Laurie L.C. Lewis's Blog: Bloggin' It Up Here, page 42

STORYMAKER WISDOM GLEANED

Last weekend, like about 500 other published and aspiring authors, I attended a marvelous writing conference sponsored by the LDStorymakers. Packed with high-profile agents, authors and publishers, this event revs the brain, bursts mental blocks, and kicks desire into high gear. Most importantly for me, it brought me back to the basic elements of why and how to write.

Here are some of my personal highlights of the 2011 LDStorymakers Conference wisdom.

1. If you want to be successful, treat your writing like a business--show up for work everyday, give it your best, come to the computer prepared to work. (I get too easily distracted by the Internet. . . and I don't dedicate time just for writing.

2. Know yourself--Write what you know, what you love, what fascinates you. Don't chase every trend. (I have to say I wished I could insert a vampire or two into my books...)

3. Take care of your instruments of writing--your mind, your body, your health. It's all connected. (I know my mood, my well-being and my attitude affect my writing. If I'm having a down day, so will my characters, and that has caused the need for a lot of rewriting. . .)

4. Be nice to everyone because today's aspiring author may well be tomorrow's mega-star. (I met such talented new writers, particularly during bootcamp. Some amazing books are being written and I'm sure you'll hear tremendous buzz about them soon.)

5. Don't gush over people. Elena Johnson, a Simon and Schuster author whose debut novel, Possession, launches this week, reminded us that gushing makes us all uneasy. (I'm prone to gushing . . . but I also know how awkward it is to be on the receiving end.)

6. Be humble and develop grace. (I was reminded of the power of this trait on Saturday. I sat at a table with some ladies I didn't know. Soon a woman and her daughter came and asked if they too could sit. Something came up and they had to leave for a moment. When they returned they were overwhelmingly appreciative that their seats had been saved. After listening to a presentation, she turned and saw my name tag and made a comment about enjoying my books. Not recognizing her name, I assumed she was a new writer. "Do you like historical fiction," I asked? "Oh, yes," she replied. "Are you working on a project now?" I continued. away. "Good luck tonight at the Whitneys . . . I know you're a finalist "Yes," she answered, humbly sharing a few details about her book. Then she blew mein the historical fiction category. I'm up against you . . . I'm Sandra Grey."

"Sandra Grey? Sandra Grey? You're a past winner of a Whitney! Oh my gosh!"

There she sat, quietly attending conference wearing a badge with her real name on it, without any hoopla or recognition, as if she were a new aspiring writer instead of using the successful, award-winning name she is known by. She was perfect grace. And by the way, she won the Whitney again. It was well-deserved.

7. Never stop learning and honing your craft. Dave Wolverton, forty-plus-book author, educator, and screen writer admits that he still sits in on classes at the conferences at which he speaks, still keeps learning. When you think you know it all, you're bound to get stale, which is professional death.

8. Master the basics. I sat in on a variety of classes, and through them all, this truth emerged. Learn the steps to good story-telling: strong conflict, satisfying resolution, great characters, clear expression of tightly-written sentences, proper pacing, and a host of others. But creating great characters your readers will invest in is the key that will buy you some forgiveness in other areas.

9. Work hard to give your "baby some legs." No author loves marketing. In fact, it's the face-front aspect of writing most authors dislike because it can feel awkward and be painful. But in order to give your project the best chance at a strong launch, know the current market and market tools, and work hard.

10. Have thick skin. You will have rejection. If you're writing something groundbreaking, you might face a lot of it before someone catches you vision, but hang in there, don't take it personal no matter how personal it feels, and remember the Godfather theory--"It's only business."

11. Remember to be grateful. No one gets published without help. Everyone owes thanks to someone, and probably many someones--their parents for that education that boosted their skills; the spouse and children who sacrifice lots of time so books can be written, the friends who critique, cheer and dry tears; the editors and publishers who give life to your words and dreams; the readers who place their hard-earned money and trust in your novel; and God who gave your talents in the first place.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

THE "BEES" of SUCCESSFUL WRITING

Last weekend, like about 500 other published and aspiring authors, I attended a marvelous writing conference sponsored by the LDStorymakers. Packed with high-profile agents, authors and publishers, this event revs the brain, bursts mental blocks, and kicks desire into high gear. Most importantly for me, it brought me back to the basic elements of why and how to write.

