Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes

The New York Times Bestseller list has been operating since October 12, 1931. At the start, the books that were showcased came out of the Big Apple. They were the only ones considered, and they consisted of five fiction and four non-fiction books. As time went on, more cities were included. In the 1950's, a trade news magazine named Publishers Weekly stood as a close second to all of the hype, and the two became the preeminent lists of best-selling books in the United States. 

Writers all over the world strive to be placed on such a coveted list. When one reaches such heights, I can imagine it feels very much like receiving a gold star of recognition, letting the whole world know that you have finally "made it."

I had the privilege of getting lost in one of the beauties recently, and I'd like to share my review with all of you. Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes was breathtaking. There is a reason this piece made it to such a regal list. This story took its place on the New York Times Bestseller list for seven weeks. There has even been a film made about it. I just had to see the movie, and did so about halfway through my reading. Experiencing the ending on the big screen first, I delighted in the crescendo! And finishing the last pages shortly after, I felt fully satisfied. I strongly encourage you to find time to enjoy both.

Here is my review. It has been posted on both Goodreads and Amazon. 

A delightful read right from the first page, Me Before You captured my empathy and my imagination, making me not want to put the book down. Will Trainer, a man with everything going for him, steps into the street one rainy morning, only to lose everything he's ever loved about his life.

Louisa Clark come to his aide by mere default, after losing the only job she's ever had. As the family's breadwinner for this particular season, Louisa finds herself wary of Will's disposition but desperate for the money. Long hours with nothing to do but skirt around Will's paraplegia force the two of them into transparent companionship. The long hours start to fade as Louise realized Will's true intent. She does everything in her power to try and change his mind. Her growing love for the man she's been hired to care for forges a deep and unforgettable connection between the two of them. This life-altering connection stirred deep emotion in me, and it ended up saving them both in every sense of the word.

I decided to see the film as well, and I was so pleased with the way every character brought vulnerability and life to the screen. I found myself very nearly falling in love myself. I would highly recommend this book for anybody brave enough to ask themselves the deer questions about life's meaning. This story will stay with me long after I've turned the last page, and I'm grateful for the perspective it gave me.

Have you read anything recently that made it to the New York Times Bestseller list? If so, was it worth recommending?

The Five Benefits of Hiring an Editor

Everybody has a story. And while not everybody feels compelled to share it with the rest of the world, there is a good percentage of us out there who do. Whether you aspire to become a multi-published author, or you are simply somebody with an idea, there is hope for you. The journey from an imaginative idea to a polished piece of literature doesn't have to feel so daunting.

This is where an editor comes in. I had no idea how helpful a partnership like this could be. After attending PENCON a couple of weeks ago, I came away with a new understanding of the various services a freelance editor provides. Here are five reasons why anybody who is serious about writing should hire one.

An editor can ...

     ... help you put an outline together. (Developmental Edit)
     ... make sure the story arch is present. (Substantive Edit)
     ... re-write sentences to improve style and flow. (Line Edit)
     ... correct spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. (Copy Edit)
     ... polish the piece after the manuscript is typeset. (Proofread)

Aside from all of this, a freelance editor can provide coaching or mentoring services. She can even ghostwrite the entire manuscript for you, giving you all rights to the piece.

I am so excited to announce that I've begun training to become one of these sought-after professionals. I am working on putting a website together that will hopefully launch in early July. It is a deep desire of mine to pour into other writers as I build my own writing career. Freelance editing seems like a great avenue with which to do so.

What about you? Where are you in the process? Do you have the seed of an idea that feels too fragile to share? Or perhaps you've been writing the same book for years. Regardless of where you find yourself, I highly recommend hiring a freelance editor to help you get up and over that hump. I will be in business before too long. But if your project can't wait for my debut, I hope you will consider hiring one of the qualified professionals at the The Christian PEN or the Christian Editor Connection.

Have you had any experience with a freelance editor? And if so, what were the benefits?

