Dear O'Abby - from the archives: Is Blogging still something I need to do?

I thought I'd bring back this post from almost two years ago because it seems very relevant at this moment.  I have been writing this column here for a number of years now, and have watched the number of people engaging with each post dwindle month by month.

In light of this, and the fact I feel very much like I've covered almost every topic I'm qualified to offer advice on, I'm planning to make November 2024 my final month as O'Abby.  So if you have any burning questions, get them in quick...

Dear O'Abby,

I'm a writer and have been blogging pretty regularly for over 10 years now.  I started because it was THE thing all writers seemed to do and as a baby writer, it felt like I had to if I wanted to be a real writer.  Now, blogs seem so much less prevalent and I'm noticing the number of comments and traffic seems to be slowing to my own blog.  I'm wondering if in 2023 blogging is still necessary for writers? 

Maybe I should spend my time somewhere else?

Kind regards,

Blogged-Out

Dear Blogged-Out,

I hear exactly what you're saying.  Back in the 2010s, every writer seemed to have a blog and there were multiple blogs offering writing advice, competitions, publishing tips and anything else in between. There also seemed to be a far larger number of passionate readers with blogs specifically for book reviews and talking about books than there are now.

Like everything else you do as a writer, blogging is a personal choice.  If you don't enjoy it and struggle to find content, maybe it is time to quit.  But if it is something you enjoy, why stop?  You may not be getting the comments you used to, but I bet you have a handful of loyal followers who enjoy what you post.  You may even consider some of these people friends.

The key to a good blog is consistency, both in when you post and what you post.  If you blog about something you're truly passionate about and write about it in a way only you can, it's far more likely to be successful than if you post stuff because you feel you have to.  

If you're feeling burned out with blogging and struggle to think up content to post, but don't really want to give up entirely, switch up your schedule.  Maybe you post three times a week now - can you drop down to one post per week?  Would your readers care?  Just signal your intentions.  Write a post explaining that in 2023 you're only going to post on Fridays or Tuesdays or whichever day.  

And if you want to change the focus of your blog, signal that too.  Maybe you want to keep up the three posts a week, but rather than being three posts on a single topic, you want to switch one to something else you are interested in.  You may find new people discover your blog when you shift the focus a little, even if it is for just one post a week.

I hope that helps!  Never feel obliged to do something you don't enjoy just because other people are doing it.

X O'Abby

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024: February Update

 

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The second month was successful with my reading goals. I made great progress on the publishing course, though I still have quite a bit to go. It has been lovely to think of how I want to reach my writing and publishing goals.

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing. (in progress)

1. Read 12 literary magazines. (0/12)
2. Read 12 novels. (24/12)
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (read by Andy Serkis)
2. The Wolf of Oren-Yaro
3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
4. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
5. The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
6. Rival Demons by Sarra Cannon
7. Demons Forever by Sarra Cannon
8. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
9. Emerald Darkness by Sarra Cannon
3. Read 12 short story collections. (0/12)
4. Read 12 poetry collections. (0/12)
5. Read 12 graphic novels. (7/12)
1. Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
2. A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll
3. The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge
4. Everything is Teeth by Evie Wyld
5. Fables: Book Six by Bill Willingham
6. Read 12 children's books. (6/12)
1. The Adventures of Chad and the feelings of Glad, Mad and Sad by Dustin Wright
2. We're Different, We're the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates
3. Mulla Husayn: The Story of the Declaration of the Bab for Young Children by Alhan Rahimi
4. Naw-Ruz in My Family by Alhan Rahimi
5. Garden of Ridvan by Alhan Rahimi
7. Read lots of books (nonfiction, fiber, etc). (9/12)
1. Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
2. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. 
1. On target to finish all of the badges!

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024? How was February for you?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024: January Update

 

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It's time to reflect on the first month of 2024! How did I do?

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing.
1. The 6 week course starts in February, and it will be exciting to think about writing and publishing in a new way. I am looking forward to learning so much.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read. I read 25 books in January. Only 225 to hit my goal, which is about 4.5 books a week.

1. Read 12 literary magazines. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
2. Read 12 novels. (15/12)
1. Inner Demons by Sarra Cannon
2. Popcorn and Poltergeists by Nancy Warren
3. Bitter Demons by Sarra Cannon
4. Shadow Demons by Sarra Cannon
5. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
6. Golden Son by Pierce Brown
7. Garters and Gargoyles by Nancy Warren
8. Morning Star by Pierce Brown
9. Diamonds and Daggers by Nancy Warren
10. Ribbing and Runes by Nancy Warren
11. Herringbones and Hexes by Nancy Warren
12. Mosaics and Magic by Nancy Warren
13. Tangles and Treason by Nancy Warren
14. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
15. Cat's Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren
3. Read 12 short story collections. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
4. Read 12 poetry collections. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
5. Read 12 graphic novels. (2/12)
1. Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman
2. Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman
6. Read 12 children's books. (1/12)
1. The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
7. Read lots of books (nonfiction, fiber, etc). (7/12)
1. Weaving Big on a Little Loom by Fiona Daly
2. A Handbook of Weaves by Gustaf Hermann Oelsner
3. Pattern Weaving by Rabbit Goody
4. Polysecure by Jessica Fern
5. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
6. The Gift by Edith Eger
7. The Polysecure Workbook by Jessica Fern
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges.
1. I am on target with 8 achievements so far.  

