ARE YOU DRY?

     I've been living in Colorado for almost fifteen years and I still can’t get used to the dryness. If I want to zap one of my kids with static electricity (which I would never do and they can’t prove it) I would not have to drag my feet across the carpet. Everything I touch get zapped, which is why I’m in the habit of grounding myself before I pick up my laptop.

     However my article isn’t about that kind of dryness. I’m talking about the dryness of inspiration. Those times when we are so on fire for our passion and then all of sudden it leaves us. Maybe we get discouraged or we don’t feel value in what we’ve done, or maybe it’s a physical aliment that beats us down. Whatever it might be, we can rise above it and fight to get that the inspirational fire back into our souls.

                                       MY LIST

1. Get active! Even taking a walk increases the blood circulation to the brain. I get some of my best ideas when I’m in motion. 

2. Subscribe to daily quotes. I like all kinds of quotes. From movies, to writers, or even scripture verses, are huge motivational tools. 

3. Look for writing prompts (Writers). Just the other day I saw a request from an online publisher for flash fiction (500 words or less). It was not only a great exercise, but if they like my piece it will be published on their site. With my juices flowing, I also dug into my own WIP and made great progress—a win win even if the exercise doesn’t get chosen. 

4. Subscribe to bloggers who shares similar interests. For writer; find an agent, publisher or editor you admire and subscribe to their feed. My favorite agent is Rachelle Gardner, of Books and Such Publishing. I may not read her blog everyday, but I try to read a few times a week (she’s a daily blogger). 

5. Set-up a blog. Lots of free sites out there! Start off with a once a month blog. Blog about your passion, use the internet to learn more about your passion and then share it! Develop your own ‘groupies’ who can help inspire you.  

6. Get on facebook. I know, it’s scary at first, but going after your dream is scary and why not team up with others who either are going through the same thing or have already been there and can offer advice. 

7. Critique Group (for writers). I can’t tell you how much I love my writing group! They are the reason my first novel was good enough to land a publishing contract. They didn’t hold anything back and really stretched my writing potential (and still—the sequel is going through the group currently).

8. Keep friends close! Friends are those who will lift us up at all times. I know if I’m having a bad day, need a prayer said for me, or just feel down, I have those friends who bring me back into the light. We all have those times and need encouraging words, so be on the lookout for those you can encourage as well.

     These are just my suggestion to help keep the spring flowing and not allow your inspiration to run dry like the desert rivers. Meanwhile, I continue to lather up my physical body with lotion to combat the dryness of Colorado air. 

What are some things that help keep you inspired to follow your dreams, whether it’s writing or making lifetime changes for your health? 

Happy Writing!

      I have to say 2011 was a good year for me.  The year my dream of becoming a published author--not just once but twice--went from being a dream an eleven year old wished for many years ago, to a reality. I don't know what 2012 will hold, but I have high hopes of becoming a career author with the many stories I've already written and the many more that speak to me everyday.  

     I'd like to thank my editor Amber for her amazing job on not only editing line by line, and pointing out conceptual issues that needed fixing, cutting, or more descriptions, but also for the time she spent teaching me.  My writing has grown because of her.  

     I'd also thank Erin for her ability to see through my words and capture an amazing image for the book cover.

    I've really been blessed with a great production team and soon I will begin the work with the marketing team and T.V. producer.  

    My goals for 2012?

1.  Ministry Work always--keeping focused on where God wants me to serve.

2.  Family--My husband and children

3.  Finish fourth draft of the sequel novel--The Lost Scrolls

4.  Hope to get into an anthology with a short story

5.  Write Part two of the Steampunk Short Story for Steampunktales.com

What makes your top 5 list?

Me and Bella by the tree.  

How can it almost be Christmas? Didn’t we just do the back to school shopping and send them to school? I keep praying God will not only give me more hours in the day, but the energy to accomplish more. I know it’s a lot to ask, but God does say we can ask for anything.

I also dislike thinking time has once again escaped me and just when I got used to writing 2011.

Oh well, what can we do? I have to say the New Year looks promising with the release of my first novel, Twisted Roots. However I don’t think for one moment the hard work is over—no, no, no—that is just beginning. Marketing, speaking events, book signings—is in my near future and I hope to do a lot of them.

