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Episode 40: Collaboration

Hi Christian Indie Writers,  

In today’s podcast we are discussing collaborations. We here at the Christian Indie Writers Podcast recently decided to do a collaboration and thought we would let you all in on the process we went through to get that rolling. You’ll want to tune in for a special announcement regarding that very thing, as well as a chance to chime in on it.
As usual we will catch you up with what’s going on in our lives; check in to the accountability corner; and do a writing exercise. It was wonderful to have Jenifer back with us after her softball injury kept her off the air last week. We thank the Lord for her swift healing.  

If you’d like to participate in the writing exercise just set a timer for fifteen minutes. No cheating by trying to think of an idea before you start the timer. Then write a story using the words twilight, council, polite, embox, and constraint. We would love it if you shared what you wrote with us on social media.  

We would like to invite you to check out our Patreon page. We always post our podcast there for anyone to watch, including links to our writing exercises for you to read and see that we aren’t worrying much about punctuation, capitalization, and spelling in that 15 minutes.  

For just $2 dollars a month you can be our Patron and watch our postcast, which is our writing group meeting. We each submit something we want critiqued or need feedback on. This is where we move from simple encouragement like we do in the podcast and actually give it to each other straight.  

Until next time; 

Christina 

Episode 42: Online Writing Groups

“I just don’t understand you kids today and your obsession with technology,” Norma Jean said, shaking her head and grabbing another ear of corn. “All these newfangled computers and
interwebs and things.”
“Grandma, technology isn’t all bad,” Betty Sue said, tearing the long green leaves from the ear she was holding then breaking the thick stump off the end.
“I can’t think of a single way technology has benefited me.”
“Grandma, you have a telephone. And a radio. And a television.”
“Well, that’s different.”
Betty Sue rolled her eyes at the familiar expression. She knew better than to argue when her grandma used it. Still, she was not about to surrender the point. She chose her next words
carefully.
“Remember when you told me about the writing group you had back when you lived in Maple Pointe?”
Norma Jean set her corn in her lap and looked wistfully away. “I do remember. Golly how I miss those gals.”
Betty knew her words had hit their target. She carried on with gusto. “Imagine, Gram, if there was a way for you to re-start your writing group.”
“Impossible,” Norma Jean said, “Hyacinth’s gone to Florida for half the year, Brenda’s moved in with her son in Vegas, and Laura Sue, who’s only the next town over, doesn’t drive.”
“It’s not impossible, Gram. There is a way for your writing group to start meetings again, thanks to the miracle that is modern technology.”
Tune in to today’s episode of The Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast to learn how Norma Jean, and YOU, can put together an online writing group!
See you there,
Jamie

Episode 41: Back On Track

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I think I’m a pretty encouraging person. Others might call me critical or blunt. They are probably right. But, understand, no matter how poorly I may at times articulate my ‘encouragment,’ it always comes from a place of wanting what’s best for others. My heart is to encourage you. Truly. I think it’s important to say that before continuing.

While perusing Twitter lately (yes, I realize the irony,) I have noticed a number of writers spending A LOT of time playing twitter games (i.e. autocomplete the following sentence, or, what’s your character’s favorite pie flavor.) I’ve also noticed a lot of Author Instagram posts with pictures of their workspaces…their immaculate, nothing out of place workplaces. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with any of these activities, but I have noticed it so often with some writers that it makes me wonder…are you actually getting any writing accomplished? I’m not posting any pictures of my workspace. It is a wreck…because I am writing there, not positioning my pencils properly.

So, here is my loving ‘encouragement’… stop wasting time! Sit down and actually write the words! (Was that too harsh? Reread first paragraph, please.)

In today’s episode, titled “Back on Track,” the ladies and I discuss the topic of distractions. We all have them, but if we are going advance our writing careers, we need to acknowledge those things that we allow to pull us away from our writing and learn how to avoid those traps.

If you missed the live broadcast, you can watch the replay HERE, or listen on iTunes HERE. But not if you haven’t written yet today. Go write first, then tune in!

Lovingly submitted,

Jen

Episode 39: Short Story Guidelines

This 100 word story (aka a “Drabble”) was written in honor of today’s episode. We started out sending out thoughts and prayers to Jen, who was absent due to an incident on the ball field.
(Way to put your heart, and face, into the game, Jen!) Honestly, though, we missed her and hope she is feeling better. We then discussed the benefits of writing short stories. Finally, we
listened to 8 pieces of short story writing advice from Kurt Vonnegut. If you’d like to take a stab at writing your own Drabble using our prompts, we’d love to read it!
–
Jamie

Episode 36: Giving Voice to Your Story

This week on the podcast we explore Point of View as it pertains to writing. The following is a tribute to the woefully underutilized second person point of view.
It is ten am on Thursday – time for your favorite podcast to go live. You sit down at your computer, a mug of your favorite beverage at hand. You click play. You hear Jamie’s unreasonable-for-ten-am level of perky chatter. You grit your teeth, and sip from your mug. The mellow, honeyed tones of Jenifer’s voice fill the room. “Ahh, better,” you sigh.
Tina chimes in with some acerbic wit and you narrowly avoid performing a spit-take. Rhonda’s infectious laughter is missing today, and you suddenly realize why the podcast has felt a bit less than “complete” – it’s not quite the same without her. Still, as the trio of hosts finish their discussion about point of view, you find yourself nodding your head as you tap your chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm,” you think, “perhaps I should try writing my current work in progress in a different point of view, to see if it helps me with the trouble I am having with the piece.”
Satisfied, as usual, with your Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast listening experience, you open up your current project and set to work.
-Jamie

Episode 35: The First Page

I’ve never struggled to write a newsletter. Not once. Until today…and the irony of the situation is not lost on me. This week’s episode of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast is titled The First Page. 

We’ve all been there. We have our idea. We know what we want our story to be. We can’t wait to get started. Getting started should be easy, but it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes we find ourselves staring at a blank screen, the blinking cursor mocking us relentlessly. I can attest to this…because it’s what I experienced this today! 

But, my friend, don’t be discouraged! We’ve all been there, and I promise you, if I can break through that first page barrier and write this newsletter, you can conquer your first page as well. 

In this week’s episode, the ladies and I discuss exactly that and share some tips and suggestions that have worked for us. Check out our YouTube channel to watch, and while you’re there, don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel. We really appreciate your support! 

Blessings, 

Jen 

Episode 34: Social Media and the Writer

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook  have made it easier than ever for us to communicate with our friends and family. Many writers are harnessing the power of social media to advance their writing careers. How does one do this? What are some first steps? Also, how does one protect his or her privacy when venturing into the realm of social media? 

We discuss all of this and more on today’s episode of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast. Tune in and join the discussion. 

See  you there, 

Jamie  

Episode 33: Camp Nano…Should You Participate?

There were several title suggestions for today’s episode: Rhonda’s Inquisition, Three Tarts on the Spot, Convince Me…I could go on. The fitting title was “Convince Me” because I put them to the task today and they did convince me I should participate in Camp Nano for the first time.

If you’re on the fence about committing your valuable time to Nano for the second time in the last five months, watch our discussion and see if it will help you decide.

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