Check Out My New Website

by Rebecca Talley

I've been hard at work on a new website that I've designed for writers. I'm hoping it will answer questions for new writers and even give seasoned writers a few ideas. If you have a chance, check it out Pursue Your Writing Dream. Let me know what you think.

I've also been working hard on the first draft of my next novel. I've written 35,000 words, but I'm not sure I like any of them so I've been rewriting it. Why can't the words on the page communicate what's in my head?

I also have a tagline for my novel, A Window Opens, an LDS romance that should be available this summer. "Abandoned at the altar, Caitlyn vows to never love again. Will Travis change her mind or will it be deja vu?" What do you think? Would this make you want to read the book?

I'm excited to attend the LDStorymaker conference later this month. I can't wait to see my old friends and make new ones. I'm looking forward to all of the great classes, too. I'll even be one of the panelists for online marketing. If you're thinking about going, don't hesitate, it's a fabulous conference and you won't regret attending.

Naming Characters

by Rebecca Talley

I was asked in an interview, "Where do you come up with the names of your characters?" I answered that I usually choose names I wanted to use with my kids but my husband blacklisted.

It's interesting to read almost the same response from other women. Perhaps, our writing is a way to use those baby names after all?

In order to come up with contemporary names, I've looked through my children's yearbooks, asked them to name off kids in their classes, and I've even looked through the phone book to find last names. For me, once I name a character, it's hard to rename him/her. It's almost like trying to change the name of one of my kids.

I'm not very good at naming characters. And, I'm always afraid to use a name of someone I know just in case it offends that person. I'm working on a middle grade novel that has a bully in it and I so want to use the name of the girl who bullied me all through school, but I'm thinking I better not, even though it's a perfect name for an ugly bully.

I've also found that certain names conjure up certain images in my mind. Some names seem pretty while others seem ugly. Some names just seem to shout "nerdy" or "cool" or "ultra-intelligent." It's hard to imagine a rocket scientist with the name of Bambi or a beauty queen named Agnes or Gladys (no offense, but those are just "old lady" names to me).

So, I'm curious--how do you choose names for your characters?

My Current Work-in-Progress

by Rebecca Talley

I'm working on my next novel--I do realize the characters are not real people and do not age :).

I've decided to try a new method for organizing what I want to include in the novel. A friend of mine suggested using a long strip of craft paper and laying out all the details on that paper. I took my butcher paper, cut off a long piece, and started placing post-it notes all over the paper in a somewhat linear fashion. I've already replaced several post-it notes and changed them around, which is what's so nice about this method. I need to see the whole story from beginning to end.

I know the ending and I know what I want to happen within the story. But, I haven't been sure how to begin it or how to move from one event to another. The story in my head is beautiful. It's emotionally moving and has such an important overall theme. Yet, I'm not sure I can translate the beauty of the story to the page. This particular story is very close to my heart and very important to me and I want to write it in such a way that it touches people.

I'm hoping that this new method will allow me to see the story in a different way and know how to get from point A to point B. Once I start writing it, I want to write the first draft all the way through without a long pause to figure things out.

My first book was a work-in-progress for years. My second book, due out later this year, is a fun, and hopefully funny, romance and I knew the story in my head so well it was easy to write. I thought I'd try this new method to see how it works for my current WIP and see if once I know the linear events, my mind will feel free enough to truly tell this story in the best way that I know how.

Am I Nuts?

I'm working on my new LDS novel. I outlined it some time ago and recently went back to reread my notes. I'd listed the ages of all the characters and as I looked at their ages I thought, "Oh, but they're older now." I then tried to figure out how old they are now that some time has passed. I had to stop and remind myself that characters don't age like real people do because they aren't actually real people. For a moment, I forgot they weren't real and thought they'd aged just like I have. Either I'm a writer, or I'm nuts. Hopefully, it's the former and not the latter.

I love the process of writing and delving into the minds and hearts of my characters. I love seeing the story take shape, even if it veers away from my outline. It's exciting to write a story and get to know my characters so well. I guess now I just have to keep reminding myself that they are characters, not real people (at least not to anyone else but me).