As for the novel, it is in the final stages. December 2, I started working with the cover designer. She’s first sketch out some ideas and then will transfer her creations into the computer. I’ll have three designs to choose from, or give my input for changes. Once I sign off on the design, the manuscript goes to layout for binding. I’ll get a mailed copy of the manuscript for the last review before it goes to the print press. In the next few weeks I will also be speaking with my commercial producer. Sounds weird saying it aloud and weird typing it—my producer.

For those of you NOT on facebook, I have new book markers! Send your mailing address to my e-mail swright011699@msn.com and I’ll not only mail you out a few, but a Christmas Cards as well! Let me know how many you would like. Also, if you would like for me to keep your address for a future mailing list, let me know that as well or else I won’t keep your address. I don’t want to spam anyone! But I would like to let you know when I start scheduling events in your area. I’m looking at libraries, churches, book store (big and small), middle schools and high schools. No venue is too small!

Well there is still much to do before this holiday is a memory, so I best get to work. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and blessings into the New Year and beyond.

Happy Writing

Hello all!

 Just a quick update: The manuscript is back in my hands and I'm combing through it. I have until November 14 to get it back to her. A few 'twists' in the road have happened along the way--one is the title change. The new title is TWISTED ROOTS with the subtitle A Light into the Darkness. On a positive note, I get to keep my title as a subtitle.

I've been really blessed to have an editor who's been great at listening to my suggestions on the things that are out of an authors hands.

In a few weeks, I will be sent to the cover designers and will begin work on the commercial and then begin working with the marketing agent.

I hope all my writing friends are writing and participating in NaNoWriMo. To finish a novel is a huge accomplishment and I'm proud of those who have. It took eight drafts and three years before landing my first deal, but I'm glad I had that time to really let the story unfold. Although I have to say, working with an editor, I've learned to 'flesh out' and tighten through her suggestions.

Lastly, I'm getting closer to pulling a name out of the fishbowl and giving away the first gift card. For you who have joined, if you refer a friend and they join (making sure to note who pointed them to the site so you get credit), you get an extra entry into the bowl. So make sure to keep reading my blog posts. :-)

 As always, happy writing and thanks so much for you're support!  I hope to start planning the launch party here soon and you're all invited! (I hope to webcast it for those who can not physically attend)

Shelly

The countdown for getting the manuscript back to the editor is down to three days, so I'll make this short.

My editor Amber has been great. We've been able to correspond via e-mail, which is much quicker than a phone a conversation and it keeps me on track. She hasn't suggested very many changes, although the changes she has suggested, I've been on board with. Most of them hadn't been what I wanted the reader to walk away with anyway, so being able to go back and reword or strengthen areas has been helpful.

For those of you who have been brave enough to read my drafts, it will seem quite different and I'm hoping it takes you from "I like the story" to "I love the story". Amber, although it's probably part of her job to be encouraging, said my material "was so good, it was her pleasure to get this project".

So with those words, I must get back to work. My goal is to get through the entire manuscript by tomorrow so that I can do one final read through--without changing anything (well maybe minor things). That's seventy pages to go through. YIKES! Thank goodness I stopped by Starbucks.

Happy Writing--Don't forget, NANOWRIMO is just around the corner!

I like airports. Something about watching people in an airport and wondering where they are going, or where they’ve been, stirs up a certain amount of creativity in me. If I ever experience writers block, I know just where to go to break it.

Yes, I started my blog waiting for my husband at the airport, but it has nothing to do with my blog title. LOL

When I was young, I loved nothing more than sitting in my room listening to music and writing. Back then, I wrote mostly poetry and most of it was about romance. Poetry is a lot like music. Actually, poetry is lyrics put to a tune if you get right down to it.

When I write, I typically have a certain song in mind for main sections of my novel. It puts me in that mood, that mind set to write that character. For example, in my novel A LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS, when I write about my evil character Daviar, the song “Under the Milky Way” plays in my head. The song brings out his character, the way he talks, the way he moves across the swampy ground, the way he deals with conflict--I can see it all as though I’ve already watched the movie a hundred times. My main heroin, Jessica, I can hear the sounds of a grand piano. At first it’s a sad and low, but as her character faces choices and falls in love, she realizes her strengths; her song is brassier, assertive, and empowering.

