Southern Writers: Suite T

I Love Loglines

2012-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

While it’s primarily a screenwriting term, the logline is ofgreat value for every writer. This one-line description captures the concept,main character and main conflict of a story. By reducing the entire movie ornovel to its most basic elements, you can quickly see what it’s about andwhether you’re interested in it. Think of it as the old TV Guide one-linesynopsis.

Since the Oscars were on this weekend, I found itinteresting to examine the loglines of the nine Best Picture nominees:

THE ARTIST

A silent movie star struggles during Hollywood’s transition to the talkies.

THE DESCENDANTS

A land baron attempts to reconnect with his two daughtersafter his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.

EXTREMELY LOUD &INCREDIBLY CLOSE

A nine-year-old searches NYC for the lock that matches a keyleft behind by his father, who died on 9/11.

THE HELP

An aspiring author during the civil rights movement writes abook detailing the hardships of African-American maids.

HUGO

An orphan who lives in the walls of a train station iswrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

A struggling novelist discovers, through midnight walks in Paris, what could be hisultimate writing inspiration.

MONEYBALL

A baseball manager creates a successful baseball team on abudget by using computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

THE TREE OF LIFE

In this impressionistic work, the eldest son of a Midwesternfamily tries to reconcile with his father while seeking the meaning of life.

WAR HORSE

The extraordinary journey of a horse who inspires the livesof many during WWI.

A good logline – says screenwriter Blake Snyder in hishighly entertaining and informative book Savethe Cat – is rich with irony. What could be more ironic than a silent filmstar facing an age of talking pictures? Or a busy executive forced to reconnectemotionally with his family? A white girl writing about racial strife, a sportsmanager turning a team around with technology, and a frustrated novelist forwhom a world of inspiration opens up, all overflow with contrast.

Conflict is essential to keep readers/viewers engaged. As ElizabethS. Craig reminded us earlier this month in Suite T, we have to give ourmain character an industrial-sized challenge. Fill your story with the rightamount of tension and everyone will stick around to see how the protagonist prevails.

Though the audience themselves may not be orphans trying tosolve a mystery, they readily identify with anyone facing a struggle,especially one in which the hero is out of their element.

For your next novel, short story, screenplay or stage drama,break it down into its simplest logline and evaluate its power to hook. Is itrich with irony? Do you find the premise absolutely compelling? Moreimportantly, will your reader?

Get your logline right from the get-go and maybesomeday you’ll be sitting next to George Clooney at the Oscars. (Feel free togive your acceptance speech with a foreign accent; that’s pretty popular lately.)

An Author NEADS to Make Decisions

2012-02-27T07:58:00.002-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

We continue to share Tom Hopkins’ NEADS acronym found in hisbook LowProfile Selling, Act like a Lamb…Sell like a Lion, let’s return to theshort explanation of the letters.

N – NOW E – ENJOY A – ALTER D – DECISION S – SOLUTION

We have addressed the first three lettersand this week the fourth, D for Decision. Who makes the DECISION?

In marketing we must find what thecustomers’ current situation is, what they like about it and what they wouldchange. We then must determine who will bemaking the decision to change.

When selling to a couple we never ask who wears the pants in thefamily. We do ask if we are unable to meet with both parties which one would weneed to be certain to meet with. Their answer will tell us who the decisionmaker is. When dealing with a company we must ask who in the company will bemaking the decision. Failing to determine the decision maker can have usspending valuable time working with the wrong person. Know who the decisionmaker is.

The same is true in life. Ask yourself who ismaking the decisions that are important to you? Is it you? Do you seek advicefrom trusted sources when making an important decision? Do you go with yourgut, heart or head? Are you collaborating on a project and must consult with apartner or partners?

If we are truthful with ourselves we will realizeonly the most simple of decisions are made entirely on our own. The majority ofdecisions we make are done so with the help of others. If you are one that isfortunate enough to have those trusted souls you can go to for assistanceplease do so. Their input may give new insight and direction.

Prepare yourself as we move into the final step ofthe NEADS acronym. Have an honestevaluation of where you are NOW.Determine what you ENJOY about yourcurrent position. Determine what you don’t like about your current position andwould CHANGE. Who will be involvedin making the DECISION to change andmove ahead? The next posting will be the letter S. What is the SOLUTION!

A Committed Relationship...With Writing

2012-02-24T10:54:00.001-06:00

by Jeuron Dove

I can’t recall the exact dateI fell in love with writing, but it’s safe to say that my relationship withwriting has been a committed one for several years. Actually, it’s the onerelationship that has lasted longer than any other! Through the good times andthe bad, writing has always been there as my sole outlet of expression andcreativity.

Some people are good withnumbers while others are great at public speaking and athletics, but writinghas always been my favorite hobby.

I’ve enjoyed writing since ayoung age. It was always the one subject I did best in at school. I trulybelieve that writing is the one thing I’ve always been good at. There is nobetter feeling than know you can do something better than anyone else and havepeople depend on you for it.

I love to blog. I think I canspeak for every blogger when I say that the best part about blogging is whenyou realize you’ve written something than connects with your readers. Sure I’dlove to have a huge following and have hundreds of people comment on each postI write. However, just knowing that one person has been affected by my writingis all the satisfaction I need to feel successful.

I’m deeply in love withwriting and look forward to the many adventures and places it‘ll take me inlife.

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Jeuron Dove graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Journalism. He is an aspiring author and active blogger who enjoys writing about professional wrestling, the writing community and a variety of other topics in his spare time. He resides in Reidsville, NC. You can visit his blog at www.jeurondove.wordpress.com.

When I Fell in Love with Writing

2012-02-23T07:52:00.000-06:00

by Julie Cantrell

I heart writing. I do.

It all started when I was a girl in bare feet and braids. Iwould climb my backyard cedar tree with my blue unicorn journal in hand. There,I would escape to those fragrant limbs and drop my deepest feelings down onpaper.

I was a typical first-born child with a self-centereduniverse, so my earliest entries were about boys and friends and family.Gradually, those thoughts reached farther and deeper. I began writing about warand politics, suicide and abortion, alcoholism and drug abuse. I watched thepeople in my community and I observed their choices. I wrote about thosebehaviors and patterns. I questioned everything on those pages, exploring theworld around me and processing what I thought about it all.

I soon began to experiment, trying my luck at poetry. Iwrote letters to friends. I wrote letters to loved ones. I wrote letters to myfuture self and to long-gone icons. Most of those letters never made it past mydiary, but I wrote them nonetheless.

Then I wrote stories. Fictional tales filled with imaginarycharacters. I entered worlds far beyond any I had seen. I became a missionary,a soldier, a convict. I wrote from the point-of-view of an old man, a homelessmother, an orphan in the underground tunnels. Inspired by an eclectic mix ofauthors ranging from Kate Chopin and Judy Blume to John Steinbeck and HarperLee, I explored the universe of possibility. I discovered the power of infinitecreativity and spent more time in my character’s thoughts than I did my own.

Before I knew it, I was no longer writing about boys. I hadfallen madly, deeply, passionately in love with writing. I wanted to understandothers who weren’t like me. Writing allowed me to walk in their shoes, to thinkas they thought, to see the world as they did. Writing gave me all the answersto the “what ifs” and “why nots” that plagued my teenage mind.

Today, I still escape into these other worlds every chance Iget. Writing, creating, exploring --- this is my fix. It’s how I think. It’show I navigate the twists and turns of my life. It’s how I feed my artistichunger.

Now that my first novel (Into the Free) has been released, Iam feeling the overwhelming thrill of hearing others talk about my charactersas if they really exist. It’s fascinating to hear people discuss this world,these stories, that were plucked from my brain and pressed to a page.

Do I love writing? Yes. I do. I love it so much I don’t wantto ever lose it. I love it in the way that little barefoot girl in the tree lovedJohn and then Paul and then Mike. Only better. As if my whole being would eruptif he chose someone other than me. I heart writing. It’s true. I do. And Istill have my unicorn journal to prove it.

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Julie is a sleep-deprived mom of two spunky souls; a wacky wife who tends to burn dinner; a frazzled friend who wishes she had more time for chats; a first-generation organic farmer with dirt on her jeans and hay in her hair; a pal to all things furry; a teacher of students learning English as their second language; a certified speech-language pathologist; a frenzied freelance writer; a voracious volunteer; and – as of February 1 – a newbie novelist.

We invite you to connect with Julie online at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, her blog and her website.

Ann Patchett's Writing: Lots to Love

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Jan Newman

Ann Patchett is the perfect author to read in Februarybecause her writing and storytelling is about love. Not only the romantic kind,but in all its best forms. Bel Canto,for instance, is a novel of love for opera, life, self, and of one specialother. People die for love in Bel Canto,even as they learn to live. The story and the characters almost made me want tobe taken hostage in a third-world villa. Then I might fall in love the way Mr.Hosokawa and Roxanne Coss, or Gen and Carmen, did.

The Japanese businessman inadvertently caused the hostage situation.He developed a passion for opera as a child. As a grown man, married with grownchildren, he fell in love with a recorded voice. Roxanne Coss was the world's mostbeautiful, celebrated soprano. Because Mr. Hosokawa loved her voice so much, heagreed to visit a South American nation that promised him a birthday party withRoxanne singing in person. Mr. Hosokawa had no intention of doing business inthe nation and no business imposing on their generosity. But he couldn't resistthe chance to see and hear his beloved soprano in person. As captives, the onlylanguage they had in common was music till they found another—love.

Mr. Hosokawa's young translator, Gen, fell in love with thebeauty, soul, and thirst for learning he found in Carmen, one of the guerillas.He opened up to her a world of education. She fired his dormant heart. Howcould I not long for such a passion of my own?

Or I might find a talent to nurture, like Cesar, the boyterrorist with his fabulous, untrained voice whom Roxanne tutors as if he trulyhas a chance to go from jungle guerilla to world-class tenor.

Maybe I'd leave behind my love of self like Father Arguedas,who refused to abandon the other hostages and their captors. No one reallywanted him to stay, but the young man was so glad for the chance to serve fullyas a priest that he remained to save souls.

There's also renewal and rediscovery. Simon Thibault in hisloneliness rediscovered his love and desire for his wife, waiting for himoutside. Without the shock of this protracted hostage situation, Simon wouldhave drifted in a marriage where he forgot to appreciate the most valuablething in his life.

In spite of the voices of reality and impending doom, thecharacters learn to hope for peace and a better life beyond captivity. All doesnot end well, yet good things survive. Through her extreme examples of terrorand stress, Patchett reminds us to slow down, look deeply, even at those peoplewe feel trapped with. Who are they? Who are we? What possibilities are weoverlooking? What do the worst situations have to offer for growth, maybe evensalvation?

Love, she advises. Don't discriminate. Love and hope.
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Jan Rider Newman is publisher and coeditor with Jessica R. Ferguson of Swamp Lily Review: A Journal of Louisiana Literature and Arts. She has published short stories, nonfiction, and poetry in A Small, Good Journal, a juried Vision/Verse competition, the New Orleans Review, the Denver Quarterly, Louisiana Literature, Oasis Journal, and in two anthologies published by the Gulf Coast Writers’ Association. Jan earned an MFA in creative writing after studying with Robert Olen Butler. She is webmaster for the Bayou Writers’ Group and a member of She Writes. She's written book reviews for The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog, LitStack, and The New Book Review blog. Jan blogs at Beyond Acadia: Reading, Writing & Living Well, has a website, and is on Twitter as @Jangaler and @SwampLilyReview.

Jesus and Mama Always Loved Me

2012-02-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Julie L. Cannon

“…even when the deviltook control “ (Jesus and Mama,Confederate Railroad). I love stories and I love country music because it tellsstories, and if I had to pick a theme song for my stories, it would be thatone. When I was in Nashvilledoing research for an upcoming novel, Twang,I read a quote by Conway Twitty that said, “A good country song takes a pageout of someone’s life, and puts it to music.” I believe the same is true for agood novel.

Don’t ask me why I put Jesusand Mama Always Loved Me on my iPod because neighbors probably think I’vegot a screw loose as they watch me walking along Dogwood Hill, literallysloshing through puddles of my own tears. I’m 49 (and my Daddy still calls meGal) and I’ve always lost myself in a good story, and this particular one comesalive for me in vivid Technicolor every time I hear it. As the song begins, theprotagonist may be a male teenager, but I amhim. I feel what he feels - hisyearnings, his lust, his pain and his subsequent remorse, then his wonder thatsomeone could still love him despite everything. My heart knows the veracitylacing those lyrics, especially the chorus. He and I both strayed, and yet,when more than the usual feeble human love was needed, there came a surge ofsupranormal love – the kind you get onlyfrom Jesus and Mama.

I burst out into this world in 1962, and I grew up downSouth, a land of red clay where it’s not uncommon to see roadside signs reading‘Jesus and Tomatoes Coming Soon.’ My folks carried me to church every time thedoors were open, but I’m afraid the gospel did not take a hold. I did notfollow the narrow path. I went from fun to fun, not caring about a thing inthis world but Julie. I didn’t steal a car like the fellow in the song did, butboy did I walk the wide road, and it took great tragedy, several in fact, forme to hit that proverbial rock bottom. When I did, it was a transcendent lovethat lifted me.

I think the key to making a story come alive is beingwilling to rip a page from your own life, to draw upon your deepest painwithout flinching. The mysterious things I’m seeking to understand when I writehave nothing to do with religion or long-faced self-righteousness or sentimentality.They explore what I call ‘the irrational kind of love.’

Twang is about acountry music diva who uses her pain to create songs, songs that pull meaningout of life’s chaos, that redeem the seemingly unredeemable. Lest anybody thinkthe heroine’s pathetic parents were modeled after my saintly folks, I’ll name acountry song that would make a good title for my memoir - I’m The Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised) —Johnny Paycheck.

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JulieL. Cannon graduated from the University of Georgia with a degreein Journalism. She is the author of Truelove& Homegrown Tomatoes, ‘MaterBiscuit, Those Pearly Gates, The Romance Readers’ Book Club, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and comingAugust 1, Twang. She lives in Watkinsville, Georgia. Visit her website at www.julielcannon.com and connect withher on Facebook at www.facebook.com/julieLcannon.

What An Author NEADS is Change

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

As we continue to share Tom Hopkins’ NEADS acronym found in hisbook Low Profile Selling, Act like a Lamb…Sell like a Lion, let’s return to theshort explanation of the letters.

N – NOW E – ENJOY A – ALTER D – DECISION S – SOLUTION

I have used it not only as the fantasticsales tool Tom intended it to be, but as a problem solving tool as well. Wehave addressed the first letter N, thesecond letter E which is for ENJOY. This week we will address thethird letter A. What is it we would ALTER or change?

In marketing we must find what thecustomers’ current situation is, what they like about it and what they wouldchange. What they like is their “HotButton” or why they buy. When we ask what youwould Alter or change we find whattheir problem or concerns are. This could be called their “Cold Button” or what turns them off about a product. We then makesure we are able to meet their concerns with our product.

