F - Flashbacks

Still blogging as part of the A-Z challenge and today's letter is F.

The first word that came to my mind was frustrated, but I figured I'd keep this post upbeat and blogging about my many frustrations may lead me into a realm of whining and blahs that no one really wants to read about.

I've found that when I write, I write about things that happened to my character a month,  a year, or even longer, before the story starts. I always have to figure out what's going on currently with the character and write good active scenes to keep the plot moving toward the resolution of the current story. However, sometimes, I will incorporate those past scenes into the current manuscript as a flashback. 

I've heard flashbacks aren't so great in the minds of editors/agents.  I think with everything, if it is done well, the publishing house will accept it. If it works for the story. I haven't found and dictating rules on the subject.

What are your thoughts? Do you like flashbacks, or tend to stay away from them?

...... One more day to leave a comment to be entered to win Meg Moseley's Debut Novel, When Sparrows Fall. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Keep Me Accountable - Days 30++

Just a quick note today... I have not forgotten to announce the winner of my writing challenge, Keep Me Accountable. Please check back with me this Saturday and it will be announced along with what you've won!!

I have started revising the book, praying that will help me find the chunk of story I couldn't pull together this weekend.

Thank you Rebecca, for pointing out reaching "The End" was my goal and that I did reach it!

I am going to continue to post daily about my progress. The next step is the final revisions (notice I said that with a plural!) and the final accomplishment is getting the book mailed. I'm planning to set a whole new date for that and will probably give away a prize for those of you who continue to keep me accountable.

I've been cutting words again, tightening sentences, and hopefully making the story the best it can be... my current word count is... 53,995.

Have any of you reached your goals? Are you starting any new ones?

Keep Me Accountable - Days 31 & 32

This is it, folks. The finish line is in sight. I told you all that this contest and this drive to keep me accountable would end on April 30th. Tomorrow is it. Deadline time.

I won't be working tomorrow, but there's a whole lotta other stuff already on my list to accomplish. I've got to make sure I get some writing in somewhere! Drastic measures must be taken between now and Midnight on Friday, April 30.

I'll post my progress.  Beyond word count, I just hope I can tell you I am at "THE END" of this book. I must plow forward and write those last true scenes.

I did write yesterday. It was fun, I had 45 minutes of free time and I used it. I actually got carried away rewriting an existing scene, but, the scene placement is helping propel the story forward. Just what I needed. An hour was upon me and I had to stop. The word count increased a little.

Current Word Count 56, 557.

I've got about 6 more scenes to write. I can do it, I just need God to carve out some time in my day, whether it be middle of the night, or whenever, to accomplish this goal. I know if this is His timing and part of His plan, then His work will be done.

Keep Me Accountable - Days 29 & 30

No progress on the home front...

Tonight is our ACFW W.O.R.D. meeting at Sugar Hill United Methodist Church. If you're in the area, we're planning a wonderful meeting with our guest speaker Steeple Hill Author Debby Giusti. Find out more on our website for WORD.

Oh, and I blogged Sunday on FAITH. You can laugh at this, but the Agent I mentioned in said blog post was probably notified by a google alert... and she "tweeted" about the blog post. Check out the comments section after you read about the dream... Oh, and you can laugh with me. Sometimes I forget about this vacuum of information we post to, where anyone in the world can see what you're doing.

I'll report back with a word count later... now, off to work!

Keep Me Accountable - Day 24

Writing report:
Four hours ended up being 3 and a half once the coffee was brewed and the dishes were loaded in the dishwasher.

I just couldn't stand it anymore. I forced myself not to dive into housework, reminded myself it would be there when I was ready to tackle it and vowed myself I would return to finish it.

I rewrote an existing scene and worked on a new one. All in all, it was a productive afternoon. Yay!

Current Word Count: 56,523

Keep Me Accountable - Day 23

If I could draw a big ZERO on this blog, I would do it. It would show how much writing I accomplished on Monday - Day 23.

But this dry spell won't last. Nope. I'm putting an end to it tomorrow.

Day 24 is full of promise... How many words can one write in 4 hours?

I'll be back to tell you all about it. I prayerfully hope this will not be an afternoon of distractions.  I pray the same for you.

Keep Me Accountable - Day 22

Today was a below average writing day. Too much to do and too little time. I did manage to get a few words in...

Current Word Count 55,280
Target Word Count 60,000

Hope you all had a better writing weekend. Let me know! I haven't had time to respond to comments, but I appreciate reading the progress you are making, or what you are doing to overcome a slack day.

Waving to Rebecca... I will post about the writing workshop soon!

Keep Me Accountable - the 20th day

I took my laptop with me today, eager to work on new scenes.

Nothing done. Zilch. Nada.

Keep Me Accountable - the 19th day

Today I was at home with my son yesterday, but had to take him to the doctor. I managed to pick up about an hour of writing while he slept. Major accomplishment since I didn't think I'd get any writing done.

I love being at home, with my baby boy, but would rather the reason was something other than the little guy was sick!