Putting aside that I’m a writer and write with a soundtrack, I have a personal soundtrack. If I were to make a list of the top 10 in order it would go something like this:

1. The Bare Necessities—The Jungle Book

2. Catch A Wave—Beach Boys

3. We Built This City—Jefferson Airplane

4. Careless Whisper—WHAM

5. Mad World--Gary Jules

6. Under The Milkway—The Church

7. Any Man of Mine—Shania Twain

8. When You Say Nothing At All—Allison Krauus

9. Jesus Freak—D.C. Talk

10. East is From The West—Casting Crowns

The soundtrack of my life is quite the strange combination (and even stranger if the list was longer with Guns N Roses, Aerosmith, and Nine Inch Nails). I can almost see my sisters and I dancing around the family room to the Jungle Book record, or the first time I slowed danced with a boy when the song ‘Careless Whisper’ plays, or when I knew I had met the man I’d spend my life with and I sang a karaoke song, ‘When you say nothing at all’. All these songs place me in a moment in time where I can recall what I was doing, what my surroundings were, the joy, the conflicts; it all comes into my mind like a flood.

Now, I’ve gone a step further and integrated it into how I develop my characters and my scenes. It is a very powerful tool.

So now that I’ve got you thinking about your own soundtrack, I’d love to know: What is the soundtrack of your life? If you are a writer, do you write with a soundtrack?

Happy Writing,

When I signed my first publishing contract, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have read several author and editor blogs to know my novel would go through some editing, but what did that mean exactly. Publishers and agents do vary in their processes, but what I hope to share will give you a basic understanding of the different stages. So, as my novel is close to going through the second stage, I thought I would share a little about the first stage.

COPY EDITING

Well, the first piece it to upload your completed manuscript to the publisher. Although this is not part of the copy editing, we are preparing our manuscript for that very purpose. Each publisher will have their own style, font, layout, etc, that they will want from us soon after the contract is signed. I may have blogged about my publisher’s specific requirements, so if you haven’t read it, scroll down my blogs to find Formatting Your Manuscript.

Once we’ve uploaded our manuscript to the publishers requirement and it’s been accepted, it goes into the hands of the copy editors. At this point, the writer just waits while this process is tackled without much input from us.

So what do they do in copy editing? First of all most copy editors have excellent command of the written word. From spelling to punctuation, these folks are trained to spot factual errors. Their job is to clean up (not conceptually change) the manuscript so that when the conceptual editing begins, the editor then can focus on the consistency of the plot, the characterization, flow of the story, etc.

Here is a list of what copy editors look for:

1. Spelling

2. Grammar

3. Punctuation

4. Style and Usage

5. Gather preliminary pages

 

They will also suggest the following to the conceptual editor:

1. Highlight redundancy

2. Logical order

3. Heading and breaking up text

4. Sentence and paragraph lengths

5. Consistency of text

6. Style (metaphors, simile, words that can be cut, over use of adjectives, rid passive voice, over used exclamation marks, italics, bolded words)

7. Accuracy

 

So there is a lot going on in a copy edit, but it’s well worth it.

Now that I have a better understanding of what my novel has been going through this last month, I have a new appreciation for copy editors!

It should only be days before the real work begins with my conceptual editor. I’m nervous and excited to see my baby again and how much it has already grown—I’ve missed my manuscript!

So I’ll leave you for now and I hope that my blog has been somewhat helpful and informative. If you’d like to add the process you are going through with your writing or revisions, please feel free to post it on the site. I believe we learn from one another more so much more than we do from just reading about it manuals.

Happy Writing!

Shelly Goodman Wright

Author of A LIGHT INTO THE DARKENSS, a Christian Romance/Suspense novel will be available in all major bookstores and on Amazon.com, February 2012.

