Expanding My Stories through Journaling

On and off I’ve done journaling for my mental health. It was recommended by a therapist years ago, I have found it really helpful, especially when I’m dealing with a big decision or a difficult situation.

Something about the action of physically writing my thoughts on real paper allows me to think more clearly (at least for me, it has to be real pen and paper for it to work, I don’t know why but I’m sure there’s a psychological reason). I find writing down my concerns, my questions, or my fears forces my brain to think different than just ruminating or even talking a decision through does. Something about sitting alone with a journal and my thoughts, no one else’s judgements or concerns to consider, allows my mind a freedom and exploration I can’t find another way.

Even though I’ve found journaling therapeutic and helpful for making decisions over the years, I never considered applying the same process to my writing. The idea just never crossed my mind. Not until I was watching a YouTube video by Sarra Canon where she mentioned she used journaling for her plotting process.

At first I was a little confused how journaling could help my writing. Sure, I could sit down and write about my story, and the magic of the pen and paper was bound to do something, but what exactly was I going to write about in this journal. How would it be different than just sitting down at my desk and putting my fingers on the keyboard. 

But when I got stuck on my current story, I was a little desperate to find a solution.

Just like almost every story I’ve started for the last several years, I began writing this new story propelled by the excitement of a great idea, until I hit an impenetrable brick wall at about twenty thousand words.

As a writer my process is a little different than most. I’ve heard it described as inspiration writer, or stitching writer. I don’t write starting at the beginning and work my way to the end. I write whatever scene I am currently excited about. That could be the first, last, or any in between. I start with what I know, no matter where it falls in the story, and let the characters take me from there. Usually while I’m writing what I already know, the next part of the story will just unfold for me. The characters will show me more of who they are. And the next steps in the journey become clear.

But lately that hasn’t been happening. Instead, once I get to the end of what I can see of the story, all that’s beyond it is murky darkness. So out of desperation to get some clarity on my next steps with this story, I decided to give journaling a try.

I sat down with my pen and paper and wrote down all the questions I had about my current work in process. I listed all the holes that I needed filled in, and hoped that by writing them down, my mind might see these road blocks a different way. That it might find a solution I hadn’t considered yet.

Amazingly it worked. When I wrote down the concerns I had, the problems I’d found, the inconsistencies I needed to fix, ideas started to come to me. Solutions I had never considered before but that added fantastic complexity to my plot, twists that deepened my character’s goals and motivations. Giving me another way to access my story and to explore this new world I was so enamored with.

Unfortunately, these new discoveries have led to a lot of rewriting. But it’s more than worth it for the new twists and turns the story has taken. And the character depth I’m adding. For the first time in years, I have written more than 50,000 words on my latest work in process, the furthest I’ve been able to write on one story in more than two years. And there’s a lot of territory to still explore in this world.

After giving journaling on my writing a try, I’m a convert. I will definitely be doing it again. I’ve even designated a new journal just for tinkering with ideas, to find new twists and turns to add even more excitement to my story, and delve deeper into my characters. If you’re struggling with your writing, or looking for a way to delve deeper into your characters and your plot, consider pulling out a journal and writing down your concerns and questions, and seeing where your mind travels. Who knows what you might discover in the pages of your journal? It just might be the addition you’ve always been looking for.

Authors are the Best Teachers

It’s back to school time in my neck of the woods. The kids are running around to get the bus, the smell of freshly sharpen pencils and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is in the air. The temperature is getting cooler. As I watched all the kids around me get excited for a new school year, I can’t help but reflect back on how many great teachers have made me the person I am today. And many great authors have made me the author I am by sharing their knowledge and experience and helping me to grow.

Here are a few of the authors that have proven to be fantastic writing teachers to me over the years and have turned me into the author I am today.

Stephen King’s On Writing is my favorite writing book ever. When I first read it, back in my high school days, it was transformative. Not only was it the first book that I’d read written an author I loved (before that all the writing books I’d ever read were more informational and written by people I’d never heard of before), but it also had such a different take on writing.

