The Chicken Buzzer Meeting of Readings & Insights by Susan Marlene

I place the chicken timer on the table—it’s time to share a read and then explore some information by those teachers of ‘brain science’ on how to write page turners! My thoughts in blue type.

READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

Wired For Story by Lisa Cron: …story told us what to hang on to. Story is what enabled us to imagine….1 When we turn pages with enthusiasm it is possible to not realize why. Revisit favorite authors and keep a notebook where you can write down the emotionally driven thoughts or concepts that stir you and pull you into story. This is good for fiction and non-fiction. Read page 4 third paragraph in Lisa Cron’s book. We want the real life feel to our stories, but without the mundane activities that are so common place and unimportant to the story purpose that they would steal our plot and character—interaction word count.
 
Write three elements of story that cause you to NOT want to leave a story?
What are three elements that cause you to WANT to leave the story?
 
READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

The FIRST 50 PAGES by Jeff Gerke shares wonderful insights on starting a novel with all the right elements that agents, editors, and readers need to be engaged in your story. Gerke states, “In good dialogue, dialogue with subtext, the characters aren’t responding to what the other person says, but to what they think the other person means.”2  In non-fiction, I know I’ve scanned the contents to see if I can relate to what the chapters offer. You must immediately grab the attention and need that your particular reader has. Offer something unique and worthwhile.

Now or at home -write how you could add those three elements to your story.
What three elements do you use that cause you to enjoy your story?
 
READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

Wired For Story  What matters most is that the story “engender a sense of urgency from the first sentence. Everything else—fabulous characters, great dialogue, vivid imagery, luscious language—is gravy.” Again, even for non-fiction the importance of writing to topics that matter and offer help and direction to your reader is vital to a successful book.

READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

Wired For Story—Lisa Cron shares, “the real story is how what happens affects the protagonist, and what she does as a result.” I also heard in a teaching by Randy Ingermanson that the way that reactions are recorded in a scene could muddy the read if the author writes what happens out of order. Your reader may not ‘know’ how it should be written, but they can sense when what is written is out of step with real life happenings. We don’t jump first and then hear glass shattering.  

READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

The FIRST 50 PAGES--Jeff Gerke states, “There is power in your hero’s dreams that may not be immediately evident…is the basis of that high-sounding term, the story question.” The inward motivation and unmet desire at the beginning of the story (realized or unrealized by the heroine/hero) is the fuel that drives the character to achieve that outward goal. The outward goal is very much linked with the inward need, that will be challenged along the story journey. For non-fiction writers, what dream are you targeting that could assist or direct your reader to discover what they need for a better life?

READY SET—WHO WILL BE FIRST TO READ?  (Chicken set for 5 minutes!)

If we have extra time then I can read from sections from these books for those who are interested.

The books I’ve referenced have so much to offer for those seeking to write with excellence and build their skills to communicate story at their very best! If you don’t wish to purchase them you can always request them at your local library.
​
1 Wired For Story by Lisa Cron, page 1
 2 The FIRST 50 PAGES by Jeff Gerke page 29
3 Wired For Story by Lisa Cron page 21
4 The FIRST 50 PAGES by Jeff Gerke page104

PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP MEETING

Tuesday, November 20, 2018     6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church
2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220
   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods
   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43
 
The Chicken Buzzer Meeting of Readings & Insights is our topic this month.  Susan Marlene will direct this class by staggering 5 minutes of reading shares with 5 minute instruction on perfecting the craft by using brain science. We will keep this writer/teaching/writer pattern flowing during our teaching segment.  
Pens Assignment: For Fiction and non-fiction writers wishing to participate in reading their work to the group: Pick up to five pages and edit them before Pens to reading at Pens.  Write a scene or sample with purpose- who, what, where, when, why. If the action or dialogue or information doesn't move the story forward then cut that before the meeting. What does the antagonist want? What gets in the way? What is his/her reaction and feelings and thoughts about what happened? Or for non-fiction—What is your topic, who are you reaching and what is the message focus for tonight?
Susan will provide information from a popular how-to book on writing. Remember, leaving your reader inspired with excellent take-away is like an open invitation for your reader to return!