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024? How did January go for you?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024

 

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Wow, I can't believe that January is halfway over already! I decided to do something a little different this year. In December 2023, I took the Heart Breathings HB90 Bootcamp by Sarra Cannon to break the year into quarters by making goals and planning projects each quarter. I've been trying for years (and years) to develop tools from others and discover my preferences with planners, tracking progress, making goals, and completing goals.

And with all those years of experimenting, I have had little success with follow through. I make all of these wonderful goals at the beginning of the year. I start off great, but then the Suzanna Train loses steam and screeches off the track. Sure, I've reached some of my goals, but I have been anything but consistent, except during NaNo. Somehow, I can do NaNo. I even made it to 100 K with my double NaNo goal in 2023. YAY!

While I am still experimenting with my planner system, I'm thrilled that I took the HB90 Bootcamp course. I can already feel a difference with the progress I've made so far on my goals. 

• I'm not beating myself up when I fail to meet my daily or weekly to do list.
• Each day is a fresh start. Today is a good day to have a good day.
• It is really hard to make habits, but progress is progress.
• Life will throw curveballs no matter how much I plan. Gotta get up.

So, I want to continue writing, reading, and making progress on my personal goals. Here goes the start of a new quarter.

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read. Can I make it to 250 this year? I made it to 247 last year.

1. Read 12 literary magazines.
2. Read 12 novels.
3. Read 12 short story collections.
4. Read 12 poetry collections.
5. Read 12 graphic novels.
6. Read 12 children's books.
7. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. 

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2023: October Update

  

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It is that time of year where I update my goals and begin thinking about my goals for next year. 

Here are my writing goals for 2023:

1. Write 100,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November)
1. The plan is in motion. I have my word tracker and two projects planned so I can reach 100K.
2. Write at least one children's book in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.)  
1. Will move to 2024.
3. Write at least one new short story.
1. Been thinking about one. Need to find the first paragraphs of a draft.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
1. Still sorting papers.
5. Write at least one new poem each week.
1. I've written some poems but not where I'd like to be with this one.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
1. Still a dream at this stage.
7. Work on the draft for writing a nonfiction book about the day job.
1. One of my NaNo projects!
8. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
1. Second of my NaNo projects!

Of course as a writer, I also need to read.

1. Read at least 10 children's books in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.) and focus on one category each month and then rotate. (72 read of 60 children's books)
2. Read at least one book of short stories each month. (2 read of 12 short story collections)
3. Read at least one book of poetry each month. (5 read of 12 poetry books)
4. Read at least one literary magazine each month. (2 read of 12 literary magazines)
5. Read at least one nonfiction book regarding the day job each month. (15 read of 12 nonfiction books)
6. Read at least one graphic novel each month. (17 read of 12 graphic novels)
7. Read a total of 150 books in 2023. (203 read of 150 books)
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. (The hardest one for me is the perfect month where you read every day in the month.)
1. I have earned 100% of the achievements for all of the 3 completed challenges: the New Year Kindle Challenge (January to March), Kindle Spring Challenge (April to June), and Kindle Summer Challenge (July to September). I have 9 of 15 achievements for the Year End Kindle Challenge as of October 31.

Reflection so far on this year's goals. I'm shocked at how much I have read. I finally got bit by the audiobooks bug, so I have been invested in reading more than on Kindle or paper copies. Do you have a favorite audiobook?

I have, sadly, reached more of my reading goals this year than my writing goals. I'm still sorting my art studio space, and I'm hoping to organize my books and set aside what I'd like to read each month. Here's to hoping to a productive NaNo in November and some creative time in December.

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2023? What are you going to do with the last quarter of 2023? How are you preparing for NaNo?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2023: January Update

 

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It is that time of year where I make some new goals and check in on my progress so I can adjust. Hooray! I absolutely love making goals.

Here are my writing goals for 2023 and progress update from January:

1. Write 100,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November)
1. Right now, this is in brainstorm mode as to what I want to write.
2. Write at least one children's book in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.)
1. I brainstormed but have not started a first draft yet.  
3. Write at least one new short story.
1. Did not write one word.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
1. I am looking for them in my paperwork piles. 
5. Write at least one new poem each week.
1. I wrote one poem. I am working on making this a weekly habit.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
1. I am looking for them in my paperwork piles to start editing and sorting.
7. Work on the draft for writing a nonfiction book about the day job.
1. I have not continued the draft, but I am collecting information to assist with this project.
8. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
1. I am researching how others have created graphic novels, and creating a plan for how to accomplish a new draft.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read.

