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|  | Connecting the Thoughts | | Rated:
E | | This blog is about a variety of things - mainly what interests me on any given day. | | by: Mishael Austin Witty ![View mawitty's Portfolio. [Offline / Private]](http://imgs.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/costumicons/ps-icon-regular-10.gif "View mawitty's Portfolio. [Offline / Private]") ![Email User: mawitty [Offline / Private]](http://imgs.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/mail-off.gif "Email User: mawitty [Offline / Private]") | Avg Rating:   (9) |
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| Item Size: 18 Entries
Created: 11:12pm on 07-06-2007
Modified: 9:13pm on 09-03-2007 | |
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This is a daily journal of things I'm thinking about. My fiancee and our upcoming wedding are featured prominently, as are my cats. I also discuss my writing endeavors and provide some inspirational quotes/thoughts.
 My Blog 
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Check out my new In & Out.  | ID: 1314502
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Time management is a major concern for writers - especially those of us who have full-time jobs and families (cats, in my case) to take care of.
Today, I failed miserably. I had the whole day off from work, and I did not write word one on the novel I've been working on since last November. That thing will never be finished at this rate! I spent the whole day watching T.V., swimming, and having dinner with friends (and chatting online with one friend). All of these things are great, but they didn't help me get my writing done!
So, I'm wondering ... am I the only one who doesn't know how to manage her writing time? And, if I am, how does everyone else manage to balance their writing lives with their non-writing lives?
Thanks, in advance, for your suggestions/advice/confessions/etc.
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1. When and why did you begin writing?
Since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I’ve always wanted to write.
2. Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
My life influenced my writing. I had a painful childhood and writing was my way out of the prison of darkness that consumed my heart and soul. Being able to create fantasy play scripts as a kid was a way I could develop a perfect life.
3. When did you decide to write fiction?
I’ve always wanted to write fiction. In fact, when I grow up I’d like to work in the world of film—writing screenplays. I have a deep love for creating those sappy, romantic comedy fairy-tale love stories that women can escape into. However, I had a major life-changing epiphany at the age of 35 that brought me closer to God in a very profound way. As a result of that, I founded an organization called: GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS. A vital aspect of that organization is a compilation book series of true short stories written by people from all around the world. The GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS anthology collection took off with its first volume published in 2001 and today, there are 23 plus books under the recognized GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS “brand.” That said, I was blessed to enter the world of publishing and get my feet wet—more important—I was able to make connections with editors and publishers who were able to see how I conducted my business.
I also began attending writer’s conferences as an instructor, and while there I was able to take classes as a student with some amazing novelists who generously shared their craft in workshop sessions. I soaked up everything I could about how to write fiction—taking notes—buying tapes—listening over and over again to teachers like Angela Hunt, Gayle Roper, Brandilyn Collins, James Scott Bell, Jack Cavanaugh, Lauraine Snelling, and Tracie Peterson. It was after taking a 3-day long intensive workshop with Tracie Peterson that I was able to fine-tune my work-in-progress and submit it with a proposal to Bethany House. The rest, as they say, is history. Bethany House signed me to write two novels and the whirlwind began.
4. Why “boomer chick lit?”
Typical “chick-lit” is written for a 20-30 year old target market. The protagonist is usually single, and struggling with her faith, career, family, love-life and things young women often struggle with. In my books, I wanted to approach the issues that baby boomers are dealing with, (women born between 1946-1964) things like the empty nest syndrome, aging parents, a change in career, retirement, menopause, and other health issues. I wanted to look at women in the prime of their life who were suddenly stepping out in faith to achieve the dreams of their heart. Women who weren’t afraid to take risks—who had the chutzpah to dare to dream big. That’s how “Boomer-Lit” was born.
I developed ONE LITTLE SECRET first as a screenplay called JUST A HOUSEWIFE. When Bethany House wanted a second novel after my debut novel called A STITCH IN TIME, I immediately thought of this story, realizing that it would make some great Boomer-Lit!
5. Is there a heart’s desire message in your latest novel that you want readers to grasp?
I primarily write Christian inspirational fiction—and yet I don’t specifically write only for Christians. Yes, I am a Christian, but I have friends who are not. I frequently meet people who do not share my belief or my politics or my serious addiction to stiletto heels, (insert smile here) but that doesn’t mean we can’t communicate. I think too many Christians live in a Christian bubble—how can we shed light on the dark places in the world if we don’t mingle with people who live in the world? I first wanted to write a fun fairy-tale…a dream-come-true adventure about a boomer babe who happened to be a Christian—but many of the people in her drama-rama were not. Yet she saw this as an opportunity to share her faith—not make judgment calls. I guess that would be my heart’s desire in writing One Little Christian, that readers who are Christian would better understand that sometimes God calls us to spend time at work or at school or at play to be around folks who don’t share our faith—and it’s times like that we can shine or sink.