PROMPT: Truly Thankful or Turkey on the Rise
We are a safe place to share.
 
Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! 
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
 

Greetings All,

First of all, I want to assign homework for those attending the November Pens meeting.
For those who wish to participate in reading their work to the group:

• Pick up to five pages and edit them for reading at Pens.  (Something new or old that you have written. Wink Debby! ;))
• Write this scene with purpose- who, what, where, when, why.
• If the action or dialogue doesn't move the story forward then cut that.
• What does the antagonist (aka bad or interfering character) or protagonist (hero or heroine) want? What gets in the way? What is his/her reaction and feelings and thoughts about what happened?   

Our Pens Readers have chosen HAZARDOUS DUTY  Squeaky Clean Mysteries, book 1 by award winning author, Christy Barritt,  for our next read! Let me know if you will be among our numbers so that we can inform you on our discussion date!

From Sarah Grosskopf--  in case anyone is interested, the Silver Lake English Community is hosting a writing and art workshop at Woodland Dunes Nature Center this Saturday, November 3rd from 10AM to Noon.  I went last year and it was fun.  Don't know if including the facebook link will work: https://www.facebook.com/events/1029263453921975/


Details:
Join the editors of The Novice for a drop-in poetry and visual art workshop at Woodland Dunes Nature Center any time between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Nov. 3. This free workshop is open to the public and is geared to anyone interested in writing and visual art in the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area. We're looking forward to a creative morning!
Activities/stations will include the following:
--haiku
--found poetry
--nature rubbings
--sensory writing

Thank you, Sarah! Okay that is all for now! 

Blessings and Joy!
Sue

We enjoyed our meeting at Pens of Praise Christian Writers last night, especially because of Kathy Leist’s offering of BARA BRITH (SPECKLED BREAD) the recipe found in our latest Pens Readers novel of choice. The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz was so deeply thrilling to those of us who joined in the read this time around. Kathy’s appreciation of the novel and the recipes tucked inside spilled over into baking this special treat for our Pens meeting “Three Months of Four” by yours truly!  I have posted the teaching on www.susanmarlene.com.

If you only had three or four months to leave a legacy, write a message, a song or book, what would you spend time on? What would be so important to say or be remembered? Let’s ponder and explore time honored questions that could zap our writing ideas to life and stir up goals that would otherwise lie dormant! Ready?
How would you decide what to write? That seems like an excellent place to begin.

• What is important to you? And who would be important to write to?
• Zero in on a message or two and then pick one to be your main focus.
• Will this be a large project or small one? (Example: Articles and short pieces can reach far more readers. Yet, your writings wouldn’t linger with those readers as with a larger project, such as a novel.) Write down how many readers you wish to reach and decide what kind of project you would prefer to accomplish to reach your goal.

What amount of time do you have to work with?

• Realistically choose to adjust or refocus the size of your project, so that it will match the time you have available. Use quality writing to shape your ultimate ideas.
• Respect yourself and allow others to respect your purpose for writing.
• Become aware of what really works for you: calendars, technology, hide in the library study room, or visiting your local coffee shop etc. Writers use all those methods and some.

What are your instincts telling you? Do you know how to listen to yourself or the Lord?

• Is there a nagging, teasing thought that seems to stick around no matter how you have ignored it in the past? You may think that is too BIG or too DIFFICULT for you. I’ve heard it said that challenges and difficulties are really meant to promote you. Will you take the plunge one baby step at a time? What is that inner voice telling you now!

What about starting? Or what about writer’s block?