PENCON Highlights

Writers need other writers. I'm convinced of it. We spend a ton of time alone, typing away at the keyboard, massaging words much like we would a piece of clay until our project finds just the right shape. Then, once the words have been formed, and some sense can be made of author's concepts, the firing process can begin. Another word for this polishing and refining stage is editing.

And editors, much like writers, need to belong to a tribe. As I step into the world of professional editing, I have been so pleased to discover that such a tribe not only exists, but it has welcomed me with open arms. I had the privilege of connecting with top editors at PENCON last week. Colorado Springs provided a beautiful backdrop for intensive workshops such as:

Setting the Creative Foundation, The Spiritual Life of the Editor and Surviving Different Author Personalities by Allen Arnold

How to Be More Productive on Social Media and WOWful (not WOEful) Websites by Laura Christianson

Marketing a Book on Amazon: 7 Tips for More Exposure and Sales by Shelley Hitz

Challenging Clients by Jeanne Marie Leach

Work Smarter: Leveraging the Best Technologies to Improve Your Business and You're the Expert: Attending Writers' Conferences as an Editor by Catherine Jones Payne

Preventing Burnout by Susan Mathis

Business for Editors and Nonfiction Editing 101 by Christi McGuire

Navigating Taxes and Accounting in a Freelance World by Chris Morris

Editing YA Fiction by Donna Stanley

Editing Internet Content by Susan K. Stewart

Bookmapping and Storybreaking: Developmental Tools for Editors by Kristen Stieffel

How to Keep Your Focus When Life Gets Busy by Tiffany Amber Stockton

Get More Clients: Surefire Selling Techniques for Editor and Creativity for Christ: A Biblical Mandate to Have a Blast by Ben Wolf

Who knew there would be so much to this editing thing? Next week I will talk about the different kind of editing that contributes to a polished piece. In the meantime, I hope you will consider one of the professionals above if you are in need of an edit. They come highly recommended. The recordings of these workshops will be available on The Christian Pen website in June. They are well worth checking out.

What about you? Have you used a professional editor before? And if so, what was one thing you appreciated about the experience?

How to Make Time for Writing

Creativity adds color to an otherwise dreary day. It nurtures the soul and it is well worth pursuing. But so many distractions pull us away from this peaceful place with things like deadlines, driving errands and dinner choices. All the while, creative energy buzzes just below the surface, longing to brush some color onto the canvas or to place just the right phrase onto the page. This day and age does not lend itself well to the time and attention that’s needed in order to find expression. Creativity happens at a much slower pace than our world allows.

If life really is this busy (and experience has taught me that it is), then how does an artist ever get any work done? Whether I am hoping to try my hand at watercolor for the first time or I long to finish writing that novel I’ve kept tucked away in a bedside drawer, the entire process can feel insurmountable. But it doesn’t have to. I’d like to suggest a few simple steps that could help us quiet things.

The first step toward creative conquest is to make a decision. What is it you’d like to accomplish and why? Are you looking to prove yourself in some way or is this project more about personal growth and fulfillment? Perhaps you want to use your masterpiece to bring healing to another person. Or you might be surprised to find that the whole process healed the person you least expected—you.

After you’ve made the decision about what you’d like to create and why, you are going to have to clear a space for it. Where do you plan to work on things? And which part of the day or week have you designated? If this is important enough to you, then I suggest making yourself an appointment and treating it as such. Let others know that you will not be available during the designated time, but that you will be happy to help them when the egg timer goes off.

Now here’s the tricky part. After you’ve worked to create a space for your creativity to flourish with your colored pencils, cool-looking post-it notes and every dictionary and concordance known to man, and once your calendar is blocked off, you are going to need to guard it with your life. And the moment you’ve made your mind up about making a creative contribution to the world, the entire universe will work to keep you from fulfilling it. Why? Because it just does. Ask anybody who has created anything and they will tell you that it took a truckload of determination and hard work to get there. There are no shortcuts.

