 |
| Last year at HP |
I had been out of the publishing business a long
time when my friend, Mary, invited me to my first writer’s retreat at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Educational Center in Piggott several years ago. That experience connected me with other
writers and triggered a gradual evolution from retirement to casual dabbling and eventually to more serious writing
endeavors.
This year I’ve been trying to clarify my focus. An invitation
to jump on a blog hop about My Writing
Process seemed the perfect opportunity to refine those thoughts.
Thank
you, Stephanie Vanderslice for tagging me. Here’s where I find myself
today.
What
Am I Working On?
I have a novel (about three-quarters done) that languishes between
writing retreats at HP and the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow. When I’m home,
I seem to focus on shorter pieces or this blog, which I love, and I’ve been
concentrating on inspirational writing in 2014.
Sunday, we’re heading down to Navarre Beach for a couple of weeks where I’ll be working on that book. It’s the perfect place to write without interruptions.
 |
| Our Favorite Getaway Spot |
I confess I’m shy about submitting my work. But this
year, I’ve sent several devotionals, poems and a story to some faith-based publications.
I recently learned that five of my devotionals will be included on a new
website that will launch in the near future, which is exciting. I’ll keep you
posted on that. Still, I remind myself that my work won’t appeal to everyone. I just hope to find an audience that connects with it.
How
Does My Work Differ From Others in my Genre?
I don’t really know. My book is about a young man’s
journey from despair to faith. I hope to present the Christian component without
being preachy. I’d like to appeal to a broad audience while remaining
true to what I believe.
Why
Do I Write What I Do?
My writing reflects my life. I’ve lived my own
redemption story, plus I have a teacher’s heart. I see spiritual applications in everything. Life is full of writing prompts.
How
Does My Writing Process Work?
I start my day by reading something inspirational
and then spend time reflecting and praying. Some days my writing springs from what I
read, but just as often, an idea that’s been percolating begins
to take shape. It may start with a single line of poetry, or an outline might
unfold almost like a lesson plan. I try to capture these thoughts in a journal,
which usually becomes a first draft.
 |
| My favorite reference book |
As I type the copy into my computer, the editing begins. Maybe because I worked as an editor, I actually enjoy the process.
Trimming away the nonessential, trading a phrase for the best word to convey
a thought brings me great satisfaction. If I let it get cold for a few hours or overnight, I always see
more ways to tighten it and make it better when I go back to it.
Like any creative endeavor, my writing is part of
me, which can make me overly attached to every thought, line
and word. I remind myself to get over it and edit more. If it doesn’t contribute to the central thought, I save it for something
else.
Who’s
Next in My Blog Hop?
Kayla Dean: Kayla works as a Student Development
Specialist at Arkansas State University - Beebe. She is also a wife and the mother of
a sixteen-month-old son. She must be amazingly organized because she still
finds time to write. She beat me to the post! Read about her writing process at K.I. Dean Around.
Gayle Glass: In addition to being a mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother (she looks too young for that!), Gayle is a working woman who still finds the
time to write and pursue a liberal arts degree. She has lots of writing experience. Check out her blog The Looking
Glass.
At time of publication, I didn't have a third writer
for this blog hop, so if you're interested, jump on the My Writing Process
blog hop. Just tell me in the comments. I recommend it. It's been an enlightening exercise for me.
A
word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11
Labels: Blogging, editing, writing process