Do You Have a Writing Schedule?

I subscribe to the RSS feeds for 10 or 11 blogs dealing specifically with writing. I won’t list them all here, but I’m working on a list of links that will be on my Whispers in Purple blog/website later today…hopefully.

Anyway, today I’m going to mention just one of them, probably the one I make a point to read every day: The Kill Zone. IIs focus is primarily mystery and suspense, hence the title. The posts on Sunday is one I NEVER fail to read because it is written by one of my all-time favorite writers, James Scott Bell.

This past Sunday’s post is titled,  Are Most Writers Polygamous?

The basic point deals with writers who work on more than one project at a time, otherwise known on multi-tasking.

Go ahead and read it. I’ll wait. Be sure to read the comments as well.

Welcome back! So, what did you think? Did you see, in particular, the comment by DALE? He prefers to call it multi-tracking.  I like that. The implication seems–to me–to be a more friendly approach to our writing endeavors.

I also like James Scott Bell’s remark about Isaac Azimov, who wrote on one project until he was tired, then moved to another typewriter where he had a different project going and wrote on that for a while. I really liked that, and, since I have two computers–a desktop, where I do most of my work,  and a new laptop which, to date, has only been used as a spare for when the desktop is updating, freezes or the power goes out–I’m going to start doing that. Because I do have two (soon to be three) projects going at the same time.

So, here’s my question: How do you manage your writing projects? Share some of your processes in the comments section below

Join the conversation!

TWEETABLES:

[bctt tweet="For writers: Multi-tasking or Multi-tracking? Is there a difference? Share your thoughts."]

Announcing the 2015 Laurel Award!

2015 LAUREL AWARD WINNER

 

Author Dawn Crandall's novel

The Bound Heart

is the winner of Clash of the Titles's fifth annual Laurel Award.

 

CONGRATULATIONS, DAWN!

 

Dawn will receive the following: a beautiful banner to display on her website; a year-long page on COTT dedicated to the winning book, The Bound Heart; a "Heart of the Matter" radio interview with author and Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia L Simmons; a feature tour on COTT's Blog Alliance; a lovely plaque.

The Bound Heart was chosen by a panel of judges who narrowed the list of competing novels to three. From there, the panel put their choices to a straight vote. Dawn's novel, The Bound Heart, took home the crown.

Special thanks to each of our judges who volunteered their time to this contest!

BRIEF SUMMARY OF The Bound Heart:

One accidental kiss from Lawry Hampton. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt's world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn't have the time or the desire to fall for her best friend...

Stay tuned for the full-length feature of Dawn's winning novel, The Bound Heart!

PURCHASE THE BOOK ON AMAZON

 

Interview with author Alice K Arenz plus Giveway

2010 ACFW Carol Award winning author, Alice K. Arenz, aka A.K. Arenz, has been writing since she was a child. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her first three novels, cozy mysteries The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a 2009 ACFW Carol Awards finalist), The Case of the Mystified M.D., book two in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery Series (winner of the 2010 Carol Award), and the more serious mystery/suspense Mirrored Image (a 2011 finalist for the Carol Award) will soon be re-released by Forget Me Not Romances. Visit her at her website www.akawriter.com .

~♦~♦~

Alice, welcome! I’m so excited to have you here today.

Hi, Peg, thanks for having me.

My pleasure. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

When, or how, did you first discover that you were a writer?

I loved telling stories when I was a kid. I was always making things up. Of course, when you’re small, telling stories can sometimes be equated with not telling the truth. I did exaggerate and expound on things---still do! But it was my daddy who realized that it was more imagination than outright lying. So, in some ways, I guess I was a “writer” even before I could actually write.

(I know someone else who can say the same thing.)

How much of yourself do you write into your characters?

Um, that’s a hard one. I don’t really know how to answer that. They’re my creations---with a generous helping from God, mind you---and since they come from my brain, I would imagine that to some extent they all have minute pieces of me. Many of my characters have the same phobias I do. It’s easy to relate something like that. But I don’t believe any of them could have much of me. I’m too boring.

Oh, bosh. I don’t believe that for a minute.

What historical person–besides Jesus–would you most like to meet, and why?

John . . . I’d like to discuss Revelation with him.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Definitely a pantser. About the only things I know about my story before I begin to write is the title and the name of the main character. AND I have to write in chronological order---no jumping around for me. When I had to add an additional 10,000 words to The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, it took forever to come to grips with it. But encouragement from my daughter Kelly (my editor), my husband Chris, and a long shower of thoughtful prayer, and I finally got what I needed to proceed. I take a lot of showers when I’m writing. Best place to hear what God’s been trying to tell me!

Money being no object, where would be your dream writing getaway?

Location: near family. House, a clean, new one story with easy access to the outside, laundry on the living level, and my not having to go down stairs except in case of a tornado. The old raised ranch we live in is “falling down around our ears,” and so messy for various reasons, that I find it hard to concentrate on anything.

Coffee or tea?

Tea, definitely.