FB Page--A LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS--SERIES

It's hard for me to be still.  Tuesday was my surgery.  My doctor removed a stone filled gall bladder and I was put on rest for a week.  Although my husband has been great at keeping up with some of the household chores, today I'm itching to clean house.  I did a few things and found out I'm not quite ready to bounce back into action.  So I'll be still another few days and hope to be back in action by the beginning of next week.  Meanwhile, for those of you who have read at least one draft of my novel (or bits), I have a couple of questions I'd like to ask as I fill out my author profile for my editor.  PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BY REPLYING TO THE POST ON THE WEBSITE AND NOT IN THE E-MAIL SEND. 

1.  What is the strongest asset in my writing?

2.  What is my weakness?

3.  Does the genre Christian Romance/Suspense make you more or less interested in buying the novel?

Thanks so much.

Shelly

The Plot, as defined by Wikipedia, “is a literary term defined as the events that make up a story, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect, or by coincidence. One is generally interested in how well this pattern of events accomplishes some artistic or emotional effect. An intricate, complicated plot is called an imbroglio, but even the simplest statements of plot may include multiple inferences, as in traditional ballads.”

Okay, so now we’ve established a definition, but what does it really mean?

The plot is the story as a whole and it can be broken down into sections. Gustav Freytag, (1816 –1895) a German dramatist and novelist, came up with his own idea for narrative structure. He called it The Freytag's pyramid and it consists of five phases.

The first phase is the exposition phase. Here is where the characters come alive and the readers connect to them by learning about them, how they relate to each other, their goals, and motives. Most importantly, the reader connects to the main character, his/her goals, and the outcome if those goals are met, or not met.

The second phase is the rising action phase. Here is where the character(s) starts on the path to achieve their goal. This is where the conflict begins to grow, including sub-conflicts, mini plots, which can hinder, help, or both in achieving the main goal. At the end of this phase, the character should be close to facing their problem/goal leading us up to next step.

The third phase is the climax phase. Most of us probably already know what the climax is. It’s that point in the story where the character(s) are close to their goal. The character can begin to see the barriers being removed (or at least easier) and is now ready to engage with the antagonist. Then, the reader, tossed into the action, gets to see the two (or more) combat. No clear winner is set, yet, until phase five. Both the protagonist and the antagonist then start to plan on how to win over the other for the next battle.

The fourth phase is the falling action. I love this phase! This is where everything goes wrong. Our main hero makes the wrong the decision or shows flaws in his/her character. This is where the antagonist gets the upper hand and our hero seems like he/she will never reach that goal. The reader might even question if the hero really is the hero. However, this phase is also about tying up most of the loose ends so that when the final phase starts, the focus is on the last battle.

The fifth phase is the resolution phase. Here is where the final conflict happens and one wins. Which side wins, what lead up to it, why it happens that way, what it means, and what are the long-term effects.

There are other outlines and story structures on the internet. So find what works for you. When I looked up plot structures, this really made me think about my own writing and the areas I can go back to and touch up. So I hope this was helpful and as always, if you have anything you would like to add, make sure to post the comments on my website directly. This way others can also benefit from your comments. My website gets over a hundred hits a week (wow, I know right) and most are writers looking for writing tips.

So keep on writing, editing, and reading.

Happy writing…

Shelly Goodman Wright

www.shellygoodmanwright.com

FB Writer-Shelly Goodman Wright

FB Writer’s Critique Group

Sited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_(narrative)

COMING NEXT BLOG--WHAT POV IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Tips and Tricks

Thanks Shelly for inviting me to your blog. I’m honored to be guest and get a chance to meet your readers.

Shelly asked me to write a little something giving advice to up and coming authors. I’m still learning the ranks myself, but I know what it’s like to wait patiently for an email or phone call which will let you know your “baby” will finally be in print or Ebook.

Although I haven’t figured everything out I do have a few tidbits, and I hope they inspire you to keep plugging along, even when the path gets rocky.

Writing

The best piece of advice I can give about the writing process is to keep your perspective. Sometimes when we are trying to get published, we look at our writing and decide it’s all wrong before giving it the chance to bloom into something beautiful. You have to remind yourself why you started writing in the first place. Maybe you were just writing to entertain your friends and family, or maybe the process is cathartic for you. The point is you need to revisit this reason often, and use it to stay motivated. If you are writing for any reason other than the pure joy of it, you may find yourself despising the end product. No one can live up to expectations, which only exist in our own minds.