In life, change can be a hard thing for some of us. Customers areusually eager to make a change once it is presented and it is their choice todo so. But many times the changes are not of our choosing. Dr. Spencer Johnson wrote about the difficulties of dealing withchange in his bestseller Who Moved My Cheese? The change hespoke of was indeed not change being sought but change being forced upon us.The change we want to deal with in the NEADSacronym is the change of choice.

We have identified where we are, what we like aboutit and now what we would change. This change, which will be of our choosing,will have two positive outcomes. One will be the identification of what we donot like and will leave behind. The other will be the positive direction wewill move in the absence of those things we do not like while seeking more ofwhat we do like. This can be very liberating.

Ask yourself what is it you would change at thispoint in your writing or your life for that matter? Could you see yourselfwithout this thing you would change? Can you see yourself in a better position?Take some time to consider what it is you would change and the benefits of thatchange.

As we continue to move into the remaining steps, prepareyourself by having an honest evaluation of where you are now, what you enjoyand what you have chosen to change. The next letter is D. Our next post will be about who will be making the Decision!

Just Take One Block

2012-02-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

by Shannon Milholland

When I was a kid, I was enamored with any game that fit in one can. One of those was Jenga. The object of this game is to stack all the blocks and then remove them one at a time without causing the entire structure to fall.

I don't know about you but at times I feel like Social Media is a huge towering insurmountable structure. But what if the key to success wasn't stacking more bricks but successfully navigating which ones to remove?

Use Tweetdeck to schedule all your tweets for the next two weeks in 10 minutes.

Set a timer and only spend that number of minutes on Facebook.

Plan a blog series and write it all in one morning.

What blocks could you remove from your day today? Why not start with one and see what difference it makes?

My Love Story: When Love Floated into my Life

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Julie Ball

You neverknow what moment could turn out to be a turning point in your life. For me itwas an ordinary Thursday afternoon. Finished with my classes for the day, I hadwalked to a field nearby for a friendly game of flag football – Baptistseminary students versus Presbyterians. These games were a favorite part of myweekly routine.

Thisparticular game day, the first of the new school year, brought severalnew faces. After the game, as the gang gathered at Friendly’s for dinner, I satacross from one of the new guys. He ordered a root beer and a root beer float, revealing his whimsical streak. I liked himright off, but I had no idea that in less than two years, I’d be married tohim.

At thatpoint in my life, I was struggling mightily with insecurity and depression.Despite my place in seminary and my desire to be part of the presence of God inothers’ lives, I couldn’t recognize God’s presence in my own life. I was achinglylonely and afraid of my own imperfections. I had a knack for making baddecisions and my dating relationships, what few there were, tended to beunhealthy. I saw myself as damaged, broken, and defective.

Somehow, theguy with the root beer and the root beer float didn’t see me that way; he sawsomebody he wanted to love. And when I realized that (somebody had to point itout to me, actually), the turn in my life that began on the flag football fieldfinished rounding the corner.

Much of whatI know about God’s love I learned from “Big Boy” (his affectionate nickname onmy blog). He didn’t judge my bad decisions. He didn’t look away in disgust oreven get squeamish when I was sick. If he ever noticed my imperfections, hedidn’t let on – he certainly never pointed them out. He was comforting. He wasgenerous. He was thoughtful. He was steady. He gave of himself, without makingany demands in return. He was a spigot pouring out God’s love in a world thatseemed desolate and dry.

Now we’reapproaching our tenth wedding anniversary, and he still is all those things,and more. If it’s true that people who are married a long time start to looklike each other, I hope my heart is beginning to look like his.

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Julie Ballis a professional wife and mother in Memphis, Tennessee. In her spare moments,she is pursuing her call to ministry and her love of writing. Julie shares herlife and her thoughts on her blog, Meeting God in Memphis.

I Love To Bragg On This Author

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Sherry Perkins

I have lived in southwest Louisiana my whole life, exceptfor the seven years I was in the army and lived other places. I have also beena life-long reader and if I was to guess how many books I’ve read it would probablynumber in the hundreds. Mind you, I’m not one of those who finish four or fivebooks in a month, but I am an avid reader, always have been. No book hastouched me personally like “All Over but the Shoutin’.”

My uncle let my mama borrow it. She then passed it to me.When I next saw my uncle I said, “I can’t put that book down.” He replied ofthe author, another man named Rick whom he had met at a writing conference,“He’s as country as turnip greens.” The book is “All Over but the Shoutin’,”and the author is none other than the Pulitzer-prize winning Alabama writer Rick Bragg.

Although Rick Bragg was born 12 years before me, reading hislife story was like reading my own. They were poor; we were poor. Although Idon’t think my parents would agree, now that I’m 41, I know it.

He writes about witnessing a Southern Baptist baptism in acreek and the congregation on the banks singing “I’ll Fly Away.” I don’t knowhow many of those I’ve been to, and that song is burnt in my memory from mytiny country church. It’s my favorite hymnal.

He recounts his older brother Sam running away from his mamawhen she tried to whip him, and when she caught up to him, she gave him awhippin’ of a lifetime as he yelled for God! My brother Charlie did the samething one time as my mama straddled him and whipped him good. Some would callit a beatin’, but it was just a good old-fashioned whippin’ he deserved.

He writes about collecting Coke bottles for change. We didthat too. He writes about his dad being a drunk, and I remember mama tellingthe same of her dad. Although I loved my grandpa to death, like most of us,it’s hard for me to imagine he was a drinker in his younger years.

He talked of his mama taking in ironing and cleaningpeoples’ houses. My grandma did that too. There are so many parallels to his upbringingin Alabama and mine is Louisiana that I laughed aloud and swallowedhard to prevent myself from crying, which didn’t work at times. They even gotcommodity cheese like we did.

If you are looking for a true southern story, I encourageyou to read “All Over but the Shoutin’.” It will touch you, I promise. Then youwill understand how a famous writer like Rick Bragg really is “as country asturnip greens” as my uncle put it. After I read the last word of the last page,I wanted more. Hands down, he is now my favorite author.

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Sherry Perkins is president of Bayou Writers’ Group of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has had several articles and photographs published. She resides in DeRidder, Louisiana, with her husband, step-daughter, two cats, a fish, and a ball python named Richard Pryor. Visit Sherry at www.sherryperkins.blogspot.com

Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry (To Our Characters)

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

In honor ofValentine’s Day, Creative Director Gary Fearon is honored to relinquish Tune-InTuesday to a mystery writer whose books you’ll love, Elizabeth S. Craig.

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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

We all love our characters. What’s not to love? They startout as our own creations, then suddenly come to life on the page. They’re our very own Pinocchios.

But loving our characters means hurting our characters.Otherwise, there just wouldn’t be a story for them. Who’d read a book where the charactershappily go from beginning to end with no problems to overcome or challenges toface?

Let’s take it from our characters’ point of view. What makes our characters happiest? My guessis having more adventures. And the best way to ensure they have moreadventures is by writing books that readers love and want more of—books thataren’t boring. Our characters needsetbacks.

Great ways to messup our characters’ lives (at least temporarily):

Big problems: Dependingon your genre, this could mean a murder, a crippling addiction, the end of theworld, or the death of a loved one.

Medium-sized problems: What other trouble can we toss in ourcharacters’ way? How about a job loss,an aging parent moving in with them, or an unexpected medical issue?

Smaller problems: Tocreate tension in every scene, we can also build in smallerconflicts—characters who rub our protagonist the wrong way, flat tires, andarguments with friends or spouses.

Remember, we’re doing these things for our characters’ owngood. We’re ensuring they live to fightanother day…loving them enough to make them suffer. Because, for writers, love means never havingto say you’re sorry.

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Elizabeth’s latestbook, HickorySmoked Homicide, released November1, 2011. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbequeseries for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries (2012) for Penguin/NAL,and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She blogsdaily at MysteryWriting is Murder.

Follower her on Twitter.

What an Author NEADS is a HOT BUTTON

2012-02-13T06:26:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

As we continue to share Tom Hopkins’ NEADS acronym found in hisbook LowProfile Selling, Act like a Lamb…Sell like a Lion, let’s return to theshort explanation of the letters.

N – NOW

E – ENJOY

A – ALTER

D – DECISION

S – SOLUTION

I have used it not only as the fantasticsales tool Tom intended it to be, but as a problem solving tool as well. Lastweek’s blog addressed the first letter N which is for NOW. Weused this step to establish where we are. This week we continue with the secondletter E which is for ENJOY. We will discover what we enjoy.

In marketing we must find what thecustomers’ current situation is and then what they like about it. What is itthey like, enjoy or are excited about? We want to know this to be sure ourproduct has that feature either as a basic part or an option that can beincluded. This is one of the easier tasks of marketing when you ask someone, “Tellme what you enjoy most about your current product?” Usually they will light upand can’t wait to tell you all the reasons why they love this thing you arediscussing. In sales we call this their “HotButton”. This is why they buy. The best part is they have told you this iswhy they buy so you aren’t left guessing. We look for what they enjoy and sellto that.

We too must ask ourselves what weenjoy about where we are and what we are doing now. Tom Peters said, “Celebrate what you want tosee more of.” What has excited us, what has us looking for more? Celebrate what you have found to be exciting and enjoyable and lookfor more of it. Is your “Hot Button” gettingpublished, blogging or book signings? Maybe it is helping others move forwardwith their writing? Know what your “Hot Button”is and pursue it. Don’t settle for less. Place yourself in a position to enjoy,be excited and celebrate! The excitement feeds the journey.

As we continue to move into the remaining steps, prepare yourself byhaving a current and honest evaluation of where you are now and what you areenjoying about where you are now. The next letter is A. Our next post will be about what you would Change!

What I Learned About Twitter From Mickey Mouse

2012-02-10T06:38:00.002-06:00

by Shannon Milholland

Hello there Mousketeers! I bring you greetings from the Kingdom Magic built. Number two of my four daughters is competing at Disney World this weekend in a national and then international cheer competition. I get to tag along, see my favorite mouse and interview Mickey about how to use Social Media effectively.

Since his voice is so irritating, it's a good thing this is written. Here's what he has to say...

Shannon: Why do you think some people's tweets are read and others aren't?

Mickey: Well, Shannon, it's like I always tell Minnie, "It's a new day!" Some people tweet the same thing over and over - about their book, their web page or whatever. That's boring. Here at Disney we create new attractions every year because people return when there's something new to see. People who have something new to say, get more loyal followers.

Shannon: If you could give our readers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Mickey: Exceed their expectations. Have you ever seen someone approach Cinderella's castle for the first time? They gasp, shriek, grin or squeal but there is definitely a reaction. We fashioned her castle after the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany because we wanted to deliver more than the public would expect from a theme park. Do the same with Social Media - exceed expectations.

Shannon: I know it's almost time for the park to open so I'll let you go soon but just one more question. What is the most magical component of Disney World?

Mickey: That's easy. It's our staff. Their friendliness, willingness to serve and commitment to excellence keep families returning here again and again to make memories. If you are friendly, willing to serve and have a commitment to excellence you'll get plenty of repeat customers too.

Shannon: Thanks, Mickey, for spending some time with our readers today.

As Mickey would say...Have a magical day!

My Love Story: We March

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Sharita Knobloch

We had been married a few months. My husband and I wereenjoying some one-on-one time, which was a rare occurrence due to hisoccupation with the U.S. Army Infantry.

I was lying on the couch and he was rubbing my feet. Ahhh, total bliss. My sweet man lookedat me and said softly, “Hey lover…”

My heart filled with anticipation, preparing for the romantic words that I knewwould follow.

“You have great ruck marching feet.”

Um… Thank you? Sigh. This is our personal love story.

For all of you non-military couples out there, let meexplain. A ruck march is a real-life training exercise where these soldiersfill a pack (aka their ruck) with all of their gear and march. It is equivalentto literally taking a packed-to-the-brim suitcase, weighing anywhere from 38 to50+ pounds, strapping it on your back and walking for two to twelve (or more)miles. On purpose. Sometimes just for fun.

I couldn’t even be upset at my drill sergeant husband’s ruckmarching feet comment. From his perspective, it really was a compliment. Whenit comes to our love story, I am thankful for my ruck marching feet.

Why, you ask?

Marriage is like a ruck march, whether or not you are in themilitary. It’s a challenge. There are ups, downs, sweat, tears, and momentsthat you want to quit. But on the flip side, there are seasons of amazing joy uponreaching a checkpoint or conquering that “hill” that you have been climbingtogether. It’s a workout—but when you reach your destination, it’s SO worth it.

In our ruck march military marriage, desertion is not anoption. Sure, there have been a few occurrences when my husband has had to takemy hand and pull me through a desert. Other times, I have had to remind mybeloved to stop and check the map. (And we all know how much guys love askingfor directions…)

We’ve been through deployments, separated by months of training,dealt with incredibly long hours, and moved to a new time zone. Our entirerelationship has been one big ruck march. People ask, “How do you do it?” Ireally don’t have an answer for that other than God. He is the foundation ofour relationship. God is OUR Commander-in-Chief in this ruck march marriage.

We have yet to spend a Valentine’s Day together. This yearmy beloved will be at Ranger school. But I’m ok with that. We love each otherconsistently, treasure each other’s company, go on dates and feel inexplicablejoy all year long, not just on anniversaries and holidays. We are crazy abouteach other and madly in love with God. He will be the one to help us reach our finaldestination in this ruck march marriage. Till death do we part. And until thatpoint, we will keep on marching. “Left… left… left, right, left…”

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A personal pep-talker and Jesus lover at heart,Sharita Knobloch is a chocolate-indulging, pseudo-running, creatively-sarcasticarmy wife and writer. She is SERVE intern at Christ Community Church and enjoysevery second of it. Sharita blogs daily and hosts a personal ministry called 7Days Time which encourages others to use their time on earth living for God.Whenever she gets the chance, she enjoys hanging out with her beloved drillsergeant husband and their hilarious puppy, Sweet Justus.

Connect with Sharita online on Facebook, Twitter or her blog.

When I Fell in Love

2012-02-08T08:12:00.003-06:00

Today our Editor-in-Chief, Susan Reichert welcomes a special guest with a special love story to Wisdom Wednesdays. Please help us welcome, Rosann Cunningham!
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by Rosann Cunningham

I knew themoment I fell in love with Him.

…it wasn'twhen my would-be husband kissed me for the first time, though myheart fluttered with passion. With thatone kiss, I knew he was a gift from God.

…it wasn't inthe miracle of healing when my lover was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. Instead, my mind ached with an abruptawareness of how fleeting this life really is.

…it wasn't evenwhen we stood in the presence of God, family, and friends, declaring our lovefor one another and becoming one with the promise of two simple, yet highlyvalued words. I Do. It was my fairytaledream come true.