6. How much of the novel is based on experiences in your own life?
There was a whole lot of me in my first novel, A Stitch in Time, from the weight loss surgery aspect to the career as a professional fundraiser, to living in southern California. It’s been said that debut novels are often the most autobiographical in a novelist’s career. It’s also said that the second novel—the follow-up—is infinitely harder to write because you’ve used up pretty much everything you know in novel number one, and now the rubber meets the road for real creativity. (insert a big smile here.) That said, ONE LITTLE SECRET has far less of my real-life experience, which was a true joy to write! I had so much fun with this book!
7. What are you reading now?
The Elevator by Angela Hunt and The Pawn by Steven James.
8. What are your current projects?
I’ve just been contracted by David C. Cook Publishers to write three new Boomer-Lit books in a series I’ve called THE VA VA VA BOOM series. All three books will introduce entrepreneurial boomer babes who own their own businesses. Additionally, each woman has a deep dark secret and a deep dream desire. The first book in the series will release in 2009. http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/boomernovels.html
I also have a non-fiction book releasing in Spring 2008 from Harvest House Publishers called: Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children. Your readers can find out more about Setting Boundaries by visiting my web site here: http://www.allisonbottke.com/sanitygroups.htm
9. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I know it sounds so incredibly droll and simple, but never give up and don’t take “no” for an answer! I kept at it and kept at it and kept at it. Recrafting my proposals and rewriting my first book. I got my start in non-fiction, but always in the back of my mind was the dream of one day writing fiction. However, more important would be to not compare yourself to another writer. There is always going to be someone better, someone smarter, someone more literary, someone more photogenic on the back of their book, and yada, yada, yada. But there is only ever going to be one you!
Some of your readers may know this about me, but for those who don’t, the fact I’ve been published at all boggles my mind. I’m a high school drop out with a ninth grade education and a GED. I quit school after the 9th grade to run away from home and get married. I was going to live happily ever after in my fairy tale dream. But that’s NOT what happened.
That said, writing is not about formal education, or who you know, or how long you’ve been at it. It’s about perseverance and risk and belief in yourself—and knowing that inevitably, God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
I encourage your readers to tell me what they think about One Little Secret. I really do want to hear reader feedback. I’m working on my next novel to release in summer of 2009 and I take to heart reader comments. They can reach me here: AB@AllisonBottke.com and please, I’d love to invite everyone to participate in the Hollywood Casting Call Contest where a lucky winner can win an all expense paid trip to Hollywood! Visit my web site and select the actors and actresses you think would make the best lead characters in One Little Secret! Check it out here: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/bookcontests.html
And …we have a monthly newsletter that we call a “Dream-Zine,” I’d love to invite your readers to subscribe: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/dreamzine.html
And one final thing, we have a co-authored blog with six best selling authors blogging each and every day – BOOMER BABES WITH BRILLIANT DREAMS: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/blog/ I think that’s it – thanks for having me!
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My review of One Little Secret is coming up soon. 
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Yesterday, I attended the first ever FaithWriters Writing Conference in Livonia, MI. I met some great people and learned some invaluable information.
If you are serious about writing, I strongly suggest you attend as many writing conferences as you can. You'll learn a lot about the business, and you might even meet people who can help you perfect your craft or enhance your career. Networking is essential in any endeavor, but it seems that it is especially important for writers.
Also, if you are a Christian who writes - even if it's not for the Christian book market, I encourage you to visit FaithWriters.com and become a member today. You'll meet like-minded people, and you can submit articles (although you will not receive as much feedback as you do here at Writing.com). The main thing is, though, you will be reaching more people with your writing, and that should be the goal of every writer. 
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This is rapidly becoming a pet peeve of mine. It's happened twice in the past two days. One 2-star rating and one 3-star rating - both without any other information attached to them.
Now, I understand that not everything I write will be well received by all, but if it's not, I would like to know why. Let me know what you did (or didn't) like about something.
A 5-star rating without an accompanying comment is one thing, but a 2-star? There has to be some reason for that - some reason that you could discuss with the author (me, in this case).
Unfortunately, there is also no way of knowing who left that rating when no review is attached. That's one of the disadvantages of this site. I would like to at least be able to go back and ask that person, "Hey, why do you think that piece sucked so badly?"
I think we, as writers together in this community, at least owe that much courtesy to our fellow memebers. When you give a rating - good or bad - leave a comment - even if it's only a few words. It will much appreciated by the author!
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It's been my experience that arguments generally occur when two people have two differing views on something, and they want to prove themselves right and others wrong. But why do people argue about pointless things? That still baffles me.
Take, for instance, the following two situations:
1) Part of my job as a literary monitor is to sit and listen to narrators record audio books and make sure that they are pronouncing the words in the books correctly.
Recently, I was in a session with a man who pronounced "centripetal" as "sen-tri-pee'-tuhl." I stopped him and told him the correct way to pronounce it, and then he started arguing with me.