Somehow, through revisions and writing a quick new scene, I've added words...

Current Word Count 55,098.



Hip-HIP-HOORAY!!!

But.... I'm still not done. Soon. It'll happen soon!  How about you?





******************** Join me in this writing rally!!! **********************

If you would like to help keep me accountable and be entered in my contest for a $10 Starbucks gift card + a special surprise from me, leave a comment here. The winner will be announced at the end of this contest April 30. If you go to my post on FAITH you'll see I've posted instructions for the contest. I blog every Sunday on FAITH and will give a weekly update there as well. So those Sunday comments also count toward the contest.

But Only Blogger comments will be counted... Facebook comments don't count.

Thank you for your support!

Keep Me Accountable - Day 17

Monday was a beautiful, pollenated day, yet I didn't get any additional writing done after the morning hour. But thank God for that morning hour!

(And no, this picture isn't the lake or anywhere near my home... just a few hours south in Florida. My husband took the shot while on his fishing excursion last year. It's a sunrise and I was in the mood to share a photo with you :)

Yesterday was a day full of accomplishments... It started off getting up early enough to work on the book. The rest of the morning I took care of business that had been lingering and had put off for too long. The rest of the day was standard work stuff for my employer. The evening was filled with family business.  Getting up early and starting the day with writing is what I prefer because then I am free to spend the day as I need to.

This morning, however, I've been fighting to wake up and plan to work midday on the book. Being up all night with two kids who are both suffering from a cold or an allergy to all that blooms wears me out.

Yet I can't keep quiet about how excited I am about my progress. I'm further with this storyline, further in following the outline I've prepared, than ever before. Still, I have about 8 scenes to write to really complete this.

Eight is a liberal number. I figure I will need to expand those scenes to make the story better and slide into "THE END" mode as a baseball player slides into home plate.

Current Word Count 54,938 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you all know, Target Word Count is 55,000 - 60,000

SO CLOSE!!!

I'm gonna make it this time and so are you! Keep plugging away!

Keep Me Accountable - Day 16

Just a quick post this morning... I was able to get up early and write a new scene! Woo-Hoo! With the scenes I added I had already written and this brand new scene, my current word count is 53,769.

How's your progress?

Keep Me Accountable - Check out my progress on FAITH

Today I blogged on the F.A.I.T.H. blog. Check out my progress and leave me a comment as to how you are doing. Are my posts helping to keep you accountable? Have you started recording the progress on your manuscript? I love hearing from my readers. Have a great week!

Keep Me Accountable - the 14th day

Day 13 was a zilch day. Didn't get up early enough, didn't get anything accomplished during midday and didn't get anything done that evening.

Day 14 is looking brighter. This morning I've edited a previous chapter and continued to plot to the end of the book.

My friend Belinda uses a chart with her story plotting. Belinda, feel free to speak up here and talk about how you are a pantzer.

Being a pantzer writer means its difficult to plan your chapters ahead of time. I started off as a pantzer writer, but am trying to plot more ahead of time with my stories. I think it may be a good thing to get that first draft down on paper as quickly as possible. That rough first draft that you write as a free flow, as the mood hits, as your muse guides you, can bring about some really great lines and may be a true version of how your voice comes across in your story.

However, be ready to revise. For me, the first draft wasn't long enough. Character development wasn't strong enough. In that first draft I was just getting to know my characters. Their motivation was one dimensional. 6 years later, I have revised and revised. I've cut out thousands of words that were merely backstory.

It's this book that I have used to learn the craft, to de-clutter the story. I hope in the end it is all I have hoped and prayed for...It is in these revisions where I changed my pantzer ways and moved across the wall to becoming a plotter, a planner.

Charting the progress of the story - charting where I've been and where I'm going isn't easy. It takes time. But it has helped me over these last few weeks when I hit a wall. It helps me overcome whatever is holding me back.

Along with completing the chart this morning, editing a previous chapter, I moved several scenes into the current document, my "deadline draft."

So my word count grew considerably!!!

Current Word Count 52,385 

Now I'll be honest with myself and you... this will continue to go up and down as I get closer to the finish line. By moving existing scenes from a previous revision into this new one, I am planning the road ahead. I'll stay flexible as I move forward, understanding change is a good thing.

How about you? What are some techniques you like to use when crafting your story?

Women in Uniform

Since writing my manuscript has completely eluded me... And I really did give it a good try this weekend... I've decided to shift gears and rethink the entire setting of my never-ending WIP (work in progress).

Contemporary settings are what I've concentrated on in the past, with fleeting thoughts of one day writing a historical. Yet it's books set in another time that I'm drawn to. Perhaps that's what I should be writing. And since I'm not writing, maybe I should start researching.

I'm researching the Civil War, with thoughts to set this novel after the War ends. Already I've found an interesting website: Civil War Potpourri.

I had no idea there were women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the War. I guess when I imagine anytime before 1900, I picture Scarlett O'Hara sitting on the steps of Tara, teasing her beaus. (I know, I really need to get out more.)