Book in a Day

by Lee Ann Setzer

For the last four years, I've written a book in a week or two. The source materials for the Tiny Talks series usually come out in July, and the galleys are due by Aug. 1 or so. Not exactly a leisurely book, but it's not a huge book, so it works okay.

So, just to make things more interesting, the source materials weren't available until the last part of August this year! I had already been toying with the idea of trying to write the whole book in a day, but that suddenly changed from an interesting thought question to a necessity. Spent one whole day in the library coming up with ideas for the talks, then another whole day writing. Here are the stats: fifteen hours, 10, 000 words written, and about ten words spoken to anyone during that time ("Roast chicken breast on wheat. Toasted. No onions. Thanks.")

For you 6,000 or so Tiny Talks fans, it's going to be a great year! For me, too, if I can just...haul...my bleeding carcass...to bed...

Talent is Not Equal

By Christine Thackeray

Have you ever met someone who is a natural athlete, musician or artist? It's like they just have this gift from heaven that gives them a clear vision or steady hand or unique perspective and when you are around them you suddenly realize that you are more normal than you ever imagined?
The scriptures come crashing to mind that we shouldn't compare... i.e. "all truth is independent in that sphere in which it was created" and "to every man is given a gift" but some people truly have more as illustrated by the parable of the talents. Now in the end, whether you have only one or a whole handful of talents you get the same reward, but in the meantime it is humbling when you are feeling pretty good about your three and you sit next to someone that has hundreds.
As you probably know, we just moved and I joined a writing group. Well, we have five members but only three are active. The other scout leader and I are strong writers. (SL is always grammatically accurate with no typos unlike me) but the young mother of five that we meet with is incredible. She makes me laugh every other Wednesday and literally dazzles me with her prose.Luckily, she is on my side and I feel like I'm improving, just sitting in her shadow. It's a great thing. The same is true for the online critique group I'm with. There are a few members that are awesome- they see things I would never think of. What a gift!
I guess I want to publicly thank those great talents that are helping me along the way and hopefully with enough work I'll grow from three to maybe eight- over the next few years.

Defining LDS Fiction

By Rebecca Talley

How do you define LDS fiction?

I define it as a book that adheres to LDS standards. The fact that the author is LDS does not make the book LDS. I think we need to be clear on that issue as we seek out which books to read and which stories to write.

An LDS book should not twist gospel principles nor should it leave the reader with the idea that the gospel isn't perfect. Certainly, our books shouldn't be preachy, but if we are writing for this market we should respect and adhere to the standards. Otherwise, we should write for a different market.

When I pick up a book advertised as LDS fiction, I have certain expectations. I do not expect graphic scenes, profane language, or the glorification of immoral or unrighteous behavior. I expect that if a character makes wrong choices, he/she will experience the negative consequences of those choices and that the author will not leave the reader with the idea that you can choose the wrong and still be happy. I expect an overall message from an LDS book to be uplifiting because that's the message of the gospel.

I would never tell anoyone what to write. But, I believe that if we want to write for the LDS market that implies that we uphold certain standards.

What do you think?

Stop Making Things Up!

by Lee Ann Setzer

I’ve been working through the book we received at the CFI writers’ conference, Get Off the Beach!, by keynote speaker Eloise Owens. She uses surfing metaphors to illustrate principles of salesmanship and marketing.

She quotes a famous surfer: “Essential requirement for a big-wave rider is not courage, daring, or fitness but a non-arousable imagination.” Owens emphasizes the “mental strength to stay quiet while executing through the unknown.”

So, how’s that supposed to help a novelist? We’re using our imaginations to “execute through the unknown,” and if they're "non-arousable," we're in trouble! This reminded me of advice I heard years from authors Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith: “Stop making things up!”

We’re novelists. We have great imaginations. We can create a whole dramatic chain of events from one minor occurrence. We make things up for fun and profit. The problem comes when we write the query letter, put the manuscript in the mailbox, and start waiting—and making things up.

