Becky Wade's Blog, page 122

The Next Book

I’m in between novels at the moment, and searching for inspiration. After writing 29 books, I sometimes feel like I’ve used every storyline, every setting, and every plot device there is. I’m certainly not ready to retire, but what do I write about next?

As I faced the blank computer screen, casting about for ideas—life happened. My life.

This past month our family suffered a huge loss when my husband’s sister, Marion, passed away after a short illness. She lived nearby, so we were able to say our goodbyes and tell her how much we loved her, but it didn’t make it any easier. Ken is the youngest of six children and Marion was his last remaining sibling. She was also one of the most positive, joy-filled, loving people I have ever met, in spite of the fact that she didn’t have an easy life. Everyone who knew her loved her and wanted to be around her. I will miss her stories, her laughter, her beautiful perspective on life. We know she received a joyful welcome in heaven, yet we can’t help feeling sorrow and grief at her loss.

But even as we grieve, we also have a reason to rejoice. A few days from now, we will celebrate our oldest son’s marriage to a beautiful woman who already has become a daughter to us. She brings a young son into our family, a sweet, new grandson who we also love as our own. We feel God’s face shining down on all of us.

Three years ago, our son suffered through the most difficult, painful season of his life. Ken and I felt helpless as we watched him suffer. All we could do was stand alongside him and pray for him—to a Heavenly Father who also knows human suffering and a parent’s grief. My neighbor, who is also my prayer partner, prayed for him on her morning walks as she passed by our house. One morning she texted me a verse that God had given her for our son:

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings.”

I looked up the context and read the second half of the verse: “And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2).

It seemed impossible, unbelievable, at the time. But as it turned out, our son’s night of darkness drew him closer to God, giving him a deeper relationship than ever before in his life. Now, as I see him with his new bride-to-be and young son, I see the fulfillment of that verse.

This—all of this—is what I need to write about next. Life! Life with its joys and sorrows, grief and laughter. Life with friends and family members who share all of it with us. Life with our good and loving God who never leaves us or forsakes us. I need to write authentic stories of people just like me, showing the hard parts of life in a fallen world, never pretending that pain doesn’t exist. But also showing the joy that a life lived with God can bring. Yes, life is hard . . . but God is good. And He loves us more than we can ever imagine. I still don’t have a plot or a setting for my next book, but no matter what I decide on, I want my story to burst at the seams with hope. Hope in the joy of heaven, which Marion is now experiencing. Hope in a Savior who can turn our tears into laughter and make us leap like a newborn calf with life and joy.

Inspired by Scripture

This Sunday feature is brought to you by ClashVerseoftheDay.com. You may sign up to receive a beautiful photo with Scripture in your inbox each morning or view the verse each day online.

How to Overcome Writer’s Block When All Else Fails

I recently got an email from Emma who asked for advice on how to overcome writer’s block.

She said: “I get writers block a bit, and I can never work on just one book at a time… I have to have many so that when I do get a slump on one, I can work on another. But I’d like to change that… Yet, everything I’ve tried doesn’t really work that well.”

Let me just say this upfront, Emma, you are NOT alone! Many writers experience this debilitating, demoralizing, and daunting disease. (Alliteration, anyone?)

We’ve all been blocked at one time or another. We reach a point where the words don’t flow, the story isn’t jiving, or our characters seem dead.

No matter how hard we try, we can’t muster enthusiasm for continuing. Or even if we work on the story, each word we type feels like we’ve hit a brick wall and can’t get past it.  

How do we overcome such a slump? How do we climb over the wall?

The beating-writer’s-block-advice out there in writing-land is bountiful and wonderful. TONS of ideas are available that can help get our creative juices flowing, pinpoint plot hold-ups, and breathe life back into our characters. We can and should utilize such exercises.

But what if the advice doesn’t help? Like Emma said, even after attempting everything, too often we feel like we’re still failing to make progress. What should we do then?