• Free writing can jump start your brain. Try it!
• Read some poetry or the type of writing you love. (Some are afraid to do that, but still that may work for you. ) Don’t remain blocked because that doesn’t work for others.
• Reread your last chapter to encourage creative juices.
• Doodle

Make a Plan:
What does your ordinary day entail? When are you most focused and have freedom from interruptions? What amount of time can you easily schedule? Are there days when you can bump up writing time to gain more imagination, word count, or edit accomplishments?  Using a calendar, stop watch, or closed door is helpful!
Carrying a notebook and pen with you can be useful if you are in a long line or waiting in a doctor office instead of allowing frustration to rise over wasted time or watching the clock that doesn’t seem to be moving. ;)
Recording your thoughts with your phone or a device is handy also. You can trap your thoughts when you park your car, or wait in a room -when no one is around! 😊
Reward Your Efforts:
Motivation is VIP and if you drive yourself into the ground with work, work, work you will lose steam. Write a list of motivators such as: coffee shop visit with friends, reading a good book with a hot chocolate beside you, an outdoor activity…Chose something you’d really look forward to! Be delighted with life and that delight will reward your pages!
How Do You Estimate ‘How Much Time’ for Researching Your Project?
Research time can be tricky to plan as far as my experience goes. There are bunny-trails waiting to waylay the most interested writers. One piece of info leads to another and another. But you must be firm with yourself and yet have a flexible goal for what info you wish to acquire by the end of the day, week or other. True, some bunny-trails are useful and time-well-spent in the end. Just be cautious and aware. J

• Researching a genre your interested in may take a lot more preparation time than those three or four months. Read how-to books and that genre. Don’t be afraid to underline, take notes, and compare what works and what you admire in that type of writing.

Let’s Take Time to Brainstorm & Plot A Significant Goal For Us All
For our class I made a simple chart for us to organize our thoughts and write down our goals and ideas. It didn't copy well here- be inventive and create your own personal chart for I believe it will solidify your goals and aim your dreams into a doable worthy project!

PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
October 16, 2018
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church
2201 42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
 Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods
 Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Three Months or Four: What if You Only Had This Much Time is our topic this month. Susan Marlene will teach this class on picking your focus and making it happen!

We are a safe place to share. We invite you to bring your
WIP (Work in progress!) for a five-minute read.

The prompt for September is…
“If I wouldn’t have been so scared…”. or “Should I choose __________ or _____________?” Use your imagination and your genre preference to share your thoughts with fellow writers!

We will share a couple of book titles that research writing mystery and integrating emotion for your WIP!

Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! J

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

To end right we need to begin right, with a story question, which creates anticipation for the outcome all though the reading experience. One that will not be easily answered, but has a desirable conclusion that can be hoped for and cheered for all the same. Also, for non-fiction, those nuggets of wisdom that build and hopefully expand the readers understanding and tools to do life well are not easily ended, all the time.

Story Question – Main character’s question is what readers see in the story.  (example: Will I get justice? Will I win the love of my life? Or for non-fiction writers: Will I plan my vacations like an expert? Will I feel closer to God? Will I understand people better?) We writers want readers to know the story question, so that they can enjoy the emotional roller coaster that keeps them reading—till the very end! This question must be simple and believable and achievable, yet difficult to secure.

Unless you write 007 type fiction—your character changes—however, usually, they are stronger or better as they overcome the lie that bound them at the beginning of the story. What if you write non-fiction? Will your ending matter? Most how-to books and inspirational works seem to begin with the lesser skills and increase in information and vision toward the end. Yes writer, endings do matter, whether you write fiction or non-fiction! What can we do to strengthen our endings and therefore benefit our readers, while extending an invitation to our future writings? 

Donald Maass states that last lines need the same amount of effort to create as first lines. He suggests using wit, poetic line or a sense of dawning peace. All of those techniques trigger emotional chemical response from our brains. But that was a different teaching, let’s move on.

Endings are often difficult to write once the crisis has happened and the story is on the down-swing—or concerning non-fiction, all the pertinent information has already been shared—this is why I’m teaching this lesson. When that natural concern about what will happen—has happened what can we do to make those last pages shine?  Once the message you had for your reader has been delivered how can you wrap up that needed ending?

