I spent almost three hours on Saturday writing today’s blog. In fact, I had most of next week’s blog written, too. I only had to do some final polishing and format it for posting. I would have uploaded it then, but I was running late for an appointment. I shut down my computer and went to the appointment.

         That night, I turned on my computer, planning to upload the blog and do a few other writing-related tasks. The computer would not start! I got a “file corrupted” message and instructions on what to do. Didn’t work. My computer’s shot. According to my computer-guru (aka as Hubby), it’s the hard drive. I might be able to recover the data if I’m willing to pay some high-priced geek to try to retrieve it. Most likely, I’ll be buying a new hard drive or computer in a few days.

          I thought about trying to reproduce what I wrote. I could try, but it might not be as good. (Or it might be better.) Instead, I think I’ll just ask some questions. See what our readers think. (Nothing like getting someone else to do my work. )

          We just finished with our month-long Author Crush guest blogs. Which blogs were your favorite? Why?

          The authors I particularly related to were the ones who professed little or no routines. Zilpha Keatley Snyder, who writes when she wants; Tosca Lee, with her nocturnal writing habits; Sarah Prineas, who claims to binge-write after what she calls pre-writing; and Karen Cushman, who does the same pre-writing type activities, but confesses they are really procrastination routines. Every one of these authors affirmed my own style of procrastination/daydreaming/writing, giving me much-needed encouragement to trust my own process.

          That isn’t to say I didn’t like the others. I thoroughly enjoyed every guest blog we posted. Given enough space, I could say something about each post. My goal, though, is not to rehash all those blogs. My goal is to start a conversation. Let us know which authors stirred a chord in your heart, taught you something you didn’t know (thanks Pamela, for the link to FreelanceWritingGigs.com) or just plain entertained you. (Next time I need to figure out a plot point, I’m going to go bake some cookies, like Julie Garwood.)

          Your thoughts?

Today is Christmas and we at Routines for Writers are celebrating our Lord’s birth with family and friends. So in lieu of my regular blog, here are some of my favorite Bible verses that help bring special meaning to this time of year:

• And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:9-11)

• So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  (Luke 2:16-20 NIV)

• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.  Amen ( John 21:25 NIV)

          That month of frenzied, maniacal writing is almost upon us. Next Sunday marks the first day of November and the beginning of the mad rush to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Will you be joining Kitty, Shonna and me as we race toward the finish line? If so, we hope you’ll come by and be encouraged by what we’ll be sharing throughout the month. If you don’t plan to participate in NaNoWriMo, there will still be thoughts, encouragement and instruction available for you. Our posts and the guest blogs we have planned are sure to be helpful whether you are writing non-stop frenzied-style or merely starting a new project or developing an ongoing one.

          This year for NaNoWriMo I plan to rewrite a project that has haunted me for a decade or more. I write some, put it aside, come back and write some more, stop working on it until is lures me back into the story only to set it aside when I reach another impasse. This meandering way of writing has produced an octopus that needs taming! The characters have one motivation in one area of the manuscript and a totally different one in another area. The plot wanders all over the place. Lots of interesting things are happening to fascinating people, but it really isn’t a story. It’s a 800 page monstrosity.

          During the past couple weeks, I’ve been attempting to pull together a plot that will serve as a map as I write this year’s NaNoNovel. I’m having limited success. As usual, I get more of the plot by working with the characters. Even so, Come November, I may have to fall back on my tried and true method of discovering some of the missing parts by just writing. (Not really a big surprise to anyone who knows me.)

          One thing I am focusing on, though, is obtaining a firm grasp of each character’s story. As I told you last week, as I write a short paragraph or two detailing the known events from each character’s viewpoint, the entire story comes into sharper focus. I’ll be continuing that work this week. (During two, count them, two days spent at the coffee house.)

          I will also be experimenting with a literary technique that I only recently discovered. Chiastic structure. . Also called inverted parallelism, it is a reversal of structures to emphasize an overarching point. If you read the wikipedia explanation of it, you may come away more confused than enlightened. The easiest way I know to explain it is by example. The quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” and “Don’t live to eat; eat to live,” are simple chiastic structures. This is what I will attempt to create for each of my characters, a chiastic theme sentence.

          Although I haven’t given it much thought, a possible example for my hero and heroine comes to mind. My heroine believes anyone able to work magic is selfish and uncaring, most likely even cruel. My hero, a powerful mage, must prove otherwise to her. He will be trying to convince my heroine that “magic does not create the relationship; the relationship creates the magic.