It’s the worst thing they’ve ever received. I haven’t heard back because they burned it and scattered the ashes. Not only do these editors hate this manuscript, every editor in the world (or universe, if you write science fiction), is destined to hate everything I ever write for the rest of my short and miserable life. I should have become an accountant.

So, fellow authors, how do you avoid making things up? Or do you guide your limitless imagination in positive paths, and put it to work for you?

Me, I have a goal to receive 100 rejection letters.

Mary Ann

by Shirley Bahlmann
One afternoon a beautiful dark-haired young lady was rolled into my booth by a tall, blond young man who turned out to be her brother. The young lady was Mary Ann. Her mother explained that a semi broadsided Mary Ann when she was driving with her cousin. Her cousin didn't survive. Mary Ann escaped with a bruise on her brain, which left her unable to walk.
"They gave her three hours to live," Mom added.
Mary Ann waved her hand to get my attention, then with slow speech, said, "Sil-ly do-c-tors don't know an-y-thing."
Her brother hovered protectively above her, watching our exchange. Her sister stood nearby, and her mother translated for her daughter, even though I understood everything Mary Ann said.
Later, I met Mary Ann's father. He's a writer who published his own book, and he shared a piece of poetry he wrote that inspired the book. He's got some interesting things going on, and is ready to pick up writing after spending so much time caring for Mary Ann during her recovery.
I was impressed with a family who seems to have turned tragedy to triumph. They helped me appreciate life as it is given, and it was a pleasure to meet them.
Shine on, Mary Ann.

Voice

By Rebecca Talley

When I attended the LDStorymakers' Conference last year we had quite a discussion on voice. Tristi Pinkston gave an excellent presentation that made me stop and think about it.

What is voice?

To me, voice is the particular way in which a writer strings together words, phrases, and communicates his or her ideas. It's the way in which we create our stories or our non-fiction works and it distinguishes us from one another. Some authors have such a distinct voice, it's easily recognizable.

If ten writers were asked to describe a sunset, ten different versions would emerge, each with it's own unique handling of language. None of the descriptions would be wrong, only different.

Voice is the inherent way we use words to communicate what's in our minds and in our hearts. It may be difficult to pinpoint our own individual voice simply because it is so inherent. Rather than worry about what our voice is or is not, we should concentrate on creating our stories or relating our knowledge and experiences in the way that seems the most natural to us. We will then find our voice.

Self-management and Writers

For those who attended Cedar Fort’s writing conference, you know that the main speaker, Eliose Owens, talked about the importance of self-management when it comes to be a successful writer.

If you want to read about a writer who exemplifies the kind of self-management Owens was talking about, then read the essay “The Running Novelist” in the June 9 & 16 issue of The New Yorker. This essay is a must read for anyone who wants to know what kind of self management it takes to be a successful writer. Sadly this essay is not available online. So run out and find the aforementioned issue of The New Yorker at your local library or bookstore and read it.

You can also read brief excerpts and my commentary on the self-management facet of his essay here.

Perfect Timing- almost

By Christine Thackeray

There are quite a few of us writers who juggle children with our passion of putting pen to paper (or clicking keyboards.) The last few days I've been working feverishly on the final edits of my next book that I wrote with my sister Dr. Marianna Richardson. It is called "Latter-Day Truths in Narnia" and goes through C. S. Lewis and how he is used by church authorities. Double checking footnotes, tightening complex concepts and rewriting a paragraph here or there was really tough, especially when you add that I've got two highschoolers, an unmotivated middle schooler and two "trunkie" grade schoolers who all had projects due and wanted help.

After three days of late nights, I finally got the last of the copyright issues completed, the school assignments handed in and this afternoon I got the final reference checked. It was about 12:30 when I sent it off and Camron my son popped in the door singing, "School's out for summer!" Perfect timing. We are going to dinner and bowling tonight to celebrate and we are going to spend tomorrow at an amusement park. Then we will probably be moving into a real house since we are just renting and it looks like we have found a place, (still only 95%.)