Critiquing

Up until about nine months ago I had never had a real critique done on my work. I sent it to friends and family who enjoyed reading, but the only feedback I ever got was - this is great! Before you send your writing to a publisher do yourself a huge favor and find a critique partner. Not your best friend or Mom (no matter how brutally honest your mom can be), but a writer who has experienced the entire process and knows what editors look for and what makes a good book. Then steel yourself for the truth. This is one of the best things I ever did for my writing. When I got the document back, it looked like someone had committed a heinous crime on top of it. There was red ink everywhere.

However, the comments were insightful, pertinent, and accurate. I use the information I learned during that first critiquing session, every day. It can be hard to let go of our work, and let someone else thrash. However, you want to put your work before someone who will be like the worst of the readers out there. Once you’ve gained their approval, the rest is easy. Always use critique partners.

Finding a Publisher

The world of publishing is changing every day. There are many options for people to get their work in front of the millions of readers who are waiting for it. Check out all your options before you decide which way you want to go. We’d all love for Random House to call and offer us six figure contracts, but waiting for that is like waiting to win the lottery. You have to be proactive in your search for a home for your brainchild.

You may have decided that only an agent and a large publishing house will do. That’s great, do the research and put yourself out. However, keep in mind that larger houses have more control over content and marketing. Your input may be minimal at this level. For some, that is exactly what they are looking for, and a great place to start.

Indie and small publishing house will offer contracts to publish Ebooks and print, most of the time. At this level, the author is, in general, highly involved in the process of picking a cover, content edits, and marketing. However, you still have the power of a marketing department and professional editors, cover artists, and proofreaders behind you.

Maybe you will decide to self-publish and have total control over every aspect of your career. For some authors, this has been a very lucrative choice. Just understand that the work will all fall on you. If you are a go-getter – this may be the right fit!

No matter what you do, the idea is to keep your head focused on your goal. Set small goals and when you achieve those goals set new ones. For instance, my book The Keepers made it to #3 on Amazon’s teen list. I’m still striving to get it to hit the #1 mark. It may never hit that mark, but this small goal keeps me focused on getting my name out to readers.

I hope you enjoyed the information, and I’d love to have you stop over at my Facebook Pages and website. All my addresses are below. Also, give the keepers a look at any retailers or www.astraeapress.com. I will have several new releases coming out over the next year or so. Keep an eye out for those!

Thanks again Shelly for your hospitality!!

Cheers.

Monique O’Connor James

Monique O'Connor James

Author of: "The Keepers"

From www.AstraeaPress.com

Twitter: mjames13

Wordpress: www.moniquejames.wordpress.com

Website: www.moniqueoconnorjames.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511255176

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-OConnor-James-Author/151581321573144

Buy Links: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=4435578

Judges of season seven “The Next Food Network Star” said goodbye to Justin D in this week’s fourth of July showdown. The judges perplexed by his drastic change in personality felt he was the one to cut this week. Even Guy, the guest mentor, asked him “which guy are you now?” Although the judges took into account the food served and his overall performance in this completion in their decision to cut him, Justin, in my opinion, was trying to please the judges the best way he knew how instead of just being himself. He lost himself as the stakes got higher.

How many of us writers seek change after query letters go unnoticed? How many of us get frustrated and seek out agent blogs and publisher blogs to find out what we are doing wrong? Not to say that is a bad thing. We should want to learn and fine-tune our skills, as long as we still keep true to why we started writing in the first place. We get so focused on being published; we lose the passion we started with.

I think Justin lost what he loved in the competition.

So how do we lose our love of writing? Blogging, reading others blogs, commenting on other’s blogs, marketing our blogs, facebook, myspace, twitter, and the list goes on. Of course most of this, if not all, is important and helps build our platform—but what is more important?

Did we write today? 1600 words? 1000? 500?

There is also something else to learn from the show in general. Justin knew his stuff, but he lacked personality. He was not a strong character and besides the hairdo, it was hard to relate to him or even remember him.