          I’m still mulling over this and several other possibilities. This week I plan to spend two days (Yes! Two! Yay!) at the coffee shop preparing for NaNo. Come Nov 1st I hope to be ready to madly throw words through the keyboard that will create a coherent, magical, fascinating storyline for my hero and heroine.

          Care to join me?

Happy Anniversary to us! Routines For Writers “went live” a year ago Tuesday, September 1, 2008. We are excited and thrilled to have reached this major milestone and want to share our excitement with you. With all the life changes and summertime activities of the three of us, we have not been able to talk about how to celebrate. Soon, though! When we decide, you are invited to the party!

Happy Anniversary!

          Life is getting away from me! Or more accurately, life is catching me, overrunning and running over me. I’m not complaining, but I am struggling to get any writing done. It seems like as soon as I take care of one pressing task, another is waiting in the wings for my attention. Only a few of them are the 9 tasks I listed out that I wanted to complete in 99 days and none of them are writing . . . except this blog.

          How do I get off this merry-go-round?

          I just now remembered something I’ve done in the past. Word points. A couple of years ago I was participating in a NaNo-like push to get writing done with Kitty and Shonna and a couple other writer friends. We all had different writing goals for the month, but wanted to have a friendly competition to generate motivation for all of us. Kitty suggested assigning word points to certain tasks, thereby turning all the tasks into “words”, making it easy to compare our progress to the others’.

          I loved that idea! In fact, I used it for months, long after our competition ended. Suddenly, I had a way to easily tell how I was progressing toward my stated goals. I assigned word points to things like editing (every 30 minutes=1000 wp) or researching (every hour=1000 wp) and added them up as I accomplished them. I even converted non-writing activities into word points, making it easier to monitor my entire life with that system.

          As with many things in my life, this one slipped out of use (and memory). Not because it wasn’t helpful. It was immensely helpful! I think my life just got way too overrun with non-writing activities (like moving cross-country and, soon after spending a month away from a still-unpacked home to care for my dad after heart surgery). I fell out of the habit of assigning word points to all those activities. By the time I returned home and settled into a routine, I’d forgotten all about that habit.

          I think, though, it is time to resurrect word-points. There are many things I need to do in the next month or two. I have several non-writing tasks of importance (like tutoring my young cousin), but I don’t want to neglect my writing. I have stories that need finishing and others that are clamoring to get out of my head. I want to make sure I stay on track, headed toward my dreams and long-term goals no matter how busy my life becomes.

          I’ll spend the first free moments I get today prioritizing all the tasks I need to finish this week and assigning word points to each. I’ll let you know how many word points I need to reach (and what percentage of those are actual writing tasks) as soon as I’m done. Would you like to join me?

         Each writer is influenced differently. We read books or attend classes, join critique groups or go to conferences. Some of us need time alone while others of us need lots of interaction with other writers to maintain our motivation and inspiration. Over the next month, you’ll get a glimpse into some of the things that motivate me and Kitty and Shonna. As you read what we have to say, I hope you get inspired and encouraged in your own writing life.

         Books have always been a major part of my life. I discovered the library very early and it is still one of my favorite places to hang. I have my own library of books I just can’t part with. While it would be impossible to list all the books that have influenced me as a writer, here are a few.

         “Discovering the Writer Within,” by Bruce Ballenger and Barry Lane and “The Creative Call,” by Janice Elsheimer are books I regularly return to for exercises and insights that focus and ignite my creativity. I especially like “The Creative Call.” This book is similar to the more well-known “The Artist’s Way,” by Julia Cameron, but with what I see as a significant difference. In my opinion, “The Artist’s Way” spent an inordinate amount of time delving into what hinders or has hindered creativity in an artist’s past. In contrast, “The Creative Call” focuses more on how an artist’s creativity is an expression of worship that grows out of a relationship with a Creator and the exercises are designed to foster that creative relationship.

         Other books in my library help me develop and hone the skills I need to craft interesting stories. “Techniques of a Selling Writer,” by Dwight Swain, Writing the Breakout Novel,” by Donald Maass (both book and workbook) and “Plot and Structure,” by James Scott Bell are my most used. These books help me focus on the intricate details of conflict and dialogue and action and all the little nuts and bolts and screws that make up a story. For the high-level structure of the story, I often refer to “The Writer’s Journey,” by Chris Vogler and, more recently, “Save the Cat,” by Blake Snyder. Both of these systems help me analyze and evaluate my stories for plot holes and weak motivation.

         Since I write a lot of fantasy, I often have a hard time coming up with names. “Character-Naming sourcebook,” produced by Writer’s Digest Books is a wonderful resource. I refer to it often.

         Another book I have read multiple times is “Time Management for the Creative Person,” by Lee Silber. While not necessarily a writing book, it has helped me discover creative ways to motivate myself and increase my productivity.