I sort of feel like I've flopped from one full-time job to another but what great timing. A full life is a great gift- I keep telling myself.

How I Got Here

By Marcia Mickelson

When I was sixteen, I earned money for a brand new Mac Plus computer. At the time, that was a huge thing. I loved that computer--it was the joy of my life. That was when it all started. I began writing a novel. I actually thought I had invented LDS literature. I had never heard of Jack Weyland or Dean Hughes. I had only been a member of the LDS Church for two years and still knew very little. I really did not think that books about Mormon characters existed.

I threw myself into writing and could really imagine being published some day. Then, I went to college and had no time for writing. My Mac Plus was used for research papers and my novel was put to the side. Then came marriage, career, and children. There was no time at all for writing, and I rarely thought about that half-done novel from so many years before. I'd since discovered that there was already such a thing as LDS lit, but I didn't read any.

Then, in the summer of 2003, we were in Utah for a summer vacation. We only had a few minutes at the BYU bookstore before we had to hit the road, and I wanted something to read. I quickly scanned the shelves and grabbed a Jack Weyland book. That's what started it all. I was eager to read more and more and more. Later that summer, I was at a friend's house, and she offered to lend me two LDS novels. One of them was by Betsy Brannon Green. That book hooked me. All I wanted was LDS novels. I couldn't get enough.

I searched the LDS publisher websites, spent hours on Amazon and e-bay to get more books. Many late nights ensued as I devoured book after book. Unfortunately, I didn't know about Interlibrary Loan back then, so I bought most of the books on Amazon or e-bay and then sold them back so I could buy more.

Then, I just knew it. I knew I had to pull my old novel out and finish the thing. After more than 10 years of computer technology, my Mac Plus was so outdated, so after many days spent at Kinkos on their computers and after much frustration, I was able to transfer it to a Word document. I spent the next few months finishing it. It was quite awful, actually, but completing it made me realize that I could do it. I could write a novel. I spent months researching the business and read books about how to correctly write a novel. And, that is how I got here.

Our Responsibility to Readers

By Rebecca Talley

What is our responsibilty to our readers? Should we write profane, vulgar, sexual, or violent scenes if it rings true with our story and characters? Where do we draw the line?

An e-mail list to which I subscribe has recently had a discussion about this topic. Strong feelings exist on both sides.

For me, I can only write what I'm comfortable writing, which may be different for someone else. We can argue back and forth as long as we want, but it comes down to this: we must be true to ourselves in our art. We must be comfortable with what we create within the context of our own personal values and morals.

If I find something offensive in a movie or a book, I have the right to walk out or throw the book away. I do not have the right to dictate to others what they create. What is offensive to me may not be offensive to the next artist because art is so subjective.

At the end of the day, I have to feel that what I've produced doesn't conflict with my own personal values. That is my right and my responsibility.

What do you think?

OSC vs. JKR

Abel Keogh

Hats off to Orson Scott Card who blasts J.K. Rowling for her frivolous lawsuit against Steven Vander Ark and his Harry Potter reference book Lexicon. Card writes:

If Steven Vander Ark, the author of Lexicon, had written fiction that he claimed was original, when it was actually a rearrangement of ideas taken from the Harry Potter books, then she'd have a case.

But Lexicon is intended only as a reference book for people who have already paid for their copies of Rowling's books. Even though the book is not scholarly, it certainly falls within the realm of scholarly comment.

Rowling's hypocrisy is so thick I can hardly breathe: Prior to the publication of each novel, there were books about them that were no more intrusive than Lexicon. I contributed to one of them, and there was no complaint about it from Rowling or her publishers because they knew perfectly well that these fan/scholar ancillary publication were great publicity and actually boosted sales.

But now the Harry Potter series is over, and Rowling claims that her "creative work" is being "decimated."