The moment Ifell in love with Him was life changing beyond my wildest imagination.

…it wasn'twhen my husband and I struggled through infertility, only to discover God worksin His perfect timing. When we leastexpected it, we received the blessing of answered prayer with the births ofeach of our daughters. Our hearts still overflow with joy and gratitude.

…it wasn't duringour three year job layoff, the short sale of our home, our resulting moveacross country, or our overwhelming concerns over money. God was our compass, our shelter, and ourumbrella of peace during the storm.

…it wasn'teven when I looked in the mirror one morning not long ago to find atransformed, beautiful work of art - His still unfinished masterpiece, moldedover the years - staring back at me. I'mnearly unrecognizable, but in the most awesome way! His fingerprints are all over me.

No, I fellin love with God the moment I felt His powerful presence in my life. In me! It was the moment I truly began arelationship with Him. A heartfelt, emotional moment when I surrendered it allto Him, for His glory.

It is a lovestory of God and me. His mighty hands have held my heart through it all. In theblessings and in the storms. In the lessons and in the rewards. In the joy andin the sorrow.

There is nogreater love than His.

Don't youknow…

He loves YOU too!

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Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wifeto the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls. When she’s not out for a jog or having energy burning dance parties withher daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbandsare in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYEDFaith. Her writinginspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God whilesharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.

Love Delivered

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

In honor of the month of love, Creative Director, Gary Fearon, is pleased to welcome the delightful romance author, Katie Ganshert.

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by Katie Ganshert

I’m a sucker forromance. I’m in love with love.

Not only do I enjoy writing and reading it, I enjoy watchingit too. Given the choice, I will pick a romantic movie every single time. Itdrives my hubby crazy, especially when he’s in the mood to watch things blowup.

I can’t help myself.

Fictional romance is great.

But you know what’s even greater?

The real stuff.

The stories that aren’t made up. Which is why I love askingcouples how they met. I love seeing them smile at one another as they recounttheir story. And I love sharing my own.

Because it brings me back to the beginning. And it’s notevery day a girl gets to marry her crush.

Nine years ago, I was a receptionist for a real-estate firm.And there was this guy. This really, really cute guy. He didn’t work at thereal-estate firm. But he came in most mornings to deliver packages. Every timeI saw him, he made my stomach all kinds of fluttery.

We’d exchange friendly hello’s. I’d sign for the package.He’d leave. And I’d fan my face, quite certain he didn’t know I existed.

Until one particular day. It was around lunch time, so I waswalking out of the office when this cute delivery guy was walking in. I smiledand expected him to go inside, only instead, he did an about face, walked withme to the elevator, and asked me out.

What was my suave reply?

“Do you even know my name?”

I forgot that I signed for the packages each day. Of coursehe knew my name. I also forgot that my signature is horrid. So when he said,“Yeah. Your name is Kate” I thought, “Close enough!” Even though nobody hadever called me Kate. I had always been Katie.

I wrote my name (Kate) on a gum wrapper, along with mynumber.

The next night, he called. We set up a date. And Idiscovered he is just as wonderful on the inside as he is on the outside.

Nine years later, he still has the gum wrapper. And he stillcalls me Kate.

I have to admit, every time I write a hero in my novels,they tend to reflect bits and pieces of my real-life love. My cute deliveryguy-turned-husband.

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Katie Ganshert is a slightly-frazzled, ever-inquisitive Midwest galwho’s passionate about Jesus, her family, writing, and all things romance. Hernew novel WILDFLOWERS FROM WINTER is available for pre-order. When Katie’s not plotting ways to get herhero and heroine to fall in love, she enjoys watching movies with her real-lifehero, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, hanging out with thecrazy but lovable junior high students at her church, and chatting with hergirlfriends over bagels and coffee.

What an Author NEADS

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

TomHopkins wrote a fantastic sales book calledLowProfile Selling, Act like a Lamb…Sell like a Lion. In that book hepresents a sales tool which I found very helpful. I have used it not only insales but in many situations I have come across in life as a problem solvingtool. Over the next few blog entries I want to share it with you. First let’s lookat Tom’s acronym NEADS.

In sales it is important to evaluatethe current situation. The current situation is where you are now. So the firstletter N is for NOW. What do you have now or where are you now? You must know what youhave or where you are at this point before we can move forward to where we wantto be. Just as your GPS must know your current position and your desireddestination before giving you a route, we must do the same.

In life we also must evaluate wherewe are now. Take any current situation and ask yourself, ”Where am I now?” George Bernard Shaw once said, "The only man who behaves sensibly is my tailor he takes mymeasure anew every time he sees me, whilst all the rest go on with their oldmeasurements, and expect them to fit me." Like George’s tailor we muststop and take measure of ourselves, our growth, our direction and ourabilities. We must evaluate our current position before we move forward.

Take some time to sit quietly and look over yourcurrent position. Be very honest with yourself and evaluate if you are whereyou want to be, need to be or had hoped to be at this point. Once you have doneso we will take the next step. To help you see what may lay ahead here are theremaining letters in Tom’s acronym. Look them over and if you like you may wantto visit the video website below*.

N – NOW

E – ENJOY

A – ALTER

D – DECISION

S – SOLUTION

Prepare yourself for the remaining steps by havinga current and honest evaluation ready and in front of you for the next letter, E. Our next post will be about what youenjoy!

*Click the word "Video" to view

When You Have Peas, Make Split Pea Soup

2012-02-03T07:26:00.001-06:00

by Shannon Miholland, Social Media Director

There once was a fair maiden tortured each night by a single pea placed under her mattress. Like any girl, I appreciate a good fairy tale but this one was just too far-fetched to appeal to me. I wonder though if we sometimes allow our attitude toward Social Media to become little peas that impede our success as an author.

Facebook is too hard to use. They change their format and options too often.

I'm too busy to use social media.

I'd rather put my time into writing than building a platform. If Stephen King can do it, so can I.

Why would I want to connect with total strangers?

Twitter is too limiting. Who can say anything substantive in 160 characters or less?

Night after night the maiden failed to get sleep. Like her, day after day we can stifle our results. Or we can take the peas out from under our mattress. Take an honest look at them and realize we're letting such a small thing keep us from big results.

When you have peas, make split pea soup instead!
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Recipe for Crock Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup

1 (16 oz) bag split peas, rinsed
2 cups diced ham
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 ribs celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried parsley
1 Tbl seasoned salt (or to liking)
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6 cups hot water.

Layer ingredients in crock pot in listed order. Do not stir. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low 8-10 hours. Serves 8. Enjoy!

An Author to Love

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Lucy Merrill

Who doesn’t love a love story? Even guys who demand carchases and explosions in their reading and cinematic excursions like a bit ofromantic byplay in the mix. Love has explosive possibilities of its own, amplydisplayed in works from Anna Kareninato Fatal Attraction.

There’s a lot of comedy potential in the perilous course oftrue love, too, and most lovers of love stories enjoy a good laugh as much as agood cry. If you do, let me introduce you to one of my favorite authors, thegreat humor writer, P.G. Wodehouse.

Wodehouse, known as “Plum” to friends and family, publisheda mountain of novels, short stories, plays, and even song lyrics. While hewrote from the early days of the 20^th century to his death in the1970s, his characters live in a world stuck in time, where it is always 1912,or maybe 1925. It’s so hard to tell.

Whenever they are set, Wodehouse plots are rarely lacking inromance. In fact, love makes the Wodehouse world go round, as his charactersare constantly pursuing—or occasionally on the run from—tender entanglements.

Plum’s best-known character, Bertie Wooster, who had acomplete life support system in his valet, Jeeves, was always finding himselfengaged to one ghastly girl or another through no fault of his own. Gettingunengaged to the one who read Nietzsche or the one with a laugh like asergeant-major provided plenty of plot pitfalls.

Then there’s Bingo Little, who was, as Wodehouse puts it,“susceptible.” Poor Bingo fell in love with the merest flutter of a mascara’deyelash. This landed him in all sorts of sticky situations, from gettingsideways with bookies to giving revolutionary speeches under the cover of afake mustache.

To describe a Wodehouse plot as stark and realistic would betrifling with the truth. They are wonderfully absurd. But the author’s wry andwitty style provides real laughter and imbues the whole with good humor. Hiswriting twinkles.

There’s a danger in throwing in a few examples about now.How to pick one or two? I’ll inevitably overlook a favorite. (This sort ofnarrator hand-wringing goes on a lot in Wodehouse stories.)

How about this description? “It is never difficult todistinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.” Orthis: “It was a harsh, rasping voice, in its timbre not unlike a sawmill.” Orthis: “Like so many substantial citizens of America, he had married young andkept on marrying, springing from blonde to blonde like the chamois of the Alpsleaping from crag to crag.”

Or perhaps this bit of plot exposition: “It was a confusionof ideas between him and one of the lions he was hunting in Kenya that hadcaused A. B. Spottsworth to make the obituary column. He thought the lion wasdead, and the lion thought it wasn't.”

My Valentine’s Day recommendation—this year, have a littlePlum with your champagne and chocolates.

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While an office drone by day, after 5 p.m. you'll find Lucy Merrill, freelance writer, blogger, and aspiring novelist, knee-deep in the writing life. Lucy lives in Birmingham, Ala., with a tolerant husband, who rolls his eyes at her only occasionally. She welcomes friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Dragon or Mouse?

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

Dragons have spiritual significance in certain religions and cultures. Some revere dragons; they feel they represent nature and or religion. Some even associate them with wisdom.

Mice we think of as a small mammal, and to some they are pets. To large birds, they are food. These little creatures also invade our homes for food and shelter.

What do you think of when you think of a dragon? I will admit I certainly would not think of them as having wisdom. They are big, and fire pours out of their mouth creating havoc and poisoning the air.

Of the two, I would think the mouse has more wisdom, certainly smarter; it sneaks into our homes for survival.

We humans are similar… either we come on so strong it turns people off or we are so timid no one hardly knows we are around.

Somewhere between the dragon and the mouse there should be balance. For a writer it is important to overcome some of your shyness and tell people that you are a writer. So don’t be a mouse. Tell them what you are writing. If the book is at your publishers announce it to the world and give them the release date. Be a little more ‘dragonistic’ (I like this new word)! Just don’t go totally dragon on us and forget there are others who are writing too.

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Do you want to learn how to sell more books? Subscribe to Southern Writers Magazine today and find out how.

For the Love of Oscar

2012-01-31T07:00:00.000-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

This past week the Academy Award nominees for Best Picturewere announced. They are, in no particular order:

The Descendants
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Artist
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Help
War Horse
The Tree of Life

In looking over this year’s nominees, a think I spotted afew trends:

Oscar loves Paris

Midnight in Parisand Hugo both take place in

France

,as does part of War Horse. The Artist is a French movie.

Oscar loves the past

Only one of these movies – The Descendants – takes place completely in modern day, although animportant plot point has to do with ancestry. Midnight in Paris begins in the current era but harkens back. The Tree of Life is particularly allover the place in time: past, present and future.

Oscar loves novels

Hugo, The Help,Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Descendants, Moneyball and War Horse all had their origins in abook.

Oscar loves Brad Pitt

Mr P stars in both Moneyball and The Tree of Life. Oscar is perennially fond of Meryl Streep too,but who isn’t.

Oscar loves wars

Films that take place during wartime are a recurring Academyfavorite. Last year’s winner The King’sSpeech had the backdrop of World War II. The previous year The Hurt Locker took home top honors. Inthis year’s Oscar race will War Horsewin by a nose?

Oscar loves socialcommentary

Extremely Loud andIncredibly Close: 9/11.

The Help: racialequality.

The Tree of Life:I don’t know, but something.

Oscar loves Hollywood and thecreative arts

The Artist takesus back to the glory days of silent films. Hugopays homage to classic movies as well. Midnightis Paris features a Hollywood screenwriterwho encounters great writers from the past.

Oscar loves underdogs

Just about all of the movies feature a lead character who life has thrown a curveball. A couple of them are especially slumdoggy.

Oscar loves secretkeys

At least two of the movies (I won’t spoil by saying whichones) include a mystery surrounding a key.

We could get off into additional tributaries, such as thefact that almost half the movies include “The” in the title, but that’s justobsessive.

Each year the faces may change but the cinema we flock tostays much the same: stories about overcoming obstacles and making dreams cometrue. All we require is a two-hour escape, and Hollywood continues to deliver.

When they announce the Best Picture winner on Sunday,February 26 we’ll know who Oscar really loves in this lineup. In the meantime,Suite T will be giving you nothing but love as guest bloggers weigh in allduring February about love and the love of writing. Be one of them! Visit our Blog Lovesubmission page now.

Until we meet again, I’ll be working on my new novel, The Parisian Orphan. During wartime, ayoung artist finds a key to a time machine shaped like a horse. I’m hoping BradPitt will be interested.

Bestseller

2012-01-30T12:17:00.001-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

Do you want to be on the Bestseller list? Sure you do! But which list. Yesthere are several. We have the Top 150 Bestsellers According to USAToday, Barnes and Noble Top 100, Product Best Seller of the USA,Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller List, Amazon.com Top 100 and of course the NewYork Times Best Seller List. There are many more that relate to thedigital world of books. But this is enough to get your attention. Of course youwant to be on a bestseller list no matter which one it is, but how do you doit? How is it determined that a book is a best seller?

The designation “bestseller” is an identity coveted by any author. Itdesignates a book as extremely popular and a top seller. But there are not onlymany lists but among those lists many categories and subcategories. In ourlocal Sunday paper we see fiction, nonfiction and miscellaneous. These threecategories are again broken down into hardback and paperback categories. Thereare many other subcategories such as children’s books, Christian books,cookbooks and the list goes on and on.

But how many do you need to sell to make it on these lists? Well that isaccording to where you may be. In the UK it could be anywhere from 4,000 to25,000 books per week to meet the sales needed to be a bestseller. In Canada5,000 copies may be what is needed. In the United States it can be determinedby number of sales within a specified period of time. It also may be accordingto who is reporting. Amazon.com can easily determine their count by orders madeonline. The New York Times list is determined by sales numbers andinformation from publishers and retailers. Some lists don’t include largechains such as Target, Sam’s Club, Costco, Wal-Mart and the like. A lot of books can be sold and not reported on certain list. These numberscan also be manipulated by getting large groups to place orders on a certainday or as one company did some years ago order 10,000 of their own book to meetthe numbers needed to get in the top 10. As a side note it was reported thatone list moved Harry Potter books from the fiction list to the children’s booklist to free up the number 1, 2 and 3 spot which they had locked up for over ayear.

All of this tells us it is not an exact science. In many cases books arethere because they are a great read and worthy of being there. Those that stayon the list for weeks, months or longer have indeed proved themselves. Nomatter how a book gets there two things occur because of this. The first isbeing noted as a popular top-selling book is a money-making marketing tool.This notoriety alone will drive further sales. The second and probably mostimportant to writers is this not only allows us the opportunity to feed our egobut to be financially able continue with what we love to do, “WRITE”. So nomatter the list “Bestseller” is a great place to be. When you get on one yourfriends at Southern Writers Magazine will be celebrating with you. So let usknow!