Back to writing: Are the characters we write strong characters? Do our readers want to cheer our hero’s to accomplish their goals? Are our villains hated and despised by the reader?

What reality do you watch? Which character do you want to win? Which character do you want to fail? How can you apply this to your writing?

Now that I can put another year of Vacation Bible School (VBS) under my belt, it’s time to focus back on writing. Don’t get me wrong, I love VBS. It’s the one time a year no one cares if I act like a ten year old all week (and wear pig-tales and braided hair). I also love the creative process of it all—to transform the church into something amazing. Okay, our theme this year was a little dry, (New York) but next year…yep next year’s is going to be WAY cool. 

One other thing I enjoy besides VBS and writing, is working in the yard. I spent a few hours this morning spraying weeds, raking new cedar over the dirt patches, and pulling the unwanted weeds from the upcoming flowerbeds.

Fun…I know…I’m making you jealous (okay boring you to tears, but hang on a moment).

It was in frustration of the prickly weeds, which stabbed my fingertips when I touched them, and not being able to tell the new plants from the weeds that reminded me of a bible section that talks about weeds.

“ 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

I love when the simple things in life, remind me of God’s WORD. Although I still want to pluck those weeds out of the flowerbeds (next time with thick gloves), I know that God sees me among the weeds and He hopes that I will reach out and touch the lives around me—turning weeds into beautiful flowers.

That is what inspires me to write—to touch others.

What inspires you every day? What are your future hopes and dreams?

     I love getting questions! The question HOW DO I FORMAT MY MANUSCRIPT for editors/publishers is one I’ve been asked more than once. Of course, this is my first publishing deal and I know that every editor/publisher/agent will have different requirements, but there is a basic standard that helped me make the conversion process simple and it’s easy to search for.

The basics:

1. Set your font to New Times Roman and size 12

2. Set one inch margins all the way around

3. Set paragraphs to double space (with no extra space in-between paragraphs)

4. Do not use all caps for emphasizing (the writing should set the tone)

5. Do not use a bunch of returns for a new chapter to start on a new page. Return twice, title your   chapter and center.  Return twice and start writing.

6. For scene shifts, center XXXXX on a line by itself, with a space before and space after

7. Internal direct thoughts should be in Italics, but don’t over use it.

     I suggest keeping your chapters in separate files when you first start writing. It makes it easier to go back and edit work or add to chapters. In the end, editor/publishers/agents will want this all in one file, but we have a lot more work to do before we get to that stage. Strolling through a 1000 page document is not fun and left me frustrated. I found separate chapters (and keeping all my drafts) was the best way to go.

    Now, I hope I’ve given some of you a jumping off point and we can all get some writing done. It’s time to line the shelves with must reads and tales forgotten with new twists and turns.

We write because we must. We write to unleash our souls. We write because writing is our purpose.

Happy Writing…keep the questions coming.

Shelly Goodman Wright

Author of A LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS a Christian Suspense/Romance novel—FEB 2012

www.shellygoodmanwright.com

Last night I attended a writing workshop and someone talked about how she felt guilty when she spent time writing. She felt guiltily because like most of us, there is always something to do. Laundry, cleaning house, pets, yard, work (if you work outside the home), needy friends, church volunteer, and the lists goes on. When she said that, I realized that was exactly how I felt when I first started to write two years ago (and still do sometimes).

The speaker brought up a good point. "If we know we have a calling to write, why do we not feel it's important enough?" I went home last night with those words swimming around my brain. I woke up this morning and decided that I do believe God has given me this gift and I need to use it to HIS glory. Who am I, to refuse God’s calling?

Whether you believe in God or not, if you have the gift of words you should be using them. Whether it’s to whisk your reader into a world of creation, or to enlighten with your experience and wisdom, a talent not used is wasted. As writers, we need to make sure we spend that time in our craft and not feel guilty in the slightest.

What hinders you from writing? Can you find 15 minutes in your day to write? Or if writing isn’t your thing, what hinders you from following your dreams?

What I mean to ask, what inspires you to follow your dreams? Is it the weather, the season, your children, your grandparents, a favorite author, actor, food, blog, t.v. show—what is it for you?