Of course, she doesn't claim that it's the Lexicon that is harming her "creative work" (who's she borrowing from this time?); it's the lawsuit itself! And since she chose to bring the suit, whose fault is it? If she had left Vander Ark alone to publish his little book and make his little bit of money, she wouldn't be distracted from her next novel.

I encourage anyone to wants to see how baseless Rowling’s lawsuit is to read Card’s entire article here. You’ll also get a little insight into how original Rowling’s Harry Potter series actually is. It’s very revealing.

Tagged, Dazed & Confused

by Terri Ferran

I was tagged a few days ago. I was dazed and confused a few days ago and that condition has not abated! I've just become a granny for the second time on Monday (Tayvree Lynn 9 lb 1 oz, 21 in) and have been taking care of little Alivia Belle who is 2 1/2 (aka Hurricane Alivia).

I've put off responding to the tag because I couldn't follow the rules--meaning I don't know who to tag! So you get the facts and I guess I'm breaking the chain (gasp!)

1. My name is Terri. My siblings are Gary, Sherry, Carrie, Barry, & Jerry. My mom's name was Mary and Sherry married Harry!
2. I hate pickles and all things vinegar; love diet Coke and all things chocolate.
3. I grew up in a town called Dinosaur.
4. I am a licensed CPA without a degree.
5. I was 45 when my first novel was published.
6. I've been poked in the eye with a sharp stick.
7. I am a convert to the Church.

I had an awesome writing week last week, cranking out 10,000 words. I've just been cranky this week. The fount of inspiration has dried up! But I have Tayvree and Alivia (and can send them home when I'm done with them)! Hurray for granny-hood!

Questions from Weber State University Students

Abel Keogh

Tuesday I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to a literature class at Weber State University that is using Room for Two as one of their books. I was very impressed with the students and their questions, comments, and insight they had. The following are some of their questions and my answers I thought others might find interesting.

Q: What audience did you have in mind when you wrote Room for Two?

A: I was trying to write for a very broad audience. I wanted to tell my story in such a way that even those who have never lost a spouse, child, or had a friend or loved one take their own life could enjoy it. It seems to have worked. Though I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from young widows, young widowers, and suicide survivors, most of the emails I receive have been from people who don’t fall into any of those categories. No matter what group the reader falls in, however, the vast majority of respondents tell me the book has touched their lives in very positive ways.

Q: Why did you write Room for Two?

A: The biggest reason was that I read or, rather, tired to read a lot of “memoirs” about losing a spouse soon after my late wife’s death. I found most of them to be completely worthless. Most of the time the writer would try to make him or herself out as a “wronged hero.” I felt authors were being less than honest about their experience and were hiding their own faults imperfections. Because of this, I had a hard time relating on any level to the story they were trying to tell. I wanted to write a book that, in my opinion, showed the human side of the surviving spouse as well as the pain that that accompanies the death of a loved one.

In the case of books that dealt specifically with losing a spouse to suicide, I thought the authors were trying to make excuses or justify the actions of their loved ones that killed themselves. Some of the books went as far to romanticize suicide. I find that to be extremely dangerous. The reasons people take their own life is very complex and trying to rationalize or validate their actions is impossible without being able to talk with that person. And since they’re dead, that impossible. Instead of justifying the actions of my late wife, I tried to portray the devastating effect suicide has on those left behind.

Q: There’s a strong religious undercurrent in Room for Two. After reading the book, one can tell that you’re very religious but you don’t much in the way of specifics about what faith you belong to. Was that intentional?

A: Yes. Outside of the mountain west, most people don’t know much about the LDS (Mormon) Church. I didn’t want to alienate or distract readers who are unfamiliar with the church. Hence the reason I used very generic terms to describe my religious affiliation. Those who are familiar with the LDS church will, I think, know what faith I’m a member of rather quickly.

Q: If you were to rewrite Room for Two for a Mormon-only audience, what would you change?

A: Nothing.

Q: How did you come up with the title for your book?

A: The working title of the book was Running Forward. However, that never seemed to fit with the story I was telling. One day I was editing a part of the book where I was struggling with making room in my heart for another person. Though the exact phrase “room for two” doesn’t appear in the text, while reading that paragraph, those words formed in my mind as I read it. I immediately knew I had the perfect right title for my book.