What is the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Um . . . being unable to shut up when I got onstage after winning the Carol in 2010. I still don’t know what I said!

Tell us a bit about An American Gothic and how you came to write it?

I originally wrote Gothic around 1989 or so. We were down at Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri & had just been to Ha Ha Tonka State Park. I love that place with the castle ruins and the story behind it---a dream to bring a European Castle and estate to Missouri and the tragedy that destroyed the place. Every time I go there I can’t help but start writing scenarios in my head, and An American Gothic is the culmination of my dream.

As for the story, you actually get two stories in one---the heroine, an aspiring gothic novelist, shares a few paragraphs of her story Craven at the beginning of each chapter. From the pace set in those few lines, you get an idea of the turmoil that is building in Lyssie’s life and those of the residences of the Foxxemoor estate where Lyssie is staying. A kind of modern day gothic/romantic suspense novel like I grew up devouring.

Tagline: She came to Foxxemoor to write a mystery, not to become part of one.

Back Cover Copy: Devastated by the death of a child in her care, Lyssie's heart strings are tugged when she finds another child in danger. Amid past secrets, lies, and betrayals of an old college friend's family, she must choose a twin brother to trust. If she makes the wrong decision, she could not only lose her own life, but also the life of the child she's come to love.

Thank you, Alice, for being a guest on Whispers in Purple. Any parting comments you’d like to share?

Thank you so very much for inviting me to join you today, Peg. This has been fun!

And for those of you out there who want to write but don’t think they can do it because of health issues or whatever, remember that if God is calling you, He will help you find a way. Gothic had been scheduled to be published five years ago, but it didn’t happen. During that intervening time, because of increasing health issues, I not only didn’t/haven’t written, but I didn’t think I would ever be blessed with another published novel. But I was wrong. God opened this door, and as frightened as I am about going through it and embracing it, I’m trying not to let Him or anyone else down. It’s overwhelming and scary, but I hope all of you will find this new book more than worth the effort. Thank you & God Bless. Alice

And God Bless you, Alice. BTW, I’m reading Gothic right now, every chance my own writing gives me.

~♦~♦~

The Giveaway:  Alice is offering to give away one paperback copy of An American Gothic to one of you who leaves a comment below. (Lower 48 only. Sorry.)Have a question of your own to ask her? Do it here! Giveaway ends at Midnight Central one week from today. Winner will be drawn the following day and notified via email. Thanks for entering.

~♦~♦~

>>>BREAKING NEWS<<<

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, Book One in Alice’s Bouncing Grandma series, has been redesigned with a new cover and re-released TODAY

Be sure to check it out! Just click on the cover and enjoy!

Writing Talk Tuesday with Yours Truly

As a writer, have you ever become disenchanted with your work in progress? A work you’ve been totally in love with when…BAM! The love has dimmed and you’re wondering what happened to that spark that got you started?

Then the doubts and self-castigation begin and you start listening to the lies the enemy has been lurking nearby, just waiting for a chance to throw at you:

Your writing really stinks.

You’ll never be good enough.

You should never have started the project to begin with.

This effort isn’t nearly as good as your last one.

What were you thinking?

Give it up. Go crochet doilies or something.

Any of those sound familiar?

I confess. Guilty as charged. I’m at that point right now, one-third of the way through my current work. Oh, I still love the concept of this series. The first two volumes have been well received. And I had fun writing them.

But…

Why am I having so much trouble with Volume 3? I’m procrastinating way too much, reluctant to move forward, and I must. I’m under contract to write this series. Though I’m under no set deadline, I am obligated to submit each volume in a timely manner, and I know I’m pushing it.

When I looked last night at what I’ve written so far, well, I’m not happy with it. It’s…okay. Just…not good, know what I mean?

So I’m curious what the rest of you writers out there do when this happens to you? How do you work through it? Please share in the comment section below.

Or, better yet, write an article to share her for other enquiring minds.

Why? Because this is the inaugural post of what I hope will become a weekly feature here on Whispers in Purple. I’m calling it WRITING TALK TUESDAY, and will be featured once a week on…Tuesday’s! Clever, huh?

So consider this my INVITATION to contribute something…anything…as long as it’s writing-related, to share with others. If you’re interested in this, mention it in your comment; use the CONTACT tab at the top of this page, or email me at peg@peggyblannphifer.com

Hope to hear from you soon!

 

Author Peggy Blann Phifer, a retired executive assistant after twenty-one years in the Electrical Wholesale Industry, lives in the ‘boonies’ of NW Wisconsin. A late bloomer as far as writing is concerned, Peg’s first published work was a prayer that appeared in 2000 in a Guideposts Book compilation called Prayers for Every Need. Her debut novel, To See the Sun, a contemporary romantic suspense, released in January 2012. A novella, Somehow, Christmas Will Come, contemporary women’s fiction, released in November 2014, re-released in late 2015. Her work has also appeared in numerous anthologies and she is currently writing a series of her own called Sweetwater River. Peg is represented by Jim Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency.

 

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A Northern Wisconsin Lament

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, But mosquitoes come close.