PENS OF PRAISE                  June 19, 2018                  
Christian Writers Group
 
Introductions everyone!
The craft of writing tip.
Devotion – Pat Klein
Teaching:  Susan Fink

FINDING YOUR BEST IDEA
Susan is sharing a teaching on discovering ways to Find Your BEST Idea! Seriously—who couldn’t use this teaching! 😊 Bring your computer or paper and pen for this excellent method and inspiration for your successful writing journey!
 
Prompt: Finding Your Best Idea! You may use this share for your cozy murder mystery, poetry, short story or devotion that you wish to write! This can be in blurb form or an actual scene! Enjoy!
 
Announcements – Pick a Book to be explored at the next Pens Readers meeting. Challenge—sell articles to earn enough to attend a writer’s conference or purchase books on “how to write.”  Possible handouts about conferences or contests or teachings.
Pens Novel Readers: Susan Marlene is putting together a group email for those who want to join in picking novels and discussion meetings. (We want to respect those who are too busy or who are uninterested in a reader’s group.) The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz is our current read.
 
Shared by Susan Fink:
https://afajournal.org/past-issues/2018/june/more-than-world-class-sst-is-kingdom-class/
www.sight-sound.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/sightsoundtheatres

 Contact Susan L. Fink -  https://www.facebook.com/susan.l.fink
 

PENS OF PRAISE 

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

Let us know if your attending so we can save a seat just for you!

MAY 15, 2018

Tuesday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Free Church

2201 42nd St.

Manitowoc, WI  54220

 
This month’s speaker is Susan Marlene. Susan will share a teaching on This, That & The Other Thing!This will be a merging of information regarding dialogue, plot and whatever else captivates Susan’s mind! Come join us as we seek, retrieve and sneak a peek at this hodgepodge of tools and techniques!

Prompt:  This That & The Other Thing! If you wish to use this as practice for your cozy, or poem or short story – etc. the world is your oyster! Enjoy! Yes, you may write a blurb or scene for this prompt if you like.
Bring your WIP (work in progress) to share a five-minute read. We are a safe place to share and grow. 

Pens Novel Readers: Susan Marlene is putting together a group email for those who want to join in picking novels and discussion meetings. (We want to respect those who are too busy or who are uninterested in a reader’s group.)

Stop at a local coffee shop or bring your own coffee or soda and relax with us a while.

 
May the Lord bless your creative endeavors as you write for Him! Any concerns or questions feel free to contact susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com or rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com

 

Blessings!

GOALS AND ORGANIZATION -TIME IN A BIND?
GOALS – What is your target for success?
Susan Fink did a wonderful presentation on Writing Goals in February. She gave us handouts and inspired all who attended the meeting! Thank you Susan Fink!

Research Resources & Your Library by Susan M. Menk, Youth Librarian 
 
Speaker Susan M. Menk, Youth Librarian from Manitowoc Public Library taught “Research Resources @ Your Library.” This expertise is useful for sharpening the validity and accuracy of whatever we write, be it historical, contemporary, non-fiction, or fiction. Our libraries are true resources that will be valuable for us to make use of!

Prompt: “One cozy character!”  What type of cozy murder mystery character would you wish to read about? Yes, you may write a blurb or scene for this prompt if you like.
Bring your WIP (work in progress) to share a five-minute read. We are a safe place to share and grow. 

Pens Novel Readers: Susan Marlene is putting together a group email for those who want to join in picking novels and discussion meetings. (We want to respect those who are too busy or who are uninterested in a reader’s group.)

GOALS AND ORGANIZATION -TIME IN A BIND Continued by Susan Marlene
ORGANIZATION – Does it really matter? At what cost? 
 
CISION PR NEWSWIRE: Lost & Found: The average American spends 2.5 days each year looking for lost items collectively costing U.S. Households $2.7 billion annually in replacement costs. (Millennials {40 - 28} are the biggest losers being twice as likely as boomers to misplace possessions.)

The average American will waste more than a year over a lifetime looking for something to watch on TV. By Ashley Rodriguez Nov. 6, 2016 (23 minutes per day flipping channels.)
Time is precious. The information above may vary per person significantly, yet the point is made concerning lost time.  How many of us keep our records filed concerning expenditures and where you send articles? Knowing where we have information stored will minimize wasted time, so you can be more productive with those gems called minutes, hours, and days. I know I’ve been meaning to improve in this area and have made only a half-hearted attempt until now.

FILES BY THE MILES:
What are excellent items to file? If you wish to build your writing business so that it flows like a well-oiled machine file—millage, expenses—materials and conferences costs and mailings, research, historical research, where you submitted articles, short stories and or manuscripts etc., as well as confirmation of acceptance and rejection information. Contracts. Contact information per item and dates submitted and also when or if that piece is free to resubmit. An excellent time saver on the computer could be Excel –the date that would alert you to when your work is available to resubmit. Conditional Formatting. 