I can only tell you what I do. And let me tell you, it’s worked for me  EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. for the 40+ books I’ve written.

Here’s my method, the one that allows me to write multiple books a year without fail: When I begin the first draft of a novel, I set a daily word count, and I force myself to meet that goal NO MATTER WHAT.

Yep, it’s that easy. And that hard.

My daily word counts have varied depending on my life stage. When I first started writing, I gave myself the goal of 500 words a day (for 5 or 6 days a week). That was manageable when I had five kids under the age of eight.

Now that my youngest is almost sixteen and very independent, I can give myself a much bigger daily goal.

The point, however, is that I force myself to meet my goal. Even if I have to write crap to get the words down. Even if I have to sit in my chair for hours beyond when I thought I’d be done because the story is flowing SO slowly. Even if I have a million interruptions. Even if I’m a zombie. Even if life is crashing down around me.

I’ve learned I can’t wait for perfect conditions to write. I just have to sit down and start putting words on the paper no matter how good or bad they are.

I cherish the days the words flow really well because it doesn’t happen often. Most days, I scale the brick wall numerous times. But after jumping the hurdles for so long, my muscles are stronger, the climb gets easier, and the delays don’t last quite as long.

My advice in a nutshell: Stick to it. Write those words. And don’t stop until you meet your goal.

What other advice do you have for anyone struggling with writer’s block?

Bookish Delights

Ever since I was a pre-schooler, books have filled me with delight. Walking into a library or bookstore filled me with wonder as a child, and I still get that same adrenaline rush as an adult.

With all the responsibilities of adulthood, I find I don’t have as much time to read as I would like, so I compensate by surrounding myself with other bookish delights.

I collect Willow Tree figurines, and these two were some of the first I added to my collection. In fact, the sitting figure is the one that got me hooked on collecting them in the first place. A former supervisor gave it to me as a gift, and now I have dozens decorating my shelves in my office and home.

My husband knows he can always make me smile with bookish clothing. I have a wonderful assortment of bookish socks and t-shirts. These are the latest to be added to my collection from my birthday in May. When I’m writing at home, I often strategically select an appropriate pair of book socks to give me added inspiration and motivation.

Even my hobbies are more exciting when I can work a bookish angle into them. We typically do at least one or two family puzzles a year (although I end up doing the majority of the piecing), and my favorites are always the ones that feature books in some way. This was one of my favorites from a couple years ago.

My favorite hobby (besides reading, of course), is cross stitching. These projects take much longer to complete, but I find myself drawn to book-related patterns, whether they be smaller projects like the bookmark or larger projects like the medieval maiden called The Reader.

What are some of your favorite Bookish Delights?

Top Summer Picks

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE to travel. In fact, we’re heading today down to the Outer Banks for ten wonderful days of sun, sand, family, and reading. I can’t wait!

From our last beach trip in November 2020

It’ll be my first vacation since I signed the contract for my debut novel nearly a decade ago, that I’ve taken a vacation off. Normally, I’m up early, writing before my family wakes for the day. Then I’ll write while we’re on the beach here and there. Not this year.

This year, I’m making the intentional choice to not write at all. The only thing I’m taking is a notebook in case any daydreams or ideas hit, and I want to jot them down. Instead of spending time writing, I’m just going to squishy my toes in the sand, swim in the sea, soak up some sun and read.

I’m ecstatic. I finally get to make a dent in my To-Be-Read pile. And, this may surprise you, but I really, really love reading clean YA. They are fun, quirky, adorable and sigh-worthy.

This year I’m bringing Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock and The Upside of Falling by Alex Light. They are both new-to-me authors and I’m excited to check their stories out.

In addition, I always have an audiobook going and a non-fiction read. It was a tough choice as there are so many wonderful audiobooks out there, but I’ve chosen Becky Wade’s Then Came You: A Bradford Sisters Novella.

