Thursday, October 8th, 2009
FAQs About Cindy’s Writing & Writing In General
1. When did you start writing? I’ve always been a journaler and story writer. My first poem, “Jesus’ Hands,” was published in the sixth grade by a small Sunday School paper. I was paid in free copies and was absolutely thrilled! I decided that I would add writer to my list of Things I Will Do & Be When I Grow Up. [Mommy, teacher, writer, singer, actress, princess, world traveler]
2. How do you get ideas? Anywhere. Seriously. A comment overhead in the airport/grocery store/PTO meeting. A scripture that leaps out. A title that comes to my head. I keep a notepad on my nightstand and one in the car. [Okay, okay, it's a minivan] You never know when inspiration will strike. When I’m walking and praying my daily 2 miles, I get ideas then too. I just haven’t found a waterproof writing pad for the shower yet.
3. When & how do you write with four children? Anytime I can. I carry a notebook to the park, I leave one in the van for stoplights and in my purse for writing while waiting at those marathon track meets when you drive 2 hours to watch your child run a total of 4 minutes, and that’s if they’re in all 4 of their events. I set goals and have a separate calendar just for writing. One day I might allot time to complete an entire column. Another day is set aside for office maintenance: correspondence, organization, sending off query letters and refining or researching proposals. When I am on deadline, I post a list of page requirements. I don’t allow myself to be finished until those are met. From after school until bedtime though, is family time. If I’m really behind, my husband will take over from after dinner through the bedtime routine.
4. Do you have an agent? Yes I do. I am represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary in Colorado. Agents can do wonderful things by opening the right doors, prodding you to keep deadlines and write with excellence. And, there are some publishing houses that simply won’t look at unagented manuscripts; editors know that agents will screen out bad material for them. That said, my first four books were published without an agent.
5. What do I need in order to write? The short answer is a legal pad and a pencil. Someone once defined a writer as someone who writes. That truly does capture the essence. Your persistence and determination to complete a project can make all the difference between you and the unpublished person who only dreams about writing. You also need a big dose of self-discipline. My office is three feet from the dishwasher [it's a dining room reclaimed as a writer's semi-paradise], but I get dressed every single week day and try to be writing 3-5 hours a day, limiting my go-to-town errands to one day a week. A computer is a definite plus; a laptop’s portability, even better. Still, write at the public library’s computer area if that’s all you can manage for now!
In general, first time fiction work must be a completed manuscript. Query potential publishers by including a brief synopsis, outline and 1-3 sample chapters. Non-fiction work can be contracted through a query letter and a thorough proposal which includes a chapter outline, specifics of your book’s strengths, target audience and what makes you the perfect individual to write this particular book. Most magazines want queries only. Once you have the job, be willing to work with your editor and always meet deadlines promptly.
6. What tools can you recommend? Read. A lot. The type of fiction you love. Books about writing and books about history. Browse through a variety of magazines for anniversaries of historical events and current events to spark article ideas.
Writer’s Digest is hands-down my favorite magazine for writing. Consider asking your local library to subscribe. I also recommend purchasing a copy of Writer’s Market. [This is available in hard copy and computer versions; I just love the ability of being able to highlight, mark up and place sticky notes with ideas by appropriate publishers in my hard copy.] It’s not cheap, but it is valuable. It contains short articles on the query letter and writing process as well as a remarkably thorough list of magazine and book publishers, divided by category. Each listing contains information on payment rates, whether or not they accept unsolicited manuscripts or just query letters, editor names, addresses and tips. There are also specialized individual volumes for Children’s books, poetry, music, etc.
Strunk & White’s Classic tiny book, The Elements of Style is invaluable resource. The first book I ever read about writing was Brock and Bodie Thoene’s Writer to Writer; it’s still fabulous. Look on-line and in writer’s resources for your own personal library of books that specialize in your areas of interest.
Other goodies: Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott; Writer’s Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing; An Introduction to Christian Writing – Ethel Herr; Get Organized, Get Published -Aslett & Cartaino.
7. What about self-publishing? This can be a great option for beginning writers, particularly if your topic is for a narrowed audience and/or you have speaking or business opportunities in which to sell them. Research carefully though and always check with the Better Business Bureau. Print-on-Demand is a newer, cost effective option, since you can pre-sell your book and then only pay for sold items, rather than having to purchase a minimum quantity.
8. How can you get started in freelancing? Invest in some professional looking stationery. Research rates and needs in your area of expertise and your geographical location. It’s possible to get an editing job by returning a poorly written newsletter or advertisement to the company with grammatical and spelling errors circled and a sharper, tighter version enclosed, together with a brochure outlining your services and prices. Check with your local newspaper about articles and special interest needs they might have. Practice pitching your ideas in a one-page, fabulously written query letter to various magazine editors and acquisitions editors. They’re busy folks; take time to find out the name of the appropriate editor, send your best stuff and always, always include an SASE for a reply and return of your manuscript. Find someone to proofread for clarity and errors; spell check will only take you so far.
9. What should I write? For me, passion dictates. Sometimes God grants me an idea, a title, a paragraph, an entire outline — and I just can’t let go until it is written. I pray, daily, and before each project, that God will guide my work, that my words will be honoring to Him and that He will bless my efforts. I think the most effective writers are real. They write what they know about or they research incredibly. They weave ordinary experiences into laugh out loud humor or poignant lessons. Journal. View almost every situation as potential fodder for a future article or novel. Know your target audience thoroughly.
10. What does Cindy write? Cindy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written for such publications as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Lookout, Christian Standard and P-31 Woman. She writes regularly for Hearts at Home magazine and a newspaper column for the Joplin Globe. More than 100 of her devotions and readings appear in Daily Grace for Teachers and Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms. Her books include: The Lights of Home; The Chocolate Side of Life; Who Got Peanut Butter On My Daily Planner? and Hot Chocolate for Couples.
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Stay focused and if this is something you truly want to do, don’t give up! Frank Baum’s beloved children’s classic, The Wizard of Oz, was rejected 80 times before acceptance. John Grisham self-published his first novel, A Time to Kill and sold it to bookstores himself from the trunk of his car. Today, he laughs his way to the bank.