I’ve been inspired lately by web blogs. One website called SPARKS, reaches out and encourages folks to follow their dreams while becoming healthy. I love this site and have used the tools over the last several years. I went from a size 16 to a size 6! I will admit, it wasn’t just the site (and I was doing Nutri-System to kick-off my weight loss), but the people who encourage and celebrate the successes with you.

I’ve also been inspired by physical groups. In 2009, I joined The Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group. A group made up of other writers who exchange critiques began to shape my writing and played a critical part in the path I’m now on. And no matter how much success (or not success) I earn, I will continue to rely on their support. It’s been amazing in these last few weeks to see others in the group finding homes for their work and possible publication opportunities as well.

If you are a writer or want to be, sign-up for editor blogs! Not only do they give tips on how to get your work to stand out, but they offer an array of other advice, including the workings of publishing. Let’s face it, it’s a shark tank filled with books to either sink to the bottom never to be read or gobbled up readers. Knowing how the industry works is already a step above the thousands who never get passed writing one piece of work. These sites also offer inspiration and continue to remind us of the successful authors who were rejected time after time (like Stephen King).

So what sites inspire you? Do you have a favorite blogger site? Or favorite writing group? Feel free to add the links in your comments for others to check out.

Happy Writing…

I was in sixth grade when I read my first full-length novel. Finally, the big kids on campus, we could checkout the books in the ‘BACK ROW” (we called it the forbidden row) and there was one cover that stood out for me. The cover was haunting. Sad pale faces with blonde hair stood behind an attic window and looked out. Titled FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC, from the very beginning, I left my reality and jumped into the book.

The author V.C. Andrews had a way with words. The way they flowed, the way they struck at my heart, how I cared deeply about the pain the children went through. I’d go to sleep and dream about them. Somehow, they seeped into my very soul.

That is when I knew I wanted to be a writer. I wanted my words, my worlds, and my characters to transport the reader into a different kind of reality. I wanted them to feel the joy, the sadness, the struggles and the glory each time a character did.

My mind never stops inventing them either.

Signing a contract deal for my first novel is a dream coming true. It still seems unreal at this point and probably will be until that first printed book is in my hands.

I hope after sometime and few more novels under my belt, to help others achieve the same goals. I hope that when someone reads my novels, I will inspire someone as V.C. Andrews did for me.

Thanks again for the continued support and love.

Happy Writing!

Shelly

**NOTE: Although now, a mother of three girls and a Christian, I would not recommend the series by V.C. Andrews to read (even for adults) as they are filled with incest and adultery. At the time, I faced a lot of trials in an unchristian home and I sought out reading as a comfort. I wish I could say I read C.S. Lewis or some other uplifting author, but it is what it is.

I should know better than to think that the snow season was over and no flip-flops today with a blanket of snow covering everything but the roads. I guess they were too warm for the snow to stick. I am glad though. The girls needed to go to school—momma needed the girls to go to school after last week of 27/7 spring break time. 

Last week, I focused on my agent query letter and felt pretty good when I hit the send button. My hope this time is that the agent requests additional pages, and although there is no guarantee they’ll take me on as a new client, at least then I can go back to editing the actual novel. :-)

Currently, I am working on a couple of writing projects. There are two short stories I’m editing, “Nate and Stacey—Happily Ever After” (a fairytale twist to Hansel and Gretel) and “No Rooms” (a fun suspense ghost story). I’ve also begun work on another short story “Someone’s in the Attic”, (a psychological thriller).

In addition to my writing, I’ll be busy with stuffing 1500 plastic eggs for Easter Sunday and planning a June Vacation Bible School, so if I fall behind on my blogs—forgive me.

What you are currently working on?

Lights, camera, action! Pikes Peak Park Baptist church invites you to join us for our seventh annual “THE LIGHT”. Under the direction of Associate Pastor/Script Writer, Scott Goodman, this fully staged production, with a cast, choir, and crew of over ninety members, is sure to knock your socks off.

Inspired by Casting Crowns song “Glorious Day”, Pastor Scott has continued to follow God’s direction to keep the annual play fresh and new each year. This year’s theme, the “Dawn has come”, will focus on the Passion Week (Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday); the trails Jesus faced before his last sacrifice for man.