Here are some of my personal highlights of the 2011 LDStorymakers Conference wisdom.

1. If you want to be successful, treat your writing like a business--show up for work everyday, give it your best, come to the computer prepared to work. (I get too easily distracted by the Internet. . . and I don't dedicate time just for writing.

2. Know yourself--Write what you know, what you love, what fascinates you. Don't chase every trend. (I have to say I wished I could insert a vampire or two into my books...)

3. Take care of your instruments of writing--your mind, your body, your health. It's all connected. (I know my mood, my well-being and my attitude affect my writing. If I'm having a down day, so will my characters, and that has caused the need for a lot of rewriting. . .)

4. Be nice to everyone because today's aspiring author may well be tomorrow's mega-star. (I met such talented new writers, particularly during bootcamp. Some amazing books are being written and I'm sure you'll hear tremendous buzz about them soon.)

5. Don't gush over people. Elena Johnson, a Simon and Schuster author whose debut novel, Possession, launches this week, reminded us that gushing makes us all uneasy. (I'm prone to gushing . . . but I also know how awkward it is to be on the receiving end.)

6. Be humble and develop grace. (I was reminded of the power of this trait on Saturday. I sat at a table with some ladies I didn't know. Soon a woman and her daughter came and asked if they too could sit. Something came up and they had to leave for a moment. When they returned they were overwhelmingly appreciative that their seats had been saved. After listening to a presentation, she turned and saw my name tag and made a comment about enjoying my books. Not recognizing her name, I assumed she was a new writer. "Do you like historical fiction," I asked? "Oh, yes," she replied. "Are you working on a project now?" I continued. away. "Good luck tonight at the Whitneys . . . I know you're a finalist "Yes," she answered, humbly sharing a few details about her book. Then she blew mein the historical fiction category. I'm up against you . . . I'm Sandra Grey."

"Sandra Grey? Sandra Grey? You're a past winner of a Whitney! Oh my gosh!"

There she sat, quietly attending conference wearing a badge with her real name on it, without any hoopla or recognition, as if she were a new aspiring writer instead of using the successful, award-winning name she is known by. She was perfect grace. And by the way, she won the Whitney again. It was well-deserved.

7. Never stop learning and honing your craft. Dave Wolverton, forty-plus-book author, educator, and screen writer admits that he still sits in on classes at the conferences at which he speaks, still keeps learning. When you think you know it all, you're bound to get stale, which is professional death.

8. Master the basics. I sat in on a variety of classes, and through them all, this truth emerged. Learn the steps to good story-telling: strong conflict, satisfying resolution, great characters, clear expression of tightly-written sentences, proper pacing, and a host of others. But creating great characters your readers will invest in is the key that will buy you some forgiveness in other areas.

9. Work hard to give your "baby some legs." No author loves marketing. In fact, it's the face-front aspect of writing most authors dislike because it can feel awkward and be painful. But in order to give your project the best chance at a strong launch, know the current market and market tools, and work hard.

10. Have thick skin. You will have rejection. If you're writing something groundbreaking, you might face a lot of it before someone catches you vision, but hang in there, don't take it personal no matter how personal it feels, and remember the Godfather theory--"It's only business."

11. Remember to be grateful. No one gets published without help. Everyone owes thanks to someone, and probably many someones--their parents for that education that boosted their skills; the spouse and children who sacrifice lots of time so books can be written, the friends who critique, cheer and dry tears; the editors and publishers who give life to your words and dreams; the readers who place their hard-earned money and trust in your novel; and God who gave your talents in the first place.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

GOD BLESS THE USA

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

GETTING MY GAME-FACE ON

I'm in Salt Lake City today, attending the last day of the LDStorymakers' Conference, and enjoying every minute of it. Tonight is the Whitney Banquet where the award-winners will be announced. "Oh, Say Can You See?" is a finalist in the Historical Fiction category, so this year has had an extra bit of fun attached.