What about you? Is there something you aspire to create? And how have you been successful with quieting the noise?

Fallen Treasure

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29

            “Daddy do you think it will still be there?” the little girl said while tugging on the end of her silver bracelet. She held tight to a small brown paper bag when she spoke.

            Her father looked down on golden strands that were pulled back into a ponytail. “I sure hope so,” he said. He stood on the curb of the parking lot with the strength of one brave enough to cart three of his little girls to the grocery store all by himself. The father looked both ways and carefully took his first step. Two of the girls followed while the third perched onto his left hip. She gripped the arm of his T-shirt with joyful vigor. The father nuzzled his nose into her soft locks and continued across the busy parking lot.

            I had just finished loading my own groceries into the back of our vehicle. The metal wheels of the cart rattled along the pavement as I traveled the exaggerated distance to find its designated spot. Thoughts of dinner plans and other evening items pulled on me after a long day. Just as I pondered the feel of a bubble bath, I heard it. One tiny coin hit the pavement, piercing through the dull roar of the parking lot. I turned back toward the little family. And then another fell, and another, until a flood of coins rained down around the father’s ankles, making a splashing sound with every bounce.

            I made no sudden movement, no noise really, and headed straight for the disaster. By now the young father was working to collect each coin, coaching his daughters to stay on the sidewalk while he worked with careful concentration. The job seemed insurmountable as drivers pulled their cars right up to the scene, clearly wanting to pass.

            The money wasn’t the reason I rushed over to help. Nor did it have to do with the disappointment of a little girl so much. It was the ache of a father that I connected with. As a parent myself, I understood how it felt to want to shield your child from that kind of disappointment. This was his daughter’s treasure and she was getting ready to cash in on her dream. He was determined to try and scoop up every coin he could.

            I worked as quickly as I could, but with a great amount of calmness. Each quarter, dime and nickel felt smooth and warm in my hand. The father chuckled a little with embarrassment and mumbled something about doubling the bag next time. And as I worked along side of another complete stranger, I felt something shift. We dropped the coins into the father’s cupped hands and his awkwardness was replaced with what looked to be deep gratitude. The man seemed amazed that somebody would care enough to stop and help.

            I don’t know what that little girl was set to buy with her savings that day. Perhaps there was a goldfish waiting for her at the pet store. Or maybe she’d finally saved up enough to buy a special necklace for her mom. Or perhaps she had her sights set on a month’s worth of bubble gum. But what I do know is that her father cared very much about making sure his little girl’s treasure would be collected and cashed in—at all costs.

            The Bible says that we have a Heavenly Father too. He cares very much about the things we treasure. Do you have a dream you’ve wanted to cash in but circumstances have made it feel impossible? Do you find pieces of it scattered at your feet with no way of gathering it all back up? If it’s something your Father has always intended to give you, rest assured. He will move the hearts of ordinary people and grant favor to help you when you least expect it.

            My dream is to become a best-selling novelist and to teach at writers' conferences all over the country. There, I said it. And it felt good to let a little of it spill out. 

            What about you? Do you have a dream you’ve been saving up for?

           

           

Traditional vs. Indie Publishing

When I arrived at my very first writers' conference back in the spring of 2009, I can remember feeling amazed by two things. One being the beauty of our backdrop in the Santa Cruz mountains and two being the myriad of possibilities for anybody who might be interested in pursuing this thing called publication.  

There were greeting card companies looking for the next tearjerker and devotional publications working to reach the entire globe. Among an array of mind-blowing workshops stood literary agents and book editors much like the giant redwoods—each one felt larger than life. But somehow I found the courage to actually speak to a few of them (after practicing on the trees). What I can remember back then, aside from having somebody I deemed important encourage me, was that the general consensus about self-publishing came to this. It was frowned upon.