Just like the rest of Stephen King’s work, his writing advice was grounded in reality, realism, and wasn’t always rosy or optimistic. But I loved that. He made writing sound difficult but doable. He was the first author I heard make a word goal for the day and talk about grinding out the work instead of waiting for inspiration. It may sound obvious today, but at the time I’d never heard anyone detail how to become a writer in as plain terms as he did.

I haven’t read the book in quite a few years, I don’t know how well its held up over time. Especially when it comes to writing style, which is always evolving. But the advice on achieving your goals and improving your art are timeless.

I took Becca Syme’s Write Better Faster Class when I was going through a low point in my career. I’d completely burnt myself out trying to write fulltime after an unexpected job loss, and it was doing a number on my head. She’s the first person who I ever described my writing style to and didn’t think I was insane. She looked at the tests I’d taken for her class, and said my style made sense according to what my tests revealed. That was a vindication I never realized I needed but has helped me accept my style more than I can express.

Also, her advice to write like yourself is something I use every day. Whenever I start to get down on myself that my style isn’t like someone else’s that I love, or I can’t write like some author that is amazing, I always remember her advice that readers don’t come to your work for a copycat of someone else, or for perfect grammar and prose. They come to you for what makes you different. What is special about you. And you can’t do anything better for your writing than embracing who you are. That always encourages me to continue when writing is tough. Or more often, I’m tough on myself.

I don’t remember how I found Sarra Cannon’s Heart Breathing channel on YouTube. I must have watched enough other author vlogs that the algorithm sent her to me, but I am grateful. In the last few years, writing has become a lot for me to handle. All the millions of things you have to do on top of the writing. Maintain a website, create an online presence, promote on social media, self-publish books, liaison with vendors….it can be overwhelming. But her 90-day planning system, called HB90, has been a godsend. It helps me focus on what’s important and move projects forward instead of running around trying to do everything at once and getting nowhere. And her writing advice on plotting, and characterization is fantastic.

One of her recent videos on reverse outlining, or grid outlining as I’ve seen some others call it, might have changed my writing process for good. It combines the writing part of my brain, with the analytical data part of my brain, so perfectly I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it before. It’s been so helpful, especially with my frazzled mom brain, to have a way to focus my whole story displayed on one sheet, instead of trying to keep it all in my head.

Back when I had a commute, I loved podcasts. Music is great, but podcasts really help me make a long commute fun. The time flies by when I’m learning something new. Stephenie Holmes podcast was one of my favorites. She has such great tips on writing and marketing, that I couldn’t wait for her podcast to drop each week. I love how clear she is in her own goals. Unlike other authors that give advice, she’s very clear in what works for her and doesn’t hedge. She’s a high production author—meaning she writes a lot, and feels that’s the best way to make enough money to write full-time. And she gives advice in that vein.

I loved to hear how her different marketing projects went. From Kickstarts, to merchandise and special editions, to exploring new genres, she detailed every turn she took with her writing. What was successful, what wasn’t, how she might do things differently to avoid pitfalls in the future.

While she hasn’t offered a new podcast in some time, the old ones still have a lot to offer. From marketing tips and tricks, to mindset resets. If you haven’t checked them out, they are definitely worth a listen.

These are the authors that have been great teachers to me. They have all taught me so much, and I take their wisdom with me everywhere I go. If you have any other authors you have learned a ton from, drop them in the comments below. I can’t wait to find others that will open my mind and expand my insight, just as these fantastic authors have.

A Thank You to All the Authors Who Helped Make Me

Since it’s almost thanksgiving, I thought I would take this moment to thank some of the authors that have made me the writer I am today (if I tried to thank them all, we would be here until next thanksgiving). These authors I have learned from, I have been encouraged by, and they have offered me the opportunity to grow into the author I am today.

Margo Maguire has probably had the biggest impact on me as a writer. She was the first romance author I ever read. I found her book by accident, on the end cap of a walden books (yes, I am that old). A historical romance about the illegitimate child of the king road tripping to court and finding love with the man escorting her. Instantly I was hooked. This started not only my love affair with romance novels, and specifically the historical romances novels, but after reading her book I realized not only that I wanted to be a romance writer, but I already was one. 

