This quote was sent to me by Delia Latham. It hangs on the wall beside her desk.
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart...
~~william wordsworth
It's so simple, but I love it. If our writing is not breathed from our hearts it will be cold and lifeless, incapable of rendering any response other than sadness and regret. It will be dead writing. God, spare us from spitting out deceased words!
This quote helps me remember to make my writing breathe!
Delia Latham
Almost Like A Song Available NOW through all major booksellers!!
www.delialatham.com
http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
www.shoutlife.com/delialatham
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My most current story is inspired by a dream I once had. It is a story breathed from my heart, my subconcious and quite possibly from the Lord. I mean, who else would give me such vivid dreams that I would remember them years later? But, life is definitely something necessary for a great book. If a reader doesn't feel as though they know the character, how will they care what happens next?
I've had that happen before. In fact I have a proposal on my computer that is hoping to make it into print some day. The difficult thing is taking those "glimpses" of a dream and transforming them into a complex story. (At least that is the hard thing for me.)
The BEST resource I've ever seen/used in helping me do that is using the workbook, "Writing the Breakout Novel." If any of your out there are writing fiction I think this is the first/best book you need to read. And one to do the assignments on. I use it for every book I write.
I might not have talent (too much of a newbie to know yet), but I have the perseverance and I sure have the discipline. And the passion is burning like a torch in me. Thanks for this blog, Tricia. I'm making faithful notes of all the quotes and helpful advice. They're going straight to the wall above my desk. MY desk in MY corner of the house, where I can dream and put those dreams into visible ink on paper. I think I'm the most blessed person in the world!
Tricia, I have another question for you. I hope I'm not being a blog-hogger. How long should a chapter be? I am figuring 80,000 words and about twenty chapters means roughly 4,000 words per chapter. But my story has action on several fronts and I'm skipping round in an omniscient fashion, so I'm wondering if I should try to wrangle it somehow so that each chapter is just focusing on one set of characters or location, even if that means the lengths vary a lot, or if it doesn't really matter?
Normally I wouldn't worry about this in the first draft but I have found it to be quite a hassle later if I have to change all the chapters around since I store each one as a separate file.
Thank you so very much! Another two hours this morning. I can't believe it! Just having this blog available has really helped me stay focused on my goals.
Hi Tricia--sent out several queries yesterday with leads from the VT massacre. Already received one rejection. She said queries are pouringin on related topics (parenting being the solution for problems like this).
I've read, several times, that writing magazine articles and writing for anthologies are good places to start before trying to get a book published, so these are my current focus. I have a story in an anthology, The Gift of Prayer--I look at and think, "This is such a little thing. Why would an agent or publishing house be impressed with this?" I'm taking what I've read seriously, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I bought "Night Song" this morning, and can't wait until it arrives from Amazon.com.
Next I'm getting on my library's website and asking if they'll purchase some of your books.
I shoot for around 2,000 words with my chapters. It varies, of course.
Christine,
Each chapter should be in one persons POV (point of view). If it's not then it should have some type of divider to show you're in another POV.
Also, I've found that having all my chapters in one file works best. It helps with problems like you mentioned!
I totally agree that even small credits impresses publishers. They know you know the business, have worked with editors, and can write.
I write all types of stuff still: articles, homeschooling reviews, novels, non-fiction books, columns ... I think it hones my skill as I work on all areas.
And I hope you enjoy my books. THANKS for recommending them!!!
Just dropped in to check out My Writing Mentor and was pleasantly surprised to find my little quote here. Thank you, Tricia! I hope it inspires someone else as much as it has me.
Blessings,
Delia Latham
Hi Tricia,
I haven't been able to get through to your hotmail address today. Do you have another one? Please contact me re your question!
Grace Bridges
www.faithawakened.com
Grace ... I emailed you. :-)
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