WHAT AMOUNT OF TIME IS NEEDED TO ORGANIZE:  Most of you may have a half-hearted start to organizing your writing information. I personally took a day and worked on my book shelves. One shelf for writing information and how-to, one section for Bible study and another for Civil War. The next book case is for research books of a variety of subjects with upper shelves being used specifically for Revolutionary War topics and memorabilia. I also purchased a magazine holder where I put like magazines together.
My file organization was started, but need a ‘do-over’ to work efficiently. It took me one hour to organize and add files that I needed and take out the ones that didn’t logically belong there. This will especially be excellent for tax time information gathering. (Expenses and money made.)
CORKBOARD – Pin up your plotting info and inspiring or research photos and anything else that can assist your productivity. You can keep it on an easel or slip it behind a piece of furniture when not in use—your choice. Its usefulness is limited only by your imagination.

KNOWING WHO TO PURSUE: Don’t wait for the last minute to choose an agent, editor, or publishing editor. Take a bit of time each week or month to look into who sells your genre. Keep a watch over them. Jot down what would work or not work with each one. Join their social media or email list. Check the acknowledgements to see who is appreciated in your chosen genre? (If you write similar to time period and style with an author who praises their agent and editor—you may wish to look elsewhere. This may be a conflict of interests for that agent or editor to have two authors so alike in genre to represent.

SUGGESTED ORGANIZATION I’M TRYING:

• Portable file organizer – This helps with the notes I’ve taken at conferences and from WEBNARS on legal pads. Usually, I’ve lost notes from conferences and teachings posthaste, but now I can sort them by subject immediately and efficiently.
• Keep like subjects together–Label with brief, easily read, and understood titles.
• Keep small notebook handy for ideas. (Journal books work well or hard back notebooks with binding elastic. Anything that protects the pages from ripping or folding.)
• Place information you need inside the labeled file ASAP. The sooner the better!
• Three ring binders with divider tabs and clear sleeves.
  

ORGANIZING CHARACTER INFO: Have you ever read about or even wrote a character into a story where somehow the hair, name, eye color, or age changes? This is distracting for the reader and kills believability and trust for that story and the authors future labors. Here are some record keeping suggestions…

• Recipe holder with recipe cards with character by character or location information.
• Make a file chart in your computer with character descriptions: physical appearance, temperament, talents, goals, weaknesses, love language or anything else important.
• < >https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview  I’ve heard great reviews and some criticisms about Scrivener. This is an ‘all together’ organizing tool, which is reasonably priced. $45.00. You are allowed a 30-day free trial. File, recipe card system, to note sources and information about the research you acquired for your piece. (Yes, agents and editors do require your sources.)
  
• Anyone that you quote—the legal amount of words and individuals quoted. It is the law.
  

Due to inclement weather we are canceling the Pens of Praise meeting set for tomorrow night. I will email our writers and post on this WEB page and on my blog the updated information.

Take care and keep safe and warm!

I used this Williamsburg, VA photo because it made me think of organization!

Let us know if your attending so we can save a seat just for you!
April 16, 2018                     Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Free Church
2201 42nd St.
Manitowoc, WI  54220
 
“GOALS AND ORGANIZATION – TIME IN A BIND”

This months teaching by Susan Marlene is a continuation from our previous class on developing goals by Susan Fink. Susan Marlene will lead your amazing journey to discover your possibilities with organization. This is the ‘other’ skill which can make or break your writing career or your beloved hobby. How would you like to enjoy more time creating and playing with written communication and storytelling? I sure want that! Come and be inspired!

Prompt: “One cozy character!”  What type of cozy murder mystery character would you wish to read about? Yes, you may write a blurb or scene for this prompt if you like. (Kathy you have a week to stir something up! I can’t wait to see your imagination emerge with this prompt!)

Non-fiction Writers: What non-fiction ‘how to do’ book would you like to write or see written? Scare something up that will charm your imagination and make an impact on your neighborhood.
Bring your WIP (work in progress) to share a five-minute read. We are a safe place to share and grow. 

Pens Novel Readers: Susan Marlene is putting together a group email for those who want to join in picking novels and discussion meetings. (We want to respect those who are too busy or who are uninterested in a reader’s group.)
Stop at a local coffee shop or bring your own coffee or soda and relax with us a while.
 
May the Lord bless your writing endeavors as you write for Him! Any concerns or questions feel free to contact susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com or rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com
 
Blessings!

PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

Let us know if your attending so we can save a seat just for you!

MARCH 19, 2018
Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Faith Free Church
2201 42nd St.
Manitowoc, WI  54220
 
This month we are pleased to have as our speaker Susan M. Menk, who is a Youth Librarian from Manitowoc Public Library. Ms. Menk is teaching “Research Resources @ Your Library.” This expertise is useful for sharpening the validity and accuracy of whatever we write, be it historical, contemporary, non-fiction, or fiction. Our libraries are true resources that will be valuable for us to make use of!

Prompt: “One cozy character!”  What type of cozy murder mystery character would you wish to read about? Yes, you may write a blurb or scene for this prompt if you like.
Bring your WIP (work in progress) to share a five-minute read. We are a safe place to share and grow.  

Pens Novel Readers: Susan Marlene is putting together a group email for those who want to join in picking novels and discussion meetings. (We want to respect those who are too busy or who are uninterested in a reader’s group.)
Stop at a local coffee shop or bring your own coffee or soda and relax with us a while.
 
