Jen Cudmore's Blog, page 30
January 27, 2014
8 Essential Tools A Writer Must Keep On Hand
Learning to be a good writer is essential to a becoming a successful author. But what tools must be available when we sit down to write? I believe in being organized and prepared. Here are some items I feel are essential for every writer and must be kept on hand!
1) A good thesaurus and dictionary. There will be numerous moments where you’ll need a better explanation for what you’re trying to say. These resources will keep the story diverse and fresh.
2) A grammar book. I’m not sure there’s anyone who knows every grammar rule, but knowing the rules is a key aspect in writing a book. Many publishers prefer the Chicago Manual of Style. I use a small book called Write and Wrong by Marth
y Johnson.
3) A reliable computer of some kind. This may go without saying, but I figured I’d throw it on my list. You need something dependable. The first thing my husband did when I decided to write was purchase a good computer. I also have a laptop I can take with me when we travel or when I have to wait around for my kids, like at a competition.
4) A good software program. From what I can tell, most professionals prefer Microsoft Word because it has many editing features, but I’ve seen authors use other programs.
5) A travel-size notebook (or small voice recorder). Inspiration can strike anywhere, and you must be ready to jot some notes. One day I was sitting in church when a thought hit and I quickly had to write it down for later! If you’re like me, you have too many ideas to keep track of, so a notebook or recording device is quite helpful.
6) Plenty of writing utensils. I keep multiple pens in my purse because somehow I manage to lose them and there’s noting more frustrating than having an idea and not being able to make a note. I also keep about ten pens and half a dozen highlighters on my desk. I like to do things in color; assigning meaning to each of them helps me stay organized.
7) A ready environment. Other than physical items, I need a quite place to work and I have to have music. If I’m upstairs, I keep the door shut to block out noise. If I’m downstairs, I make sure the family and the pets are all occupied to they won’t bother me. I heard of one author who lights a candle to get creativity to flow through her brain. Figure out what works for you.
8) A binder/organizer. For each series I’ve written, I have a notebook where I keep various important items for quick reference.
+ Main character profiles: A best-selling author who visited Alaska showed me a profile sheet she created which lists out several details to reference back to once you start writing. I plan to explain this in specific detail in a few weeks, so stay tuned!
+ A list of character names: Because I write multiple stories in each series, I need a list to keep track of all the characters. I type it up and print it out, updating it every few months as needed.
+ A list of possible names to choose from: I write historical novels, so I’m always looking for names that fit the time periods. For example, for the Viking series I am currently working on, I made a list of old Scandinavian names. When it comes time to add another character, I have a quick reference sheet close by.
+ Historical details: I keep a folder in the back of my notebook with specific historical details I may need to reference. For example, in my second Viking novel, I need to know exactly when Olaf Trygvasson was killed and when Sven Forkbeard ruled Denmark because it ties into the story. So I have an outline of real life events. I also keep an article I found with Viking food items, so I can reference that when I talk about cooking or eating meals.
+ Maps of the area: For me to keep my dimensions correct, I like to have maps nearby so I can make sure I’m calculating distances correctly. Plus, I may need to reference a specific item, such as the name of a city or river.
+ Calender: In order to keep track of where my characters have been and how much time has passed between each chapter, I keep a calender of events. I jot down each scene in pencil, so I can erase it and move it later if it doesn’t fit the timeline.
For me, all of these items are essential to a positive, productive writing experience. Is there something you just have to have nearby?
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©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
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January 25, 2014
3 Fantastic Webites I Now Contribute To!
I knew 2014 would be another big year, but I wasn’t expecting this!
I’m now a contributor to 3 fantastic sites and I wanted to share with you a little bit about each one. Go check them out – I’m sure you’ll be blessed!
First is Under the Cover of Prayer, a site established by Janis Cox. She said her desire is”for God to help us express to others how they can connect with the Father through prayer; to build a community of those who want to learn more about this relationship with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (I’ll be contributing one post per month on the topic of prayer.)