Q: I really enjoyed reading your late wife’s poem “Ten Toed Children of Eve” that was in Room for Two. Have you considered about publishing the rest of your late wife’s poetry?

A: I’ve thought about putting a website up that contained her poetry and some of her other writings. Right now it’s more of a time issue. I have other writing projects are more pressing.

Q: Which writers have influenced you the most?

A: Orson Scott Card, Ethan Canin, and my dad.

Q: How do you find the time to write?

A: I make time. Once my kids are in bed, I spend some time with my wife and then write until I can’t keep my eyes open. It’s easy to talk about being a writer but hard to actually put in the hours required to write something worth publishing. I went to school with a lot of “writers” that were more talented than me. However, I’m the only one with a book. Though talent has something to do with getting published, most of it has to do with dedicating the time to writing, editing, and rewriting your manuscript.

Q: Are you writing more books?

A: I’m currently writing a work of fiction. If I can hold to my self-imposed deadlines, I should have a publishable manuscript sometime this summer.

Q: Do you have any plans to write a follow-up to Room for Two?

A: Yes. After I complete this work of fiction, the plan is to write another book that picks up where Room for Two left off. The main focus will be on the early years my marriage to Julie. The working title is Seconds because the book is going to focus a lot on second chances, second marriages, second loves, etc.

What Made You Want to Be A Writer

By Christine Thackeray

A friend of mine called the local newspaper about my new book and they asked me for an interview. It was an interesting experience. The reporter asked about my background and several general questions and then asked if I had always wanted to be a writer. I thought about it and then shook my head.

For me, I had a very traumatic personal experience that hurt my feelings. I couldn't stop thinking about it and finally decided to "rescript" the event with fictionalized characters to "fix it." I plowed through the initial draft and then threw away most of it, coming out with something far different. I do think, however, that stories sometimes haunt us until we write them. Something will strike us as interesting, unfinished or just wrong and we must "right" it by writing it.

In reaching for my next story, it has been interesting coming up with experiences with raising toddlers that were frustrating, satisfying, hair-raising or just wrong. Being able to take characters fashioned after women who never "got it" and having them come to the light is heady. I love writing fiction- it is satisfying on so many levels. But I suppose if I weren't writing, those stories would be constantly pricking at me until I finally took out the keyboard and began clicking away.

Be True

By Rebecca Talley

Part of writing means studying the market and trying to understand it. We sometimes hear that this kind of book or that kind won't sell and we shouldn't waste time working on something that won't have a market. Writers try to guess what the next trend will be. Who knew that Harry Potter would have such an impact, especially after it was rejected so many times?

While we can study the market, analyze sales trends, and even consult a crystal ball, in the end, we must write the story that's inside of us. Whether it's a picture book, an essay, or a novel, we must be true to ourselves in what we write. It is that truth that reaches people because readers can spot insincere writing. We do ourselves a disservice when we try to write something that isn't in our heart.

We should continue to study and hone our craft so that our stories can be the best they can be, but we should never try to make them something they aren't. We must be true to that story within our heart, the story that only we can tell.

Don't Kick a Box in Flops

by Shirley Bahlmann
It's nice to have a fresh start; in writing, in clean sheets, and in raking your yard after a winter pileup of late-dropping leaves.
That's what we did last Saturday, we went outside and cleaned our yard - as much as wasn't frozen in the snow piles that clung to the north side of our house. Part of my self-imposed cleaning was moving boxes back to the shed. When I set one down partially in the doorway, I gave it a kick to nudge it into place.
Owowowow!
I neglected to mention a favorite fresh spring fashion accessory. I love to wear flip flops, but they are not good for kicking boxes. It can really mess up your toenail polish, not to mention your toe.
If you don't believe me, I'll peel back the bandaid for you to see for yourself. So wear shoes when you do yard work, and don't forget to get your writing in afterward!