Examples: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Haulk, A Quarter For A Kiss by Mindy S Clark, Blur by Steven James and many others end strong. Yet there are excellent writers who begin exceptionally well and dither out at the ending; limiting their final words to checking off the threads they shared throughout the story. That is needed, but is it memorable? Is there take-away for the reader?

Excellent endings bring elements to the story that literally get the chemicals in our brain firing. Look at the following movies: War Room, Courageous, Hidalgo, Tomorrowland, and Secondhand Lions, just to name a few. There are elements in these endings that readers/watchers expect and connect with. We observers come away empowered and feel like we could be better people; our minds are focused on courage, sacrifice, unconditional love, can-do-it spirit! Who didn’t walk away from War Room and not want to make a prayer list closet to begin interceding?

I’ve been rewriting my closing scene for my contemporary novel and decided that the ending puttered out. Why? I did the check-off for all loose threads and wrote a scene, but it didn’t have the same quality writing that I shared in the beginning of my story. It didn’t have the emotional take away that would benefit the reader.

So, what could I do to improve? I decided to look at the books on my overburdened shelves! LOL! True. I’m checking out endings to both historical and contemporary and non-fiction works to see what they have in common. Of course, not every book has the same interesting ending elements. Some have humor, a secret the character still wants to keep from the populous, gratitude on how something well fought for turned out. Also, I noticed some have a bookend ending, which is: something stated is repeated or the character is at the same location where the story began, but with victory that tugged at my heart strings and got my mind buzzing. It is vital that we end in the same excellence that we begin with and that we provide the best message that will benefit the reader. Isn’t that why we write? No, I don’t find it easy to end well. It is all too easy to putter out. Even well published authors do yield to the get it over with check list.  But do you want to offer that kind of quality to your readers?

Read last page of Audacious by Beth Moore & Revelation 22:12 - 21

CHECK LIST FOR ENDINGS:

• Same tone as the story or book you wrote
• Relevant tie offs that can inspire
• Take away for the reader
• Dawning of Peace
• Loose thread to link the next novel
• Last snippet of info—beneficial
• Last scene placement – inspiring – a message all of its own


• WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED FOR THIS CLASS HOMEWORK?  DISCUSSION TIME!

• Example: “Don’t make me laugh.” This was a last line that I saw in a movie. This seemingly non-exciting line carried a lot of feel-good emotional impact for me. Within this simple line was the pain the hero experienced and the positive relationship with the person he said it to, which also related to the struggle he’d just had. Excellent ending! Can we do less? I hope not…in fact I hope we do the same or better as we purposefully design a meaningful ending that will resonate with our readers!

CONFERENCES YEAH OR NO WAY? By Susan Marlene
We will explore the benefits and downfalls of attending conferences. Questions at the end. 😊
Why should you attend conferences?
Preparation for Conferences
Face-to-Face Meetings? (Do they matter?)
Where Can You Find the ‘Best for You’ Conferences?
Oh, The COST!
 

1. WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND CONFERENCES?
2. Information highway—offering classes and teachers experience you probably would never have learned from on your own. Some classes you would think, “No, not for me!” Yet, the challenges and wisdom presented can change the direction of your writing career.
3. Conflicting information—of course. Some writers work and believe differently about this career than others—what a way to explore options and find your fit. Should you write articles? What kind and how to do it? Those are just some examples of inspiring topics that changed my thinking!
4. Getting to know writers in your genre and editors and agents is important! Some of their personal experiences are inspiring. You are not alone in your challenges and discouragements. If it is a worthwhile pursuit- you will have trouble along the way. (As with anything!)
5. You meet people with like-minded focus and those who are ahead of you that enjoy helping others grow. You can do the same for other newer writers.
6. Preparation for Conferences
7. Research who you wish to interview and a few more! Their link can be on the Conference WEB page. What do they recommend for hand-outs, proposals, sample writing? Don’t neglect this and you will be a happy camper!
8. What is business casual anyway? I wore long skirts-never ragged jeans or too casual clothing. You are trying to sell your image. Be professional and don’t over do it either.
9. Bring appropriate clothing if you will attend an awards dinner.
10. Purchase linen folders to hold your sample writing and One Sheet about the book you are pitching—if you are. And do have business cards at the ready to hand out to writers, agents and editors.
11. Take pictures of the event and yourself with others for social media.
12. You can or don’t have to bring your computer. Usually the classes run from morning until late at night.
13. Your Bible! 😊
14. Face-To-Face Meetings. (Do they matter?)
15. Book deals are made this way. If your piece is what they are looking for and they see your excitement that is a foot in the door for a new writer. (Unfortunately, many writers promise to send their work to agents or editors and never do. That is a plus for you if you send exactly what they ask for. (Follow on-line or guidelines they give to you. If you can’t follow directions—they realize you will be a labor
    of difficulty.)
16. You can sign up for a certain amount of interview. If you have favorable interaction this opens the door—even if you don’t have an agent—which is a difficult relationship to acquire if you don’t have excellent social media and platform already established.
17. Other authors may be just who you need to meet for encouragement, direction, information, and connections. Or you may be the person they need to meet.
18. Leaving a business card with your photo on it provides something to remember you by. I made my own. You can also have them made for you.
19. Where Can You Find the ‘Best for You’ Conferences?
20. Word of mouth. What is said about conferences can be found on FB, online reviews or from other writers you know.
21. “The Christian Writers MARKET GUIDE 2017” Your Comprehensive Resource for Getting Published by Steve Laube has an excellent chapter on WRITERS CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS.This gives you state by state opportunities and who to contact with descriptions of what this conference’s focus is.
22. On line searches, for example: I typed in “Writers Conferences 2018 fiction USA” and numerous conferences appeared. You may want to clarify your request by adding non-fiction, romance, etc.
23. Oh, The COST!
24. There is quite a range of varying costs for conferences. Sometimes, you can find a special local event that may charge very reasonable rates. If you need a room and meals your costs will go up accordingly. You can find some excellent opportunities through local writers’ groups in your state.
25. When finances are too strapped you can consider applying for scholarships, which do not need paid back. I have seen ACFW and Write To Publish offer them and they also allow writers to give toward scholarships so that writers who can’t afford the conference can attend. I’m sure each situation is different and maybe some scholarships pay the majority of the fees, but you would be responsible for travel and meal accommodations.
26. If you can’t attend but really need some of the teachings offered, many conferences offer teaching CD’s or USB Drives. You can pick and choose and ever order from earlier conferences. You will miss the interaction with word lovers but you will benefit from the classes you order. Check the WEB page for the organization offering the conference and pick your topics!
27. Once you start earning more than you are spending for conferences, travel and how to books you can write off your expenses for your taxes. Keeping track of those expenses can pay off for you if you work hard at selling articles or take on other paid writing opportunities.
    

QUESTIONS ANYONE?

• We can talk about some of the valuable lessons that were taught by qualified and successful writers in the business.
• How did meeting writers and editors and agents affect me personally?
• What kind of challenges did I focus on and wish to act on goals I’ve set for myself because of conferences?
• Critiques and what to watch for…just saying!I highly recommend conferences and encourage you to find the right one for you!
  

PENS OF PRAISE STATEMENT OF BELIEF:
Pens of Praise Christian Writers Group is a fellowship of word-loving communicators who provide encouragement, education, and listening ears to those writing clean and encouraging communication. We support the development of skill, attention to detail, and professionalism necessary to obtain personal and public publication. We are a group not limited by age, so even very young writers are welcome. We support Christian values and therefore do not share sex or overtly violent scenes, which would not be in keeping with Christian values concerning entertainment or enlightenment.

Let the teaching begin!  CONFERENCES YEAH OR NO WAY? Susan Marlene will share her experience and advice concerning writers conferences and what value they hold. Also, Kate Jungwirth will share information about holding a book signing.

Prompt: Write a quotable quote! Example from a bumper sticker: Life is becoming very frustrating but I believe in a better world. One where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned. 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 susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com or rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com
 
                                                                Blessings!