And I've got to say this scene from GWTW is one of my favorite scenes. Mammie wants Scarlett to eat before she goes to the party and Scarlett puts up a fuss. She doesn't concede until Mammie threatened her, which is why Scarlett's giving this look. She know's Mammie's got her right where she wants her.



These women went into battle with men. Many fought gallantly and weren't discovered until they were injured or became sick. There was one woman, "Jennie Hodgers, who stowed away on a ship leaving Ireland bound for the United States in 1844, disguised herself as Albert D. J. Cashier and served in the Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 1862 until the end of the war..." She wasn't discovered until long after the war, "when at the age of 66 she broke her leg in an automobile accident-and the doctor at the veteran's hospital found her out. The secret was kept, however, and she successfully drew the veteran's pension she was entitled to for her gallant service." Go to the Women in Uniform page to learn more.

And if you've heard more stories like this, come back to share!

ACFW Conference - Getting My Head On Straight

Yesterday, while finishing off the remaining Cheetos Puffs, I wallowed in self-pity. Doubting everything, I decided I was foolish to return to work in January and was nearly in tears about things I could not change. Convinced I don't have what it takes to be a writer, that I was fooling everyone, especially myself, I was seriously considering canceling my trip to ACFW.

Luckily, being concerned about others is a high priority of mine. First and foremost, I'd disappoint my ACFW roommate, because I told her way back in May that I was going and we'd room together. Two weeks doesn't leave much time to find a decent replacement. Also, a non-refundable airline ticket can be the kick in the pants every poor coward needs.

I realized, as I polished off a piece of the white cake I made my husband (from scratch), that it was simply that Devil Satan paying me another visit. I've had to tell him to get the heck out of my house for the last several weeks now. I can see him working on every one around me, but they're not writers.

The devil infiltrates our thoughts and makes us doubt. God gives us an opportunity and Satan wants to trip us before we can reach the door, make us fall and break our legs, cripple us to keep us from fulfilling God's will.

This morning, I woke up and wrote. I pulled out an old manuscript I started a few years ago and realized it would work perfectly as book 2 in the series I've formulated. That means I've got good starts on all three books. Book one is finished, I'm rewriting it to be more CBA friendly. Apparently, I'm some kind of writer, or I wouldn't have the ideas I do and I certainly wouldn't be able to put them on paper.

However, I keep coming back to the fact that this has been one heck of a year for me. I've let other people read my stuff. What? You mean my writing isn't as excellent as my mom said it was? But I have potential? That's good. Good, good, good...

Critique partners are good, but I have to learn to handle the critiques from them, the contests I enter, the published authors I let read snippets of my work. No one has told me to stop writing. I'm not sure any one would, but I have gotten positive and useful feed back in return and that is what I must concentrate on, not the "I cants, I wonts, I'll never --"

Tonight, while checking email when I should've been writing on the book, I ran across Gina Conroy's blog and this article by Camy Tang on "Conference Confidence." Read it and come back to me.

Wasn't that a good article? I link to Camy, so you should check out the wealth of information she shares on her website. Anyway, my point is that I have been so directed on "pitching" my stories, I'd gotten myself freaked out.

I'm not a person that can block out the stress and write through it. I'm trying to become that person, but right now, I let my worries, both tangible and not, get in the way.

Listen, I know agents and editors are just people. I'm blessed that I will have appointments with folks that share my faith. But to be honest, as I was scarfing down an unmentionable amount of Cheetos Puffs, I was getting worked up for no reason and Camy's contribution on Gina's blog brought me down to earth.

I am a Sophomore writer. (Check out Randy Ingermanson's article to find out what you are.) I am what Randy's paragraph describes. It will be much more useful to me to take my proposal, and simply talk to the editor/agent about it. I'll have a one-liner ready in case someone else asks me what I'm writing.

But I refuse - REFUSE - to get all worked up about some conference and ruin the opportunity in front of me. God willing, I'll make some friends, leave good, lasting impressions, and perhaps an editor or agent will request my work. Seizing these opportunities will help me grow as a writer, and get better.

And so, Draft One begins...

Yep, I started Chapter One of my new MIP.

The MIP's working title is Where He Leads, book one of the Social Circle Chronicles.

BTW, MIP stands for Masterpiece in Progress.

I can say that here, because this is my blog. But this is the only place you'll see me typing that. When on christylashea.blogspot.com, everything I write is an MIP.

Good or not.

That's my rule.

Anyway, I am declaring this because the writing meter has also changed.

I've got 1000 words written so far in Draft One/Chapter One of WHL.

Although I have a heck of a lot of words written between the snowflake of WHL and my GMC charts (which I plan to blog about soon - because these things are great!), this word count is the one that actually counts!

Never mind I've revised the five/six pages about three times. I do plan to move on. Remember, this is my MIP. Making a masterpiece does take time and patience.

Prayers for perseverance are welcome.