All of my stories up to that point had strong romance elements, but before reading her book I didn’t see that connection. I just thought I was writing books, trying to figure out my genre, and they just all happened to have romance. After reading her book I couldn’t deny the truth. Instead I embraced it. I started to create the stories I had wanted to tell all along, even if I didn’t know it back then. And its something I have continued to do, with all twenty seven of my published books (and many many yet to be published books).

Thank you Margo Maguire, for showing me not only a whole new way of writing, but the types of stories that I would be passionate to write for the rest of my life. Without you my characters wouldn’t get the happy endings they deserve, and I would still probably be searching for the genre I wanted to write. Whether it be mystery, paranormal, historical, or something else entirely.

Just like Margo Maguire, Joely Sue Burkhart changed my writing direction by showing me a whole different kind of story. When I first started writing romance I wrote much cleaner tales. They might have been a little steamy, especially for the era, but would be downright clean by today's standards. That is until I stumbled upon Joely Sue Burkhart in a romance writers yahoo group. She was talking about writing a book that would eventually become Hurt Me So Good, the second book in her Connaghers series. She made the first book sound so appealing I had to check it out. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I picked up Dear Sir, I’m Yours, but it's safe to say my life has never been the same since. Her book was the first BDSM book I ever read, and started me on a journey into the deep steam and smut I love today.

Thank you Joely Sue Burkhart for opening my eyes to the stories I love to tell. Without you, my heroes would use far less rope, and my heroines would end up with far fewer bruises, and they would all be lesser for it.

I met Lexi Blake, who at the time was writing as Sophie Oak, at a conference many years ago. She was the speaker of the luncheon I was attending and by coincidence she ended up seated at my table. I was just a baby author then, with three or four books to my name and still trying to figure everything out. But she took the time to talk to me, to give me some good advice on how to conquer the industry, and made me feel like a valued part of the community, even though I was just getting started. This is a lesson I have always tried to pass on, offering whatever help and support I can to other authors, and to pass on the care and respect she showed me.

Without her advice on how to create a series, I would be a very different author today. My Frostbite Fall Christmas Ball series (which will be discounted during part of the month of December) is inspired by her advice and her Bliss, CO series. I even set my series in Colorado as a nod to her great writing and amazing series.

Thank you Lexi Blake for being so kind to a new author and giving me the encouragement to continue to chase this crazy dream we all have to put words on the page. Without you, there might be far fewer books in the world with my name on them.

These are just some of the authors that have made me into the writer I am today. Author’s whose words and stories have changed my life drastically. And though I doubt they will ever truly know the impact on me, I wanted to offer my thanks this November. Whether writing damsels in distress, smutty BDSM masters or kooky towns full of menage romances, they have all changed the direction of my life for the better and I thank them for every romantic, smutty, uplifting word.

Finding That Writing Mojo Dojo

I have always felt like physical places have energy. Sometimes its inherent to the place itself, and sometimes it can be created by what happens there. When buying all my houses, the second I stepped into the building I could just feel it was the place for me. Realtors would tell you they created that feeling (and I don’t think that’s completely untrue) but I think that the buildings themselves have a certain energy that I picked up on. Energy that welcomed me and soothed me and made me feel like this place could be my home.

I’ve also always believed that places have writing energy as well. Not that I can’t write anywhere, if properly motivated. I’ve written in some weird places throughout the years (during hockey games, in closets, on the couch while my whole family watched avatar), but when I settled down to writing in a place with that good writing mojo it always feels like the words flows better. It’s easier for me to get in that right headspace. Like everything just clicks a little faster, a little easier, a little deeper.

As a result, I tend to frequent places with good writing energy far more often. Especially when getting into that writing headspace can be even harder, due to stress, or real-life complications, or a strict deadline.

Here are a few of the places I like to write. Either because they have inherent great writing energy or because I’ve created it, by writing in these places enough that I can pick back up on that mindset the second I walk in the door.

