Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Clearing Out the Cobwebs

Heartland Writers Group

Winter Retreat

Clearing Out The Cobwebs
When :
January 13-15, 2012

High points of the weekend include the best of the best from the past, present and future:

 Workshops

 Collaging

 Brainstorming

 Writing Sprints

 Fun and camaraderie

 Casual discussions

 Our fabulous Awards Luncheon

 More info & schedule coming soon

Where:
 
Country Inn and Suites
11818 Miami Street
Omaha Ne
402-445-4445

Make your room reservation by December 13, 2011 for the special double room retreat rate of $91.00/night

What to Bring:


magazines, pictures, calendars, scissors, glue sticks, bling or whatever for collaging, writing tools, your writing calendar, comfy clothing, ideas and characters to brainstorm, snacks to share, your smile and laughter.


To register and pay the $35 fee for the retreat contact us today:










Monday, November 7, 2011

November - National Novel Writing Month

A number of HWG authors are involved in NANO.  Lizzie is also leading a mini NANO.

Here's to everyone meeting their goals. Write, Write, Write.

Even if you are not involved with one of these. As always, we encourage you to write.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Some thoughts on group blogging

"If you've ever been around a group of actors, you've noticed, no doubt, that they can talk of nothing else under the sun but acting. It's exactly the same way with baseball players. Your heart must be in your work." ~~Christy Mathewson (One of the first players admitted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame)
And so with writers... We can talk writing, study writing, write about writing until our faces are blue or our fingers grow numb. And in many different venues. Like blogs. Like group blogs.

Everyone and their family pet seems to have a blog. I'll admit to a couple myself. Okay, more than a couple. I'll post some pretty pictures or inane comments, a recipe, some chatty talk or the week's school lunch menu. The kind of things you really wonder if anyone does ever look at.

That brings me to the idea of group blogs. Hmm, what could be better than a crowd of fairly like-minded people getting together to share thoughts, ideas, joys and sorrows with others?
Group Blogs: Friend or Foe

I've thought a lot about this topic over the past couple of weeks, finding myself leaning too much into the Foe category. So let's talk about Friend first. A group blog is my friend--not food. (sorry, the fish staring at me reminded me of something else). Because there are others committed to regular posting, I don't have to come up with all the ideas myself. (A definite benefit when I'm trying a **100 blog challenge all by my lonesome.) Some days that's a great thing-either the idea well is pretty dry or the swirl and noise of too many ideas leaves nothing on the page.

Friend--An interesting blog might lead beyond new ideas to a new way of looking at your work in progress, or a new avenue of research, make you think or simply bring a smile to your face.

Friend--A group blog is simply a congenial place to be, a haven for expression and creativity.

That brings us to the Group Blog Foe. I believe most authors have a dynamic, forceful internal voice (be it editor, competitor or self). That voice loves to compare. Well, maybe not compare--perhaps it's more of a contrast. That contrast being... everyone else is so eloquent, their thoughts make so much sense. The wording is perfect and gets their ideas to the reader easily.

And what you write is pure dreck. (or whatever word your internal nag uses.) And the voice goes on. Who would ever want to read your thoughts. With so many clear thinkers out there, why would your rambles make anyone sit up and take notice. Nope, they'll just move on to a better blogger and never return. And on... why did you think you could keep up with anyone else in a group blog. See that great blog? Didn't you think about blogging about the same thing? Too late now, kiddo.

You know, being really prominent in my head right now, this voice is much too easy to write. So let me counter with a Friend thought or two...after I stow the nag in a locked box in the closet!

So, someone else blogged about a topic I'm interested in. Bet my take on it will be different. Maybe not hugely different, but worthy of consideration none-the-less. And no, maybe my topic isn't interesting to everyone... but as long as one person takes away a tiny thought or has a smile when they click their next favorites button--I'm happy. I write the way I write...which whether for good or bad, is kinda how I think. I can sit down and wax theoretical on a subject, appear learned and educated. But I don't wanna. I like to chat. And a group blog is a great place to do just that!

"That process by which you become a writer is a pretty lonely one. We don't have a group apprenticeship like a violinist might training for an orchestra." Anne Rice

Perhaps we don't have a true apprenticeship, but there is a place to practice and discuss our craft ... the friendly group blog. Like this one right here!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Composition--Books That Is

Like so many authors I love paper, pens, and all sorts of office supplies. As evidenced by the variety of those items spread across the desk top at this moment. And no, I won't show you a picture!

