by Jason Joyner | Mar 14, 2009 | Blog, fiction, writing craft
I am slowly struggling to write a novel. I’ve had loooong periods of no writing, punctuated with some relative creativity. I’m slowly learning to shut off my internal editor to a degree to just get something, anything, on the page. If I don’t, that confounded editor can freeze me up.
Lately I’ve hit one of those good periods, and have done more than what I’ve accomplished in a long time. Still, I’m probably only 1/4th of what I want to be. I’m determined to see this through, but I realize I’m in for a long haul.
On Facebook author Terri Blackstock wrote a note regarding the hard work of rewriting. She talks about the enormous amount of rewriting she does, and how it is the major part of working a novel into publishing state.
Good grief, Charlie Brown! I’m struggling as it is to get ONE draft done.
This is what she had to say regarding those beginning novelists she’s tried to help:
But sometimes, they’ll receive what I’m saying with thoughtfulness, take notes, ask questions. That’s good. When I’m sure they understand what is needed to fix the problems, I send them on their way to rewrite their book. I’m thinking they’ll do what I do—take it through seven or eight or twelve more drafts, each time getting deeper into the characters, making the plot more intriguing, polishing the writing … For me, that takes months. But too often, they’ll call me a week later and say, “I took the afternoon off work yesterday and did all the rewrites you suggested. I think it’s ready to go.”
It goes without saying, she’s not too impressed with this amount of effort. She did say that it doens’t matter whether you write a full draft then rewrite, or if you rewrite page-by-page as you go. The key is that writing is talent, skill, but also perseverance and the willingness to put in the hard work.
*Sigh* Looks like I’m in this for the long haul. I’m willing, and I know it’s not easy for anyone, but it’s not easy with career and family/kids and ministry. Check back in 5 years when I’ve gotten my head on straight and gotten something substantial done, LOL.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 5, 2009 | Blog, miscellaneous, writing craft
I need a little help here, from all my writing buddies or anyone who wants to give this a shot.
I have notes on my novel idea that I keep in my Palm Pilot. I’ve scribbled in there for 3-4 years. I review it every so often to see if I’m missing any ideas that could be the thing I need right then, or if I’m getting off track.
Yesterday I was looking at it, and in the middle of some notes there is a name.
Guido DiGregorio.
I have no idea who this is, or what he’s doing in my notes. I can’t remember for the life of me why this guy is there.
So, you tell me. Who is Guido DiGregorio? (Maybe I’ll have to figure out a prize for the most creative.) For those who know what my project is, if you can fit him in, all the better!
Step up to the comments, and begin!
—
by Jason Joyner | Mar 5, 2009 | Blog, miscellaneous, writing craft
I need a little help here, from all my writing buddies or anyone who wants to give this a shot.
I have notes on my novel idea that I keep in my Palm Pilot. I’ve scribbled in there for 3-4 years. I review it every so often to see if I’m missing any ideas that could be the thing I need right then, or if I’m getting off track.
Yesterday I was looking at it, and in the middle of some notes there is a name.
Guido DiGregorio.
I have no idea who this is, or what he’s doing in my notes. I can’t remember for the life of me why this guy is there.
So, you tell me. Who is Guido DiGregorio? (Maybe I’ll have to figure out a prize for the most creative.) For those who know what my project is, if you can fit him in, all the better!
Step up to the comments, and begin!
—
by Jason Joyner | Mar 4, 2009 | Bible, Blog, faith, Father's heart, miscellaneous, YWAM
I came across this while cleaning out some files. I thought I’d share it, rather than have it sit around. I wrote it in 1995 while I was in the School of Biblical Studies with Youth With a Mission in Canberra, Australia.
—
Lord, where is my treasure? It is not where it should be. I had it all in hand, so that You would not have to worry about me.
I considered, “What will be the best? I do want to take care.” Perhaps it would be wise to spread my treasure around. “Diversify,” the money-man says. And if some disappears, I will have the rest to come back to, in my need of the days.
So I proceeded with my plan. I looked about, and I saw people cross my gaze. What a beginning-my fellow man. I then gave of my treasure: a man, a woman, relationships special and dear. But when I came searching, there was none to be found. Portions were gone, not to be returned, others strewn on the ground. “I am fortunate though, I have more.” So I moved to my next trove.
What will make a mark in this world? What I can do, my knowledge, my talents, my potential. Of course I deposited a cache there. It was all in my power. But treasure was lost in each dream unfulfilled. Who can reach all their expectations? Not one, I’m afraid. More treasure in ruin, and less to get me by.
“I must take care of myself,” was another consideration of mine. We only have one body to carry us through. It made sense, therefore, some treasure would stay with me. My strength, my mind, my pleasures were investments of sure benefit. Yet I am just flesh and mortal, no force in my own. The tears and the years each steal their own share. And from all of my efforts, my treasure was gone.