1. Read at least 10 children's books in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.) and focus on one category each month and then rotate. (8 read of 60 children's books)
2. Read at least one book of short stories each month. (0 read of 12 short story collections)
3. Read at least one book of poetry each month. (0 read of 12 poetry books)
4. Read at least one literary magazine each month. (0 read of 12 literary magazines)
5. Read at least one nonfiction book regarding the day job each month. (6 read of 12 nonfiction books)
6. Read at least one graphic novel each month. (0 read of 12 graphic novels)
7. Read a total of 150 books in 2023. (17 read of 150 books)
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. (I have earned 8 achievements so far and I am on track to get a perfect month this month.)

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2023? How did you do in January?

Celebrating 2021 and Preparing for 2022

 

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Well, here we are, days away from saying goodbye to 2021 and saying hello to 2022.

I accomplished a lot of my career change goals, all the while dreaming of the good ol' days where I could write my morning pages daily, and then work on some poems, stories, novels, and graphic novels. With the major shifts in my life, 2021 did not see a lot of writing. I did complete NaNo successfully, which re-ignited my desire to figure out how to balance my career with my passion for writing.

First I need to unpack from the move. Get my writing office set up. Schedule bi-weekly write-ins with my people. Show up to scheduled write-ins. Sit down and plan what project I will tackle in the new year. Plan my next NaNo novel. Maybe even do Camp in April and July. But most importantly, make writing a daily routine again.

How was your 2021? What are you planning for 2022?

Creating a Writing Routine...And Sticking With the Game Plan

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Do you want to write (fill in the blank) and you've been trying for (length of time) to write your project? But to begin with, what is your current project? What has your current timeline looked like in the past and what does your current writing routine look like for a current project?

Here's my example.

So I have been working on this character's story since 2011 when I combined two short stories into a novel, and I made several attempts at a novel draft. Then I took a graphic novel workshop in 2015 and now the story is a graphic novel. I created a script and just need to decide how to organize the mini stories into a cohesive or somewhat cohesive graphic novel so I can start the sketching and final stages.

My goal is to take the graphic novel script and rearrange my outline, then do sketches, then final artwork. 

Writing Routines that Worked for me in the past

1. Getting up early and working on current project prior to work. 

2. Working on lunch break.

3. And...I have not usually been successful with working on a current project after work. Just too tired. 

So that means that working on the project before work is my best bet. 

Coming up with a Game Plan

Since this is my first graphic novel, and I am a self-taught artist, I am unsure of how long it will take to complete this project, let alone the fact that I have been working on this story for a solid decade, as of this February 2021. 

What are your steps? What needs to happen first?

My steps include:

1. Organize the script.

2. Create sketches.

3. Feedback from beta readers who are fellow artists.

4. Create sample final pages.

5. Feedback from beta readers who are fellow artists.

6. Create final pages.

Tracking your progress

I'm a huge fan of bullet journaling and I have been experimenting with daily trackers. My initial goal will be working on my project every morning before work for 30 minutes and to work on my project on my days off for an hour. Once I have settled into this routine, then I can revise my progress and game plan as necessary.

How do you tackle your writing routine and game plan for a current project? What has worked for you in the past? What works for you now?

How to Think about Fantasy Stories

 

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I return to the best advice I have ever received about writing: Read 100 books of whatever you want to write. I have read well beyond 100 books in the fantasy genre, and it is always thrilling to find someone who does something new with the genre. But how do I write a fantasy novel that may be enjoyed by readers other than myself?

As a writer, I have spent years reading books, blogs, and interviews by published authors to figure out how they do it the actual writing, the editing, and then the publishing. While this is an ongoing education process, I am always amazed how I return to the journey and Campbell's description of the Hero's Journey. Not every story fits in this mold exactly, yet some kind of change occurs in every story. I enjoy imagining fantasy and science fiction worlds that I may pen someday. 

These are some resources that I have found useful in writing my National Novel Writing Month fantasy novels over the years.

Worldbuilding: Patricia C. Wrede Questions

Blogs: Mythcreants

Books: Save the Cat!; The Writer's Journey

Story Grid

Worldbuilding, Myths, and Magical Creatures

Global Genre

Obligatory Scenes and Conventions--Christmas Carol Example

How do you think about fantasy stories? What are some of your favorite fantasy stories?

2021 Writing Goals

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Every year I enjoy making a list of goals and seeing what I can do to achieve them. 2020 has been (insert word here). When it comes to goals I made at the beginning of 2020, I have been successful in some ways, and terrible in others (cue the laughing and crying).