But one of my favorites is the Composition Book.
In the past I've done a fair share of my writing by hand. And my favorite place to write is the lowly composition book. Sometimes when my thoughts don't seem to flow well at the computer, I'll return to handwriting. It's slower and my thought process is different. I like to write on the right hand page only. This leaves the left side for notes, ideas, additions, even the odd grocery list or two.

Don't worry, I don't waste paper! When I reach the end of the book, I turn it upside down and keep going on the now fresh right side pages. When I run into those notes made during earlier writing I skip that page, or if it's a small note, draw a circle and then I write around it. I hear you wondering what I do if I need to write out that grocery list or idea now... I'll enclose it in a doodled line and write around it.

Doodles. I'll do a lot of those too, while I'm paused in putting down words. Doodles are a great way to stimulate your mind and focus your thoughts. In school I listened better when I doodled. My 'talent' got so good while in paralegal school fellow students would give me suggestions then check to see how I used their ideas in my doodles. Did it help? I finished school with a 98, so I'd say so.

It does take a little time once a notebook is full, going back and recovering the notes and story ideas I may need later. But hey, that's a good use for another composition book!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Monkeying Around With Writing Prompts

For todays **100 blog challenge**I'm offering you writing prompts in the form of pictures.
 Pick one of these three pictures and write your 100 words about it. Fit it into your WIP if you can. :)


Then be brave... post your words in the comments.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Calendars Redux


I'm taking the easy way out for today's **100 blog challenge** since I had no internet access at home. And, I wanted to write about calendars anyway. Those of you who have been with HWG and this blog for a couple of years will recognize this post. If you're new, here's some info and encouragement for using a desk calendar as a writing tool!


I’ve served as the Goals Guru for HWG for a number of years. We’ve experienced a whole slew of ideas designed to help Heartlandians meet their writing goals. But even though the writing derbies, challenges, visual representations and bookshelves have gone through a variety of changes, one goals idea has remained constant.

The calendar.



I don’t remember how many years ago I first brought up the idea of using a desk calendar for keeping track of goals. The concept has been successful for some, and not so for others (like any writing tool!). Let me explain a bit about the Heartlandian calendar concept.

First…find a desk style or engagement calendar that shows one week per page. Find one that has pictures that are meaningful for you. Doesn’t matter what makes your smile, or dream, or encourages you…find that calendar. For me, it’s a dachshund calendar. My brother bought me my first one, and had provided most of them since then. Last year, neither of us got the calendar, so I thought I’d try a different design. Along came Paula Deen. Now, I love Paula, and the calendar was great with recipes, stories and pictures, but it wasn’t what my creative mind needed for writing. And, my writing suffered. This year with my doxies, I’m more on track.

Now that you have a calendar, what should you use it for? Anything you want to.

Donna says... “I use my calendar to record time spent writing, editing or researching. I also record my page counts with times to give myself an idea of the productivity level I can achieve when I sit my butt in the chair and work at it. I also record any contests judged or entered, critiques attended or given on-line, workshops attended or taken on-line, meetings attended, etc. In the back of my calendar I keep a list of all of the books that I've read during the year (recorded as I read them). In the front of my calendar I keep a list of my writing goals for reference. My calendar always sits on my desk by my monitor, as a silent reminder that I need to sit down and get to work."
That covers a lot, doesn’t it? In my calendar I have my goals broken down into different categories, lists of editing I’ve done, contests I’ve judged (It’s so great to see when one of your entries makes finals--or more), contests entered, contacts made AND the books I’ve read. This list helps me see how much I have read, I make notations for favorite authors to look for again and whether the book is fiction or non-fiction. So, use the calendar in whatever way it works for you. Oh, and use it ONLY for writing!

Besides having the pictures or quotes for inspiration, using the calendar can be a remarkably visual for your progress. Stickers are a popular way to show you’ve met your daily or weekly goals. Take a look at Cheryl St. John’s writing calendar.



One year we used colored sticky tags in a set of five colors. Each Heartlandian chose their favorite color and the least favorite. The fave color was obviously for achieving a goal. The least favorite--for those weeks when you didn’t quite reach that page or word count, or whatever your goal was for the week. Other colors of flags were designated for meetings, classes, any number of writing related things. Placed along the edge of the page, these flags show how consistent you are in meeting goals.