Real Christian Wives is a site established by a woman named Lara. Her goal is “To offer a place for Christian wives to come and learn, grow, read relatable content from REAL wives like them, and find support. We are here to be REAL with our readers, and to share our good, bad, ugly, and everything in between… However, no matter how real we get, the goal will ALWAYS be to grow closer to God, seek His Will, and bring glory to His Name.” (I’ll be contributing one post per month based on the theme they’ve set.)
I’m also a part of Moms of Faith, a site also founded by Lara. It’s a “place where Christian Moms and wives can come together to support one another, pray for each other, and build relationships with other like minded women. The goal of Moms of Faith is to provide a place for spiritual growth and discipleship from the garden to the kitchen, and throughout the entire home. It is our calling as Christian Moms to bring glory to our Daddy in Heaven through every area of our lives, even “Mount Wash-Me!” (I’ll be contributing two posts a month about either parenting or general life as a woman.)
January 24, 2014
New Series from HHP: San Francisco Wedding Planner
Helping Hands Press asked me to join with five other authors to do another ebook series! You’ll experience a little fun and light romance as Heather Donovan struggles to keep all her clients, and business associates, happy. She’s so busy helping others plan the most magical wedding, she doesn’t have time for a romance of her own. But is she truly happy being alone?
Other Main Characters:
Gloria Donovan – Heather’s mother who spends half her time chasing men of all ages and the other half trying to find a man to catch her busy daughter’s eye.
Raul Tate – The administrative assistant whose Metro ways sometimes cause trouble for those at the office – and for his brother.
Bryan Tate MD – Raul’s brother, a tall/dark/handsome orthopedic surgeon, who recently moved back to town to be closer to his family.
Indigo D. Crane – The eccentric photographer Heather prefers to deal with who is still waiting to be discovered as a true artist.
Mario –Playboy extraordinaire, Mario is a chef by day and often caters weddings for Heather’s clients.
Skye Jansen – Heather’s best friend since high school and biggest cheerleader- when she’s not busy with her children or trying to save the planet from PCBs, MSG, and all things chemical or artificial.
This project is a bit different than others I’ve done because it’s in three parts.
Part one: We each write one volume, a short story of about 10,000 words.
Part two: We each pick a character to focus on and tell some of their backstory.
Part three: We write another volume to wind down the plot and end the series.
Volume 1: The Initial Consultation will be released next month!
©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to my blog or email newsletter on the right side of the page!
January 23, 2014
Motivation for Following the Dream: Part 2, Stay Inspired
Achieving a goal take perseverance. The road to success isn’t quick or easy. You’ll have days when you feel like giving up. But remember that attitude is everything. You can’t rely on your feelings to guide you.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some tips for sticking to your strategy. Staying motivated can be tricky. You must be intentional. I’ll give you 4 tips to keep motivated. Stick with it – don’t quit!
In Part 1, we discussed Staying Organized.
Stay Inspired: Successful people are passionate about life.
+ Go outdoors; get some fresh air and exercise to clear your head. On the weekends in the summer I like to go for walks with my best friend down on the coastal trail. The ocean air is quite rejuvenating.
+ Find what music, movies, or books motivate you and then focus on them often. Some forms of entertainment are meant to raise your spirits while others can cause you to be depressed. If you’re getting discouraged, force yourself to listen to uplifting music of some kind, songs about achieving your dream or something fun. Watch a movie or read a book about someone who overcame the odds. If you focus on entertainment that brings you down, you’ll find it harder to reach your dream.
+ Surround yourself with encouraging people; develop a support system. When you have others saying you can do it, it boosts your determination to succeed.
+ Look at beautiful things (flower gardens, the ocean or waterfalls, statues or sculptures, paintings, etc.) Family vacations are very refreshing for me because of the beautiful scenery of the Oregon or Hawaiian coasts.
+ Pin up quotes or artwork in your living space. Find what inspires you and put it somewhere you will see it often. In high school I taped quotes and Bible verses in my locker. When I started writing, I did the same to my desk.
My favorite quote came from my editor, and I had it posted for 2 years on my wall: “Sigh. Such a delightful ending. I’ll be thinking about it all day, that’s for sure. And YOU, my friend, are a writer. A writer is not someone who can write, a writer is someone who can rewrite. And you’ve done it! The book is much, much stronger, much tighter, flows so smoothly. I am impressed and proud. For sure!”