I began this visit with family, the same delicious way it will end. My two married sons noticed the changes I had incurred since they last saw me—beauty adjustments I had submitted to in the last week actually, and one thing led to another until a rip-roaring bit of advice from my five-year-old granddaughter sent me racing to a salon for some needed care. Allow me to set things up.
I confess to a certain level of vanity. I do not to go out in public without make-up, I try to avoid obvious color or pattern clashes, and a good hair day is the deal-breaker between being seen in public and hunkering down behind the drapes.

Public functions like weddings, book signings and writing conferences raise the appearance ante, and I respond with the necessary panic to "pull things together." First on the list was my dowdy hair, since my roots were again overtaking the older, chemically-treated strands. Remembering I had a bottle of something under the sink, I decided to delay a trip to the salon while shaving a few dollars off the family budget by dyeing my hair at home. Things turned out just fine, or so I thought, and so I moved on to problem two.

First, I decided that squinting through my wire-frame glasses was a rather glaring sign the time had come for an eye check and new specs. After the eye check, the owner of the practice, a courtly older gentleman with an Israeli accent, sat me down to help me select the perfect frames. He pulled a daring, clunky dark brown pair with pearl arms from the wall. "These will look like jewelry on your face," he said. That day I needed a little above-the-shoulders bling, so I said, "sold."

Three weeks later, the great debate began—will my hair grow out before the conference? Fearing it would, I called the salon. Sadly, my regular stylist wasn't available, so I was booked with "the new girl." Not comforting. . . In the short meantime, I picked up the new funky glasses. Not knowing me, nor my normally sedate style, she tossed the card with my "hair-history" aside, (Yes, we ladies have these.) and proceeded to "give me a better color match."

I assumed she was trying to match the self-treated color which was only mildly darker than normal. Nuh uh. . . She saw a funky pair of glasses and wanted to match my look to that attribute. In fifty-nine minutes I was transformed---to Elvira of Halloween and werewolf fame. There was no time for further correction. The plane was about to fly and with me and this ebony hair and glasses combo.

Interestingly enough, it wasn't the glasses or the funky hair that caught my granddaughter's attention when I arrived in Utah after my five-hour flight.. That evening, perched upon her father's knee she asked, "Why does Grandma have a moustache?" My son, in an effort to alert me to something he thought I'd want to address, shared this conversation with me, and my response? Another race to another salon for the painful lip-waxing.

I should have just gone with a lampshade that really would have solved all my problems.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

A DAY OF GOD AND COUNTRY

I went to bed early and awoke to the news that many Americans had fallen asleep with--Usama Bin Laden is dead, and buried at sea where he cannot be turned into a shrine or a martyr.

The news is spectacular for Americans and the world, and while dozens of questions are already springing up about the timing of last week's shake-up in the US Intelligence community, the Pakistanis' seeming failure to catch the beast hiding in plain sight in a giant mansion/fortress, the success of Gitmo in delivering the key piece of intel, the subsequent delay in putting the pieces together, and the need for vigilance against retaliation--today we celebrate. And posted below are some videos of those celebrations.

Note the icons of America pouring into the streets--the flag, the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner," "American the Beautiful," and "Amazing Grace" on the Firefighters' Scottish pipes. Courts and lawyers may say what they will, but God and Country are inseparable in this
land, and in the moments of great national joy and sorrow, no court can separate the mingling of these founding themes. Enjoy, America!


President Obama

AMERICANS ALL at the WHITE HOUSE

Celebrants at Ground Zero

New York City Fire Fighters at Ground Zer0

Penn State StudentsCopyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

LIFE AND THE SALMON PRINCIPLE

You have to marvel over the grit and dedication of salmon, who will sacrifice all, literally thrusting their bodies against the elements, in order to fulfill the divine call to reproduce. Their reward is often death. You can't write a more tragic tale.

My call to duty may not be as glorious a mission as spawning, but like the salmon who fights against the tumbling flow of water, I too feel I am swimming upstream to fulfill a mission that will ultimately end in my death.

I speak of housework...

