MY Game, Dammit! October 11, 2010

No more worrying and doubting my own work’s worth!

I started writing to please myself, to have fun, and to see if I could do it.

I love writing, it IS fun, and I did it – I have the book coming out in May 2011 to prove it.

So, you know what? I’m good. I’m fine. I’m me.

This is my game and I’m going to play it in a way that makes me happy. If I want to get excited when an agent emails to ask for the full manuscript, I’m going to damn well get excited. This process has rules (I get that and I’m not suggesting I’m planning on deviating from them), but no one is holding a gun to my head forcing me to sweat and angst over my inbox.

I write because I love to write, not because I’m hoping an agent will pick me up and whisk me off to fame and fortune. I will keep writing whether The Firestorm Conspiracy is my first or last novel.

I will keep tossing my completed works out into the world because they’re good. I KNOW they’re good, and I’m not going to let the little voice in the back of my head tell me otherwise.

I’m not going to pretend to be blasé about the fulls that are out right now. They’re a BIG DEAL. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to wander off and celebrate with a moment of *squee* and maybe a little something chocolate…

C.

My game. My rules. My passion.

NaNoWriMo 2010 September 8, 2010

September has only just arrived, and I am already thinking about November. Specifically, I am developing a twinge of excitement whenever I think of writing my brains out alongside my class. I’ve had at least half a dozen students ask if, “We’re doing NaNoWriMo this year,” and each time I say, “Yes,” they cheer and pump their fists.

I have students begging to be allowed to start planning their novels now, and I’m feeling the same way. I’m planning on writing a sequel to The Firestorm Conspiracy. I have no idea what the main plot will be, but I can tell you Kree will not be making a return (sorry, Kree fans!), and things just might heat up between John and Rebeccah (maybe).

Ooooh… Hmmm… Perhaps I jumped the gun on ruling out Kree. *plot bunnies dancing*

I think it’s time to start planning the kick-off party as well as reading through the YWP workbook to get the lessons planned.

What are you doing this November?

C.

I can hardly wait to order my classroom kit when they become available on 15 September 2010.

When Passion and Guilt Collide July 23, 2010

My goal to write 30,000 words in July may have to be sacrificed for the purpose of getting my pre-edits for Lyrical Press Inc. done on time. It’s taking me far longer to get through the manuscript (I shudder to think I sent it out on submission in such a state) than I expected. I have seven days to get everything ready to send to my editor, and I think my WriMo time will have to play nice and let me do some editing.

On the plus side, the ease with which I am finding flaws with my ms suggests my writing has improved since I last tinkered with it. I try to remind myself that learning to write well is a journey, and any markers of progress should be celebrated. Although, with a deadline fast approaching, I think I’ll save the celebrations for August.

I feel badly about possibly not making my goal, but guilt over spending time on something that isn’t under contract (yet) is forcing me to re-think how I’m using my writing time.

C.

Off Task, But On Track May 1, 2010

I’ve spent the past few days writing stories that were completely unrelated to my novel. Not only has my writing been focused elsewhere, but the stories I crafted were written with the explicit understanding they will never see the light of day. Why would I write something I know I will never want to publish?

Because it’s fun. Plain and simple. Sometimes I think aspiring writers get caught up in the push for publication and external validation. I know I do, and spending a few days writing for the joy of stringing words together on the page to tell a tale is like being a kid again (with the wisdom of age to appreciate the return to youth). Writing purely for myself is incredibly liberating, and I find it rekindles my enthusiasm for my other projects (the ones I’ll send to agents and magazines).

No, I’m not going to tell you what I wrote about, nor am I going to share even the smallest snippet, but I will tell you the writing wasn’t entirely wasted. I played around with writing action scenes, humour, and my personal favourite: the red herring. I love telling tales in such a way as to encourage the reader to think one thing and then toss in a word or phrase near the end that totally flips their interpretation of events. It’s the, “Aha!” or “Oh, my God!” moment, and I love to play with them. I find this type of twist far easier to incorporate into a short story, but one day I’d love to slip one into a novel. Perhaps if I keep playing…

I think I’ll treat myself to one more swing on the playground before heading back to my more ‘serious’ writing tomorrow.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Thoughts on Cheerleading March 17, 2010

Not every writer is going to find an agent or publication; that’s just the way the industry works. Yesterday’s post by my guest blogger reaffirmed something I came to believe many months ago: agents are important (and they’re wonderful people), but I think all writers should place as much value on a cheerleader as they do in finding an agent. When I get there, and my first book hits the shelves, it will be in large part due to the constant support, feedback, humour, and love I receive from my cheerleader. I will, of course, thank my agent (and my family), but to be honest, my cheerleader will be the one who deserves the ticker tape parade.

You will have read how seriously she takes her duties as a cheerleader. When we started this journey together, neither of us knew where it was going. I heard about NaNoWriMo from a friend and decided, “Hey, that sounds like fun. I wonder if I could do that…” Taking the first step on the NaNoWriMo road rekindled a love of writing I honestly forgot I had.