There was a very good reason for this, so the professionals explained. Many authors who were not able to get their material considered by a traditional publisher, decided to go their own way. As a result, several books were self-published but because they didn’t have the touch of a professional editor or the influence of a literary agent, many of these works, well … they stunk.

That is not the case seven years later. As I’ve kept a toe dipped into this ever-changing industry, I’ve seen that self-publishing went from almost taboo to an acclaimed alternative for some writers. Indie publishing, I've learned, can mean one of two things. It can be referring to a smaller publishing house that acquires niche material. But the term has also been used for those individuals who have taken the self-publishing route. Can you see why it is so easy to get tangled up in all of this?

Indie publishing (in the context of self-publishing) has forged a new path for authors who have written a book that might not fit the mainstream market. The excellences with which these independent publishers work nowadays provide top-of-the-notch material close and even comparable to the books traditional publishers are cranking out.

I’ve gone back and forth on the issue, and most days I find myself still wavering. I value the effort of anybody who would be brave enough to sit down and write an entire book. And regardless of which path that book takes to find its typeset and shiny cover, there is a reader out there just waiting to be entertained and changed by it. The behind-the-scenes stuff really is God’s business anyway.

I completed my first novel in January. I had the privilege of presenting it in book proposal form to some of the important people among the giant redwoods, who in turn, asked to read the entire manuscript. I won’t lie, I am really hoping find a literary agent who will take me by the hand and lead toward the path of traditional publishing. It’s always been a dream of mine. But if my carefully placed words find a different means of completion, I know that I can trust that too.

There is so much that could be added to this subject. I’d love to hear your take on things. Are you a fan of traditional or indie publishing? And as a reader, does any of it matter to you?

Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott

I really appreciate you stopping by today. As this blog takes shape, I will be making small changes to things. The first change I've decided to make is the day of the week I'll be posting things to. Mondays are pretty dreary by nature, so I thought I would try and lift a few spirits out there with a beginning-of-the-week post. If this ends up making Monday even more difficult for you, I invite you to say so in the comments. But please keep in mind, that as a writer I am hyper-sensitive to rejection. As a result, I hope you will choose the kindest vocabulary you can find.

As I mentioned, I will be posting a book review from time to time. I just read a real beauty, so I wanted to share it with all of you. If you haven't read this book yet, I hope you will consider doing so. I've come away so much richer. 

Here is my review ...

I had heard about the impact of this book in various writing circles through the years. It was one of those books that conjured up a desperation in the sharer's face. With scrunched cheeks and evened out eyebrows, she'd speak with the intensity of somebody calling a person back from the ledge. "You've got to read this book." And as I listened, I let the words swirl around, but they would not yet land on my already full calendar. But the intensity with which the message was delivered kept the title tucked away somewhere. And now I know why.

Lamott, a writer who has reached every plateau of publishing success, tells the truth about what it really means to pursue such madness. Her rendition of a writer's insecurities put names to the characters who follow me around each day. This made me feel known and understood. I somehow felt less haunted. Tears poured down my cheeks and my stomach muscles ached. She'd given me permission to laugh at myself, and because of this, my spirit was lifted to new heights.

With composure and tact, Lamott dares to debunk every myth we've ever believed about what it means to pursue publication. I came away with a new reverence for the hard work that goes into being brave enough to write. And because she shared with such honesty, I will also be able to entertain the little moments of magic. But no longer, will I be ruled by them.

The book's message is a cry for humanity and the need to look outside of ourselves long enough to consider giving back. Writing demands that we take the time to be filled, whether that means working in the garden, placing ourselves at the center of a party or getting lost in a deep conversation with a friend. This is not simply for the sake of becoming whole, but it is encouraged so that we can turn around and invest in somebody else.

I've been deeply inspired and my whole outlook on writing will never be the same. I highly recommend this book for anybody who'd be interested in writing. But even more, this book is for anybody who feels courageous enough to stare their fears in the face, invite them to have a seat, and to be willing to learn from each one. 

What have you read recently that has changed your whole outlook on life?