Do you not feel it also, the daily press to make some forward progress, to see the goal--a clean house and folded laundry--while recognizing its heartbreaking futility because no matter how hard you swim, there will always be another Oreo-and-milk-smeared glass, another "I-gave-the-dog-a-bath-towel pile, one path of destruction left in the wake of a toddler and a box of Cheerios. You know whereof I speak.

There is no victory in the battle against housework. It never ends unless you no longer have a house in which to work, or clothes to fold, and food to clean up after. Like the folks in parts of Alabama and elsewhere.

But there is joy in offering the gift called homemaking, where instead of fighting the repetitive chores that revolve around caring for a family, we embrace the fact that disorder is the result of being blessed, and the idea that organizing the disorder is a cycle and not a war.

Yep, I feel like a salmon most days, picking up the same socks, washing the same dishes, scrubbing the same sinks, but today I'm grateful to have socks, and sinks and dishes, and lots of other things.

We're all praying for Alabama and North Carolina and the rest of the affected cities and their people. They need our help. Dig deep.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

WRITING BY INSPIRATION

Each of us are born with God-given gifts. Some of our gifts are visible--we can paint, or sing, or build, or teach, or run, or write. Some of our gifts are not visible to physical eye, but they can be "seen" by those who take the time, and care enough to notice--traits such as compassion, the hunger to learn, the ability to see the good in others, to love and receive love, and a host more come to mind.

Some gifts we recognize easily. Some we have to develop. I think we all have far more than we believe we do, but whether stifled through fear, or lack of encouragement, we never get around to nurturing them. Writing is often one of these. I've hardly met a person who hasn't said they have a story they want to write. I wish they would. I wish everyone would, even if just to see where that inspiration leads. And if the finished product is shared only with their family, what an inspiration it can be to them, encouraging children and grandchildren to pursue a dream.

Inspiration plays a big part in writing, not only in finding the courage to begin, but in the small details of plotting, character development, dialogue, etc. What will the primary conflict be? Who will my hero or heroine be? What will they do in this situation or that? Even a child can fill in the blanks and create a story. Higher levels of artistic accomplishment require good tools and skills as well, learned from study and sometimes through painful editorial experience. But the highest level of literary achievement occurs when a writer knows the answer to a few critical questions--What do I want to say? Why does it matter to my readers?

Lately, these questions have been tugging at my heart like a four-hundred pound bulldog. I've always known exactly where this last book in the Free Men and Dreamers series was heading, and I have wrestled with the voices trying to send it off on another path. But not any more.

I'm following the inner voice of inspiration. The wrestle is past. I passed on some other opportunities because this path is going to take some more research, muscle, and time, and I now feel incredibly peaceful. It's coming along well, and I'm writing happily again. This is exciting. This is energizing.

I hope you'll enjoy the last leg of the journey with me.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

SHE BROKE THE TELEVISION FIRST. . . . .

It's nearly Mother's Day and beach season, so we're re-releasing

"Awakening Avery"

my 2010, Whitney Award-nominated women's novel.

"She broke the television first. . . "


Every woman grieves differently.


Avery is figuring it out as she goes.


"Awakening Avery" is a quirky, tender, chuckle-out-loud, grab-a-hankie type of read. It's my personal favorite of all my books. But listen to what others have said about it:

"I loved this book! I laughed and cried and can't wait to try the pancakes! The characters give great insight to obstacles we all face in one way or another. This book is a lesson manual for overcoming challenges with a splash of fun!"
Susan Fisher

"This is an amazing story of one woman's journey for peace after losing her husband too early. I laughed and I cried. It is an incredible journey of healing and love. Take a break from your life for 344 pages of travel from Utah, to Baltimore, Maryland to Sarasota, Florida and follow the adventures Avery experiences in learning to love again."
Valerie Steimle -

It's one of those books that really makes a person think. Love it!
Nichole Giles

"I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It's an LDS story with LDS values, great lessons and the kind of far-reaching lessons that touch lives."
Heather Justeson -

"A heart warming and very emotionally driven book. There are many feelings that are brought up in the reader as this novel progresses. I was hooked from the very first page."
Sheila Staley of the LDSWBR-

"Awakening Avery is a thought provoking book that will tug at your heartstrings . . . a novel unlike any other I've read, and I highly recommend it."
Kimberly Job -

"Vivid and compelling . . . a beautifully written story full of rich language . . . It carries some beautiful messages of love, forgiveness and family. . ."
Alison Palmer -

"Laurie has a way of moving readers to laughter, tears, and deep pondering. I recommend Awakening Avery one hundred percent. Let Florida's sea air transport you to a place where life's darkest shadows eventually get blown away."
Anne Bradshaw -

I hope you'll pick up a copy. I'd love to hear from you!