Seriously, I completely forgot that I once dreamed of becoming an author. It wasn’t until my husband unpacked a box of books from the garage that foggy images of that time of my life re-emerged. I have no idea why I blocked that dream so thoroughly, but as I sifted through the stack of writing books he gently placed in my lap, the memories returned.

I don’t regret not following my dream back then. I am a firm believer that things happen at certain times for a reason. Looking at my life as it sits right now, I can say that I am in a much better position to add “writer” as a second career now than I was sixteen years ago. Maybe if I’d persevered with my writing back then I’d have an agent by now. Maybe. Or maybe I’d still be struggling because I hadn’t lived the life I needed to live to give me the experiences that flavour the writing I do now. Maybe. Maybe not.

It’s funny – the more I think back to those younger years, the further back my love affair with writing seems to stretch. Finding the old books (still in lovingly cared for condition) brought back memories of wanting to be an author of high-fantasy. Thinking about those years also triggered the realization that any time I could submit a “creative” essay for one of my university English assignments, I did. I remember writing the Wife of Bath’s second tale (the narrator in the Canterbury Tales states that each pilgrim told two tales, but only one was ever recorded) for one course, and a mystery play about Adam and Eve for another.

If these fragile wisps of memory weren’t enough, when I told my mother about my NaNoWriMo novel, she replied, “Well, you always did want to be a writer. I’m glad you’re finally pursuing your dream.” I was stunned. I thought my mom would see my writing as something out of left field because, in my mind, this was the first time I had considered it. But as soon as she replied, it was like the floodgates on my memories were opened and a torrent of jumbled images came pouring out. I remember writing novels in grade one. Yes, I wrote novels when I was six. They were mostly about my best friend and I (and occasionally my teacher because she was really cool and always commented on my stories and taught me how to write “To Be Cont’d” correctly at the bottom of the page where I stopped each day) and our encounters with various aliens and monsters. My fictional me had a number of glorious adventures and quite the series of novels.

You may be wondering what this post has to do with cheerleading. After all, it seems more like a stroll down memory lane than a commentary on yesterday’s blog, but I can assure you I do have a point. I have (apparently) always carried a deep love of writing in my soul, and while many people (friends, family, teachers) encouraged me, for some reason I never thought of it as a viable career option (I was very goal-oriented in my youth). I don’t think it is a coincidence that I have found the most amazing cheerleader at the same point in my life where I am rediscovering my passion for writing.

Call it fate, karma, Kismet, or hooey – I believe this is the time that is right for me in my life’s journey to pursue a career in writing. And you know what? I’m going to be successful too. How do I know this? Well, the passion (and arguably some measure of skill or I wouldn’t have passed those English courses) has always been in me, and in addition to being goal-oriented, I am outrageously stubborn. Sheer determination will go a long way toward becoming a published author. That book’s not good enough? All right. Let me go back, hone my craft, and try again. And again. And again.

But the most important piece of evidence I can offer as proof for my ultimate success is yesterday’s blog post. How could anyone fail to succeed with a cheerleader like I’ve been fortunate enough to find? Really. Go back and read her words.

I didn’t set out to find a cheerleader, just as she didn’t set out to become one, but somehow we’ve managed to come together and I am so thankful that she is willing to share this journey with me. Let’s be honest. I’ve only been seriously chasing this dream for five months – I look at what I owe her for everything she’s done in such a short time, I cannot even begin to fathom the depth of my gratitude and appreciation years from now (when I am a NYT bestselling author and she’s supplementing her retirement income by selling autographed napkins on eBay – sorry, that’s a bit of an in-joke, but my cheerleader is awesome and deserves a laugh even if the rest of you have no clue what I’m talking about).

If you have a cheerleader, you are an incredibly blessed writer. Agents are grand, but a cheerleader is priceless. Find one. Today.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Enthusiasm March 2, 2010

The top five stories for the Writer’s Digest Your Story Contest #24 were posted today! My story, Magic Gone Awry, is not among the top five. I am a little sad because I thought I had a fun idea that was well executed, but nevertheless it was a good experience to write such a short piece. On the plus side, it means I can now share the story with the world by posting it on my blog. Check out the writing page to find it.

I have been letting thoughts about my next novel sift and swim and bubble in my mind. I have reworked the first scene, and I have some additional ideas I am going to try out this evening. In addition to working on the scene that’s demanding to be birthed, I am working on a brief summary of the plot. I like to use something called the “Snowflake Model,” which starts at a simple point (a single sentence description of the novel) and progresses out in further levels of detail and complexity. This process was coined and marketed by author, Randy Ingermanson and you can read more about it on his website (http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php).

My goal is to construct a rough draft of Step Two by the time I go to bed this evening. This step outlines the major events in the novel. He also refers to it as, “three disasters and an ending.” I really enjoy this step because it lays the groundwork for the rest of the novel. I don’t have to know how my main character gets from A to B to C, but I know what these milestones are, and they become key markers as I begin to draft my scenes.