Lord, please tell me what happened! I thought my treasure was so secure. This was not supposed to take place; now all I am is broken.
My Lord spoke to me, “My child, now you will see. It is not in yourself that your treasure is protected. You were never asked to defend and stand your ground. My heart, My hand has always been available to cover what is precious to you. But only in your point of loss would you realize your fraility.
Now your treasure will be laid up in heaven-from My throne it will be guarded. It was never a burden for me, to be the watcher of your soul. Now you can rest in My delight, and know that you will find My inheritance for you!”
Inspired by the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 22-34.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 4, 2009 | Bible, Blog, faith, Father's heart, miscellaneous, YWAM
I came across this while cleaning out some files. I thought I’d share it, rather than have it sit around. I wrote it in 1995 while I was in the School of Biblical Studies with Youth With a Mission in Canberra, Australia.
—
Lord, where is my treasure? It is not where it should be. I had it all in hand, so that You would not have to worry about me.
I considered, “What will be the best? I do want to take care.” Perhaps it would be wise to spread my treasure around. “Diversify,” the money-man says. And if some disappears, I will have the rest to come back to, in my need of the days.
So I proceeded with my plan. I looked about, and I saw people cross my gaze. What a beginning-my fellow man. I then gave of my treasure: a man, a woman, relationships special and dear. But when I came searching, there was none to be found. Portions were gone, not to be returned, others strewn on the ground. “I am fortunate though, I have more.” So I moved to my next trove.
What will make a mark in this world? What I can do, my knowledge, my talents, my potential. Of course I deposited a cache there. It was all in my power. But treasure was lost in each dream unfulfilled. Who can reach all their expectations? Not one, I’m afraid. More treasure in ruin, and less to get me by.
“I must take care of myself,” was another consideration of mine. We only have one body to carry us through. It made sense, therefore, some treasure would stay with me. My strength, my mind, my pleasures were investments of sure benefit. Yet I am just flesh and mortal, no force in my own. The tears and the years each steal their own share. And from all of my efforts, my treasure was gone.
Lord, please tell me what happened! I thought my treasure was so secure. This was not supposed to take place; now all I am is broken.
My Lord spoke to me, “My child, now you will see. It is not in yourself that your treasure is protected. You were never asked to defend and stand your ground. My heart, My hand has always been available to cover what is precious to you. But only in your point of loss would you realize your fraility.
Now your treasure will be laid up in heaven-from My throne it will be guarded. It was never a burden for me, to be the watcher of your soul. Now you can rest in My delight, and know that you will find My inheritance for you!”
Inspired by the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 22-34.
by Jason Joyner | Feb 27, 2009 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
To end the week, I’m featuring Daisy Chain, the latest book by Mary DeMuth. I reviewed her parenting book, Authenitic Parenting in a Postmodern World, last year. When I saw this book on our review list for the CFBA, I was eager to read it. I appreciated her insights into parenting, so I wanted to see what her fiction was like.
The book is the start of a three book trilogy set in Defiance, Texas in 1977. Fourteen year old Jed Pepper is best friends with a vivacious young girl, Daisy Marie Chance. When she goes missing one summer night, he is convinced that it is his fault. He deals with his thoughts tormenting him on what he could have done differently, even as he battles personal demons that threaten his own family.
The book is labeled a “coming-of-age” story, and that description works for Daisy Chain. It has an authentic feel of a small Texas town. The reader feels the hot, sticky heat, can almost taste Hixon Jones’ fresh lemonade, and lives the trials that Jed wrestles with throughout the book.
The book is deeper, with more to the story than a little synopsis like the one above can provide. I also don’t like giving away too much of a story in a review. The book raises some challenges to the reader regarding family secrets and small town life. Just when you are convinced who the “villain” of the story is, Mary takes that character and shows a human side to them.
Sometimes the book was a little frustrating, because there are different plot threads that are introduced at various points of the book, and I didn’t feel enough resolution at the end of the book. I understand that it is a trilogy, and some threads are being introduced to carry through the whole project, but to me there should have been a little more closure, or some points perhaps introduced in book 2 rather than here. I came away a little disappointed in the way the book ended. I had too much emotional investment to be satisfied. I know a good suspense series should leave one hanging, waiting for the next book, but I didn’t feel a good enough set-up for book 2. The ending came rather abruptly, I guess.
I think Mary has created some very interesting characters, with flaws and a definite unique touch to each of them. No one is the stereotype here. Sometimes the viewpoint gets a little confusing, but otherwise I enjoyed most of the people we meet in Defiance (except for the ones you root against-you’ll see soon enough).
Daisy Chain is not the typical book I would pick up at the bookstore. It is not my favorite book, but Mary DeMuth is a talented author, and I enjoyed much of her writing. If you like the psychological drama or a Southern-tinged coming of age story, then this should be a book that is well worth your time.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Daisy Chain, go HERE
—