It is more pleasant to think about 2021 goals because there is hope around the corner. I participate in National Novel Writing Month in November every year, and since I will be graduating, I will be able to write more in the coming year. So here are my goals as they stand now.

1. Participate in April Camp National Novel Writing Month

2. Complete masters thesis

3. Prepare thesis for publication

4. Participate in July Camp National Novel Writing Month

5. Participate in November National Novel Writing Month

6. Edit 2020 National Novel Writing Month Novel

 

What are some of your writing goals for 2021?

 

Dear O'Abby: Help! I Have Writer's Block

Dear O'Abby,

I've been working on a novel for a while now (not my first) and I've reached a point that I just don't seem to get past.  I'm an outliner, so the part of the story makes sense in my outline, but I just can't seem to write it.  I've never really believed in writer's block, but I feel like I do now.

Do you have any ideas what I could do to get over this?

Thanks,

Blocked

Dear Blocked,

I believe very strongly that writer's block is your brain's way of telling you you're going the wrong way or doing the wrong thing. So I tend to pay attention.  The team at the back of my brain is often way ahead of the guys up front.

In this case, where you've outlined the plot points but the writing still isn't coming, I think this is even more likely to be true.  Something in there is telling you this is the wrong direction for the story to take, or that the characters wouldn't be true to themselves if they did that particular thing or things.

My advice would be to step away from this story for a while and write something else.  I find I often figure out how to fix problems with one MS by moving on to work on another or by writing a short story that's totally unrelated.

But if you're on a deadline, you can just skip this part of the book and move ahead to a point in the story where you don't feel stuck.  Maybe through writing the rest of the book, you'll figure out what needs to happen in that particular sticky spot.

Good luck!

X O'Abby

Dear O'Abby: I don't have time to write. Am I a writer?

Dear O'Abby,

I have always written.  Since I was a kid, and old enough to know how to hold a pencil and make it work.  But since finishing college, starting work and the demands of a young family, I just can't seem to find the time to write.  And it's driving me crazy.  I have so many story ideas squirreling around my head, but the most I can do is scribble them down in my notebook and hope they still sound good when - if - I ever have time to sit down in front of my computer and write.

Can I call myself a writer if I don't write anymore?

Yours,

Time-Challenged.

Dear Time-Challenged,

You are not alone.  I think most writers are in much the same boat.  I know I am!

I think the biggest thing to take on board is to be realistic.  Maybe before you had kids and a job you could knock out 3000 words a day without thinking too much about it.  Maybe you were even one of those people who could write an entire novel in a weekend.

Forget that.

If your time is limited, you need to make the most of what you do have.  Work out when you are at your most creative and see if you can carve out a few minutes at that time of day.  Or if that time doesn't suit, you may need to just force yourself to write at some other time.  Personally, I'm a night-owl naturally, but for many years I worked nights so I wasn't able to write at night.  I trained myself to get up at 5:30am so I could get an hour and a half of writing time in before my kids got up at 7.

And I still do that, even though I don't work nearly as many nights now.  It works for me because my day job is so crazy, I often don't have the energy or creative drive to write in the evening.  If I do, great.  I can do more.  But if I don't, I know I've had that time in the morning.
 
Maybe you're in a different situation and writing at night, after the kids go to bed, will work better for you.  Or you may be able to steal an hour or so while they're napping in the afternoon.

The point is to write.  I know writers who write on their phones while their kids are in swimming lessons.  Or who scribble in a notebook during their lunch breaks or on their commute.

You don't need a clear two hour block to write.  If you can steal a quarter hour here and a half hour there and use them productively, you will be able to write those stories.  It may take longer than before, but at least you can still call yourself a writer.

Good luck!

O'Abby.

Dear O'Abby: I think I'm telling my story wrong.

Dear O'Abby,

I'm doing NaNo this year, and am doing really well.  Almost at the 25K point.  But I realized yesterday, that I'm telling the story from the wrong POV.  I started writing this story in first person, with two narrators each taking a chapter in turn.  But now I'm realizing the book would be better served by being written in close third person POV.  How should I proceed?  I feel like I'm making such great progress, but I know the way I'm telling the story is wrong.

Kind regards,

Baffled.


Dear Baffled,

You are not alone.  Figuring out you've picked the wrong way or character to tell your story is a very common writing problem.  And probably one of the most frustrating and painstaking to try and fix.

But you have the advantage of having figured it out early, before the whole book is finished.

The way I see it, you have two choices.  Keep going the way you are now and finish the book.  Changing the character voices and perspectives mid-stream might be too challenging when you're working to a tight deadline like NaNo.  You can go back afterward and change the POV when you edit if you feel the same way when you're finished.

Or, if you think you can switch without it being too difficult, start writing in third person and finish the book this way.  In this scenario you will have the advantage of having already found the characters' voices and rhythms in the new POV and rewriting the beginning will be easier.