         Most people who know me know that I call myself a Christian. My definition of a Christian is one who lives by what is taught in the Bible. This is the one book that has influenced me more than any other. I find insights and guidance here for living my life. I find compelling stories of good and bad and the battle for both. I find inspiration and examples and all manner of fodder for my imagination.

         I know I’ve only scratched the surface of all the books that are and will be influential in my journey as a writer. I’m off to find more! Oh, before I go . . . what books do you recommend?

Janet is one of my oldest online friends, that growing number people whom I’ve only ever met online. I met her at least 6 or 7 years ago (a long time in Internet-land) on one of the writing loops we belong to. She’s a real go-getter. She has self-published more books than I can keep count of, has successfully seen them placed in many bookstores, works as Marketing Director of an ebook/POD company and I’m sure is involved in a whole lot more. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Janet Elaine Smith, author of “Pampas,” “Hello, Daddy!” and many more humorous and heartwarming stories!

         Routines for writers? You are kidding, right? Every time I think I can settle into a routine to write the phone rings. Or somebody knocks at the door. Or something else happens.

         Seriously, I try to spend at least an hour every evening writing. If things go really well I often get wrapped up and before I know it, two or three hours have passed. That is not, sadly, always on the book I am working on at the time. I write regularly for several magazines, too, so that is where a lot of my writing time is spent.

         During the daylight hours I spend a great deal of time marketing (I am the Marketing Director for Star Publish LLC), and if I am in need of doing some research, I do that then. I have found, judging from the e-mails and letters I get, that good research is an absolute must. I love hearing from somebody that they can’t tell which of my characters or what part of the story line is true and what is fictional. I have as much fun stumbling across some fact in a history book that changes the course of the story as I do in the actual writing of it.

         Even in writing a contemporary book, I feel that research is one of the most vital parts. For example, I love it when a geographical setting is so real and so much a part of the book that it almost becomes a character in its own right. Mary Higgins Clark is a genius at doing this.

         My latest book, Hi, Daddy! is a good example of making sure things work properly. My late husband and I ran a charitable organization for almost 40 years in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Hi, Daddy! is the tale of a convoluted man who had four ex-wives, seven kids, and a whole closet full of secrets that he didn’t want exposed. What does research have to do with that mess? By working with numerous families that had “extended” branches I knew how the “system” worked in such matters as child support, joint custody, etc. That made it easy to write the book. I had already done the research, even though it wasn’t done intentionally.

         My next book will be a historical, Maiden Rock Mistress. It is set in Lake City, MN, in an area where my mother grew up. I had spent a lot of time there when I was growing up, so it was easy to draw on those memories for the book. In fact, my great grandfather William Ledra Bowen and his parents figure prominently in the book, blending in with the fictional characters.

         If I could pass on one hint it would be, especially if you are writing historicals, to have several sets of old encyclopedias. The new ones have left so much of the “good stuff” out of them to make room for all the new space explorations, medical discoveries, etc. If you are writing about Europe, Great Britain, or Asia, the Encyclopedia Britannica can’t be beat, but if you are writing about Colonial America you will find much more detailed information in the Encyclopedia Americana. If you keep your eyes open at rummage sales, thrift shops, used bookstores, etc. you can find these sets for just a few dollars. Also, watch for good children’s historical books. You can get a much better feeling for what life was like in a typical family from them than you can from a history book.

         Above all, when you write, remember to have fun with it. If it is hard work, it isn’t going to entertain the reader. Write a book that you would love to read. If you get stuck, set it aside for a few days and then go back and read what you have written so far to get a feeling for where you have been and where you are heading. To me, my ultimate test of whether it is “working” is if it makes me both laugh and cry, I’ve done a good job.

         Happy writing, and don’t forget to spend time reading. I can direct you to a website where you can find a few good books! My own. LOL! Come back anytime.

Janet Elaine Smith began writing after she and her late husband returned from Venezuela, where they were missionaries for 9 years. She wanted to write their experiences before she forgot them. By the time she had finished that, she was hooked on writing. She waited for over 20 years before her first book, Dunnottar, was published (in June 2000). She now has 19 published novels, with the 20th one, Maiden Rock Mistress, ready to be released this spring. Meanwhile, she found a niche in magazine writing, and she has had over 3000 articles published and she continues to write for several magazines, including Memories and Mysteries, Genealogical Helper and Writers’ Journal. She admits that she is living her dream life.

         What?!? No Author Crush blog today?

         That’s right. Pitiful me wasn’t able to convince my favorite authors to come blog with me. Something about being too busy writing. Imagine!