I encourage you to consider using a desk calendar for your writing. Post your own ideas here on the blog. Perhaps your idea will help another writer!

To close, Cheryl says…”My datebook is my lifeline. I keep track of deadlines, submissions, page progress, appointments, blog schedules, goals, my online class and just about everything. My goals are printed in the front, and the books I've read this year are listed in the back. I'm already out of sync because I don't have a 2010 datebook yet, and I have things scheduled into the new year. A new one is a must on my to-be-shopped-for list.”

Let’s go calendar shopping!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Steve Jobs--RIP

Today we join the world in mourning the passing of Steve Jobs. Sure, I'm writing this on a Windows system, but where would the world be if not for his vision and drive? Just a simple listing of a few of his projects for Apple and Pixar, not to mention how we plug into our ipods, shows his amazing love of technology--and the ability to understand what folks are gonna want next.


It makes me wonder what new ideas may now have to wait. 


Take a few moments with this **100 day challenge** blog and think about the good old days. Some of us remember pounding out stories on a manual typewriter ...erasing ...retyping ...oh, it took so much time and effort! Or think about that first big, clunky computer that had NO memory--everything revolved around a huge floppy disc. Or your Walkman... And be thankful for Steve Jobs and folks like him who constantly push the envelope to bring new ways and technology to the world.
I love this picture--can't you just see the future in his eyes?


 As President Obama said..."There may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented."



Tuesday, October 4, 2011

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Aren't there times when we're simply inundated with stupid personality quizzes? Sometimes they're fun to take, and can be actually fairly accurate. I did this one today then thought... what if. (Uh oh, the writer is wide awake already this morning!) What if I answered these questions like my characters would? This could be interesting. Does my hero have a male brain? That would probably be a good thing for an alpha hero. How would a kick-ass heroine's brain be divided? Is the sidekick a good mix allowing them to understand and help the main characters? Lots of possibilities.
want a jello brain? Go here.




I haven't done a character yet, but here's my result. Take a look, then follow the link below. Post your brain gender in the comments--let's see how brainy we are!






Your Brain is 73% Female, 27% Male





Your brain leans female
You think with your heart, not your head
Sweet and considerate, you are a giver
But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!




**Of course this is the 100 day challenge blog!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A writing prompt

One way to use your 100 words a day is to explore. And something fun to explore is different genres. Perhaps you've wanted to try an historical, but don't have an idea that will carry an entire tale. Or, you want to see if you can up your writing heat level to an erotic level. Or could be a clan of shapeshifters has laid claim to part of your creative processes and wants to experience their world in a story. Maybe you've been writing sexy and you want to try inspirational. (Not that sexy can't be inspirational, mind you.) Steampunk, anyone?

So here's your challenge for today. I'm giving you some pictures. Not necessarily romantic pictures, but you can take your choice of the football we know here in the U.S.


Or the worldwide version...



 





Or even the more casual flag type...


 Lingerie league anyone?

And write your 100 words today in a new genre or style--using football!
**This 100 day challenge post brought to you by... football!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Steps


While I'm trying to pass on my own thoughts for my 100 day blog challenge (yep, folks. this is it for today!) sometimes I come across something interesting, wonderful, hilarious, that just needs to be passed on.  And so today I send you to http://annemarienovark.com/?p=22 to where Anne Marie Novark shares her ten easy steps for getting back in the writing groove.

Groovy, man, groovy.

Friday, September 23, 2011

What Does 100 Words Look Like?

**this is a 100 day challenge post!

Sometimes 100 seems like a lot. 100 miles when you're aching to get somewhere seems to take forever.


 Spending 100 dollars at the grocery store--oh that goes way too fast!










100 words can come either fast, or slow. It depends on the day. On your writing mood. On the pace of your story. Whether the writing is habit or not. (Lay ya odds--if you're in the habit of writing every day, most of the time those 100 words will come pretty quick.)


So? What does 100 words look like?


one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred

one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred


one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred
one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred one hundred 


Cut and paste these 100 words then replace each one with words of your own! That's not too hard now, is it?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Another 100 day Challenge

One year ago, I challenged HWG (and anyone else who's listening) to write 100 words a day for 100 days. Why 100 days, and why now? Because Thursday September 22, 2011 marks the 100th day until the end of the year.