While it may sound boring, my desk is one of my favorite places to write. Not because there is anything special about my desk. In fact, it’s pretty bland. Every year I think about fixing it up, getting some new stuff to make it more exciting and conducive to writing, but I always put it off. Regardless of how blah my desk might be, it’s a great place to get work done. Without any windows, and far away from the rest of the house, there are limited distractions to disrupt my flow. On a day when I don’t have the time to go anywhere else, I’ll put on some sounds (I need sounds instead of music, because lyrics can distract me when I’m writing, especially if it’s a good song), and shut off the world. 

After my desk, the most common place for me to write is my couch. I’m not sure it’s the best. It probably horrible for my wrist or back, but it’s the most well used spot in my house for everything. For eating, for reading, for writing/working, probably even for sleeping (I’m a big napper, which most often happens on the couch). But while it might not be the best for my body to write, the positive energy on my couch has served me well. Not to mention, there is something really nice about how writing on the couch connects my writing to my everyday life. While it can be freeing to escape from reality into my writing, sometimes it’s also nice to see my writing world as not a separate entity, but as a part of my life. An extension of the real me.

Barnes and Noble is one of my favorite places to write outside the house. I think being surrounded by all those books is great motivation. I look at all the books around me, at all the people who love those books, and it fills me with motivation to bring my characters into the world to be loved by readers just like the ones around me. Not to mention the snacks and coffee really help lubricate the writing process.

After Barnes and Noble, Panera is my next favorite place to write. The food is great, and the atmosphere—at least at my Panera—is focused. Maybe it’s because I live close to a large college, but most days I write at Panera at least half the restaurant is filled with other people on their laptops, writing presentations, trading stocks, editing videos. It can be quite a communal feeling, to see so many other people working to their goals, just like I am. And they make a mean grill cheese. What could be better than that?

I’ve always found walking very helpful for my writing process. It gives me time to think, to let my mind wonder and the ideas to flow. If I am going through a period of increased productivity it is almost always a time when I am consistently walking. And when I walk it isn’t uncommon for me to find a nice grassy spot to sit down and write. There is a perfect spot I used to tuck away into near my evil day job, just beyond the building I can’t see my office, or any other part of the realities of home, and I can just escape into my writing, with nothing to distract me from the world and characters I’m creating. I wrote most of my Frostbite Falls series in that spot, and to this day it is one of my favorite places to write. The wind, the trees, the birds, the sunshine, all only add to my enjoyment and my writing mojo.

These are the places I like to write the most. That have offer me just that little extra energy to make my words come to life. Where do you like to get your work done? What places have the best energy to you? Or help you be even more productive? Leave them in the comments below. Maybe we have some of the same places in mind.

10,000 Hours to Mastery

They say it takes 10,000 hours to be a master at anything. I’m not exactly sure where that number came from, I guess it’s just one of those things people say. And I understand the logic behind it. It does take a lot of work and a lot of determination to master any skill. More time than most people want to put in. 

That’s why masters of anything are so rare.

I am not about to call myself a master of anything (nor do think I have put 10,000 hours into anything) but it is certainly something I aspire to when it comes to my writing. Though I’m not sure if I believe anyone can truly be a master of writing, as a artform it is constantly evolving. What readers want, what they expect, even the words we use and the way we use them, is always changing. But that doesn’t stop me from trying. Even if I end up falling short, someone a little short of a master is still pretty damn good.

This is what I’m doing to try and work towards my 10,000 hours to master writing. Read. Both books of fiction and craft. I think reading fiction books, especially books in my genre is so vital to increasing my knowledge. Not just good books, but the bad ones too. There is so much that can be learned about the craft of writing from reading other books. What worked, what didn’t, what made you love a character, what made you hate them, how the authors style set them apart and why you loved or hated it. I’m often amazed by how much I pick up from reading without even realizing it. And as far as homework goes, it’s not to exactly a hardship to have to read a bunch of amazing books.

Reading craft books is also important (though I won’t lie, it’s not nearly as much fun). I try to read at least one craft book a year. Ones on writing, storytelling, plotting. My writing process is always evolving, and I love to get a different perspective and see how others are do what I love. All their tips might not be for me, but it’s impossible to tell when you might stumble upon that one idea that changes everything.