"Is that the only pronunciation in the dictionary?" he asked.
Me (flipping through the dictionary to find it and make sure): Yes. That is the only pronunciation listed here.
Narrator: What dictionary is that?
Me (in my head): The one sitting right next to me, you twit. (Out loud): Random-House Webster's 2nd edition.
Narrator: Well, my wife pronounces it that way. That's the British way to pronounce it.
Me (in my head): Well, your wife is not an approved source, and this is the {i)American Printing House for the Blind - not the British Printing House for the Blind. (Out loud): Oh. That's interesting.
So, this man wanted to argue with me over something that was right in front of his face (if he'd bothered to look at it). Then, once he was proven to be wrong, he had to blame someone else (his wife) because he (obviously) is infallible!
Was there really a need to argue over the dictionary pronunciation? I didn't think so, and I resented having to be drawn down into that. My only consolation was that I was getting paid to have that insane argument!
2) I wrote a story and posted on this site. Someone reviewed it and commented that they didn't understand what I was trying to say with it.
I wrote back and tried to explain in more detail, mentioning that I had been inspired by a particular Bible verse.
Then she wrote back and said that she still didn't get it, and said that I hadn't, in fact, been inspired by the one Bible verse. I had been inspired by it and the one before it! And she knew this because she has read the Bible from cover to cover.
Well, I can honestly say that I haven't read the Bible cover to cover, but I have read (and memorized) enough to know that I was only thinking about the one particular verse when I wrote the story - not the whole context or chapter or whatever. So why argue with me about what verse(s) inspired me? I haven't responded to her because I'm not getting paid for this particular insane argument ...
My point is: Whenever you "feel the need" to argue with someone, please make sure it's really worth the fight. There are sometimes that it's necessary to argue for the things that are important to you. Then again, some things are just better left unsaid, as I hope these two examples show.
Have a great, insane argument-free, day!
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I love the support and encouragement I get from other members of this great community. Also, I love to be able to express my appreciation to someone who has written something I especially enjoyed, or to someone who has given me a particularly helpful review.
One of the best ways to show support and encouragement to others is by giving them gift points (GPs). This is the only writing community (to my knowledge) that allows you to do this. GPs give us an opportunity to brighten people's days and encourage them to keep on writing.
Because I appreciate this aspect of the site so much, I decided to join the Upgrade Angels. This group donates GPs to writers so that they can upgrade their memberships, write more, and get more involved with the site. This is an awesome way to inspire others to continue improving their craft!
Since the Upgrade Angels gift upgrades of three months, they are constantly in need of donations. You can learn more about the group, make a donation, or even join, by visiting the Upgrade Angels forum.
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Excerpt taken from Guerrilla Marketing for Writers (Levinson, Frishman, & Larsen, 2001, p.8)
Originally in The Writer's Home Companion by James Charlton and Lisbeth Mark
On October 26, 1809, the New York Evening Post carried the following announcement, "Distressing-Left his lodgings some time since and has not since been heard of, a small, elderly gentleman, dressed in an old black coat and cocked hat, by the name of Knickerbocker."
Then, two weeks later, an item appeared saying that a man fitting that description had been spotted on a stagecoach heading for Albany. Ten days later, the paper carried a news story that the [manager of the] Columbian Hotel had found a handwritten manuscript he believed to be written by the mysterious Knickerbocker. Seth Handaside, the hotel manager, decided to sell the manuscript in order to settle the bill the elusive boarder had failed to pay.
Months later, the book, a two-volume set, appeared in bookstores (selling for $3), bearing the title The History of New York, by Diedrich Knickerbocker. It was a huge success. The author of the book and the elaborate hoax was Washington Irving, who wanted to create a unique publicity campaign for the book and have a little joke on the reader. The name (Died/rich) Knickerbocker was his private joke.
I think it would be hard to beat that publicity campaign! 
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I went to a Bible study last night where the pastor shared an important point - the placement of commas in our writing and speech can greatly affect how what we're trying to say is perceived.
He gave these two examples:
1) A bride was getting ready for her wedding day. She wanted her maid of honor to read a scripture at the beginning of the ceremony, so she called her and told her, "I want you to read 1 John 4:8." Apparently she put a little too much of a pause between "first" and "John," so her friend heard this, "I want you to read, first, John 4:8." So, her friend read John 4:8 instead of 1 John 4:8 - two very different texts! Just look them up, and you'll see.
2) Luke 23:43. In most modern translations, this reads:
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)
Some Bible scholars, including last night's speaker, suggested that this comma was misplaced. He says it should go after "today," and not before it. Just moving that one little comma changed the whole meaning of the statement!
Now, in the original Greek, no commas were used, so it's difficult to say which is the correct interpretation, but it still brings up an interesting point. We, as writers, need to be very careful that we're using punctuation correctly. We want to write as clearly as possible, and one little misplaced comma can confuse readers for centuries to come!
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