         So I’ll chat with you about my favorite authors. My first exposure to books, at least any that made any impression on me, was Dr. Seuss. I learned to read from “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Hop on Pop”. Dick and Jane just couldn’t keep my interest like Sam, I am. I exhausted the libraries of every school I attended (we moved a lot). I must have read thousands of books, and I’m sure their stories helped formed my character and personality. The ones I remember most vividly are Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew), Louisa May Alcott (I was ecstatic when I realized she wrote more than Little Women), Madeline L’Engle and a series that followed the adolescent life of a girl named Beanie up through her marriage. In high school I discovered romances and coming of age stories. Madeline Brent (I couldn’t believe “she” was actually a “he”!), Mary Stott and S. E. Hinton are a few authors I remember. Later it was Judith McNaught, Kathleen Woodiwiss and scores of others (I can remember stories much longer than author names). High school was also the time I discovered science fiction. I’ve always preferred the “softer”, more fantasy-like science fiction, Ray Bradbury, Zenna Henderson, Madeline L’Engle. Sad to say, I was an adult before I read Lord of the Rings, but am in awe of J.R.R. Tolkien. As a young (and now older) adult, looking for to feed my fantasy hunger, I read a lot of books, but the ones I’ve most enjoyed are stories that either affirm or at least not denigrate Christian principles. C. S. Lewis and Tolkien, of course, and Kathy Tyers, Karen Hancock, Stephen Lawhead, Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Shanna Swendson, Julie Kenner are just a few. I’m sure I will think of more after this blog is posted. While fantasy is my love and I am constantly discovering new authors, like Sarah Addison Allen, I also enjoy contemporary and historical fiction. Bodie Theone, Janet Evanovich, Elizabeth Peters and Jane Austin are more of my favorites. From my children (mostly grown now) I discovered Stephenie Meyer, Patricia Wreade, Garth Nix and other YA authors who write stories even an adult (or at least this adult) can enjoy.

         In case you haven’t caught on, I adore reading. There is no better way to relax than to immerse myself into a well-told story, becoming a character, seeing life from that person’s eyes. And what better way to improve my own writing? I think it’s time for me to take a bre . . . I mean go to work.

         See you on the other side of the next story!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jordan Rosenfeld’s final blog in our current series on Craft/Editing will be posted on Thursday.

I’ll take this spot today to plug our next exciting series: February is Author Crush Month! Stephanie, Kitty, and I are busy lining up some of the authors we admire to blog about their own routines this month.

When we get our dates finalized we’ll update the Calendar section of our blog so you can see if your favorites are also on the list. We are very excited about the lineup and look forward to learning a little bit more about writer’s routines from these seasoned pros!

         Final edits? What are they? That sounds so . . . final. For me nothing is final. LOL

         Actually, I do realize at some point the story needs to be declared finished. Knowing I’ve reached that time is very hard for me. That is why I’ve changed my strategy for the first part of this year. Instead of working on a long project, with its inherent go-on-forever pitfalls, I’m concentrating on short stories and articles (and blogs). I really need to practice this final edit stage.

         I’m getting better. Creating this blog each week, keeping it short and interesting, to the point and posting it on time and in polished form, has given me a lot of practice. Now it’s time to use what I’ve learned on my fiction. I’ll back off for just a bit from my novels and create short stories. I’ll follow the same plan I’ve been using for this blog these past few months. I’ll spend a day writing the initial story, set it aside for a day, then return to flesh it out some more, adding conflict or characterization or description, whatever it needs. After a couple of days’ work, I’ll decide it’s time for the final editing and polishing. By giving myself a “quota,” I hope to generate the same sense of deadline imposed by this blog.

         Final edits is the time you make sure everything is in place and looks good. This is not the time to add a new character or subplot. (I’m talking to myself here!) It is the time to search the manuscript for overused words, the time to replace passive verbs with active verbs, the time to check and double check spelling, grammar and punctuation. It is the time to make sure your manuscript is formatted correctly (1 inch margins, double-spaced, you know the drill). Final editing is for that final polish that will make sure your piece will be well-received by an editor.

         So learn proper format and submit your work in that format. The Elements of Style,” by William Strunk is a classic. There are others. Search and locate. Find a good book, buy it for reference. Use it. If the publisher you are targeting has a list of formatting styles, study them. Use them.

         As you probably realize, this stage of the process in not a lot of fun for me. That’s why I’m drawn to sites and articles like this Rules For Editing site. It gets the points across while having fun. And the humor makes it linger so I actually remember the rules while I’m editing. That’s a good thing for this writer who prefers to keep playing with the characters instead of editing their story.