May the Lord bless your writing endeavors as you write for Him! Any concerns or questions feel free to contact susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com or rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com
 
Blessings!
 
 
 
 

 Do They Only Hide In Shadows?

Definition of antagonist – one who is opposed to or strives with another; opponent; adversary. 2. The adversary of the hero or of the protagonist of a drama or other literary work.
Roget’s International Thesaurus— synonyms – antagonism- hostility, opposition, warlikeness, enmity, contrariety, disagreement, counteraction.

Counteraction – opposition counterposition or contraposition, confutation, contradiction; antagonism, repugnance, antipathy, conflict, friction, interference, clashing, collision; reaction, repercussion, backlash among recoil, kick, backfire, boomerang effect; resistance, nonconformity, crankiness, crotchetiness, orneriness, renitency (rigid in structure or attitude); going against the current or against the tide, swimming upstream; contrariety.

Susan May Warren – States in Deep and Wide, “I believe a villain is anyone or anything that seeks to destroy another person’s confidence, goals—even their hope. A villain chews at a person’s competence, raining upon them doubt, stirring up their fears, and leaves them hopeless.” Read following paragraph from page 142.
 
What types of antagonists are there?

1. Sweet Aunt Peggy or Uncle Joe. This antagonist loves your protagonist or at least doesn’t hate him/her. They want to HELP but end up INTERFEERING with the goal of your protagonist. Also unintentional interference. This can be used comically very well. I’m thinking about the daughter in Game Plan. Susan May Warren suggests Marley, from Marley and Me.
2. Strong and dominant even evil. For example, Darth Vader (born Anakin Skywalker) was redeemable at the end of his life. Usually this kind of antagonist isn’t redeemable. If they are it had better be realistic.
   
3. Palpatine is the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga. I don’t believe he was ever redeemed.
4. Nature – Ex. Twister or any of the earthquake or Tsunami.
5. Emotion- fear, grief, or physical disability. Seabiscuit – The horse and jockey.
6. Life— Donald Maass suggests that The Saving Graces story has relentless, small, unavoidable domestic tragedies that happen to us all which make life’s little tragedies and interruptions become the antagonist.(Just a thought…before writing this type of antagonist interference see if other books, which use this, have continuity with what they challenge in the protagonist.)
7. Can I have more than one? Yes, anything that interferes with your protagonist or main character such as a storm, fear, someone competing with or is positioned to oppose your character’s goal.
8. What makes an excellent corrupt man or woman?
9. Donald Maass said that characters which are dark, depressed, unpleasant—sometimes even repellent can present drawbacks. Most of us do not tolerate people who make us feel frustrated, sad, hopeless or depressed—not in life or books… Page 105.
10. What if your characters are just a tad different? If they are not so common place or ordinary they will draw readers. Characters who are unusual, unexpected, dramatic, decisive,  are memorable. I bet you are thinking right now about a few that you have enjoyed in movies or novels.
    
11. Really? Can someone be that way?  If I can not relate with my own experience or observation I simply will NOT care. It isn’t about what the character threatens to do, but what action or results take place in his/her/it’s wake. Show this in the beginning of the story so you have something to play with in the mind of your reader! What kind of event in a scene located in the beginning of the story will convince the reader that this villain can and will do a dastardly deed?
    
12. Is your antagonist equal to interfering with and disrupting your hero's journey Must be stronger, or as strong as the protagonist. Mirror the protagonist. Must irritate the difficulty or problem or insecurity of the protagonist.
    

What do your protagonist and antagonist have in common?

• May have the same desired goal.
  
• You can see protagonists having the same fault as the antagonist.

How well developed is your antagonist?

• Personality make up?(Brigs and Meyers? Or other personality plan.)
• Past hurt – hurts which influenced their thinking and attitude
• Antagonists think they are right….In what way does your antagonist think that? (Ex. Hitler liked children, was a vegetarian, and there were other things he did that were considered good.

 
Techniques to consider when using your antagonist to sweeten or adorn your plot and challenge your protagonist. Let’s talk about some….
Does the antagonist seem to be a friend to the hero, and the reader knows this but the hero is oblivious?  Does the antagonist have skills and abilities that put the hero at a disadvantage? Is the antagonist just plain intimidating and prideful yet important to the success of the hero?

 
 
Invisible antagonist ? Is that even possible?
Writing the BREAKOUT NOVEL Workbook by Donald Maass suggests that sometimes the antagonists is merely life itself. Also, mysteries may not reveal the antagonist until the very end of the book. On page 68 he states and I quote, ‘Stephen L. Carter’s The Emperor of Ocean Park is not a murder mystery, as such, since the agent of opposition in the story is dead.’
 
Bottom line when evaluating your antagonist, is your antagonist:

• Memorable how?
• Interesting how so?
• Villain/frightening and scary? Ohhhhhhh
• Surprising – this is a great quality….
• …have inherent conflict (Assassin who raises funds for orphans.)
• A worthy opponent (as strong as or stronger than the protagonist?)