Just don't stop writing while you figure out what to do.  NaNo is supposed to be a first draft, a vomit draft even.  You expect to do a lot of re-writing once you're finished, so this isn't the end of the world.   Do what you have to do to finish the book.  You can figure out what to do with the POVs later.

X O'Abby

N is for Never Giving Up #AtoZChallenge

I suddenly have the song "I Want it That Way" stuck in my head. It could be thanks to Brooklyn99. Or it could be because I typed the word "never" and my brain leapt at the chance to torture me for a few hours. Regardless, neither of those things have anything to do with this post, but I had to get them off my chest.

The truth is, I want to talk about giving up because I'm a quitter. I'm the first one to abandon a ship when it starts to sink. I've quit more things in my life than anyone my age should reasonably have begun. I quit music, sports, friendships, schools, cities, churches...you name it, I've quit it.

There's one thing I haven't quit, though: writing.

I was in second grade when I first told someone I was going to be an author when I grew up. That same year, I began writing my first "novel." It was atrocious and I don't think it was longer than five pages, but I never stopped.

At one point, I counted 17 novels-in-progress on my computer. This was in middle school.

By the end of high school, I had more than 300 poems in a folder. I didn't think this was a lot, until one of my peers told me how prolific she was at poetry: she had written 100 of them!

In college, I majored in creative writing and journalism. I wrote at least one article for the newspaper per week, in addition to stories and poems for class, in addition to a 250-page novel and a 100-page partial novel. Which frankly isn't that much.

In grad school, I wrote and edited novels and articles.

Since then, I have drafted and edited two full novels, published dozens of personal essays, and written maybe 100 or so blog posts.

I say all this for two reasons:

1. To brag. And for you to tell me I'm great. I crave approval at all times, from all people, on all fronts.
2. Because it's shocking. That I, who have quit so many things, have not quit writing? That blows my mind.

There's something about writing, the act itself of typing and the emotional relief of sharing, that has sunk its way into my soul and will not release me. 

For the months of October and November, 2016, I didn't write. I was off my medication and I sank into a depressive state so thick, so cloying, that I could not produce a single creative work. I was stagnant, and stifled.

The day I wrote for the first time, toward the end of November, I remember my heart beating faster, my palms clammy, and a smile on my face. It was the first smile that wasn't caused because of a funny joke on Brooklyn99 or a book I was reading or a friend cheering me up. It was real, genuine happiness exhibiting itself through my facial features.

I have always written. I hope I always will write. 

I think when I started writing this post, I was going to talk about how important it is, if you want a career as a writer, to never give up. Through rejections from agents, editors, readers, reviewers, if you want to make it, you have to keep on keepin' on. Just lower your head and charge forward like a freaking bull. 

And that's true. It's 100 percent true and valid. 

But I'm a little moody today. I'm in Manhattan, where there's a flash flood warning, and even though it's almost 10 a.m. we've barely achieved 7 a.m. light outside. I have a window cracked and the sounds of the city are filtering in, the men grumbling outside as they take away the trash, the cars swishing through puddles, the rain falling on the fire escape. I'm feeling introspective and thoughtful.

So if you take anything away from this post, let it be this: find what drives you, what moves you, what makes you smile when nothing is going your way. And cling to it. Never give it up.

If that thing is writing: awesome. 

If writing is your career and the thing that makes you grin like a toddler eating his first cookie is, like, bicycling or synchronized swimming or mushroom-collecting, hold onto that. Cherish it. Never give it up.

There's just so much stress in this life. So much that's hard. So many, many reasons to throw our hands in the air and say, "I can't. I can't do it anymore. I give up."

I was there last week. I was distraught, emotional, depressed. And through this blackest of moods, a tiny ray of sunlight filtered in, telling me: "If you give up on life, you don't get to write anymore."

My dreams are vast and ambitious, but the thing that drives me? It's love of writing. It's passion for the craft. It's desire to tell stories. 

What is the thing that drives you?

Never give it up.

A Depressed Writer: Introduction

There are two aspects that have come to define who I am, in my own mind at least: I am a writer. I am depressed.

The way these two identities interact and play with each other in order to create who I am on a daily basis is...honestly, I think I could write an entire thesis or dissertation on it. Not that anyone would necessarily want to read that, but I could still write it.

In lieu of a dissertation, I thought I would use this platform to regularly explore what it looks like to a be a writer who is depressed. I should note that this is my experience only: I'm not trying to claim some sort of universal depressed writer way of living; and the things that work for me may not work for someone else! I do hope, though, that my openness and exploration of this topic will help you as you seek to make sense of your own life, calling, and illness.

