Inspire Christian Writer's Group

Chris Pedersen Shares Writers Guidelines for Childrens Writers

Hello Inspire Writers,

Chris Pedersen has a list of magazines with links to their writers’ guidelines posted on her blog today! I hope you will take a look at them and see which ones might be a great fit for your children’s article. http://pawsandponder.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-paid-for-articles-in-childrens.html

And while you are there be sure to congratulate Chris on her first magazine article sale!  We know there will be many more.

Gratefully,

Beth

Fiction Writing for Dummies (And for Smarties, too!)

 Hello Inspire Writers,

I know you are not Dummies, so please do not be insulted by this invitation to join the Inspire Elk Grove group as we work through Randy Ingermanson’s Fiction Writing for Dummies.

Beginning Thursday, April 15^th we will meet monthly to review a chapter or two of the book. Meetings will start promptly at 10am at my home in Elk Grove. Let me know if you need my address and directions. You can email me at inspiregroup (at) Comcast (dot) net.

Please come prepared to discuss Chapter 1 Fiction Writing Basics. If you don’t yet have Fiction Writing for Dummies, you can get it at Amazon.com.

If you live outside of the Elk Grove area and cannot attend in person, let me know and we’ll start a discussion about Fiction Writing for Dummies on our Facebook page as well. Don’t want you to miss out.

Gratefully,

Beth

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Outcome

Hello Writers,

We are continuing our Fiction Writing Tips with Lee Roddy. Today we will learn about the outcome of our story and the basics on writing our story’s ending.

WRITING TIP #6: Outcome

By LEE RODDY

 

 

The ending part of a story is short. It begins by showing the main character, facing disaster, using his abilities in a final gallant effort to triumph over the last major obstacle leading to the outcome, or how the story ends. The ending has three parts:

 

1. CRISIS: The purpose of a crisis is to test the story person’s character and reveal who he really is. The crisis develops from the foreshadowed anticipated catastrophic event (ACE) which the main character encountered at the end of the story’s middle. This character now faces a vital decision. One choice is easy; the other hard. Here is where that focal character has an epiphany, or turn-around scene which reveals who he really is in his heart. He then makes an emotional decision by choosing self-sacrifice over self-interest.

CLIMAX: This is the high point in a story. It emotionally shows how the main character, facing complete disaster, snatches victory from defeat and achieves his objective.

CONCLUSION: This is the story resolution, showing rewards and punishment, primarily revealing what the main character gets. The writer must quickly wrap up any loose ends to show the outcome and leave the reader satisfied.

SUMMARY: The outcome of a story dramatizes how the main character makes one final valiant effort to overcome the last major obstacle and succeeds in reaching his original objective.

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories. This lesson is copyright 2009 Lee Roddy, but may be freely reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com. Lee’s 85-page instruction manual on “How to Write a Story” is available from this website, or the publisher, Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing.

If you have any questions for Lee, please submit them in the comments and we’ll be sure to post the answer here.

Gratefully,

Beth

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Obstacles

Hello Writers,

Today Lee Roddy continues to teach us the basics of fiction writing with a lesson on obstacles.

WRITING TIP #5: Obstacles

By LEE RODDY

 

After the DECISION by the main character to go for his OBJECTIVE (which ends the story’s beginning) this character TAKES ACTION to open the long middle part of the narrative. This SECTION PRIMARILY SHOWS THE main CHARACTER’S successes and failures in trying to overcome OBSTACLES.

Part 1: First attempt: The main character’s first effort tries a solution that fails and worsens the problem.

Part 2: Second attempt: This character’s strong emotional drive makes him / her willing to risk dangers to achieve that objective, so he tries again. This may seem about to succeed, but reversal results in a still worse situation. Three tries are recommended for beginning writers,

 

Part 3 Final attempts: the focal character tries again and again, depending on length of the story. One of these tries may seem to be effective, but the problem eventually always worsens.

 

The long middle part of a story ends when a forecast ANTICIPATED CATASTROPHIC EVENT (ACE) suddenly looms as a MONUMENTAL REVERSAL. This makes it seem totally impossible to overcome the last obstacle. This DARK MOMENT marks the end of the story’s middle and provides a transition to the ending, which will be in the lesson on Outcome.

Summary: The middle part of a story primarily shows the main character’s efforts to overcome obstacles that prevent reaching his goal.

 

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories.

This lesson is copyright 2009 Lee Roddy, but may be freely reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com. Lee’s 85-page instruction manual on “How to Write a Story” is available from this website, or the publisher, Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing.

Stay tuned for more great fiction tips. If you have a question for Lee, please submit it in the comments and we’ll be sure to post the answer here.