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Do you need help building your platform as an author? Subscribe to Southern Writers Magazine today and find out how.

Pay It Forward

2012-01-27T07:36:00.000-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

Trevor McKinney knew too much. The son of an absentee abusive father and an alcoholic mother, this twelve year old boy cared too much for himself and as a byproduct the world. The course of this boy's life was radically altered when his curmudgeonous Social Studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gave a class assignment.

Trevor proposed a new social system under which a single person performed three acts of extraordinary kindness for three complete strangers. As repayment, the recipient would be asked to "pay it forward" and do an act of extreme compassion for someone else. He believed that if people kept paying kindness forward that eventually the course of the world would be altered.

Trevor McKinney existed only as a character in a movie but I wonder how it would impact the effectiveness of a social media strategy if one began to pay it forward. Could we for example:

Ask the next person who's Facebook page we like, to visit the page of a friend instead of our own
Blog about an acquaintance's upcoming book release
Encourage the person we just retweeted to retweet a quote by someone we admire

Trevor McKinney passed away the same year he initiated his experiment. He died believing his project to be a failure. In reality the movement changed innumerable lives and not just those written into the fictional story line. Today a non-fictional foundation exists to promulgate this boy's dreams into reality.

Do you like me have big dreams you want to see become a reality? Pay it forward. Perhaps the person who ultimately gets paid is you.

Platform Now!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Tom Blubaugh

My publishing story is different, from most. I was busywriting a story for myself. A therapy session since both my grandfathers diedbefore I was born. I was fascinated by the fact that one was a Cossack soldierin Russia. I took the few facts I had and began researching and writing.

I was nearly finished when a friend contacted me tohelp him with a website for a publishing company he was starting. Long storyshort, during the process they uncovered the fact that I was writing a story.They read the manuscript and asked if they could publish my story. I had notplanned on this. I agreed and we signed the contracts.

“I have a platform”, I told my publisher. I believed Iwas telling the truth—I really thought I did. After all, I had been on theinternet doing business as Grampa Tom’s Timeless Treasures since 1998. Eventhough I sold the site in 2005, Grampa Tom still shows up in search enginesearches on over 85,000 pages. Problem: No one knows my real name.

I did business as a financial planner from 1973 through1995. I met thousands of people. Problem: I sold the business in 1995 andturned all my client records over to the new owner—no names.

I have been a public speaker for forty years. Problem: whereare all those people? How do I get in touch with them? Press releases were apossibility, but when my publisher tried to get one in my hometown newspaper,they did not respond. I did not feel very hopeful.

I have a website that has been online since 2004 tohelp those who are victims of abuse. Should I advertise my book on this site? Idecided I did not want to mix the two.

I had less than 200 friends on Facebook. I knew not allof them would buy my novel. My platform turned out to be less than I hadthought.

I think this happens to many writers. They write agreat manuscript. They succeed in finding a publisher. Then the big questions,“Do you have a platform?” “How are you going to sell your book if we publishit?”

I have surmised that the time to start building aplatform is before beginning to write a story. Work on both the manuscript andthe platform as a two-part project. Develop a marketing/business plan up front.I have been working hard at building a platform for nearly ten months. I amjust arriving at the point where I have a large following. The book reviews onAmazon.com have pushed Night of theCossack into the top thirty in two fiction categories. This is not sales.Night of the Cossack is still around 250,000 in sales ranking, but it is astart. My monthly sales on Amazon.com are in double digits. I am speaking anddoing book signings. I am finally, in some measure, a successful writer.

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TomBlubaugh is a freelance writer living in Southwest Missouri with Barbara, hiswife. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Tom has writtennon-fiction most of his adult life, but has recently written a historicalfiction titled Night of the Cossack, published by Bound by FaithPublishers. This is Tom’s first novel. He co-wrote a devotional journal in 2009for Barbour Publishing titled The Great Adventure. His other writingsinclude articles for a denominational magazine and an insurance publication. Healso self-published a book, Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974.

Tomstarted writing poetry at the age of fourteen. His vision of turning them intolyrics for rock and roll songs for popular artists didn’t develop. He considerswriting to be a God-given talent and feels led to develop it. His first novelwas published at his age of 69. Tom says it’s never too late. He is now writinga sequel.

Tomspent twelve years as an insurance agent and eleven years as a financialplanner. He is the past president of Jericho Commission, Inc., and still serveson the board of directors.

Beyond the Bubble

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today our Editor-in-Chief shares her Wisdom Wednesday column with Managing Editor, Doyne Phillips. Welcome to Wednesdays, Doyne!

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

Whale watching has always been an attractionfor us when we travel. We have taken boats out of Boston, Hawaii and Vancouverand seen whales. We are always amazed at the size and agility of these greatcreatures.

One of the things about the whalesthat fascinated me is how they work together to feed off the schools of fish.The pod will circle the school of fish from below letting out bubbles whichform a wall around the school. To the fish this appears as an obstruction whichthey cannot swim through. While the fish are trapped within the wall of bubblesthe whales will dive and from below rise to the surface with their mouths wideopen catching all the fish they can. It is site of wonderment.

The fish are confused and trapped byan illusion which brings about their demise. The reality is the fish could atany time swim through the bubbles but don’t. Though the obstruction is notreal, it is real enough in their minds to hold them in harm's way.

Each of us has our wall of bubbles.We may feel trapped by an obstruction which is an illusion. Many times thisillusion will freeze us in our tracks leaving us in a place where we cannotprogress; leaving us not necessarily in harm’s way but in an unproductive stateof mind.

What is the wall of bubbles beforeyou? What is holding you back? Take a closer look and know that it could be anillusion. It could be something you can get through. If you don’t determinethis now you may later find you had before you an opportunity and not anobstruction. Don’t fear the bubbles. Life's best lies beyond the bubble.

Get Out of My Head

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

You’ve probably heard the saying that “relationships aremirrors”, which I think is fascinating. There’s something reassuring in theconcept that the people around us are put there to teach us things aboutourselves.

When we’re with people we admire or enjoy, we recognize thepositive traits we want to cultivate within ourselves. Perhaps we gain evenmore by taking note of things we don’t appreciate in other people, making aconscious effort not to “be like that”.

In some respects, we are human sponges. When we spend a lotof time in the company of an acquaintance, we often absorb some of theircharacteristics. We find ourselves picking up on their traits, sharing insidejokes, and repeating some of their pet expressions. In life, that has a certaincharm to it, being a bonding experience between two people.

But in writing, pet phrases are something to be careful with.The audience expects characters to have well-defined, separate personalities,and failing to monitor that is a writing mistake too easily and too often made.To explain:

In a scene from a recent hit movie, one of the charactersmade the sarcastic comment, “I can’t wait.” A few scenes later, a totallydifferent character, in totally different circumstances, made the sarcasticcomment, “I can’t wait.” The second time around it was a little distracting.(Not that two people can’t say the same thing on the same day, but it did seema tad coincidental. For now, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.)

This past week on a popular TV comedy, a main character madereference to an object as having a “vibe” to it. Not ten seconds later in thenext scene, an unrelated character said dialogue that included the expression“vibe”. That seemed a little too coincidental, and the impression one gets isthat someone wasn’t paying a lot of attention to making these charactersdistinct from one another. You’re suddenly brought back to reality (and out ofthe story) by the realization that a writer wrote these words and they musthave been fond of a particular phrase that day.

While it’s within the realm of backstory possibility thatthese characters “knew” each other and therefore could have absorbed eachother’s vibe (sorry), it’s highly unlikely the writer thought that way, and wesure don’t. Even though he was best friends with Fred Flintstone, you’d neverhear Barney Rubble exclaim “Yabba-Dabba-Doo”. Therefore, the “sponge” factorhas no place in fiction, and we must take care to expunge the sponge from our ownwriting.

At the same time, intentionalmirroring of phrases can be a powerful tool. Anyone who’s seen The Princess Bride will recall thebrilliant, touching use of “As you wish.”

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, butcharacters saying the same things is sincerely confusing. Let each line ofdialogue speak for itself and you can spare your characters some unnecessaryidentity crises.

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Do you want to know how to build a platform as a writer and get attention from agents and publishers? Subscribe to Southern Writers Magazine today!

Book Publishing is Broken

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Doyne is taking a break today to welcome Rob Eagar of WildFire Marketing. If your booking isn't selling as fast as you'd like, Rob has the expertise your message needs to have it spread like wildfire!

by Rob Eagar

This week's focus:

Last week, I read an interesting interview with Ellen Archer, CEO of Hyperion (ABC/Disney's book division) entitled "The Book Publishing Business Model is Broken." If you're an author, pay close attention to her comments:

"2012 is going to be about finding new business models...We've been able to provide advances to authors, and unfortunately most of those [advances] don't drive revenue...What are the new ways of making these deals with authors so that it's fair to all of us?...The one pattern that I have seen is that while there is still big money being thrown around for certain books, there is an awareness that we [publishers] can't continue to overpay. Advances are already lowering."

"I've been looking closely at pre-orders and pre-order strategy and how that aligns with authors that we acquire and publish that have active blog sites and followers. We've got a number of authors who are really good with social media and when we acquire their books, three months ahead of time, they'll do something really interesting for their audience, like a cover-reveal, and all of the sudden, you'll see the pre-orders build. Then you take that information to retailers and that can impact their interest in ordering more copies...The core fans buy the book, and then they start talking about it and sharing it with all their friends, and then you begin to see the results of it all paying off."

When asked about authors who aren't skilled in marketing their books, Archer states,"That's going to be a problem. That's always been a problem...If they're [authors] not promotable, then it makes selling their book challenging...I will look to acquire media-genic authors and properties."

"Change is hard for people. Some people think they're changing because they're making a little shift in what they're doing and what they need to do is make a radical shift in what they're doing."

My thoughts:
If you're an author who reads my newsletters or blog posts, recognize what Ms. Archer is implying. Her comments show how publishing at all levels is undergoing major changes, such as lower advances, stronger attention to pre-orders, and a premium placed on authors who are adept with social media and offer a "media-genic" personality.

Are you positioning yourself to succeed in this new era of publishing? Are you learning how to be a better marketer of your books? Are you building a distinct author brand and learning new skills to engage the media? Are you building a growing platform? Are you investing in your overall development for the future?

Now is the time to embrace change, rather than resist it. Industry executives like Ellen Archer are publicly announcing that the old ways of publishing are dead. The industry is broken, and it's about to be rebuilt. Are you prepared to thrive in the new era of publishing? Don't say fair warning wasn't given.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tips directly in your email inbox,
click here

5 Reasons Southern Writers is Your Best Investment

2012-01-20T11:03:00.001-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

As the calendar turned from 2011, I debated where I would spend my money in 2012. I could spend hundreds or even thousands attending just one writing conference. Hundreds would be required to acquire professional editing services. Another available option was to employ a writing coach, a significant investment.

One of the many reasons I am proud to be a part of the Southern Writers team is because our magazine offers a writer the opportunity invest in their future at a minimal cost. With an annual online subscription as low as $29.99 and a print option available for just $49.99, Southern Writers is a bargain.

There are five reasons every writer needs to invest in an annual subscription to Southern Writers:

1) We provide step by step instructions on all aspects of becoming a successful author.

2) We help you build name recognition.

3) We teach you how to be noticed by agents and publishers.

4) We provide the voracity of a writer's conference at a fraction of the cost.

5) We train you how to sell books.

If you haven't subscribed yet, take a moment and give yourself the best New Year's present possible - a bright future lit with success.

Ten Things A New Author Should Do

2012-01-19T06:00:00.013-06:00

by Aileen Stewart

1. Write Stellar Material.
Today everyone has a story to tell, but only those stories of the highest quality will sell well. This means you must pay attention to spelling, typos, grammar, punctuation, and details.

2. Get A Critique.
Having family and friends proofing is fine, but having a professional critiquing your work can make all the difference. A professional will tell you where your story is weak and what you need to do to polish it. I guarantee a publisher will be more attracted to a polished manuscript!

3. Be Determined and Persistent.
An author has to have true grit because with roughly 800,000 new books per year released, the competition is stiff. You will hear no frequently which is not a negative; it simply means you haven't spoken to the correct person yet. This is your dream, don't let it die!

4. Market Before You Are Published.
It is never too early to let people know what you are working on. Movies are always advertised well in advance, whetting the appetite of potential viewers. So why not books?

5. Have a Website.
People are curious; use this to your advantage by having a website. Make it entertaining but not solely about your book. Offer potential fans value. For example, if you write Westerns have links for dude ranches. If you write Romance, have a section with "Romantic Poetry". On my website Fun With Aileen I include recipes, crafts, and poems.

6. Have Business Cards.
Business cards are a great and inexpensive way to promote the business of writing. Hand them out everywhere: restaurants, hair salons, grocery stores, libraries, and gas stations. I've even included them in my bill envelopes.

7. Form Relationships With Others.
Recently I read that being published was a community effort. No one person has all the ideas, contacts, reach, or tools needed to become a success; so join forces. Offer reviews and interviews and your efforts will be reciprocated.

8. Be Proactive.
Don't wait for opportunities because this is not "A Field of Dreams". If you write it, they will not come. People can't buy what they don't know about. Look for contests, book lists, book fairs, craft fairs, radio shows, and opportunities of every kind.

9. Don't Be Afraid Of New Things.
If you havent blogged, don't worry. Everyone is a novice at some point. If you are nervous about public speaking, start with a pre-recorded radio interview. If you have recording capabilities, record yourself reading from your book. If you don't have a book trailer, make one. There are several easy to use sites that walk you through the process. I am fond of One True Media.

10. Have Fun.
Of all the possibilities a new author can and should be pursuing, this is the most important. If you aren't having fun, what is the purpose of being an author? Neither writing nor getting published is easy and marketing is even more difficult; but it doesn't have to be dreary. With effort you can feel confident and can become an authority in your genre.

______________________

Aileen Stewart is a wife, a SAHM, and the author of Fern Valley-A Collection of Short Stories. She holds a degree in Business Management and Sales/Marketing which she finds new uses for daily. She loves cooking and somehow cant seem to keep mentions of food out of her work. She also loves amateur photography, crafting, bird watching, flower gardening, and jig-saw puzzles.

Connect with Aileen online:

Website ~ Fun With Aileen

Blog ~ Aileen's Thoughts

Fan Page ~ Fern Valley

Because I Said So...

2012-01-18T07:32:00.001-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

A friend and I were talking at lunch today about how important it is not just to tell people how to do something but to tell them why they need to do it.

I remember in high school, my Latin teacher told me—after I informed her I didn’t care for Latin—that I had to take it, so I might as well like it. Well, I suppose on one hand you could say her remark was a good lesson in attitude. Not!

