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Episode 124: Writing Your Way: Plotting vs. Pantsing – Revisited

Dear Christian Indies,

When the podcast was new, and the ladies and I were each in various stages of our writing journey, it was interesting to see how we approached each new writing question in a different way. One such topic was outlining; more specifically, we wondered about each of us – whether we would perform better as “plotters” or “pantsers.”

Jenifer decided to give plotting a try. Now, something I have since learned about Jenifer is that she never does anything half-way. I’ll never forget when she showed up at our writing retreats with a gigantic piece of cardboard – the kind of thing you see at a child’s science fair – marked off to represent the three main acts of her novel, and bedecked with post-it notes, each outlining a specific plot point in her novel.

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Episode 88: Better Call a Beta!

If you’ve been around the independent publishing world for any amount of time, you’ve heard writer’s speak (often, lovingly,) of their “Team.” Sometimes, they specifically mention a “beloved BETA reader,” or a treasured member of “my ARC team.”

If you’re anything like me, these acronyms become interchangeable in your conversation, because they seem to overlap so much in common usage that you are certain you are referring to the same group of people, but BETA readers and ARC readers serve very different functions.

This week on the podcast, we discuss what a BETA reader is, why you want one, and where you can find one. In future episodes, we’ll cover what you can do with an ARC team of your very own!

Still have no idea what BETA or ARC even means? Tune in to this week’s podcast and the mystery shall be revealed!

See you there,

Jamie

Episode 83: HELP! Tina Has Writer’s Block!

Every single writer portrayed in the media of my youth seemed to be stricken with this mysterious condition called, “writer’s block.”  This phenomena rendered said character unable to perform his craft, no matter where he went, or what remedies he tried, no matter how much his agent begged, cajoled, or threatened. 

For whatever reason – perhaps because of what I had learned about other non-real-life-threats which were, for some reason, also recurring themes in the media of my generation, such as quicksand and the Bermuda Triangle – I was entirely skeptical that this was a real life thing, this, “writer’s block.”

I mean, really, I would think as I watched such a show, licking popcorn and salty butter from my fingers in pre-Covid bliss. The dude is paid millions to write books. Can’t he just churn something out for his agent, already?

How I would have ceased to scoff had I known that my own experience with this mysterious phenomenon loomed on the horizon of my future. And little did I know that my dear Co-Host, Christina Cattane, would also someday be plagued by this creative paralyzation we call, “Writer’s Block.”

Tune in to see what advice we have for Tina, and offer yours in the live chat!

See you there,
Jamie

Episode 80: Allegory? That’s What I’m Tolkein About!

The world has changed in the past couple of weeks. As a writer and reader of dystopian fiction, it has been difficult for me not to allow my imagination to project a bleak future upon our present reality. 

When I am tempted to worry, I find myself reflecting upon the many ways the Bible uses allegory to comfort and encourage us. I am reminded of God depicted as the good shepherd, the picture of the faithful caretaker who will not leave even one of his sheep behind. I am reminded how he is compared to a good and gracious father, and referred to as a comforter. 


(It is extra fun for me that the word “comforter,” in modern parlance, means a snuggly blanket on your bed. LOL)


But seriously, it can be frightening to imagine some of the things we are told to prepare for eventually coming to pass. I hear these terrible things on the news, and the next thing you know, I’ve injected myself or my loved ones into those situations, and suddenly I have a case of the worries on my hands like nobody’s business.

Been there. Like, uber-recently. LOL.

If you find yourself beset with worry, I want to encourage you, sister (or brother!), If you can, the next time you come up for air, please try – though it be difficult, try – to imagine the Lord of creation, wrapping those protecting, comforting arms around you. Don’t worry if you feel you aren’t doing it right.” Don’t worry if you don’t feel like doing anything at all! It’s hardest to believe when the storm is raging. Thank God, he is strong when we are weak.

Rest, my dear friend, as much as you are able, in the promises of the Lord. 

Yours in Christ,

Jamie

Episode 43: Writing the Blurb

Proverbs 15:22 New International Version (NIV) 

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ~ Proverbs 15:22 

I spent quite a while working on the blurb for my upcoming release, Avoiding Esther, the second book in my Love in Lansing series. But, no matter how many tweaks I made on it, I just wasn’t happy. There was something off, yet I couldn’t put my finger on the problem. Fortunately, I have the ladies of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast to turn to. 

In this week’s episode, not only do you get to hear the ladies critique, and ultimately improve, my book synopsis, you get a sneak peek into what our Postcast looks like. You can watch on YouTube or listen on iTunes. If you like what you see and would like to see more Postcasts, as well as support our ministry for as little as $2 a month, you can become a patron of our Patreon page. We would be so grateful for your support. 

One final note…next week’s podcast will air LIVE on Monday (rather than our usual Thursday.) All four of the ladies will be together podcasting from Blondies, a coffee shop in Lapeer, Michigan, the inspiration town for our upcoming Christmas project we are working on. If you are in the area, come by and say hello. It’s sure to be a lot of laughs! 

May you have a blessed week, 

Jen 

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7AqxuXGPEE 

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-indie-writers-podcast/id1434482933 

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/christianindiewriters 

 

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

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