I've considered myself a writer since I was a small child. I think I was in second grade the first time I told someone I was going to be an author when I grew up? It's just an aspect of myself that I've accepted and grown comfortable with for a long time now. I write not just because I have something to say, but also because, well, I have to. It's a compulsion, a need, a fierce burning in my chest that only grows hotter if I don't let the words come out.

That said, it took years for me to call myself a "writer," not just "aspiring" or "someone who writes." But once I accepted that this is who I am, not just what I do, it became so much easier to fall into this identity.

The depression was a different story. Not that it took me a long time to accept it, because I think that as soon as the symptoms began and the thought occurred, "maybe this is depression," I allowed it in. More that: I have a significant trove of memories that are un-depressed. I actually lived a life before Depression.

It's been about 10 years since the two have converged. Writer Karis met Depressed Karis and the two became one. It's not a happy marriage.

See, both of these selves want to be the one. The one [self] to rule them all. The king under the [brain]. (Listen, I don't know if these references are working so I'll just come out and clearly state: I am reference The Lord of the Rings. I am doing this for the laughs. Please let me know if you do laugh, as that will be a great boon for my Humor Self.)

There are periods in which I give myself over to one identity. I write and am not depressed. I am depressed and I do not write.

Most of the time, though, I straddle both identities. I write in spite of my depression. I am depressed despite my writing.

It's...a monumental struggle. When things are super bad, depression-wise, it's honestly the hardest thing in the world to do the bare minimum of getting out of bed. Eating, putting on clothes: those are worthy of a medal. Then if I'm actually productive? At that point, I may as well award myself the Nobel Prize for Achievements through Depression.

Through this series, A Depressed Writer, I want to explore the different nuances of writing while depressed; chat about a few things that have helped me cope with depression while remaining productive as a writer; and generally dive into this subject which is so personal to me for so many reasons.

I hope you'll enjoy, learn a lot, and be encouraged!

Preparing for NaNoWriMo: Setting a Realistic Schedule

November is National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo. It's an entire month dedicated to writing, or, more specifically, to amassing fifty thousand words on an original novel. Last year, over 400,000 writers from around the world participated. The NaNo website helps you track your word count, provides regional support and chat boards, and allows you to "win" when you hit your 50,000-word goal. Every November, bookstores, coffee shops, and 24-hour diners fill up with writers - you can practically feel the creativity in the air! NaNo provides a great community, and it's a great motivation for starting or continuing a novel project. 2017 will be my seventh year tackling NaNo, and I can't wait to get started!

That said, there are a few ways to set yourself up in advance for NaNo success. We'll explore these each Thursday in October, so you'll be ready to hit the ground running on November 1st!

Today, let's talk about setting a realistic NaNo writing schedule. 50,000 words over a 30-day month breaks down to roughly 1667 words per day. Very few of us will be able to devote all of November to writing, without the obligations of work, school, family, friends, etc. interfering. So take a good look at your schedule, whether you have unusual obligations coming up (travel, presentations, exams, etc.), and plan accordingly.

Many people stick to the strict 1667 words/day method. That's what I usually do. In November, I set my alarm for 5:30 a.m. on weekdays so I can write for a few hours each day before work. If I write more than 1667 words one day, that means I can stress a little less as the end of November approaches. But, as often happens, if I write less than 1667 words, I know I'll need to make it up over the weekend. Knowing the intense schedule is only for 30 days helps me stay committed to waking up early and writing until my fingers ache.

Others will devote their weekends to writing, and not stress too much about it during the week. Write-ins, or in-person or online meet-ups dedicated to NaNo writing, can be very effective for this. Setting aside three or four-hour blocks for writing on weekends will get you to the 50,000-word count just as effectively as writing every day.

Many regional chapters will also set up all-night writing parties during the month. If you find yourself very behind on your word count by mid-month, this can really help.

Keep in mind that November also means Thanksgiving, so for many of us, we won't be able to write over the holiday, what with cooking, cleaning, eating, family/friend time, more eating, Black Friday shopping, more eating, etc. It can help to plan to take a day or two off over Thanksgiving weekend, because then you'll know in advance that you won't make your word count on those days, and you can make up for it on other days.

What's your scheduling plan for tackling NaNo this year?

Writing Legal Scenes: Top 4 Mistakes Writers Make

You've got a character who's a lawyer, law student, or judge. Or you have a character who's thrown into a legal situation: a defendant in a criminal trial, a witness being deposed for a civil case, or even someone serving on a jury. Legal scenarios arise in real life all the time, so it's not surprising that they also proliferate in fiction. Yet many writers get basic elements of the law and legal situations wrong, and this can be distracting for readers (especially readers who are familiar with and/or work in the legal field).

A guide on writing legal scenarios correctly goes way beyond the scope of this post, but I'd like to point out four common mistakes I see in novels, movies, and TV shows. If you can avoid these mistakes, you'll have a head start on writing a realistic legal scene.