As a high school student, I truly wanted out of Latin. No, they did not let me skip Latin and it was time spent doing something I did not like, so I barely squeaked through the lessons to make decent grades. I do remember emo, emere, emi (first, second and third person) meaning to buy, pay for, take gain, etc. And that’s about it.

By the same token, my History teacher (who was an excellent teacher despite one you could not help being just a little scared of) told our class why we needed to take history. I remember one of the things she said was, “History repeats itself.” She went on to tell us several reasons why it was important to take history and always added, “Learn History and you learn from History.”

Between the two classes, I can honestly say I poured effort into studying History, while I flitted through Latin. History became important to me and to this day, I still love reading history. I understood there was a reason for it that would help me then and in the future. We humans are funny creatures; we really need to know why we need to do something, and we need to know that the something we are doing will make things better for us.

There are many things to learn about writing. Most of us make the effort to learn all we can. Once our manuscripts are ready for publishing, then we enter into a different arena. We already know things are changing fast in the marketing and publishing area for writers. Now we have to learn how to market our books, how to become a whiz in social media, building name recognition and our images as authors. We have to bring attention to ourselves and sell our books. All these areas have become the writer’s responsibility. Now the publishers and agents are on the sidelines waiting to see which authors are making names for themselves, which ones are creating a following in the social media, how many pre-orders we are selling, and how many books we have sold before they give us serious consideration.

We need not despair though. We as authors can come together and help one another with recognition, building social media and selling our books. At Southern Writers we never cease to be amazed at the graciousness of the best-selling authors who fill each issue, willing to share their experience and expertise with other writers. They are successful authors today because they took to heart long ago the reasons "why" you market yourself and build your reputation every way you can. And they enjoy doing it.

Don't waste unenthusiastic effort blogging, tweeting and marketing because you're told you have to. Recognize the true value of it, and learn to love it. Because when we truly believe in what we're doing, we're much better equipped to carpe diem.

I guess I remembered more than I thought.

I Am A Writer. Are You?

2012-01-17T07:23:00.000-06:00

Gary is honored to relinquish today’s Tune-In Tuesday to a brilliant Southern writer and good friend of the magazine, guest poster Barbara Ragsdale.

_________________________

by Barbara Ragsdale

I listened to the speaker open his workshop about how to get published. He laughed, cajoled, and then suddenly brought the group up short. “Repeat after me, I am a writer.” We stared in shock before making a timid reply that couldn’t be heard beyond our feet.

Not satisfied, he asked again and again until the noise level rang with confidence. “I am a writer,” I thought proudly. Suddenly, a melody by Mendelssohn popped into my head, “O, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and He shall give thee thy hearts desires.”

There it was—an action plan that didn’t require anything but “patient waiting and ultimate trust.” I could do that … at least the waiting. A little short on ultimate trust; it’s a work in progress. Wait and trust, what a goal.

Whoa, Nellie! Who’s going to do the writing? The last time I remembered the Lord doing any writing was the stone tablets with all the “Thou Shalt Not’s”. I was left with a big responsibility. With time and experience I’ve discovered the secrets to making this collaboration work:

Be prepared. Ideas can be spontaneous and fleeting. If you’re not ready, then the chance of remembering that moment of inspiration gets lost among the grocery items on the shopping list.

Wait patiently, but write. What an opportunity to procrastinate. The excuses are numerous. The most compelling is obvious—it won’t be perfect. News Flash! Mistakes are the way to learn. Sentences become paragraphs, paragraphs equal a whole story. Story development needs both thinking and writing.

Writing is rewriting. Revisions help make the writing tighter, more coherent. Be ready to capture that flash of completeness with pen and paper close by.

Do it rather than dream it. It’s like any goal. The reality begins with the effort. Negative voices have to be ignored. Inner faith provides the energy. Learn the difference between when a story needs work to be better and someone else’s criticism that it will never be good enough. All writers have the same tools—words. The creative voice comes from how each writer arranges them.

Therefore, I rest in the Lord, but keep my pen and paper handy. Maybe you should too!

____________________________

Barbara Ragsdale is a writer, editor and aerobics instructor, whose published works include the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers.

Face It: Your Book Needs Facebook

2012-01-16T06:34:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

It has been said Facebook now has over 800 Million followers. Although most of us are familiar with Facebook, I doubt any of us fully realize what a force it is today. This week Steve Harrison reposted an article from his paid printed newsletter Book Marketing Update. His newsletter is available to the members of his Million Dollar Author Club which you find out more about at his website.

Harrison revisited his article and some of his stronger points. He recommends the use of Facebook and its tools to add Friends. The prompts Facebook gives you for Friends are based on your profile. Be sure your profile is updated to reach the people that would be interested in your book. But he feels you shouldn’t add friends or join groups blindly. Harrison states it is good to have a lot of Facebook friends but they should be quality Facebook friends.

Harrison also recommends you join groups that have shared interest in your book’s topics. If you have written about pets, join a group that has an interest in pets. These groups can be found by simply entering a subject like pets then click on the Groups tab of the results page.

Harrison tells us not to be a broken record. None of us like friends that do nothing but ask us to buy something. Your every status update should not be asking for someone to buy something. If this is done people will quickly learn to ignore you or even unfriend you. Share something of value in your post like new ideas, interesting websites, commentaries, downloads and discounts. Be interesting.

In light of Harrison’s article being a repost I feel we should add the obvious. Facebook changes made within recent months. The new setup for groups, timeline and other changes can be confusing and may cause us to miss an opportunity to share important information with friends. Take the time to understand the new format and take advantage of all the additional tools. Facebook is indeed a great tool and the price is right. Put it to good use and share with us how you are using it.

_____________________________________

Do you want to learn how to sell more books? Visit Southern Writers Magazine and subscribe today!

A Kindergartner's Rules for Social Media

2012-01-13T07:17:00.000-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

As each of my kids made their way through elementary school, I often noticed teachers who had the classroom rules posted on the wall. "Share", "Respect Others", and "Don't Run With Sharp Objects." If only the world of Social Media were that easy. I often wish someone would tack up the rules for all to see so today I give you the Kindergartner's Rule Book to Social Media.

1) Share - Share others successes on your social media outlets. It is far more fun to talk about someone else's success than your own. Congratulate your friend whose book was just released. Give a virtual high five to another whose blog was nominated for an award.

2) Respect Others - You don't have to agree with someone to be respectful. I try to find something positive to say about anyone no matter how greatly our views diverge. Perhaps their comment was well written or their argument well thought out. Giving others respect is the fastest way to get it yourself.

3) Don't Run With Sharp Objects - If something in the back of your mind is whispering stop, listen. Don't run with sharp objects like criticism and lack of tact. Usually scissors are safest when left in the drawer.

Sometimes I make life more complicated than it has to be. Today as I navigate the murky waters of Social Media, I'll think of my kids and ask, "What would a kindergartner do?" There is great wisdom in heeding the answer.

Falling Down the Stairs to Success?

2012-01-12T06:00:00.002-06:00

by Sandy Stevener

Yesterday I fell down some stairs. For those who know me this does not surprise you. When my husband asked me what happened I said “I really don’t know. One minute I was taking a step the next I was sprawled on the floor covered in coffee.”

I got to thinking that sometimes life is like that: I find myself in an unusual place, physically, emotionally, spiritually or metaphorically, and ask myself What happened? I really can’t remember.

It has been even more apparent since I let God direct my steps. With the exception of the stairs, I’m pretty sure that was just my clumsiness; or maybe He was trying to tell me to slow down and pay attention. Either way, when He’s in charge, life becomes a great adventure. Stepping out in faith and finding yourself in places you never dreamed of being.

The fact that we are missionaries is one of those How the heck did I end up here? occasions. We were just coasting along in life when the Lord stepped in and drastically changed our direction. I still look back at times and think Wow, how did that happen?

As an aspiring writer I can imagine myself sitting at a table, poised to autograph my debut fiction novel. There will be a long line of admiring fans waiting. I will gaze out into the crowd and think How the heck did I get here? I’ll think that because often when we reach some of these special moments the wonder seems to drown out all the pain and heartache that was required get here. Or maybe we block it out because it’s too painful to remember, like all those rejection letters.

When I asked myself What can I learn from this? my answer was to enjoy the moments I have, keep plugging along the path where I think He is directing me, and be prepared for an adventure. Because you never know what is just around the corner...or at the bottom of the stairs.

YOU are Creative

2012-01-11T07:02:00.000-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

Sometimes you will hear people say "I am not creative". What they associate with being creative is painting, drawing and writing. However, being creative is much more than that. Being creative is finding another way to do something. You can be creative in anything you do.

Everyone has creativity; however, some people don’t realize it and some just don’t use it.

For authors it takes more than creativity to write a book. It takes imagination. We loosen the reins on our imaginations. We take the limits off and allow ourselves to explore all the ideas and thoughts that enter into our minds.

The funny thing about imagination is anyone can use it in any occupation. They just have to recognize it and harness it.

As authors, let's make sure we take these two primary brain functions and use them to soar through worlds yet explored. Our destination waits.

In the Groove

2012-01-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

I guess Sunday was Elvis Presley’s birthday. It would have escaped my awareness were it not for the newscasts mentioning the thousands of fans who continue to make their annual pilgrimage to Graceland. It makes me wonder whether more Elvis devotees flock to Memphis for his birthday or for the anniversary of his death every August. That’d be a good question for George Klein.

As for today, January 10^th, it’s also a day that goes down in music history. For Elvis fans, it was on this day he recorded “Heartbreak Hotel”. For Beatles buffs like me, this was the day their first album, Introducing the Beatles was released in America.

But perhaps most importantly of all, today is the anniversary of the 45.

Around since the late 40s (and introduced almost simultaneously with the vinyl LP), this 7-inch wonder was the most popular means for teens to bring their musical idols home with them. Anyone younger than thirty has probably never owned stacks of wax, nor have any idea what the oddly-shaped yellow plastic in the picture was for. This adapter – used for centering 45s on a turntable spindle – was officially called a “spider” (though, wisely, I don’t think they were ever marketed by that name).

Every music store carried 45s during the 50s and 60s, and it was their most popular section. But look how frequently things have changed since then:

By the late 60s 8-track tapes became the top portable music medium. Prone to malfunction, however, they would not survive long.

Next, hoping to save the day, were cassettes. By the 70s, these little pocket-sized tapes were king.

Then 1982 brought the CD, and nothing’s been the same since. It nailed the coffin on all vinyl medium – and eventually tapes – with technology so universally accepted that it begat DVDs. Now, even the CD and DVD are being threatened with eventual extinction by MP3s and streaming video.

Buyers have always been attracted to the most convenient medium for their entertainment, and in this mobile society we like being able to take it with us. The prevalence of e-books and e-readers speaks to that.

Fortunately for traditional publishers, books have always been and always will be sufficiently portable. The trade-off, perhaps, is that you can store countless books in a single digital reader. But for many who’ve compared the two, e-readers are the microwave version of a restaurant meal. It’s quick and does the trick but once in a while you gotta have the real thing.

There will be room for both for a very long time, and the publishing world’s acceptance of the two allows them to support each other and play nice together.

So unlike the 45, the 8-track, the cassette, and possibly the CD, the digital age isn’t about to replace the printed page, which has been around since the 1400s, because we just plain love ink on paper. For that, I say to Gutenberg: Thank you, thank you very much.

Broaden Your Base

2012-01-09T06:40:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

While watching a sci fi movie my grandsons came to mind. I thought my 12 and 5 year old grandsons would like this great space travel adventure. But then I thought back to a couple of scenes and some profanity and thought again. No I am afraid their Mom’s would object. I too would object to them seeing and hearing this. Allowing this would validate those objectionable portions which would open the door to other objectionable things in their life.

But what if those profanities were removed or replaced with another word, just as strong but not profanity. Or that one insignificant scene, no doubt placed there for shock, was removed or replaced with another scene not so objectionable. Would that not open the door for an audience their age? An audience that age would consist of some 70 plus million people. For that I would have to think about making the changes.

This very point we must think about when we write. As we write we must be true to our characters. That I understand. As we write we should be aware we are involved not only in our emotional and creative release of writing but in a very competitive industry, an industry that can reward us handsomely for our creativeness. If people enjoy our work, if enough people seek us out, we can be truly blessed.

I am fortunate to have grandchildren that introduce their grandparents to their current movies. If not for them we would probably miss some of the best movies out today. Yes they are G rated and do not have adult themes but they are great movies. They are also money makers.

Baby Boomers today number some 77 million. Shadow boomers, their children, are a few million less. The generation of today’s children, my grandsons ages, will outnumber each generation living today. So the question is; as you write can you or are you willing to make those few changes that may be necessary to broaden your base of readers. Would you consider a minor change here or there that could open the door to additional millions of readers? Be ready to make this decision when the time comes. It may be the deciding factor on the sale of an additional million books.

What I Learned From Fred Flintstone About Social Media

2012-01-06T07:17:00.000-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

I'm not sure if it was his ability to consume a whole rack of brontosaurus ribs or his effusing ways but I was a big Fred Flintstone fan growing up. I would plan my week around when the little stone television would appear on mine. I even considered the name Bam Bam for a son (no wonder I was only given daughters.)

Now you might think of Fred as dense and surly with a negligible emotional IQ but I think he has a thing or two to teach about social media. Here are his lessons:

Sometimes you need a little foot power. Fred maneuvered his car all over town and didn't let the fact he had to use his feet deter his progress. Social Media is all about using your feet. It takes time to walk on the streets of Facebook or stroll about Twitter. You might even get a few callouses on your feet because you have to invest time to implement a legitimate social media strategy.
Sometimes you need help from your fellow Water Buffaloes. Fred and Barney would slip away from the girls at regular intervals to attend those oh-so-important water buffalo meetings. Sometimes there would be a coup, a contest or a controversy among the brothers but in the end the Water Buffaloes stuck together no matter what. Every person utilizing social media needs a band of water buffalo brothers or sisters. You need people on social giving the buffalo call on your behalf and telling others how great you are. Assemble a group around you and watch your social media effectiveness increase (water buffalo hats optional.)
Sometimes you need to go to the quarry. Day in, day out Fred and Barney faithfully returned to their jobs at the quarry. The work wasn't glamorous. They got few accolades but through consistency they made a living. This same principle is needed in your approach to social media. Visit Facebook, Google+, Twitter and your other social media sites every day. We need to faithfully return day after day to reap the long-term benefit.

If Fred Flintstone can do it, all of us can be successful in social media. So open up your closet, let that bowling ball drop down on your head and be grateful we don't have to use a stone tablet to write our next blog post.

The quarry bird is calling quitin' time so Yabba Dabba Doo to all of you. I'm off to foot pedal my way to a successful social media presence. Won't you join me at the quarry or in the water buffalo lodge?

Divide the Work; Multiply the Joy!