Gratefully,

Beth

 

 

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Objective

Hello Writers,

Lee Roddy provides insights into the objective that drives a fiction piece in today’s writing tip.

WRITING TIP #4: Objective

By LEE RODDY 

 

Here’s a brief review of the first three lessons: A story’s beginning should be short. To start a story, the writer must thrust one main CHARACTER into a SITUATION which produces a PROBLEM.  Now the focal character’s OBJECTIVE is to resolve that problem. 

 

The OBJECTIVE or goal must be tangible so the reader will know when the focal character achieves it. The objective must also be of such significance that readers will continue turning pages to watch the character’s struggles against everyone and everything that prevents his reaching the objective.

 

Examples of simple objectives that young writers could use in a story:  Boy wants a dog. Girl wants a horse. Boy wants to become the school’s baseball pitcher. Girl wants a certain dress for a special occasion. The story possibilities are endless, but behind each main character there should be important stakes to win or lose, plus a strong motivation forces that keeps the main character tying to achieve his goal.

 

The first part of a story ends when the main character’s strong motivation makes him decide to go for the objective in spite of risks or danger. The long middle of a story shows the main character’s efforts to reach the objective in spite of all OBSTACLES. We’ll study Obstacles in the next lesson.

 

SUMMARY:  The main character’s tangible OBJECTIVE spurs him on to achieve what he wants.

 

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories.

This lesson is copyright 2009 Lee Roddy, but may be freely reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com. Lee’s 85-page instruction manual on “How to Write a Story” is available from this website, or the publisher, Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing.

 

I hope you are enjoying Lee’s writing tips. If you have a question for Lee, please submit it in the comments and we’ll be sure to post the answer here.

Gratefully,

Beth

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Problem

Hello Inspire Writers,

Today we continue our series of fiction writing tips from best-selling author Lee Roddy.

WRITING TIP #3 Problem

by LEE RODDY

Writing teacher Anne Marie Winz of Orlando submitted this question from one of her students: Does the main character have to have a problem?

Yes. Readers want a likeable focal character as he encounters a SITUATION LEADING TO A PROBLEM which he must resolve. Without a problem, there’s no reason to read on.

The PROBLEM TESTS THE MAIN CHARACTER to see if he is STRONGLY MOTIVATED and DESERVES TO WIN. He proves this by encountering VARIOUS OBSTACLES and suffers SETBACKS, but he never stops trying.

Near the end, a major complication makes it seem impossible for the focal character to reach his goal. However, he makes a final effort that succeeds. He resolves the problem himself, ending the story on an upbeat note.

SUMMARY: The entire story depends on introducing a PROBLEM which the main character struggles to resolve.

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories.

This lesson may be reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com.

If you have a specific writing question for Lee, please leave it in the comments and we’ll be sure to post the answer here.

Gratefully,

Beth

 

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Situation

Hello Inspire Writers,

Here is the second weekly installment of writing tips from Lee Roddy. Today he teaches us the basics of the opening situation of a story.

WRITING TIP #2:  SITUATION

by LEE RODDY

The main character is the most important element a writer must deal with in writing a story, but   the second vital element is the OPENING SITUATION in which the character finds himself. The purpose of the situation is to set up the STORY PROBLEM which is the third required element to be explained in the next lesson.

The situation must either have changed or be about to change so that it threatens the main character in some important way. That can be life-threatening, but most children’s stories will have the character facing a threat to his plans, happiness, health, etc.
 
An opening situation can be dramatic or seemingly-innocent as long as the story problem grows out of the situation. In my best-selling novel, “Secret of the Shark Pit,” the opening situation has the main boy character is approached by a stranger who shows him a photo, asking if the boy knows where this man lives. The stranger claims the man is an old army buddy he needs to find.  

The boy knows the man is lying because the image is of his father, and he’s never been in the army. This simple situation leads to the boy’s story problem, causing him to end up in a pit filled with sharks and apparently no way out.

Summary: The main character’s OPENING SITUATION MUST LEAD TO THE STORY PROBLEM.

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories.

This lesson may be reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com.

Next week, Lee will help us develop a story problem. Until then, keep writing and be sure to visit Lee's website.

Gratefully,

Beth

Writing Tips from Lee Roddy: Character

Hello Inspire Writers,

Last May we had the privilege of hosting Lee Roddy for an Inspire Christian Writers Workshop. He provided great insights into building a story and writing nonfiction. Over the coming weeks, I will be posting more writing tips and advice from Lee Roddy. Here is the first installment:

WRITING TIP #1: CHARACTER

by LEE RODDY

Twelve-year-old John Diven of New Mexico submitted this question:

“In this story I have a small assortment of suspects, or characters, but no main characters. I was wondering if this was a good way to go about making a story. The question is: Does a story have to have a main character?”