My non-fiction choice is proving the elusive one. Does anyone have a book that you recommend? I’m wide open to suggestions.

Thanks, friends!

Question for you: How do you like to take your books on vacation? Kindle, paperback or audio? Any books you’re planning for vacation reads?

Blessings,
Dani

A Day at the Beach—Regency style

It’s summertime here in the northern hemisphere. If you’re having hot, sunny weather where you live as well, perhaps you’ve cooled off with a visit to the beach. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the beach myself. Not in reality, but in researching a future novel set on the English seaside.

I’m guessing some of you may have watched the fairy recent miniseries, Sanditon (based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel). And if you have, you’ve already gotten a taste of the Regency seaside.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, more people bathed in the sea for the sake of their health than for pleasure, as sea bathing was reported to be useful in curing varying ailments.

No person could be really well…without spending at least six weeks by the sea every year. The sea air and sea bathing together were nearly infallible…for every disorder of the stomach, the lungs or the blood. Nobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing–fortifying and bracing.”

—Jane Austen, Sanditon

Seaside resorts became popular along the coasts and fashionable spa towns developed, which drew invalids and tourists alike. Often resort towns had separate beaches or bathing areas for men and women, in part because men usually swam wearing no clothing at all. (I know this might sound scandalous to some, but only 40 years ago when my husband was in school, guys swam au naturel during P.E. class!)

Bathing machines at Sidmouth, Devon circa 1815

To preserve ladies’ modesty, vehicles called “bathing machines” were invented. These four-wheeled enclosed wagons had doors on either end and were like mobile dressing rooms.

Ladies would enter through one door fully dressed, take off their clothing and change into shapeless bathing costumes without being seen by those on the beach. Meanwhile, the wagon was drawn, usually by horse, into the sea.  Once deep enough in the surf, the bather would exit the wagon using the door facing the water.

..the bather descending from the machine by a few steps is concealed from the public view, whereby the most refined female is enabled to enjoy the advantages of the sea with the strictest delicacy.”

—Margate Kent, 1805

Some machines even had a “modesty hood,” like a tent that could be lowered over the female bather, to shield her from prying gazes.

Since many people were inexperienced swimmers, a dipper—a strong person of the same sex—would escort the bather into sea. For a fee, the dipper would even dunk the person under the water, and eventually help them out again, exhausted and wet.

Now, doesn’t that sound like a relaxing day at the beach?

How are you keeping cool this summer?

Fun Interviews (and a Book to Win)

Since in-person conferences, book signings, and other gatherings have been so slim (to none!) this past year, it’s been extra fun to be part of some Zoom interviews recently.

Yesterday, my Books & Brew interview with author Andrew Huff went live on YouTube. Andy is such a fun interviewer, and his special feature of sharing a cup of his guest’s favorite coffee or tea while we chat is just short of brilliant. Plus, it was fun for me to get to sing the praises of a favorite local coffee shop with viewers!

My coffee bar was a fun backdrop for my conversation with Andrew Huff of Books & Brew. Click on the image to watch our Books & Brew chat! Click on the image above for more info on Andrew’s books. It was fun to give a shout-out for my favorite local coffee shop and coffee roaster, Red Banner in Cape Girardeau, MO!

Earlier this summer I got to visit with our own Cara Putman via her Book Talk feature. Cara is a fellow extrovert so we had no trouble thinking of things to talk about. She does such a great job with her chats and it was a delight to visit with her.

You all know our Cara but click on the image above to learn even more about Cara and her books.

I want to share a copy of Bridges—my newest novel and the first original indie offering from Raney Day Press—with one of our great readers here at Inspired by Life…and Fiction! All you need to do to enter this giveaway is comment on this post. I’ll choose one winner at random and announce it here tomorrow. (Be sure to check back and see if it is YOUR name I drew!)

Inspired by Scripture

This Sunday feature is brought to you by ClashVerseoftheDay.com. You may sign up to receive a beautiful photo with Scripture in your inbox each morning or view the verse each day online.