2012-01-05T06:00:00.012-06:00

by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers

Have you ever thought it might be nice to just write half of a book? Have you ever had occasion to celebrate a writing success and wanted to share the joy? Collaboration might be for you. As sisters and collaborators we have completed five books together and continue working as a team.

Our first collaboration included our mother and the two of us. We were used to writing individually and wondered how to make it work. Our different voices would make a traditional novel disjointed, and a round robin novel seemed problematic. (We each like to have the last word, and it would never end!) Finally an idea surfaced that was perfect for collaboration, MY DOG, MY HERO. Each chapter would be told from a different point of view. This meant our different voices would be an advantage rather than a problem.

We worked individually on our chapters and then met together, sitting around Mom’s kitchen table where we wrote the first and last chapters to tie the book together. This worked well for us and we did three more books the same way. When our mother stopped writing we continued collaborating as sisters and have enjoyed the benefits of sharing the work.

Have you ever been “stuck” with no clue how to proceed with a story? One of the best parts of collaborating is that you have someone else to help work out those gnarly problems. We often say to each other, “Would you work on Chapter Six, I’ve done all I can do for now?” or “Chapter One needs to be stronger, will you take a look?” It is a relief to share the challenges with someone else.

Brainstorming with your collaborator is fun.We meet one day a week at a coffee shop in a town halfway between us. There is nothing quite so stimulating as sitting with our coffee and scones talking about stories and possibilities. There is always excitement and laughter.

The downside of collaboration comes from unclear expectations and boundaries.This can be avoided by being intentional about defining the relationship. Ask the questions up front. How will royalties be split? Who will correspond with agents and editors? How will we deal with disagreements? In the beginning we both decided we would not proceed on the writing or publishing until both of us were in total agreement. This decision has served us well in the writing and in decisions about submissions.

Collaboration only works when we come to each other with respect and trust. There is no room in the relationship for being territorial, defensive or resistant to change. We both wrote for fifteen years before we ever collaborated and this has helped. We were accustomed to change and revision from having editors and critique groups give input to our work.

The pitfalls of collaboration can be avoided with good planning and open communication. Then the benefits can be realized: sharing the load and experiencing the joy together.

____________________________

Writing Sisters, Laurie Myers and Betsy Duffey, have been writing for children for over twenty years, publishing with Viking, Clarion, Simon & Schuster, Henry Holt and Harper Collins. They have published over thirty-five chapter books for children and have had books on master lists in over twenty states. Laurie and Betsy are now focused on writing Bible stories in fresh ways for the chapter book audience.

Visit them on Facebook, Twitter, their website or their blog.

Helping Others into 2012

2012-01-04T05:53:00.000-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

“Happy New Year”. Fireworks went off all around displaying beautiful colors of red, greens, blues and whites. The sounds were loud. Everyone was in a hurry to push out 2011 and usher in 2012. This must mean we are really expecting a great new year.

Let’s all do our part to make this the best year possible in all of our endeavors; especially helping others achieve their dreams. I’ve heard this expression for half of my life, it goes, “if you help enough people get what they want you will get what you want”. Well, I don’t know if that is true but I do know I feel better when I am helping others. This year maybe you can find someone who needs help with their writing and help them.

In the meantime, Southern Writers Magazine, staff and I wish you the Happiest of New Years for 2012 and are committed to helping you!

Tuning in to 2012

2012-01-03T06:45:00.000-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

In my early teens, my favorite radio station was the kind you don’t hear anymore. They played pure Top 40, had “boss jocks” with echo on their voices, and, best of all, they had a request line where you could record yourself and dedicate a song to a friend. You’d listen all night to see if they played your request with your intro, and it was 15 seconds of fleeting – but very satisfying – fame when they did.

One night the DJ made a comment that I’ve never forgotten. He said he had a board in front of him full of lights that showed all his listeners, and every time someone tuned in or tuned out, a light reflected that. Even as I heard that, it sounded a bit far-fetched, but I didn’t know for sure until I met a DJ who straightened me out.

Many is the time I’ve wished that had been true, so that somebody somewhere would notice how quickly I change the station anytime “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” comes on.

These days – with the advent of cable TV, where everyone’s interconnected by something more tangible than mere airwaves – it’s a credible possibility that our television viewing habits may be automatically calculated via master control computers. Just in case, I leave Nickelodeon on all day for the dog instead of the Game Show Network, lest Baggage get any points for accidental viewing.

In a short time, modern technology has changed everything we know, and is continuing to. In the year ahead, this is especially good news for writers. While corporate greed (and the ability to air 24-hour national programming on all its stations) has broadcasting chains sending local DJs to the unemployment line, the publishing industry is seeing a huge chunk of its power going to the little guy. Writers are e-publishing their own books, and doing just fine.

In 2011 Amazon reported that its sale of e-books is now slightly surpassing sales of print books. This news has brick and mortar bookstores shivering in their Rockports, but despite the demise of Borders last year, there’s no need for Barnes & Noble to get out the white flag yet. A great number of readers still prefer reading from a printed page rather than peering at pixels on an e-reader.

Which, by the way, is one reason we offer both print and online versions of Southern Writers Magazine. Currently our readership is at exactly the same ratio that Amazon reports, with e-subscriptions hovering just above those receiving the print edition.

What this all means to us writers is, we have more ways than ever to get our words out to the public. We can still pursue the traditional route of going through agents and submitting to publishers, or we can create an e-book and test the online waters ourselves. In addition, there are corporate blogs which hire writers to create their content, and companies willing to advertise on your own site if your blogposts generate a buzz. None of this was possible even a decade ago.

Isn’t it great to be a writer in 2012? I hope all your writing dreams come true this year, and I only wish there was still a radio request line somewhere so I could dedicate “Paperback Writer” to you and your upcoming e-book.

Happy New Year: Celebrating in 2012

2012-01-02T15:41:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

I am a fan of college football. I especially like SEC college football. I am fortunate that my wife is also a fan. Her being a fan makes for a peaceful Saturday when we watch three games in a row. I am always amazed at the enthusiasm of the SEC fans. They cheer at each and every progression of their team on the field. They can’t wait until the next great play and celebrate once again. This is an outlet for the fans enthusiasm as well as encouragement for the team.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if fans would wait until their team scored to celebrate? What if they waited until the end of the quarter, the half or the game to cheer their team? It would not be the same. The team needs encouragement each step of the way and I can’t imagine the fans sitting on their hands until the game is over.

Tom Peters said, “Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Like the fans we too need to encourage what we want to see more of. What did you see in 2011 that you want to see more of? What excited you in 2011? Did you celebrate it? Did you share it with others to celebrate it? We too need encouragement each step of the way. At each turn we need to share our progress and celebrate. Believe it or not we all have fans but unlike fans at a game they may not be able to see our last play. Share your progress with them. Share it with us here at Southern Writers Magazine. We are excited about our authors and their careers. Let us be a fan of yours in 2012 and cheer you on each step of the way! Happy New Year and let’s Celebrate in 2012!

The Gift of FREE Marketing

2011-12-30T06:00:00.008-06:00

by Jessica Ferguson

When I think of social media, I hear voices. I hear my mother in law saying that just because something is packaged in bulk doesn’t mean it’s a bargain. I hear my mother’s voice asking: if Sallie Anne jumped off a cliff, would you? My twin cousins chant that if God had meant us to fly, He’d have given us wings. I find myself nodding, “And if God had wanted us to tweet . . .”

Last month a couple of my friends queried editors. One friend was told she had no internet presence and the editor was only interested in writers with some kind of following. The other friend received a request to submit her novel, but was told to develop a website and a blog. Two different responses but the same message: an internet presence is crucial.

But what if we don’t have anything to say? To promote? To sell? It doesn’t matter. If we intend to write and sell books some day, we still need an online presence. Now.

A few years ago, another friend, D.B. Grady, catapulted into the social media blogosphere and popped up on Facebook, Twitter and other sites. At the time, David had one book published by a small press and an article in Boy’s Life to his credit. Yet, he zipped around (virtually) and had great fun. He met many people and made a lot of friends, including an editor with the well known magazine, The Atlantic. David was offered an opportunity to write for their online issue. Doors opened. He got a top of the line agent, and he and his editor wrote a book together. The Hidden Hands, co-authored with Marc Ambinder and published by John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, will release in 2012.

D.B. Grady says, "Editors, agents, and other writers are very accessible on social networking sites, and chats can often turn into assignments. Some of the best connections I've made in the industry started on Twitter or LinkedIn. It's important to be professional, of course, and to let your words represent the quality of your longer prose. But it's just as important to be natural and friendly -- think cocktail party rather than job interview."

I’ve mulled over social media marketing--examined blogging, twitter and Facebook from all angles and points of view; and while it looks suspiciously like a cliff to me, and even resembles bulk packaging, I’ve pegged it as not much more than building relationships, encouraging others, and participating in conversations with an audience of our choice. If we think of it as something fun to do, we’ll be creating exactly what editors, agents, and publishers want us to create--an online presence.

No matter how intimidating or maddening social media is, the fact that it’s FREE makes it less painful. More importantly, it might very well be the gift that keeps on giving. And with it, we will fly!

The Gift of a Rich Childhood

2011-12-29T06:00:00.002-06:00

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

I had a glorious childhood. Lots of love, lots of security and homemade everything. Oh, there were hard times, but it was mostly good. Mostly wonderful. Mostly the kind of childhood that can crop up in my writing without making anyone wish I hadn't mentioned that.

My rich childhood offers a wealth of material for my writing. As a matter of fact, one of my biggest problems is too much reminiscing—; too much nostalgia. In my first novel, I had to cut out great chunks of charming stories from my past. Charming may make the reader smile for a moment, but it rarely does much to move the story forward.

Here are just a few of the things I have or would like to use in my fiction:

Dusan and Masha – Although I grew up in a very rural part of WV, we had international neighbors. Dusan was from Yugoslavia and Masha from Russia. We would hear them out in the pasture calling their cattle in one of the seven languages they spoke. Childless, they showered my brothers and me with affection and introduced us to imported chocolate. Every time I saw Dusan he open his arms wide and say in his wonderful accent, “You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you!” And somewhere in my overwrought teenage heart, a little piece of me believed him.

Laurel Fork United Methodist Church – We attended a church our family had been going to since it was built. We were related to most everyone who came —and on a good Sunday there were maybe twenty of us. There were no children's programs, no nursery. It was just family coming together to praise God. We held Christmas programs blessed with homespun music and Decoration Sundays with field plucked daisies, roses and ferns arranged on the graves of our ancestors. We argued about whether planting by the signs was a sin and drank homemade grape juice at communion. That church wrapped my brothers and me snug in holy love.

Farming – Growing up on a farm was hard work . . . and I sometimes miss it. We weren't overscheduled with lessons and clubs. We didn't text or play video games or watch cable TV. We picked up rocks when dad plowed the garden. We slopped the hogs and gathered eggs. We put up hay every summer. We helped process our food from green beans to ground venison. We went barefoot, caught lightning bugs, swam in Laurel Fork and built hay forts. How could I not want to write about all that?

Of course, not everyone had an idyllic childhood spent on an Appalachian farm. Some had painful, difficult childhoods. No one told them they were beautiful. No one told them Bible stories or gathered flowers with them. They didn’'t grow their own food—; sometimes they didn'’t even know if there would be food.

But the beauty of the writing life is that those of us with idyllic childhoods, those of us who survived nightmares and those of us who fall somewhere in between all have fodder for our stories. Because everything can be turned to good use. No matter what you have experienced, someone else has, too. And I think the core of writing is sharing stories in ways that makes readers say, “Yes. I know about that. And it’'s good that I'’m not the only one.”

_____________________________________

Sarah Loudin Thomas is an aspiring novelist who blogs at www.sarahanneloudinthomas.wordpress.com. A native of West Virginia, she continues to make her home in the Appalachian Mountains, though a bit further south in North Carolina. Her poetry and freelance work has been published in several magazines including Appalachian Heritage and Now & Then: The Appalachian Magazine.

Have You Prepared for New Year's Eve?

2011-12-28T06:00:00.002-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

I don’t know about you but it is time for me to prepare for New Year’s Eve. It’s a night of mixed emotions.

One part of me is wondering if I finished everything that I planned for 2011 and if not, to make mental notes to carry over to the New Year. I think about how fortunate I am to have such great friends.

I am anticipating with much excitement the new year and the roads waiting to be mapped out.

With time and age comes the realization that I want to spend my time productive not only in my career but also and most importantly with my family and friends and give back to my community and help others.

New Year’s Eve is also special because that is my ‘Wedding Anniversary’; this night I will wink at my sweetie and toast with champagne grateful for a blessed 2011 and lift again wishing for 2012 to be a special New Year for all of us.

I thank all of you for being part of Southern Writers' family this year and look forward to our new year together.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US!

The Gift of Goals

2011-12-27T06:00:00.013-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

Whether we’re out with friends ringing in 2012 this Saturday night, or staying home hoping Dick Clark doesn’t catch a cold, when the ball drops at midnight we’ll be treated once again to that moment of encouragement when we know we have a fresh start. New Year’s Eve is the most universally shared demarcation point between what was and what can be.

If we even remember what our resolutions were at the beginning of 2011, there’s a pretty good chance they’re the same ones we have for the coming year. We start with the best intentions and 365-day commitments, which often manage to fizzle out long before January is through. We might even hesitate to set goals for the new year because of past experience with them. But we can change that with a little know-how.

Many of our resolutions tend to involve breaking a bad habit, which is why they are so prone to failure. Being creatures of habit, we’ve already taught ourselves to do things the opposite way. Like Pavlov’s dog, we salivate whenever we hear our bell. Suddenly requiring a new pattern of ourselves is highly irregular and something our entire being resists.

Experts tell us that the key to success is “really wanting” to change. Of course, we do “really want” to lose those pounds, or get up early to write five pages a day. The problem is, we also “really want” that piece of Chocolate Sin Cake, or that extra sleep; sometimes even more. How do we make our chosen want win the battle over our habitual want?

Reward yourself for the little victories – Each time you resist temptation or accomplish part of your big goal, celebrate! What little treat for yourself will retrain you to keep up the good work?
Be specific – Set goals that allow you to measure your progress. “Write a screenplay in 2012” is vague. “Write three scenes every day” is easy to track.
Set achievable goals – You can’t write a novel in one weekend, though you can sure do it in 52 weekends. Shoot for the moon, but remember that it takes a while to get there.
Creative visualization – Nothing succeeds like success, or even a good mental image of it. Create a vivid picture of where you want be, and dwell on the benefits of being there. I’ve known some people who make a scrapbook filled with success images and words specifically meaningful to them.
Don’t let one failure ruin everything – That first time you slip or fail to meet your daily goal, don’t decide that all is lost. Why waste your good efforts so far? You have just as much ability to start again as you did on New Year’s Day.

That last one is especially worth remembering if you have many goals you’re working on simultaneously. Disappointing yourself in one area mustn’t become your downfall in all of them. Always focus on your successes, not on your failures.