Anyone else wondering where the heck this year went? Whew, talk about some speeding by days.

Today, I'm offering another challenge. I like 100 days. I like 100 words. So...

Challenge yourself
and cheer on your fellow authors--
commit to writing 100 words a day
 for 100 days.

Yeah, I can hear you now. But the holidays... but my kids' activities... but the Huskers are playing. Yeah. I use lots of excuses, too. HOWEVER--writers write. By definition, that's what we do. It's way too easy to fall out of the habit. Writing 100 words a day is a lovely way o reform that habit, and keep it going strong. Even if your moments seem overrun by demands (those you put on yourself and those piled high by loved ones, co-workers, the pets) take a deep breath, find a favorite pen, a pillow for your back, a inspirational beverage, and write 100 words. 
Photo credit: tnichols from morguefile.com


I'm not asking that you necessarily write those words on your work in progress. Maybe you need to post a blog. Perhaps you are a journaler and use those words to keep pace with your thoughts. Maybe you need to write a presentation. Or be old fashioned and write a letter to a friend. 100 words can be used in oh so many ways.

Photo credit: jppi from morguefile.com


In the spirit of encouraging you to write, I'll even offer this suggestion. If you know you have an event or committment soon, write a few extra words leading up to that day. Aim for 700 words a week and you'll have 10,000 words on New Year's Eve. What a great way to start 2012!
The goals guru is upping the stakes for this 100 day challenge. She'll be posting on one of her blogs each day. (And hopefully, she won't count the posts giving next week's menus on the lunch lady blog.) Follow her around, and keep a list of which blog and what she talks about. (A tracker is available if you ask.) Keep me company for the rest of the year and wonderful surprises will be had at the January Heartlandian retreat! (Or  around the second weekend of January if you can't make the retreat.)

100 words in 100 days!
 Who's with me?

Monday, August 29, 2011

September Online Workshop: Conflict

As I'm critiquing manuscripts, I'm seeing a common problem: Lack of conflict.
So I'm offering a month long workshop to cover the basics of plot structure and offer perspective.
The class is appropriate for writers of all levels.
My classes are usually $30. but I'm offering this one this month only for $10.

I know September is ACFW conference month--I'll be there, too. We'll work around that week. Don't worry that you won't have time or you'll be unable to keep up, because the lessons are all downloadable and you can study them at your leisure - or even at a later date. See all the information below.

Cher  :-)

CONFLICT MAKES THE STORY WORKSHOP

DATES:  SEPTEMBER 1 – 30, 2011
INSTRUCTOR: CHERYL ST.JOHN
ENROLLMENT FEE: $10.
** Regularly a $30. class **
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW


CLASS DESCRIPTION:
No matter what writing topic Cheryl addresses, she hangs the most importance on characters. Conflict is drawn from characters. It’s based on their goals, their backstory and their motivation. It is opposing forces that come from within the characters themselves.

Webster’s Dictionary defines conflict as “the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction.” This definition is the essence of fiction, and we need to keep it in mind as we develop characters and plots. If there’s no conflict, there’s no story.

Conflict, of course, can be either light or heavy. In a humorous story, the problem may not be life threatening, but it still must be important to the characters. The characters’ motivations must be equally important to them. In suspense, the conflict is often life-threatening. All well-developed plots stem from creative use of conflict, and conflict is what keeps the reader turning pages.

In order to understand conflict and how to develop it, we must first understand what conflict is, what conflict is not, and what conflict can be. The elements that make up a story are so closely meshed that at times it becomes difficult to dissect and make a firm delineation between them. In a masterfully developed story, characterization, plotting, and conflict are all intricately entwined.

Cheryl will explain opposing goals and how to create conflict that will sustain a story. She’ll give practical advice on:
  • Motivating characters
  • Creating characters with built-in conflict
  • Revealing emotion through conflict
  • Internal and external conflict
  • Simple and complex conflict
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Among her achievements, which include forty published books in both contemporary and historical genres, Cheryl St.John has received multiple Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and four RITA nominations. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real life situations.” She has taught writing on local and national levels, and is in demand as a motivational speaker.