NOTE: I'm restricting this post to the American legal system. Other countries have different laws and procedures, so make sure you research those legal systems (along with the American system, where applicable) thoroughly. And always have a lawyer beta read these scenes for you to ensure they are as realistic as possible.

Mistake #1: Courtroom scenes aren't generally like INHERIT THE WIND or TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Everyone loves a good trial scene, where the attorney waxes eloquent about civil rights, the human condition, and truth, justice, and the American way. This rarely happens in real life. Sure, a good attorney will advocate strenuously for her client, and lawyers are allowed a lot of leeway during opening and closing arguments to do so. But judges won't allow lawyers to go overboard, and most trials have set amounts of time for each portion (direct/cross examinations, opening/closing arguments, etc.). A lawyer going way over his time while delivering a stirring closing argument will be more likely to be admonished to sit down than applauded for his fervor. And, while it rarely happens, opposing counsel can object during opening and closing arguments, and if the objection is sustained, the judge may instruct the jury to disregard the objectionable portion of the argument.

Mistake #2: The basic terminology is incorrect.

Criminal and civil cases have a lot of similarities, but there are some major differences in terminology. Getting the basic terms wrong is distracting for many readers. For example, the parties in a criminal case are the State (or the U.S., in a federal case) versus one or more defendants. In a civil case, you've got plaintiffs versus defendants, instead. A defendant in a criminal case is found guilty, and a defendant in a civil case is found liable. There are many other differences like these, and it's worth finding a good legal dictionary to make sure you're getting the terminology right.

There are also differences between cases brought in the state court system, as opposed to the federal court system. Make sure you know which court the case you're writing about would have been brought in and research the heck out of the judges, local rules, and other information that can usually be found on the court's website.

Mistake #3: Most law students are not Elle Woods.

Don't get me wrong: I loved LEGALLY BLONDE. It's a fantastically fun movie. But it's also not a documentary. No 1L student (first-year law student) is going to get an opportunity to second-chair a high-profile murder trial, let alone take over questioning key witnesses. Setting aside the fact that first-year law students are still several years away from being licensed to practice law, there are many other reasons why this scenario is unrealistic. First-year law students spend a ton of time reading published cases (many of which are over 100 years old), outlining those cases, and talking about those cases in class. They generally do not have the practical understanding of the law necessary to effectively manage a case, run a trial, etc. When in doubt, consult with a lawyer or law student to find out what tasks would be realistic for a law student to take on.

Mistake #4: It can take years for a case to get to trial, and the vast majority of cases never go to trial.

Whether criminal or civil, most cases (well over 90% in some fields) settle before trial. While trials are dramatic and a great way to build tension, keep that fact in mind and make sure to include a reason your case is going to trial (a stubborn defendant, a plaintiff who refuses to settle, etc.).

Even if a case does make it to trial, most court systems are extremely backlogged, and it may be years before a trial date is set. Criminal cases do tend to move much faster than civil cases, but continuances (where the court decides to delay the trial date) and other delays are very common. When in doubt, contact a law clerk at the courthouse your fictional trial would be set in, and ask for the typical time-to-trial for the type of case you're writing about (many courts keep these statistics, and if not, the clerks will have a general idea). But make sure to account for several months (at the low end) between arrest and trial in your book.


Overall, when in doubt, do your research or contact a practicing lawyer. It never hurts to have a lawyer as a critique partner, either, especially if you've got courtroom scenes or other legal scenarios in your book.

F is for Falling in Love With Your Manuscript - Why an Emotional Connection is Vital #AtoZChallenge

The #AtoZChallenge 2017 Theme at Operation Awesome is the Publishing Journey.

At Operation Awesome, we strive to provide writers and readers with the resources they need to succeed, at every stage of the journey. With that in mind, let's discuss the importance of writing the manuscript that's close to your heart.

Can you tell when a novel you're reading just isn't working for you? The writing is good, the plot is interesting, and the setting is lifelike... but when you put the book down at night, you're not counting the seconds until you can pick it up again. This happens to all of us, both when reading and when writing. I can count on both hands the number of works-in-progress I've shelved because *something* just wasn't working. It's a sharp contrast to those manuscripts I can't wait to work on, the ones that keep me awake at night, the ones that invariably get the best reactions from beta readers.

So what is that nebulous *something* novels need? More often than not, it's an emotional connection. Meaning, there's something about the way the characters are written, the way they experience their lives, the way they interact with the other characters, that touches readers on a more visceral level than an intellectual one. I cried my eyes out at the end of The Fault in Our Stars. My heart pounded during the last chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, wondering how in the world Harry and his friends would get out of their latest mess. And I couldn't keep a smile off my face while reading The Hating Game, hoping the two main characters would realize their animosity for each other would be better expressed as romance.