“We all long for the day the trumpet will sound and we will meet Jesus in the air. Because of His life, death and resurrection, we have the hope for a life in which we can please our heavenly Father and expand His glorious kingdom. This has been a difficult year in some respects for us as a church, but believing that God is always faithful, and wanting to bless us and others, we look forward to the seventh installment of the Light.” Pastor Scott.

THE LIGHT

Friday and Saturday--April 1st , 2nd , and 8th , 9th @ 7:00 pm

Sunday--April 10 @ 5:00 pm.

Tickets are FREE and available by calling the church office @ 719-597-9004, or stopping by 3725 El Morro Rd, located in southeastern Colorado Springs on south Academy Boulevard between Chelton and Astrozon—behind Sonic. Check us out on the web at www.pppbc.org.

Article written by Shelly Goodman Wright

www.shellygoodmanwright.com

Retention (as used in school districts around the U.S.) is just another word for ‘flunked’ or ‘hold back’ a grade. Even with the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT, schools continue to practice this method as a way to cope with lower achieving students. Does it work?

A few years ago at a parent teacher conference, it was suggested that I retain my middle child who was not performing at grade level. She was on the immature side and, at first; I did not think it was such a bad idea. Especially, since she was only in first grade. My husband, on the other hand was against it. I decided if I wanted to convince my husband this was a good thing, I would have to do my research. I was surprised to find out the opposite was true.

One of the first sites to pop-up was the The National Association of School Psychologist [www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/pospaper_graderetent.aspx] The one big statement that jumped out at me, states:

“Grade repeaters as adults are more likely to be unemployed, living on public assistance or in prison than adults who did not repeat a grade.”

Not that I think my sweet little girl would end up down that road, but it does make you sit-up and think about what is going on in society today. For a practice that does not work, it is interesting that kids being retained has increased over the last 25 years.

Some of the articles I read on retention refer back to NASP’s (The National Association of School Psychologists) study, so I’ll just say there are quite a few that respect this organization enough to site them.

Another little interesting fact, the U.S. and Canada are the only two countries that practice retention, found on Wikipedia.

A study done by Advocates for Children [www.advocatesforchildren.org/pubs/retention.html], although the study specifically focused on New York’s schools stated:

“Low performing students who have been retained in kindergarten or primary grades lose ground both academically and socially, relative to similar students who have been promoted. In secondary school grades, retention leads to reduced achievement and much higher rates of school dropout. At present, the negative consequences of grade retention policies typically outweigh the intended positive effects.”

On a site called healthline.com [http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/retention-in-school] they combine some of the research done in one summary and then added:

“Although many school districts involve parents in the decision to retain, in most communities the school system has the right to make the decision, with or without the parent's support. However, most experts support the idea that parents who are opposed to the decision to retain their child should make their concerns known. Parents should survey other local school systems, both public and private, to see their policies on retention. Parents should also request evidence supporting a retention decision, including details of their child's academic performance, standardized test results, or other pertinent factors, such as the student's emotional maturity.”

There are numerous sites on the internet on this subject and there is no positive study on retention overall. Sure, I found parents, teachers and a handful of kids who said it worked for them, but the research and overwhelming numbers of students followed, show otherwise.

Obviously, my husband was right and I had to put my foot down on not retaining my daughter. I was told that if they decided to ‘retain’ her, I would not have a choice, so I left that district. She is still not performing where she needs to be, so we decided to put her in Sylvan. It’s only been six weeks and I already see the difference in her confidence and writing/spelling.

She now wants to be a scientist and tells everyone Sylvan is making her smarter.

Overall, do not blindly listen to what teachers and administrators say is best for your child--do your research. You are your child’s best advocate. Retention does not fix what they did not get the first time it only masks the problem. Ask the teachers where exactly your child has the most trouble and then tackle it, either by working with the teacher, going on line (there are tons of free worksheets on-line in just about every subject) or getting them tutoring. If your child does not have a solid foundation, the gaps in their learning will get worse and they will get even more frustrated.

For those of you in Harrison District Two, retention is being considered once again, which is why I felt compelled to write this article. There is another way, let our voices be heard.