©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to my blog or email newsletter on the right side of the page!
January 22, 2014
2014 Prayer: Renewing My Mind
Theme: Strengthening Faith
“Like the men & women in the Bible, I come before You, God, with an attitude of humility, forgiveness, obedience, sincerity, purity & joy. Because You’ve given me divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor 10:2-4), I cut off all ungodly thoughts, feelings, expectations, attitudes, ideas, desires, & beliefs, that I may not conform to the ways of the world.
Instead, transform me by strengthening my faith & renewing my mind with Your truth (Rom 12:1-2). I bind my mind to Christ, that I may capture each thought & make it obedient to Him (2 Cor 10:4-5). Don’t let me be deceived by the lies of the enemy, the world, or my old nature.”
January 21, 2014
Review by Kitty: Left Behind – The Vanishing
Summary: Keep in mind this is the first book in the series so it is mainly about the characters and their story. With that being said, the characters, along with there story are well-developed and very relatable. The book follows four kids with there own perspective on Christianity. As you read the rest of the book you can see how each kid deals with the vanishing of Christians in there own environment.
What I liked about the story: It gives you a personal view of each kids perspective and how they deal with the vanishing. As you read, it keeps you wondering how many of us would be just like these four kids.
What I liked about the writing: It was a easy read, while still captivating with the events of the vanishing. this book will have you flipping through pages like there’s no tomorrow.
Review by Kitty, age 16
Summary from Goodreads: In one shocking moment millions around the globe disappear. Those left behind face an uncertain future–especially four kids who now find themselves alone. As the kids search for help and for answers, they are told the truth behind the disappearances. But are they ready to believe it?
January 20, 2014
Alert: My Novel Willow Ridge is coming soon!
It’s finally time for the release of my next story! Willow Ridge: Volume 1 will be available in only ten days! This is the next portion of the romantic western series The Lawmen of Clayton County.
These stories are set in the Pacific Northwest just after the Great Migration across the Oregon Trail, when settlers began populating the Willamette Valley and spreading out across the territory. I scrunched the fictitious Clayton County between modern day Skamania and Klickitat counties. The series focuses on three small towns and the settlers’ attempt to create a structure of laws and justice.
In Athena Creek Volume 1 & 2, you met Marshal Trace Ingram, who fought to keep a controlling businessman from murdering innocent people to get his way.
In Willow Ridge, you’ll meet Barrett Walcott, a man on the run from the law in California.
Summary: While hiding from the law in Willow Ridge, a small trapping town suddenly made famous by the discovery of gold, Barrett Walcott develops a reputation of being someone the townsfolk can all count in times of need. But Willow Ridge isn’t the simple community it used to be, and Amelia O’Conner, a long time resident, is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the influx of miners. The only unmarried white female in the area, she’s displeased with the current prospects for husbands, until two male visitors catch her interest.
Raised in a nearby Indian village, Morning Rain feels trapped by an arranged marriage. After the death of her father, she decides to learn more about the culture of the white man, her father’s people. Over time, she grows more confused over whether to return to her Indian family or stay in town with her uncle and Amelia, as well as Barrett – if he chooses to stay. Barrett lives in fear that his new friends will discover his past, and the stolen money he’s hiding in his saddlebags. When Barrett’s past finally catches up with him, putting the townsfolk in danger, can Barrett protect them, earn their forgiveness, and finally be free from the mistakes of his past?
For an excerpt of the prologue, click here.
©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to my blog or email newsletter on the right side of the page!
January 16, 2014
Interview with Author Melanie Dickerson
Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany, and the Eastern European country of Ukraine. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Romance Writers of America, she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.
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What are some themes you worked into your books? I like to write about God’s love and the fact that he has a good plan for each of us. If we trust him and do what he says, things naturally go better for us. I also write about learning to believe in yourself and to fight for yourself and those you love.