Why do these novels succeed in invoking emotional reactions from readers when so many others fail? There are a lot of possibilities (and check out the book below if you want to explore further), but the one I'll discuss here is creating investment in characters. In real life, we might hear about a plane crash in a foreign country that killed hundreds, and it doesn't affect us emotionally. But if a friend or family member passes away, it hits us like a ton of bricks. That's because, at least in part, we have familiarity with the people we're close too, and we're invested in them.

It's the same for fictional characters. Show the reader your characters' backstory, how that backstory impacts how they see the world and interact with others, how your character talks, thinks, and acts. Sprinkle in details about your characters' hopes, wishes, dreams, and fears. Put them in terrible situations and have them use their strengths or wits to get out of them... or have them fail. Make them unique, and make them relatable, and in the eternal words of James Earl Jones' character, Terrence Mann, in Field of Dreams... "people will come." If readers care about your characters, if they feel an emotional connection to them, then readers will flock to your books, wanting to experience that emotion again and again.

Another suggestion: Draw from your own life experiences to create scenarios that ring with authenticity, so the reader will feel the emotional connection is tied to something real. Once, in my early 20s, I ran out of gas on a highway in the middle of nowhere, no cell phone, over thirty miles from the nearest gas station. I can draw on that experience to describe a character's desperation, hopelessness, and fear when placed in a similar situation. Because I've experienced it (everything turned out fine in the end), the reader will sense that authenticity of both the situation and the character's reactions, and believe the emotions that scene might evoke.

This book, Donald Maass's most recent, has been invaluable to me as I've worked through my latest manuscript revision. It's got dozens of exercises to help you incorporate emotion into your writing, and contains lots of excerpts from published books so you can learn to recognize 'writing with emotion' firsthand. Here's the Amazon link.

How do you incorporate emotion into your writing?

C is for Confidence! How to Write Big, Bold, and With Authority #AtoZChallenge

The #AtoZChallenge 2017 Theme at Operation Awesome is the Publishing Journey.

At Operation Awesome, we strive to provide writers and readers with the resources they need to succeed, at every stage of the publishing journey. With that in mind, let's discuss how writing with Confidence can transform your work-in-progress!


Let's start with an example:

Character 1: "I mean, um, I think there's probably a good reason for why Stan cheated on the test."
Character 2: "Stan had a good reason for cheating on the test."

Which character are you more inclined to believe? If you ask me, Character 1 is hedging. By using words like "I think" and "I mean" and "um," she's showing that she's not even sure she believes her own words, let alone helping the reader believe her. Character 2, on the other hand, is leaving no room for doubt. Sure, he may be lying. But isn't it easier to believe him when he speaks with such confidence, such certainty that his words are true? And aren't you more interested to hear the reason for Stan's cheating from Character 2 than you would be from Character 1?

As you're writing dialogue, keep confidence in mind. Whether you're creating a bold, self-confident character or a shy, uncertain character, the way characters talk should reflect their personalities.

An interesting tidbit: Studies have shown that in business settings, women are more likely to voice their ideas using 'I think' or 'I believe' than are men, who tend to just state their ideas without the hedging language. Keep that in mind too, if you're trying to distinguish characters using their speech patterns. Here's another example:

Character 1: I think the company should donate money to the children's charity.
Character 2: The company should donate money to the children's charity.

Two tiny words, but they make a difference, don't they?

You can also use confidence to subvert readers' expectations. For example, if you have a main character who's bold, blustery, and no-nonsense, and she's being questioned by the police in connection with a murder, why not have her use hedging language to show she's ill at ease? Sprinkle some 'um's and 'I think's in there and see how that helps show how she's feeling.

On the other hand, if you've created a character who's timid and unassuming, but you put him in a scene with his younger brother and he suddenly starts making statements without using hedging language, that gives the reader a lot of information about his relationship with that brother.




How do you incorporate confidence into your writing?

Writing Spaces

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The general consensus in the writing world is that it's good to have a dedicated writing space. It doesn't have to be a whole room to yourself. It can be a favorite chair, or a spot at the kitchen table, or even in your car. Or it might not even be a space, but an object or ritual that tells your mind, "Hey, time to settle down and get to work." Like pouring yourself a beverage (maybe in your favorite cup), or putting on a certain type of music.

But, then again, there are never any real 'rules' in the game of writing. As much as having a dedicated space/object/ritual can help you get in the groove of things when it's time to put words on the screen/paper, so can sometimes shaking things up. Writing at a new locale (like a cafe or park) can help spark the brain and invigorate your writing if you find yourself in a rut.

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As for myself, I have two main writing spots: my couch and my kidlet's bed. The couch reclines and is super comfy (though that's not great when I'm feeling tired). As for the kidlet's bed, I'll often sit at the end of it while I'm waiting for him to go to sleep at night (I know, he's super spoiled) and can usually get in a few hundred words by the time Mr. Sandman arrives.

What about you all? Where do you find yourselves writing at most of the time?