I am relieved the top five stories have been posted, and I encourage everyone to head over to the Writer’s Digest forum to read them. I am ready to move on and I am eagerly anticipating spending time with my new novel tonight.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Donald Maass December 9, 2009

When I attended the book signing at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in October, I heard wonderfully rave reviews of a workshop delivered by New York agent, Donald Maass. His latest book, The Fire in Fiction, sold out within minutes of his presenting his workshop. While there were lots of whispers and comments about other exciting and inspiring presenters and books, his name was the most commonly cited, and most universally acclaimed.

I never got to hear him speak. You don’t know how many times I have kicked myself around the block for that. Missing out on the conference has become one of my most sincere regrets since throwing out my old hockey and baseball (and, truth be told, Star Wars) cards. In an effort to ameliorate my loss, I recently ordered several new books on writing fiction. Three of them are by Donald Maass.

Despite having to prepare supper and look after two small children, I am finding it almost impossible to put Writing the Breakout Novel down. I am almost resenting the time I am spending writing this post because it is taking away from time I could be using to read. The book is thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking, and incredibly easy to read.

Regardless of what the future holds for me, or my writing, I know my novels and short stories will be dramatically improved from having read Donald Maass’ work. I never envisioned using my blog as an unpaid advertisement for another author, but as it is about my journey as a writer, I feel compelled to share my latest “Aha!” moment along the way.

From beyond the book covers,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

What Motivates You? December 6, 2009

What motivates you when you’re feeling less than excited about writing?

There are those days – everyone gets them once and awhile – where the thought of sitting behind the keyboard and putting thoughts onto the screen seems like too much work. Some people give up and walk away, but there are those who fight through their *blah* moments and keep on writing. How do they do it? How do they stare apathy in the eye and move on?

Today was one of those days for me. I didn’t want to write at all. In fact, I sat in front of the screen and began to resent my unfinished novel for placing such unreasonable demands on me. I whined and complained to my staunchest cheerleader about my lack of desire for all things literary. Do you know what she did? She told me she was proud of me. Proud of everything I’ve done so far, and proud of me for slogging through the earlier times when it seemed like I would never get this far.

What am I going to do when I don’t feel like writing? I’m going to open the email from the best cheerleader in the universe, I’m going to smile and laugh out loud a little, and then I’m going to dig deep and find the fire I know is hiding inside and make my cheerleader proud.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Making Connections October 29, 2009

Today I heard author Sigmund Brouwer speak to a group of 200 middle school students. Talk about passion and lighting the fire within! Sigmund is a highly engaging speaker who hooked the students the moment he began his presentation. I watched, enthralled as he not only entertained the group, but instilled a passion for the craft of writing in a generation known more for movies, music videos, and Youtube than for the printed word.

He shared snippets from some of his novels, but the cornerstone of his presentation revolved around emotion. Sigmund emphasized the need for an emotional connection between people, and he argued that good writers seek to make their readers feel something – to make that connection. He made the students laugh, and illustrated how that was a connection. He made them groan, shudder, melt, and almost cry. He awoke their natural curiosity and left them begging for more. Sigmund connected with the students and showed them how to craft a story that would connect with their readers.

I enjoyed myself immensely and am very grateful I was able to attend such a fabulous presentation. Should Sigmund Brouwer ever be presenting in your area, I strongly encourage you to attend.

As I gear up for NaNoWriMo, I am thankful I heard Sigmund today. His words have helped to solidify my plan for my novel. I know which buttons I am going to push, and I know I’m going to push them often. Storytelling, and writing, is about making an emotional connection. I think I’m going to type that up and tape it to the top of my screen.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

The Fire Within October 28, 2009

Have you ever noticed how someone’s passion for a topic can inspire others? How their words and actions conjure images in the mind and leave people with a burning need to take action too? I think we can all think of a time when someone motivated us in such a way that our hearts swelled, our breathing increased, and the drumming of our pulse called us to act. I know I can, and I hope you can too.

What about those times when your muse has fled? When the passion, the drive, the fire within just isn’t there anymore? What then? We all have different ways of rekindling our passion, but I discovered a new one for me today.

I was presented with the opportunity to talk about something dear to my heart – writing. Specifically, I was talking about NaNoWriMo. The part of me that doubts my ability to meet the NaNoWriMo challenge (50,000 words seems a lot more daunting now that it’s staring me in the face on a website) has effectively quashed my enthusiasm for the task. Or, at least it had, until I spoke up about it.

I found that as I talked, and saw the fires of interest and enthusiasm begin to burn in my audience’s eyes, the same fire slowly took hold within me. As their passion for the topic grew, so did mine. Like brushfire fanned by the wind, the passion grew and spread through us all until we were consumed by it. The spark had come full circle.

I found my passion, my muse, returning as I spoke today. I discovered that I can ignite my own fires by motivating others. I no longer need to wait for my muse to return. I can summon her by inspiring others. It is a wonderfully satisfying feeling.

Enthusiasm is infectious, and sometimes all it takes is a tiny spark to set peoples’ minds ablaze.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com