What is your most effective platform-building tool—Facebook, blog, Pinterest, twitter? Why? I really enjoy Facebook, so that is the one I spend the most time on. I’m afraid to join Pinterest! I also stay away from games for the same reason, which is that I’m afraid I’ll spend way too much time on it! I have a blog, but I don’t post very much on it. I’m on Twitter too, but I don’t entirely understand its appeal. It’s hard to confine myself to so few words!
Do you have a word (or words) of wisdom to pass on to other writers? I received 32 rejections for The Healer’s Apprentice before it was accepted by Zondervan, and it was not the first book I wrote. You must be willing to receive criticism and to use it to make you better. Hard work and perseverance are a necessity for success in this business. And even more than those things, you need a tender heart toward God, willing to be humble and listen to his leading, praying without ceasing, and believing that God will work it all out for your good.
What do you think makes a good story? A good story makes the reader feel something, and makes the reader take the journey along with the main character. The story leaves a strong impression and helps the reader to ask themselves what they can learn from the story and the character’s own lessons.
Where does your inspiration come from? My inspiration comes from fairy tales and from my favorite stories in literature and favorite movies. I also pray for inspiration. Most of the time, I have no idea where my inspiration comes from. Ha!
Do you use your own experiences from real life in your books? Very rarely. Mainly, my own experiences provide me with the emotions to be able to imagine how my characters will react to different situations and what their emotions will be.
What projects are you working on now? At the moment I am finishing up my Frog Prince story, which is supposed to come out next October. The heroine is Margaretha, the sister of my last two heroes (the Fairest Beauty and the Healer’s Apprentice), and the hero is the grandson of Annabel and Ranulf, from the Merchant’s Daughter. I have a couple more fairy tale re-tellings in the works, as well as two other series that I’m working on.
January 15, 2014
2014 Prayers: God’s Plan and Purpose for Me
Theme: Success
“God, today I press toward the mark of your high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13). I choose to fully cooperate with Your plan & purpose for my life. I greet this day with great anticipation of the good things prepared in advance for me to do (Eph 2:10).
I bind my feet to the narrow road & the path You’ve ordained for me to walk – may I not be distracted by anything insignificant to my destiny. Order my steps according to Your Word, that I may accomplish Your plan for me in Your timing.
Bring the people & resources needed to accomplish Your plan in my life (Eph 2:10). May I be adaptable & flexible when necessary, and act without hesitation, anxiety, or fear. I declare that I won’t grow weary of doing good (Gal 6:9) & will proceed with Your plan without complaint (Phil 2:14). This is a new year – let Your will be done in my life!”
©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to my blog or my email newsletter on the right side of the page!
January 14, 2014
New Posts for 2014: Weekly Prayers of Faith
I’m excited to share a new blog category with you! Last year God taught me to go deeper with my prayer life. I compiled a prayer list of specific items that I felt He wanted me to focus on over the course of the year.
I also studied several Christian leaders to better understand what God expects from our prayers. My inspirations were influenced by James MacDonald, John Bevere, Vicki Courtney, Charles Stanley, Liberty Savard, Cindy Trimm, Stormy O’Martian, Joyce Meyer, Mark & Patti Virkler and a few others. (Please note: Because I used many of their examples as a basis for my own prayer list, I did incorporate a few phrases directly from their books.) If you wish to learn more about prayer, I encourage you to look up some of these people and their books!
At this point, the themes for my list are as follows: Protection & Success, Blessing & Abundance, Home & Family, Adversity & Trials, Offense & Forgiveness, Building Healthy Relationships, Living Healthy, Strengthening Our Faith, The Lost/Prodigals
Every Wednesday morning I’ll post a prayer of about 4-6 sentences, just a little something to meditate on for the day. While I’m certainly not an expert, I’m hoping you’ll be encouraged. I hope you’ll find them useful as a basis for establishing your own consistent and personal prayer life!
Join me tomorrow as I kick off the first prayer of the year! May you be blessed!
©Jen Cudmore 2014, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to my blog or my email newsletter on the right side of the page!
I’ve been asked by the nice folks over at the Under the Cover of Prayer website to begin contributing to their blog! I’ve agreed to write a post for them once a month, so be on the lookout for those as well.