FORMAT:
The class will be conducted via subscription to a private yahoogroup, two lessons per week, followed by questions and answers. Brief exercises pertaining to the participant’s current work in progress may be included. Archived class will be available for one week after the ending date.

ENDORSEMENTS:
Cheryl St. John's classes are full of insight and wisdom. Her lessons help me understand what's missing in my story and offer alternative ways to to approach my writing. Cheryl's willingness to share her experience and expertise is greatly appreciated by this aspiring writer. -- Susan Kapost


In July 2010, I received my first personalized rejection: My story had too much external conflict, and not enough internal conflict. For my next book, I took Cheryl St.John's class on conflict, crafted my plot using her proven methods to balance both external and internal conflict, and sent off the manuscript with fingers crossed. In August of 2011, Harlequin Love Inspired Historical bought my book, Winning the Widow's Heart, for release in June 2012. I truly believe Cheryl's class propelled my manuscript out of the slush pile and into an editor's hands.  -- Sherri Shackelford




Cheryl St.John
Marrying the Preacher's Daughter, LIH 6/11
Her Wyoming Man, HH 7/11
Snowflakes and Stetsons, HH 10/11
The Wedding Journey, LIH 4/12
Visit me on the web: http://www.cherylstjohn.net/
From the Heart: http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Learning Annex

Hey, everyone if you haven't heard, HWG is starting a new yahoo group called the Learning Annex. This is a great way to learn something new between meetings.

Our awesome inspirational leader, Lizzie has even setup a survey of possible items to cover.


and join today.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The ICRS Announces the Carol Awards

Our very own Mary Connealy is nominated under Historical Romance!!


(Atlanta, GA) At ICRS, in a press conference hosted by ACFW and CBA, ACFW proudly announced the finalists in the Carol Awards. The Carol Awards evolved from ACFW’s Book of the Year Awards to honor the highest achievement for published authors of Christian fiction. The 2011 Carol Award winners in each category will be announced at ACFW’s Awards Gala on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri.


Honoring excellence in Christian fiction of all genres, American Christian Fiction Writers announces the Carol Award finalists:

Debut Author:

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale Publishers)

Rooms by James L. Rubart (B&H Publishing)

Long Contemporary:

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell)

Red Ink by Kathi Macias (New Hope Publishers)

Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House)


Long Contemporary Romance:

Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge (Harvest House)

Anna’s Return by Marta Perry (Berkley)

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)


Long Historical:

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs (Waterbrook Press)

Petra: City in Stone by T.L. Higley (B&H Publishing)

Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren (Summerside Press)


Long Historical Romance:

The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy (Barbour)

Love Finds You In Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson (Summerside)

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz (Revell)

Mystery:

Mirrored Image by Alice K. Arenz (Sheaf House)

Muslin Mystery by Vera Dodge (Guideposts)

The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard (Barbour)

Novellas:

The Prodigal Groom by Vickie McDonough (Barbour)

Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips (Barbour)

A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky (Barbour)

Romantic Suspense:

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press)

Don’t Look Back by Lynette Eason (Revell)

Pursuit of Justice by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale Publishers)

Short Contemporary:

The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight (Love Inspired)

A Father for Zach by Irene Hannon (Love Inspired)

Winter’s End by Ruth Logan Herne (Love Inspired)

Short Contemporary Suspense:

Night Prey by Sharon Dunn (Love Inspired Suspense)

Legacy of Lies by Jill Elizabeth Nelson (Love Inspired Suspense)

Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley (Love Inspired Suspense)

Short Historical:

Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote (Love Inspired)

Promise of Tomorrow by S. Dionne Moore (Barbour)

The Columns of Cottonwood by Sandra Robbins (Barbour)

Speculative Fiction:

The Wolf of Tebron by C. S. Lakin (AMG Publishers)

Rooms by James L. Rubart (B&H Publishing)

König’s Fire by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press)

Suspense/Thriller:

Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)

Fear No Evil by Robin Caroll (B&H Publishing)

Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry (Abingdon Press)


Women’s Fiction:

Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett (Tyndale Publishers)

They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon)

Beyond Summer by Lisa Wingate (NAL)

Young Adult:

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Revell)

Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (Zonderkidz)

Katy’s New World by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Zonderkidz)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Creativity!

Creativity for Happy Endings

A new blog focusing on…
Creativity!

Visit by pressing