Take courses. Getting to mastery is about always learning. I love to take new classes, to learn a new tip or a new technique that can improve my writing. Even new knowledge that can expand and deepen my world. I don’t see myself ever writing a gory serial killer thriller, but you never know when I might write a character obsessed with murder podcasts, and all those police procedural workshops I attended will come in handy.

Listen to podcasts. I love to listen to podcasts by other authors. To hear what is working for them and what they are struggling with. Not only does it give me new ideas, I love the camaraderie that I get hearing about others in my profession. It’s comforting to know that others struggle with that exact thing that I have been struggling with. Or have a big success in a genre or project I’m considering pursuing. Some of my favorite podcasts are Six Figure Authors, Rage Against the Manuscript, and the Self-Publishing Show. Though I’m sure there are many more fantastic ones to discover.

Watch YouTube videos. Just like classes and podcasts there is a whole array of authors that create videos for YouTube. Content on what they are working on, what they are struggling with, how they are getting stuff done (these are my favorite, I’m a huge productivity nerd), even craft. There is a whole world to be discovered and explored on YouTube, and I love to do it.

Critiques. Getting critiques, or receiving a beta read, can be incredibly helpful. Getting a fresh new set of eyes on your work can help you see your writing more clearly than you could ever do on your own. Whether it’s a character trait, a writing crutch, or a confusing passage, getting feedback is vital to improve. Sometimes critiques might just find errors in this manuscript, but often they can bring to my attention bad habits and crutches I lean on far too often. Not just helping me improve this one work, but to improve my writing from this story going forward.

Just having a friend look over a few chapters or receiving a beta reader on the beginning of a book can be so eye opening. Though it can be tempting to skip this step, and plow through to the end (especially in this high-pressured publishing environment) I have learned from experience that nothing is more valuable to my work, and my mastery of this art, than feedback. No matter how hard it might be to hear sometimes.

Not only do I learn from receiving critiques and betas, but I learn from giving them as well. Seeing where someone else is succeeding that might be a struggle for me, or where someone else might be struggling that I am as well, can be valuable. Without the emotional attachment to the work, it can be easier to see the cause of the issue, as well as ways to apply it to my own work. It can offer the opportunity to meet other authors, and find others to not make you feel so alone in this crazy writing thing we are all doing together. Writing can be lonely, it’s nice to have someone to go to when the struggle gets too hard.

Edits. Getting edits from a professional is invaluable. My writing really improved when I started to receive edits from my publishers. True honest feedback, not tainted by friendship or imposter syndrome, is worth its weight in gold. If you get the opportunity to receive such valuable insight, take it with both hands.

Network with other authors. I am always amazed by how much I can learn from fellow authors. Even just having a writing group to bounce ideas off of can be a huge help. It’s impossible to do everything yourself. To go to every course, read every book, experience every conference. Having other authors to bounce ideas off of, to listen to and to commune with goes a long way to filling in those holes that might exist in your knowledge. We are all different, we perceive things differently, and I love to get those other perspectives.

And of course, writing. There is no other way to learn than to sit down and get your fingers on those keys. To write the book, to find the processes and stories that are working for you. The ways that don’t. To figure out how to push through a sticky situation. To persevere even when it gets hard. And then open a blank document and do it all over again.

These are the ways I’m working towards my 10,000 hours to master writing. And becoming the best writer I can be. What ways are you working towards your goals? What skills are you trying to master?Tell me in the comments below.

What tips does Daryl Devore have about writing blurbs? #writers #DarylDevore

My best tip for writing blurbs?

Hire someone to write it. I'm only sort of kidding. 

Blurbs can be annoying, I truly do understand.

I try to keep my blurbs short. I've read some where I pretty much don't need to read the book because the blurb as so long. And in keeping it short, you tend to do write what a blurb is supposed to be - a tease. Like a movie trailer - you watch the 2 minute clip and decide on watching the movie or not.

A blurb is the same thing only with words. So - write the blurb. Put everything in it. THEN - edit it. Cut it down to 250 words or so. If you can't cut it then ask a writer friend. Just remember

- Keep it short.

- It should be like a tease.

 

Do you have any tips for writing blurbs?