"AWAKENING AVERY" is available at
Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Sometimes it's nice to focus on what's great in the world, a one little child shows how a little compassion, and a great idea can make a difference.

When Nick Jr. featured a piece on how kids could help the suffering people of Japan, Adriana Scott, age 5, took it to heart and made a plan to hold a cupcake sale to sell 100 cupcakes a $2.00 a piece.

A Facebook page was set up to advertise, and Ravens linebacker, Ray Rice heard about her project, and then things really took off.

Judi Stull, a friend of Adrianna's mother and a volunteer baker, said of the event, "All of the cake mixes and frosting were donated, the fire hall, the DJ, the prizes, everything was donated by people wanting to help. I haven't heard a final count yet but they had raised over $600 BEFORE they even sold one cupcake."

Judi and many others donated 100 cupcakes to help Adriana meet the orders pouring in.


You can read the rest of the story and enjoy the heart-warming photos on the web site of the local paper, The Glen Burnie Patch, who name little Adriana Scott the Patch Whiz Kid of the Week.

I'm sure they'll still welcome cash donations for anyone who would like to multiply this project. Visit her page at Cupcake Rescue for the Children of Japan.



Making great history is better than reading about the old stuff. Way to go, Adriana!Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

LOVE AND THE ECONOMY OF GOD

Eleven years ago a baby was born in circumstances that appeared to stack the entire world against him--born deaf, without eyes, and with a severe cleft palette that left a large gaping orifice where his mouth should be. Doctors gave the parents a grim prognosis for the child's survival, but these were no ordinary parents, and the doctors didn't know that all the missing and weak parts of his body were balanced out by an enormous will and heart.

Other medical problems were revealed over time, but in the ultimate economy of God, this very special child was sent to parents with equally enormous hearts and wills, who also possessed technology and computer savvy. This became crucial as the many machines and medical technologies required to sustain their son during those early months rolled in and out of their home and through many hospital doors. When no one else could determine a diagnosis for the many diverse challenges their son faced, his mommy headed to the Internet and researched until she found her own answer which the specialists then confirmed. In another great demonstration of the economy of God, this child was born in an area with some of the best pediatric hospitals in the world, and with family near the others they needed.

Special texture-rich blankets were made that rattled and crinkled to stimulate his active senses. His world was filled with textures and toys that encouraged the development of his remarkbale intellect while his mother and father sought out ground-breaking treatments for his blindness and hearing loss. Soon, he was fitted with a Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid so he could hear, and within months he was speaking. I remember the first Knock-Knock joke he told me. He now plays about seven musical instruments and is composing symphonies, and writing poetry.

The world is his oyster, because if he can dream it, and it can be fulfilled, it is. His parents have helped him host parades in the front yard with loving aunts, garden tractors, pets and musical instruments in tow. At Christmas, this child who cannot eat solid food, still bakes cookies. One year the Christmas Cookie project was an alphabet train. There is music and learning everywhere in this house, and so much humor and love.

When the Primary children at Church performed their annual program, there he was, front and center, singing and accompanying his peers on the violin, and when this young man prepared for baptism, the support from extended family and friends was tremendous.

I'm going to help his mom write his biography one day. It's needful. His parents are a lighthouse to other moms and dads receiving a painful diagnosis about a medically-challenged child. Their story illustrates how boundless love and support can break through the ceiling of expectations for any child. It's more than inspiring.

My special friend is having some new challenges today. His parents put out a call to their tight circle for prayers for their boy. I've withheld their names to protect their privacy, but please pray for this special young man. God will hear your petition for this anonymous angel and apply your faith to his good. You see, God knows this boy very well, as He does each of His children.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)