Some of the more popular New Year’s Resolutions, and free resources to help you achieve them, are offered by Uncle Sam at the Usa.gov website.

As a writer, your 2012 goals may include writing more articles or chapters, sending out more submissions, entering more contests, or all three. Don’t be surprised if we have a special contest just for our readers this year. In fact, we have many surprises in store for you, because inspiring you to write, network with other authors, and sell more books is our continued goal.

Zig Ziglar said it well: “A goal properly set is halfway reached”. I wish you luck this week choosing the resolutions worthy of your talents, and invite you – paraphrasing Captain Kirk – to boldly goal where no man has gone before.

The Gift of Hope Deferred

2011-12-26T07:46:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

It is now the day after Christmas. The gifts we took days and weeks to find for that special person have been given. As those gifts were opened we watched the expressions on their faces hoping our efforts brought pleasure. At our home the seven grandchildren were playing with the boxes and wrapping paper instead of the toys. One of the two year old twins walked in showing me a baking potato she had found in the kitchen cabinet. If I had only known that was what she really wanted I could have saved myself a lot of time and money.

Those gifts we wished and hinted for have been opened. We have had time to look them over and enjoy all the advantages of ownership. Now we know if our desires and expectations have been met. Were these items all we had hoped for or are they disappointing? Are we too now playing with the boxes and paper or looking around for a baking potato?

Life can be like waiting on Christmas presents. Like children we wait for that day to come when we receive the gifts we desire. We live each day with hope, joy and expectations of great things to come. But unlike Christmas, where we can count the days, in life we do not know how long it will be until that thing we desire arrives. Proverbs 13:12 NIV reads, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” It is natural that we become heavy hearted or anxious waiting on that which we desire. But as it states here when it comes it is a tree of life. If these things we desire aren’t satisfying we may have hoped for the wrong thing or there may be more.

We must be aware when desire comes it may be the first step toward even greater things to come. This thing you desire may be the door opener that prepares you for many other great things to follow. Londa Hayden wrote in Suite T The Gift of Leadership that her pursuit of her passion to write led to a leadership role in a writers group. The realization of this thing you desire may be the foundation for what is really ahead for you.
What is your “hope deferred”? What is your desire? Better yet if it has come, what could possibly be next? Are you vigilant and open to what it may be? Talk it over with someone that knows you well and share what you discovered and where you are heading.

The Gift of Leadership

2011-12-23T08:30:00.000-06:00

by Londa Hayden

Londa at a BCW Meeting with Southern
Writers' Creative Director, Gary Fearon
and Managing Editor, Doyne Phillips

I have been honored to be the founding president of Bartlett Christian Writers for the past year and a half and have enjoyed every minute of it. My passion for writing with excellence is stirred every time we meet. When I was first approached with the idea of starting a Christian writers group in my area, my first thought was I'm not qualified enough to tackle such a feat. I wasn't even a published author at that time. My insecurities kept me from following through for almost a year. Instead, I kept driving an hour away to participate in another writers group until the leader asked me again the same question, and I felt the urge within to go ahead with it.

The story of Moses came to mind. When God asked him to lead the Jews out of Egypt, Moses voiced his concerns with stuttering lips. Yet, unbeknownst to Moses, God had been preparing him all his life for such a task. I took a deep breath and plotted out a plan of action to start a local writers group out of my church. To my surprise, the local newspaper editor offered to send out a reporter and write an article about our group. We only had five people show up for that first meeting including the reporter, but we still got a nice article in the paper. Fearing our number was too small to justify our meeting space, a scripture came to mind, “Despise not small beginnings.”

The next month we sponsored a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” workshop, which garnered in a few more members. We got a free website up and running shortly after that and a Facebook page. I made sure to keep the local media posted on all monthly updates and to make announcements. I contacted the local Christian radio station, posted on the special events pages of several websites, and I made a small investment for business cards, brochures, and flyers to have posted at local Christian bookstores, libraries, and churches. In August, we held a new members brunch which brought in even more members. By fall, we had ten to twelve members attending our monthly meetings. Now in our second year, we have twenty-five members profiled on our website and Facebook page.

I enjoy making friends with other Christian writers and seeing how God works in each of their lives. It is my privilege and brings me great joy to help educate and encourage them in their journey to getting their work published. I too have learned so much. Looking back, I now see where God had been preparing me to lead Christian writers for several years by stirring the passion in my heart for writing. Someone once told me, “God doesn't necessarily look for people with great ability as much as He looks for someone willing to do whatever He calls you to do.” With some prompting and a lot of encouragement, I stepped out on faith to lay the ground work and God honored my efforts. I don't get paid, but I've been blessed with more than money can buy. I love my job!

What about you? Is there a way you can use leadership skills you may not even realize you have to benefit other authors? When you give your leadership away, it will be a true gift.

The Gift of Family Heritage

2011-12-22T07:21:00.000-06:00

by Renee Rowell

On December 14, 2001, my in-laws celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary. Like most young couples just starting out, they didn't have much, so their wedding was very simple. He wore a simple suit instead of a tuxedo. She wore a simple skirt and jacket instead of a wedding dress. There was no reception to speak of; just well wishes of close family and friends as they began their new life together.

The year before, my husband and I, along with his three siblings and their spouses, began talking about and planning for the celebration. We decided to give them the reception they never had. To be held at their church in the fellowship hall, I was given the task of decorating the room. There were the traditional holiday trimmings, all reflective of a golden anniversary; gold wreaths on all the windows, Christmas greenery on the tables, gold glitter candles on the guest book table.

But, there was one display that really put into perspective what the celebration was really all about.

My mother-in-law had amassed quite a collection of family photos over the years, and I really wanted to come up with a unique way to display them. As part of the decorating scheme, I had purchased a set of two white, spiral LED Christmas trees. At first, I wasn’t exactly sure just what to do with them…then it hit me.

I placed the trees on a table in the back of the room and asked my oldest son and my niece to begin attaching all of the family photos to them using red and green ribbon looped onto ornament hangers. After the photos were hung, we turned the tree lights on. How beautiful they were! Standing back and looking at the photos in the glow of the tree lights, one could begin to see a story unfold; a legacy of life and love that has been passed from generation to generation.

In moments like these, especially during the holidays, it's a little bit easier to be thankful for our family, even amidst some of the drama and hectic last minute preparations. But...what if we went a little deeper? What if we didn't stop at being thankful? What if we actually considered the legacy we are building? What if we understood that our words and actions toward our family are building blocks in the foundation of our legacy and a springboard for them as they live out their own legacy?

As we approach the new year, let's consider the words of Jesus, "As I have loved you, so you love another." If you have a heritage of love, you have the opportunity to regift that love to the next generation. If you don’t, why not establish a new family tradition through the written and spoken word that becomes a living diary of love?

____________________________

Renee is a 2011 Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks graduate and has been happily married to her husband, David, for 25 years. They have two sons; their oldest is currently serving overseas in the Air Force, and their youngest graduated high school earlier this year and is working towards college. Her husband is Director of Worship and Media at their church, and in addition to serving alongside him and blogging, she is currently writing her first book. You can connect with her on Twitter or her blog.

The Gift of Poetry

2011-12-21T06:19:00.000-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

The hustle and bustle of Christmas week is an exciting time for children. The anticipation of the jolly old man in the red suit, long white beard and toys in a big red bag is at an all-time high. It’s been building for weeks. Most of the kids are trying extra hard to be nicer than usual so they won’t be put on Santa’s naughty list. Parents are reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, the poem Clement Clarke Moore wrote in 1822 to their children. It’s a special time.

It is said this poem redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus because before the poem St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, wasn’t associated with sleigh or reindeers.

This poem was first published on December 23, 1823 and was an immediate success. Moore’s neighbor sent it in to a newspaper and told them the author had to remain anonymous and he did so until 1844 when he finally claimed ownership and included the work in a book of his poetry. It is now a worldwide tradition in families to read it on Christmas Eve.

This poem has delighted children and parents alike for generations. I hope authors who write good words will publish their writings giving people all over the world the opportunity to read and be thrilled. Something you write can make a difference to someone; it can touch his or her heart, introduce them to new adventures or transport them to another time and place.

I wish for you this holiday season some time to write the next great poem or story for generations to come. Merry Christmas!

The Gift of Music

2011-12-20T06:00:00.019-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

Music lover that I am, my ears perked up last week when I overheard this question on Family Feud: “Name a song that everyone knows.”

I began a Google search through the Wikipedia of my mind. First I remembered that “Yesterday” is the most successful song of all time, recorded by over 1,600 artists. Somehow I still couldn’t imagine that being the top answer. What other songs had we all heard a million times? Could it be “Louie Louie”...”New York, New York”…the theme from “The Addams Family”?

The top TV answer turned out to be “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Well, I dispute that. If Christina Aguilera and Michael Bolton can’t remember it, what hope is there for the rest of us? Myself, I get lost somewhere in the ramparts.

With a little help from a friend, I’ve come up with an even better answer: “Happy Birthday”. You only have to remember six words (as long as you know the name of the person you’re singing to).

Right now, however, and for an entire month each year, we’re gifted to countless songs everyone really does know, not just because we’ve heard them every December since we’ve been born, but because they have been the soundtrack for all our treasured Christmas memories. The twinkle of tinsel and the smell of cinnamon candles nicely herald the season, but for me nothing does it better than the sound of Andy Williams, Nat King Cole and Burl Ives.

What makes a song a classic, they say, is when it can stand the test of time. My favorite Christmas pop song certainly has. It’s Little Saint Nick, recorded by the Beach Boys in 1963. My favorite religious carol is Silent Night, which I think has been around even longer. What songs are your Christmas favorites?

At a party I attended this weekend, the highlight for all was playing a holiday version of Name That Tune. This was followed by another game in which we had to decipher cryptic versions of Christmas song titles (like “Loyal Followers Advance” = “O Come All Ye Faithful”). The joyous enthusiasm with which everyone proudly shouted out their answers as favorite songs registered made for a roomful of merry gentlemen and ladies.

For our own Southern Writers Christmas party this month, I couldn’t resist coming up with a variation of one of my favorite holiday tunes, a tongue-in-cheek commemoration of our first year as a magazine. My publishing cohorts have been adamant about me recording it and putting it online, so for those who like a little parody with their poinsettia, kindly click here to listen.

As in years past, I’ll spend Christmas Eve wrapping presents on my pool table to the tune of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concert on TV. I’ll look up from my paperwork regularly to take in the pleasure of seeing 70 musicians celebrating the season in song, dressed in their black concert finery as befitting the importance of this night.

And upon that highly-anticipated moment when trumpeter Scott Moore recreates the famous horse whinny at the end of “Sleigh Ride”, I will suddenly feel like I’m ready for Christmas.

May you and yours have your best Christmas ever. And God bless us, every one.

The Gift of Great Art

2011-12-19T06:00:00.001-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

We all know the story of Thomas Edison’s multiple attempts while perfecting the light bulb. It was said that after over 9,000 attempts he remarked he knew over 9,000 ways the light bulb would not work. Shortly after that with more than 10,000 attempts his success is known far and wide. Edison went on to hold 1,093 US Patents. One can only wonder how many times he failed on each of those before success.

The term failure sends chills throughout our being. Yet without it we can never know success. If we had given up our attempts to walk as a child after our first fall where would we be? The same is true for our first attempt at riding a bike, skating or any other endeavor. Hopefully it did not take 10,000 attempts but if it did, so what. We finally succeeded.

We must learn to fail. Failing in itself says we are a success in that we have tried. Another great American invertor Charles Kettering held 186 patents. One which is near and dear to the heart of Southerners is Freon. Kettering said, “It doesn’t matter if you try and try and try again, and fail. It does matter if you try and fail, and fail to try again. We need to teach the highly educated man that it is not a disgrace to fail and that he must analyze every failure to find its cause. He must learn how to fail intelligently, for failing is one of the greatest arts in the world.” Give yourself the gift of the Great Art of Failing. You will get great returns.

The Gift of...Gifts

2011-12-16T06:00:00.039-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

"The pen is mightier than the sword."

Unknown

Each string of prose is beauty; each strike of the keyboard music. When you exercise your gift of writing whether you're composing a tweet, blog post or a chapter of your novel, you give with your gift. Every word represents an opportunity to enhance the life of another.

This holiday season I want us to ask ourselves what keeps us from giving our gift?

insecurity

fear of rejection or failure

time constraints

Give the gift this year that is the most personal and meaningful - the gift of the pen. Write the acknowledgments for your non-fiction book and mail them to each person included. Compose a letter to your family with a paragraph detailing all the reasons you love each person. Address your gift tags with adjectives describing the recipient and let them guess on Christmas morning which present is for them based on the description.

Sometimes the best gift to give is the one you already have.

The Gift of Mystery

2011-12-15T06:00:00.002-06:00

by Sandra Balzo

Buried in a box somewhere in my closet is an old photograph. It was taken after the gifts were opened on a long-ago Christmas morning, and I'm sitting in my father's overstuffed chair. The thing is so big – or I'm so small – that my feet can't dangle because my toes barely reach the edge of the cushion. A stuffed cocker spaniel is tucked under one of my arms, and my face is buried in my Christmas gift – a new book.

My dad was an avid photographer, but try as he might, each year my Christmas pictures were pretty much the same. My siblings' – inevitably blurry – were shot as they passed by on new bikes or roller skates. Me, I could always be found in that chair, reading. The family still-life.

Mystery novels topped my Christmas list, even then. Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple – I loved them all because I knew that, together, we would solve the crime and make the villain would pay. Order would be restored. All would be right with the world.

In fact, my favorite book of all time is a twist on mystery. It's Barbara Michaels' Ammie, Come Home, considered the best American supernatural mystery of the 20^th century.

The story involves Ruth Bennett, owner of an elegantly spooky Georgetown brownstone, and her college-age niece Sara. One night Sara starts acting crazy. Or… could she be possessed?

“Dripping with atmosphere,” and downright “chilling,” Ammie is at its core, a story of the unlikely alliance – Ruth, Sara’s scruffy boyfriend Bruce, and college professor Pat MacDougal – that forms to save the girl.

As an adult, I appreciate the artistry of the writing, but when I first read Ammie, all I knew was that it took me to a place where evil was punished and good rewarded – even after death. And despite the fact that most of the characters in the book weren’t related to each other – much less to me – they felt like family.

That was important to me.

You see, Ammie, Come Home came out in 1968. My father was no longer snapping photos, he was dying of lung cancer. I was fourteen.

I was angry, because life seemed so unfair.

I was scared, because I knew my dad would die, as he did twelve days before Christmas that year.

And I was ashamed, because my awful secret fear was that my mom would die, too, and leave me alone.

In short, I was ripe for a fictional world to disappear into and, particularly, for a book like Ammie, Come Home. I needed to believe there was life after death. That family could form where there was none. And, most of all, I needed to believe that there was justice. Somewhere. Somehow.