The answer is emphatically “yes” because character drives the story. CHARACTER is the first of four key words required to begin a narrative.  The other opening elements are SITUATION, PROBLEM and OBJECTIVE. Those elements will be explained in subsequent lessons, plus the final three words (total of 7) required to finish the story.

Here’s why there must be only one main character. He/she exists to create an emotional response in the reader through conflicts in the story. The main character is usually the viewpoint one, so everything is told from his/her perspective. It’s best to introduce him with action which hints at the kind of person he is. Readers must care about the focal character and want to cheer for him as he faces a SITUATION which leads to a PROBLEM and the OBJECTIVE of resolving the problem.

 Summary: A story must have one appealing main character with whom readers identify.

Lee Roddy is the author of more than 40 young readers’ novels and countless short stories.

This lesson may be reprinted by including the author’s website: www.leeroddybooks.com.

I appreciate Lee’s passion for training writers. If you have any questions or comments, be sure to visit his website.

Gratefully,

Beth

Inspire Christian Writers Group Critique Guidelines

We have several new Inspire members! Welcome Lenore, Suzanne, Gina, and Kari! Here are our guidelines for sending manuscripts and critiquing other writers.

When Submitting a MS for Critique:

1. Email your best effort to the group. Self-edit and rewrite until your work is as good as you can get it. Then submit it to the group.
2. Limit word count to 1500 words max.
3. Double-space your ms.
4. Include your name, title of ms and page numbers.
5. Use a standard font in a size we can see. 
6. Prepare your ms as if you were submitting it to an agent or editor.
7. Submit by midnight Saturday prior to our Tuesday night meeting by sending it to all the email addresses in our roster. 

For Those Giving Feedback:

1. Always begin and end with something positive or encouraging.
2. Offer suggestions for repairing things you think need changed, being sensitive and gentle. (Ephesians 4:15: "Speaking the truth in love.")
3. Don't talk about commas, spelling, etc. Mark but don't mention.
4. Offer constructive criticism on clarity not style!
5. Give both general and specific feedback. Be as constructive as you can.
6. Offer criticism in a spirit of love for your fellow writer.
7. Always feel free to say nothing.

    

For Those Receiving Feedback:

1. Have thick skin—understand what you are receiving is given in the spirit of love.
2. Accept critique graciously. Ask for clarification if needed but avoid defending your work.
3. Except for obvious errors in grammar—all changes are up to you.
4. Realize there is always room for improvement.
5. Express thankfulness.
6. Feel free to say nothing.

We are happy to have several new members. I know you will all help to make these writers feel right at home in our groups. Together we are all growing in our craft and our knowledge of the Christian publishing industry.

Keep Writing,

Beth

Effective Interviews in 10 Easy Steps by Sue Tornai

Great articles begin with great interviews. Here are 10 Easy steps to help you get the most out of your interviews.

 

1.      Read all you can on the topic in advance (internet, articles, books).

2.      Tell the interviewed what you want to discuss in advance (with an outline). Prepare questions in logical order and flow. Don’t miss anything.

3.      Conduct interview on their turf so they think they are n control (no restaurants or airports). Find quiet venues.

4.      Build trust. Ask open ended questions to get thoughts, opinions, and feelings.

5.      Use these kinds of questions: What makes you laugh/cry? What is your favorite fantasy? Who are your heroes? What was more fun; getting to or being on top? If you could go back to age 18, what would you say? Where do you see yourself in ten years? What do you want to be remembered for? What do you like best/worst about yourself?

6.      Maintain eye contact but don’t stare. Watch body language, but don’t make the interviewed person nervous. Keep smiling. Use a tape recorder but also take notes.

7.      Sit near the person with no barriers (tables) between you. Lean slightly forward during the discussion and nod affirmatively when listening.

8.      Keep your mind on the topic. Do not interrupt the interviewed person. Don’t be witty. Keep focused.

9.      Keep the interview one-on-one.

10. Follow up with a thank you note. Transcribe the interview and write the first draft as soon as possible.

 

Sue Tornai’s articles have appeared in THE LOOKOUT, THE UPPER ROOM, POCKETS, and CONNECTIONS. She has written for Christian Ed Publishers and Augsburg Fortress. When not writing, Sue enjoys biking, camping and fishing along the lakes and rivers of Northern California and teaching Sunday school. One of her favorite pastimes is reading historical Biblical fiction. She is currently writing a novel and screenplay in this genre.