Who will roll the stone away?

Today, I thought I’d share a passage of scripture that never fails to encourage me… in the hope that it might encourage you, too.

In Mark 15:40-41 we learn that some of the women who’d followed Jesus and cared for his needs were present at his crucifixion, including Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and Salome).

Later, in Mark 16:1, we catch up with the two women again. “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus body.” Anointing a dead body wasn’t about embalming, which wasn’t practiced by the Jews. Anointing was about respect, love, devotion. They were going to the tomb because they felt called to care for Him, as they had done when He was alive. Clearly, they did not expect His resurrection. But they were still loyal. Still intent on serving Him.

“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?'” Mark 16:2

Excellent question, right?

The stone likely weighed 1-2 tons and rested in a depression that kept it in place. Not to mention, we know that the tomb was guarded. How were these two women going to roll the stone away so they could accomplish their task? Given the magnitude of this obstacle and my practical nature, I suspect I might have said, “No one will roll the stone away. We can’t get to Him. We might as well turn back.” I like to receive answers to my “How is this going to work?” questions before I proceed.

The women received no answers. Only doubt and uncertainty. Even so, despite the enormity of the challenge, they continued forward in obedience. And this is what they found….

“…they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:4-7

Because of the women’s faithfulness, they were given the tremendous honor (recorded centuries later in scripture) of entering Jesus’s empty tomb and interacting with an angel.

Matthew 28:8-9 tells us, “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.”

They were the first to see and experience the risen Christ.

Oh, the grace Jesus showed these two women!

My takeaways from the passages:

I won’t always receive an explanation of “how”. My task is simply to follow what I hear Him calling me to do, regardless of my doubt or the perceived obstacles.What He reveals to us about our goal might not display the full picture. The women thought their goal was to anoint His dead body. Because they set out to do that, they instead found themselves clasping the feet of his resurrected body. His plans surpassed their own.He didn’t make a way for them to accomplish their task before they left the place where they were staying. They had to go and do in order to realize His will. My job is to release to God the things only He can do… like the rolling of stones.

The women asked, “Who will roll the stone away?”

In the end, God’s answer was, I will.

Let’s keep showing up with our spices, ladies. When we face obstacles in the path of our calling and cry out, “Who will roll this stone away?” may we continually trust Him enough to hear the answer.

I will.

A Trip without a Laptop

There once was an author who forgot how to live without her laptop. She began to feel like she needed to have it with her all the time…just in case. And that small laptop became a weight that reminded her all the time what she SHOULD be doing.

Then this author realized she was exceptionally bad at taking a break. Even when she traveled overseas she had a job: teaching in study abroad, giving a presentation at a conference, or leading a group of young adults.

Late last month, she made a last minute decision to leave that laptop behind…

Arch Rock

and she exhaled…

At one of her favorite escapes…

With some of her favorite people.

The infamous bike ride

However, she did have her phone, so she played with Instagram reels. Her family loves riding their bikes around the island — it’s 8.2 miles. That became this fun reel (Is it fun if she calls it fun?):

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A post shared by legal suspense author (@caracputman)

After two days on the island as a family, (there were just a few of them!)…

Everyone went their separate ways. Three cars went across the bridge to the Upper Peninsula and then down into Wisconsin and beyond, while the last car continued home to Indiana. On the way that car stopped at Sleeping Bear Dunes, where the author took these photos.

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A post shared by legal suspense author (@caracputman)

When she arrived home, she was ready to get back to work, refreshed from a week away. Now her hope is to remember the joy of a real break from work.

I know you’ve guessed the author is me. Do you find it hard to walk away from work too? What do you do to better manage that? And because I can’t take you with me to Mackinac Island, I want to giveaway a couple copies of the ebook I wrote that’s set on the island. Consider it a vacation in a book. You can learn more about Deadly Secrets on Mackinac Island here.

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