A couple of years ago, I wrote an essay on Ammie, Come Home for the book Muses: 100 Classics That Inspire Today's Mystery Writers. When I got my author copies, I slipped one into an envelope and, on a whim, sent it off to Ms. Michaels.

You know what? She sent ME a thank you note, saying she was delighted that Ammie is still remembered so fondly. She seemed gratified – even mystified – that her work should have had such a profound effect on me.

That it had been such a gift.

As writers, we can't know what kind of day our readers are having when they crack open our books or fire up their Kindles or Nooks. They might just as easily be on a split vinyl chair in a hospital waiting room, as on a treadmill at the gym or a queue for the train.

But what we do know is what our readers want. Not just for Christmas, but anytime.

They want to be transported and entertained. They want order restored, if only fictionally.

And it's in our power to give that to them.

Lucky us.

________________________

Sandra Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management and publicity. TRIPLE SHOT, her seventh Maggy Thorsen coffeehouse mystery was just released. Sandy's second series, Main Street Murders, debuted in April with RUNNING ON EMPTY. The books, set in the popular vacation destination of North Carolina's High Country, alternate with the Maggy Thorsen mysteries.

The Gift You Get When You Give

2011-12-14T06:00:00.002-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

There is just nothing more joyous than seeing a child’s face on Christmas morning. Their eyes are big as saucers as they look at all Santa left.

Do you remember that feeling standing in front of your Christmas tree looking at all the toys that Santa Claus brought? And oh, all the presents so brightly wrapped.

I hope this year we all remember to brighten the face of someone…perhaps a child by picking an angel on a tree or maybe you could brighten the heart of an elderly person in a nursing home who has no family.

We’ve all been told it is more blessed to give than to receive. I have never quite figured that out. You see when I give a present to someone I get such a warm and wonderful feeling seeing their face light up with joy. That is my present.

The Gift of Gab

2011-12-13T10:49:00.000-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

Like most of us, I’ll be attending a few Christmas parties this month, some because I want to, some because I’m expected to. (If you’re reading this and you happen to have invited me to a party, be assured that yours is on the “I want to” list!)

On that subject, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I enjoyed our recent Southern Writers Christmas celebration, graciously hosted by our own Shannon Milholland, who’s as capable a cook as she is a bodacious blogger. It was an evening of quality conversation, fine dining and nobody brought fruitcake.

As in our case, engaging in lively conversation at a party is easy when you all know each other already as friends and/or coworkers. But what about those gatherings where the only person you really know is the host? That happens fairly often because the trouble with parties can be, they keep inviting all these people you don’t know!

We writers run the gamut from verbose literary intellectuals who can regale a cocktail party full of strangers, to reserved observers who, even with close friends, are listeners rather than talkers. While we all possess a knack for the written word, it may or may not translate into glib verbosity out in the field.

Some people happen to be born schmoozers, able to rise boldly to any social situation. I’ll mention my late friend Bad Dog again because he was a master at it. He could be right at home whether at a rowdy radio remote or visiting a group of sick kids at St Jude’s. His trick – if you can call it that, because he did it with sincerity – was making other people feel important. One way to do that is by asking them questions they enjoy answering. Get someone to talk about themselves and they will never be bored.

In her book How to Work a Room, one of Susan RoAne’s excellent recommendations is to find a stranger and introduce yourself, identifying your relationship to the host and inquiring of theirs. Determining areas of common ground usually leads to free-flowing conversation. Discover mutual interests and you’re off and running.

Engaging in a dialogue with a complete stranger can even lead to writing ideas. An interesting incident told to me by a former flight attendant became the basis for a scene in a novel I was working on at the time. Another conversation with a police officer afforded the opportunity to ask specific questions related to law enforcement for another project.

So at a party full of unfamiliar faces, we can stand off to the side of the busy fray nursing a cranberry punch, or pick someone who looks like they could also use someone to talk to. We may make a new friend, or meet a character in our next story.

May you have a great time at all your holiday gatherings this season. And if you’re going to be doing any cooking, I hope you’ll visit our special Southern Writers Holiday Recipes page and help yourself to some great recipes, including those of fellow food-loving authors Sandra Balzo, Alice J. Wisler, Marybeth Whalen, Lisa Wingate and Philip Levin. (Don’t let the word “recipes” scare you…they’re easy to make and too delish to miss!)

The Gift of a New Beginning

2011-12-12T09:50:00.000-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

My wife’s uncle was a minor league baseball umpire before retiring to our little town. There he would umpire for the local Little League teams on occasion. He was impressive in full uniform with pads, mask and a booming voice that could fill a stadium. I think most of us enjoyed a taste of the minor leagues at our little local games.

He would begin his games with a command, “Balls in, throw down.” Practice balls from the infield and outfield would be thrown to the dugouts. The pitcher would take his last warm up pitch to the catcher. The catcher would “throw down” to second base. Players would take the field. The game was about to begin.

No matter the season the teams had experienced up to this point, it is a new game. This is a chance for continued success or redemption. This is a new beginning.

With a new year on the horizon, we too will have a new beginning. Each year we wipe the slate clean and look to the future for a new and prosperous beginning. We have hope for success in the fruition of our dreams and hard work. We hope to see many great things accomplished in the New Year.

With this in mind I hope you will take some time to gather your thoughts, determine your current position and chart your future course. Determine where you are now, what you like about your current position, what you would change about your current position. From that point you must determine who makes the decision to change. Most likely it will be up to you. Then you must find a solution or plan and chart your course for the future. Whether it is daily, monthly, yearly or whenever you may need it; give yourself the gift of a new beginning!

The Gift of Great Food

2011-12-09T06:00:00.022-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

During this season of endless holiday feasts have you ever considered the fastest way to your readers hearts may be through their stomachs. Many writers have found sharing the gift of a recipe in an article or at the end of a novel adds a personal touch that calls the reader's heart.

This Christmas, we wanted to give some of our favorite recipes to you. Whether you're heading out to your company party or setting the table for your family, we hope are favorite culinary delights make your season a bit brighter this year. Check them out here.

So come gather around the table and bon appetit, y'all!

The Gift of Humor

2011-12-08T06:00:00.003-06:00

by Jenny B. Jones

Humor makes the world go round. It is the sugar in my tea and the spice on my fajitas. It’s also why I write books— to make someone laugh, to entertain, to encourage and provide an escape.

What I love about humor is that it can sweeten almost any story or work of nonfiction, whether it’s just a brief moment or the voice of the entire piece. Let’s talk about some ways you can incorporate a few laughs, a few smile-inducing moments in your work.

1. Kids, Old folks, and Minor Characters

The joy of having an elderly character or a young character is that they have free reign to say and do whatever they want. Exhibit A:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g9p-Y_nBdc

Look at the success and beloved legacy of Golden Girls. Use grandma or the four year old to be the voice of reason, to be your blunt characters, and the ones who have no filter. Usually they’re just vocalizing what we polite ones are thinking anyway.

Look for other characters who can be your Steve Martin. While my protagonists always have a sense of humor (or are supposed to), the heavier comedy usually comes from my minor characters, such as a nutty best friend or a socially inept boss. (Think Michael Scott, The Office) This keeps your main character (the one you want your reader to relate to) more believable while letting other characters up the comedic stakes.

2. Contrasts

When you have contrasts in your book, you have built-in humor. How can you twist your story, your setting, your character to provide the unexpected? One of Warren Buffett’s best friends is a woman, Sharon Osberg. The two have been bridge partners and confidants for over twenty years. I find that unexpected, endearing, and humorous. It’s not the first image that comes to mind when I think of Buffet, but man, is there a story there or what?

3. Dialogue

Dialogue is one of the easiest and most effective sources for humor because you can use just a little or a lot. For me, dialogue is the driving force of the humor in my books, so I rely on witty conversation a lot. (Again, my use of the term witty up for judgment, but wit is the intention.) I want the comedic dialogue to be shorter; a funny piece of conversation is rarely a long one. And I want it to move quickly. In my romance Save the Date, social worker Lucy and ex-quarterback Alex are total opposites, share a mutual dislike, and find themselves in a fake engagement. If I didn’t capitalize on that to create some sparring, humor-filled conversations, then I haven’t done my job.

Dialogue can also be effective for those writing more serious tomes. Sometimes a moment is so dark or the reader has been held under for so long, a brief flash of subtle humor or irony would give them some relief.

Laughter is one of the best sounds ever created. (Right after that noise made by popping the tab on a Diet Coke.) Your readers are surrounded by a bad economy, global unrest, pressure at work, and stress at home. If you’ve been called to write a little comedy, you have the opportunity to provide your reader with moments of escape, a break from the realities of life. There’s nothing like getting reader email that says “You made me laugh on a tough day” or even a simple “You made me smile.”

Humor isn’t just a style.

It’s a gift to your reader.

____________________________________

Jenny B. Jones is the four-time Carol Award winning author of books for women such as Save the Date and the newly released companion YA There You’ll Find Me. None of these books have been optioned for stage, screen, or Vegas, but Jenny continues to sit patiently by the phone waiting for that lucky call from Spielberg or Donnie Osmond. Having little free time, Jenny believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as watching E!, binge Twittering, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. You can find her at www.jennybjones.com

The Gift of Time

2011-12-07T06:00:00.004-06:00

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

If you have been on the receiving side of giving, you know the wonderful feeling that accompanies the gift.

During this season, we seem to be more giving of ourselves than the rest of the year. We somehow come up with presents for those we love but I can’t help but wonder if perhaps we could make a special effort to help those not just less fortunate, but those who are working to become authors.

Is there someone you met at a conference that wanted to talk to you about how you got to where you are? Maybe because of your schedule you didn’t have the time to answer their questions and spend time with them. Hopefully, if you are lucky, they gave you their name and email. If they did, could you now find the time in your schedule to reach out to them, answer their questions and even mentor them?

There is no better feeling on earth than when we help someone and do so with our time. That is really the most precious gift we have to offer. Money you can make, time you can’t; it is already set.

Tools of the Tirade: The Gift of a Timeout

2011-12-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

If he could hear today’s talk radio, I think Ernest Hemingway would be rolling in his grave. As the one who said, “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen,” he would not be one to applaud the discourtesy often shown by the callers and, very often, by the hosts themselves.

Yet I must admit I listen to talk radio on a regular basis, because—being a bit of an editorial-page junkie—I’m intrigued by what’s on people’s minds. Even when I disagree with the views expressed, I respect those who feel strongly enough to vocalize their opinion and I’m grateful for the advent of talk radio so I can eavesdrop from the comfort of my car.

It only becomes frustrating when neither side listens to the other and the dialogue devolves into a total failure to communicate. What could have been a meeting of the minds ends with insults, and neither side comes out looking good.

And yet I keep listening, as do millions of others. Why? Because conflict is interesting.

Daytime TV knows this very well, and capitalizes on the audience’s appetite for arguments. You’ll find no deficiency of disharmony on courtroom shows, nor shortness of shouting matches on tabloid TV. Reality shows in general can’t stop themselves from creating fake complications as the cameras roll on what we’re supposed to believe is real life, because real life apparently isn’t all that riveting.

I personally am not a fan of any of these TV shows because of all the manufactured drama, which I find very manipulative and annoying. Somehow an authentic disagreement between people on the radio is more compelling to me than watching a Real Atlanta Housewife fight with her daughter because a bracelet was borrowed without asking.

Somewhere between the spontaneity of talk radio and the manipulation of reality TV is the very weird hybrid of the internet known as the comment section of news articles. While some people’s responses to every subject under the sun can be genuinely thought-provoking, a distressing number represent the most inane, grammatically-challenged drivel around. The anonymity of the internet brings out the worst in some people, who seemingly live to agitate. Reading their mini-tirades makes one wonder where all their aggression comes from. Perhaps they watched too much reality TV.

But, as we’ve established, conflict is interesting, so we read it, watch it, listen to it and try to inject the right amount into the stories we write.

Much like the ebb and flow of a good plot, however, it can’t all be nonstop conflict. We need to take a timeout. That’s when a little cooperation is a welcome relief, and it can even accomplish some good. One of the most inspiring examples of positive collaboration is chronicled by Doyne Phillips in the current holiday issue of Southern Writers Magazine. Doyne’s inspiring feature on Charitable Writing tells how a writers’ group in West Tennessee published their first book of short stories and has been donating the proceeds to the Literacy Council. In CCWriters Shorts, the stories themselves are presented according to their Flesch-Kincaid readability score, another nod to the very people the Council helps learn to read.

When you come right down to it, we can eavesdrop on the lives of others or we can make a difference in people’s lives. During this holiday season, let’s consider the impact good writing can have, and how we might use our gift in ways that benefit others. If nothing immediately comes to mind, don’t worry; an idea will eventually present itself. We just have to listen for it.

The Gift of Counting the Cost

2011-12-05T06:00:00.007-06:00

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

With Black Friday behind us, I was thinking about some of the reasons I do not participate. I weighed the cost of rising early after a great Thanksgiving Day feast, fighting the crowds and chancing the item will not be sold out when I got there, against the savings on the item. The savings never seemed to win out.

I was not willing to pay the cost. This is something we as writers have in front of us as well. Are we willing to pay the cost to have a successful book? I guess the first question would be what is the cost.

Let’s look at the cost of an all-time bestseller. In 1978 Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote The Road Less Traveled. He saw his dream begin with a $5,000 advance. Simon and Schuster published 5,000 copies for $7,500. In order to complete his dream of a best seller he began the lecture circuit and a series of interviews which turned out to be over 1,000 interviews the first year. He also personally sought out reviews in key publications. For the next twelve years he continued at the pace of at least one interview per day. The results were 6 years later in 1984 he had a New York Times Best-Seller which remained on the list for 540 weeks. It sold over 10 million copies. Would The Road Less Traveled have sold as well without the author’s hard work? We may never know but I would think not.

Things have changed since 1978. The most notable developments being social media, eBooks and all things digital. What hasn’t changed is the hard work necessary to get the results. We think nothing of movie stars hawking their wares on talk shows and at film festivals. Writers must do the same. Steven King said, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Once you have written that great American novel, be ready to really get to work.

This holiday season, why not give yourself a gift - the gift of counting the cost? It will be worth every minute of your time and once you hit that best-seller list you will realize you'll be glad you did.

The Gift of a Reader

2011-12-02T11:50:00.000-06:00

by Shannon Milholland, Social Media Director

Have you ever wished for more readers? It seems everywhere we turn someone is telling us to look at numbers, numbers, numbers...and they don't mean small ones. In the pursuit of more Twitter followers and additional Facebook fans, the needs of the individual reader can get lost.

Why not use this holiday season to focus your mind and heart on the one?

One reader can mean one life influenced.

One reader can change the future.

One reader is an unfathomable gift.

Thank you, dear friends, for being the one. May this December bring you everything your heart desires and more.