverts. It’s not that we’re shy necessarily. Perhaps it’s simply that we’re content with our own company. And, at least it seems, we’re happy to sit back and observe. But I’d like to gently suggest that we may not be the great observers we think we are. With all of this writing going on inside our heads throughout the day, it’s easy to miss living in the present. How often do we fail to see or truly hear what’s happening in the here and now, while we’re imagining what our heroine will do next on a far-flung planet or trying to come up with a catchy title for that magazine article?

Mindfulness is a practice I was introduced to through a physician at the health system where I work. In its simplest form, for me, mindfulness means taking time to slow down, to breathe and to “be” in the moment. It’s like snapping out of a daydream, wide-eyed and aware of what’s happening in the here and now.

How does cultivating mindfulness benefit me as a writer? It’s no surprise that living in the moment makes me a better observer. I can soak up details–the smell of garlic and onions sweating in the pan, the peculiar way a receptionist wears her eyeliner, the sound of scrapping chickadees, the rhythm of two teen girls jabbering in the backseat or the sharp tang of Greek yogurt with pomegranate. I’ve come to understand that being present for these little details helps me become a stronger writer, and more importantly, a more avid fan of life.

How about you? Would you mind giving it a try?

Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t). ~ James Baraz

Apr20

and the steamy winner is . . .

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top hat frog212_degrees in red

This week on Frog on a Dime, I posed the question: “Ready to get steamy?” Based on your responses, a lot of you are!

I’m thrilled you were inspired to turn up the heat on your writing. Now you can move full steam ahead. Sometimes that’s all it takes to find your momentum–just one extra degree of effort!

Congratulations to Jennifer Rumberger–winner of a complimentary copy of 212, the Extra Degree. I hope you’ll find it to be as encouraging as I do.

And . . . as a BONUS . . . congratulations to Randy Bulla–winner of a framed “212” inspirational quote plaque. Display it on your desk to help you keep the fire under your novel writing.

Jennifer and Randy, please contact me with your addresses. I’ll be glad to send your gifts to you this week.

Like to order your own copy of 212, the Extra Degree? Let me encourage you to visit Simple Truths. (BTW, I’m not affiliated with this site. I just want to let you know how to order this cool book, if you want.)

Stay steamy!

At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. ~ Mac Anderson and Sam Parker

Apr15

ready to get steamy?

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Frog in the fog

In the inspirational little book 212 Degrees, The Extra Degree, bestselling authors Sam Parker and Mac Anderson explain: “At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive.”

I love this simple metaphor because it reminds me of what’s possible, if I’m willing to consistently apply just one extra degree of effort beyond my normal routine.

It’s related to what Carl Holmes calls the “And-then-some-syndrome.” It’s all about doing what’s expected, and then some.

I’ll be honest. I don’t always want to do what’s expected (or at least what I expect of myself writing-wise), let alone “and-then-some.” Some days I’m lucky to put finger to keyboard. Funny thing is, I’ll go out of my way for my family and friends or my boss and coworkers, but I’ll feel guilty carving writing time for myself. I truly believe we need to put others first, but does that mean I have to put my dreams second–or 999th? Shucks. Course not.

This week I’m challenging myself to pour on the steam with my writing time–by one sensible, do-able degree–guilt-free. I’m going to write four pages–and then some–this weekend (and the next, etc.). What can you do to turn the knob one degree to the right to crank up some heat?

Not sure?

Let me entice you.

If you go to my contact page by Friday, April 19, and tell me how you’re going to turn up the heat on your writing life by one degree this week, you’ll be entered to win a FREE copy of “212 Degrees.” I’ll be delighted to send it to you with my compliments. It’s a quick read that could have a lasting impact on your attitude toward your writing pursuits.

Ready to get steamy?

Many of life’s failures are [people] who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. ~ Thomas Edison

Apr8

top 3 reasons why critique groups rock

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writing frogs
Why oh why did I wait so long? I wish I’d jumped into a critique group ages ago. But I’m so glad I took the leap!

My top three reasons why critique groups rock . . .

1. Critique group members hold you accountable.
I won’t lie. As much as I love writing, I truly need deadlines to keep me moving at a steady pace. I’m too good at “writing” excuses for myself. Those excuses greedily gobble up my writing opportunities, in favor of oftentimes less honorable enterprises (like watching TV. Ugh!) Knowing my critique group is ready to give me feedback, in exchange for merely meeting my deadline, motivates me to better align my priorities and quit twiddling around already.

2. Critique groups encourage you.
Writing is tough enough. When you add the pursuit of publication to equation, with its inevitable rejections, the process can be pretty painful. Being part of a gang of empathetic travelers who are uniquely equipped to offer roadside assistance when your tires are punctured or shredded is such a perk. More like a perk on steroids. It’s amazing.

3. Critique group keep you honest.
When you go solo, it’s easy to get a tad delusional. Speaking for myself, it’s easy to fall in love with the rhythm of my own words. My critique group helps me to “de-precious” my work. With their help, I can face it in a cool, objective light. Just like all green things, including my budding manuscript, light is essential for growth. If I leave my manuscript buried under a rock, it’ll be safe alright, but there’s no room for growth in a dark place. I say arm your critique group with lanterns, flashlights filled with lithium batteries and torches. You may need to wear shades to your next meeting, but it’s worth it.

Are you still group-less? Let Frog on a Dime encourage you to hop in! What are you “wading” for? (Oh, great. I know my critique group is going to bust me for the bad puns!) Let this article from Harold Underdown’s “The Purple Crayon” site help you get a jump on it.

One last thing . . . my warmest thanks to Monica, Jennifer, Cathy, Kris, David and Mindy. You’re the reasons why our group rocks!

Criticism is the windows and chandeliers of art: it illuminates the enveloping darkness in which art might otherwise rest only vaguely discernible, and perhaps altogether unseen. ~ American drama critic and editor George Jean Nathan