The Essentials of a Productive Day

There are many things I like to do or to have with me throughout the day so that when I have a moment, I can write, and when I write, that I can do so easily and comfortably. Finding quiet, comfortable places to write can be a challenge. (With no solution in sight.) However, I had a great afternoon break a week or so ago, and took this picture of the supplies I had on hand that day, and I think it was a good summary of "essentials" for me throughout my day to get the most out of the little snatches of time I have to write. (Please forgive the terrible quality, it was taken with my phone.)

The very first thing I do when I sit down is to take off my shoes. Shoes must go. Shoes are a nuisance. It's impossible to be comfortable in any chair with shoes on since I like to curl up to keep warm. Anyway, I find that creative thinking comes so much quicker to me when I'm comfortable and cozy. (To be perfectly honest, I rather hate shoes for any and every occasion -even church or other events that fancy shoes are required for- and would be more than happy going barefoot everywhere, but I've been told this is socially unacceptable. It is one thing I can never seem to match properly, by style, or even color. I was once told, by a former co-worker: "You don't know how to  match shoes. You wear old lady shoes." Yes, yes I do, and I have no problem with it.)

I like, also, to have something to drink. At work, water is the most satisfying, but at home I most often make tea. Tea is cozy and delicately satisfying, it's like a gentle hug.

Pens, if I'm not typing, must be of exceptional quality. The ink must flow easily from the tip, and not get all cloggy on the pen nib, and my hand must feel relaxed holding the pen. I once had a set of pens which had very nice, very black ink with a quick flow, but for whatever reason I always noticed my hand got very tired after only a short time of writing. I have found that Sharpie felt-tips allow me to write quickly and easily without my hands tiring too soon. 

Yes, there are two notebooks in this picture. I have one that is for personal and devotional journaling (which is why the small ESV was in this picture- a sound beginning to the day is most helpful all around, not just for writing, but for living). Sometimes ideas are dropped into the personal notebook. (They pop into my head of their own accord, I've no control over this.) However, bigger ideas, or hashing out scenes or expanding ideas are scribbled into the other notebook. The other notebook also I use to take notes on especially helpful tips- which I have done often while reading Plot & Scructure by James Scott Bell. (It's seriously good- I'm totally going to need The Art of War next.) I am so thankful to live where these kinds of books and resources are readily available to me. 

As a side note, there will be a fun Star Wars post coming this month [soon] which will be totally political (something I never do), but I couldn't resist a bit of fun. (Seeing as we're all politic-ed out, and Rogue One comes out December 16, you know I couldn't resist. -No, I will absolutely not be going opening night because I have to wear shoes then, and be among crowds.)

Black Friday Sale on Christian Indie books!

It’s that time of year. The time for buying presents, making wish lists, and planning New Year’s Resolutions. If any of those activities involve books for you, Indie Christian Authorshas a perfect event for you.

From Nov 25 (that’s today!) through Nov 28th, more than 70 independent Christian books are on sale. You can find free shipping, $0.99 ebooks, package deals, and more! And if your budget is depleted from Christmas shopping, they’ve got you covered with some freebies!

Think 70 books is overwhelming? Narrow it down and find the perfect books for you or someone on your Christmas list by using this quiz to generate a customized book list.

What awesome reads of 2016 are you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2017?

A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as "Sold Out." This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks. Also, some of the authors this year chose to not sell their paperbacks directly through the site. Those books are also marked "Sold Out" but if you click them open, you'll find a link to the site where they are on sale and a discount code for you to use at check out.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good and Kendra E. Ardnek for their work organizing this sale, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

Guest post is up!

The guest post is up! Yes, indeed! Many thanks to Sarah Diehl and Brittany Zayas for allowing me to have this opportunity, and also for adding some lovely book cover pictures to the piece. I was editing it until 9:30 with Chamomile tea on Friday night for you all, biting my nails in worry.

Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself. 

It's so easy to say to someone else, but not to yourself. 

I hope you all like it! Here is the link: https://thewordafter.wordpress.com/2016/11/19/are-fantasy-novels-worth-our-time-guest-post-by-liz-koetsier/

I also wrote 1 more page in my novel. It's something, at least.

I'd rather be crazy than silent

Oh autumn, how I love thee. Summer is probably my favorite season, but there is something beautiful in each season. I love the spicy, earthy smell of fallen leaves, and the gorgeous colors; it is like the trees are set on fire for just a few weeks, and their rainbow-hued ashes cover the ground and fill our world with brightness! Ah, Michigan, you are my favorite.

Now, on to business!

I will have a guest post on November 19th over at thewordafter.wordpress.com, a literary blog scribed by two ladies I have met in New York at Messiah's Reformed Fellowship. Sarah Diehl and Brittany Zayas are word-motivated ladies who write on book reviews, literary analysis and more. They post weekly, which I think takes some dedication! Both are very talented writers, so you should check out some of their reviews. 

My guest post will be on "Why is fantasy literature worth our time?" This was a bit of a personal essay for me, as I often feel lot of people tend to blow me off when I share with them that besides my Christian faith I also love fantasy and science-fiction. Part of what I seek to accomplish in writing is to show that it is possible to write in a way that combines these things, either symbolically or, sometimes, not symbolically. :) Some of you have been asking to get to know me as a writer, and so this is a little toe in the door. I hope you will like it, and I hope that those Christians who discredit fantasy literature will listen. I might be crazy, but I'd rather be crazy than silent and waiting forever to use what I have been given.

I have decided against NaNoWriMo again. I know, again. Every year I say to myself "Man, it would be so fun to do it!" and then there are fifty eleven reasons why I don't. This year, I didn't again, for a hundred fifty eleven reasons again. The past two weeks I have set it a goal to finish at least 10 pages in my novel, which should equal 20 by now, but instead is 0. Frustrating. I would like to find the time to write more things on specific topics, but for now these little "updates" will have to suffice. 

Check back soon as I will let you all know when this guest post is completed and posted. 

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good...

Are you all wondering what I've been up to??? Definitely lots of random-y stuff.

-First, and least important, yes, I've changed the background again. Apologies... I just can't seem to find one I'm satisfied with. If you like one you've seen or the one that's currently the background, feel free to comment and let me know!

-Nadine Brandes hosted her release party for A Time to Rise last Tuesday, and it was a great time! I have never before attended such an event, as they always seem to collide with other events in my life. I am psyched to read A Time to Rise, but I do not yet know when I can get my hands on it. It is one of those kind of waiting-for-this-book-so-much moments that you just want to sit at the computer hitting refresh on the library website until it says it's on hold for you. I absolutely loved her books, and the Shalom mug that was part of her giveaway was beautiful. 

- I have read Nicole Bianchi's post on website building (platforming) and laid my head on the table wondering what I am doing. I don't get this stuff. So, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I realized (again) I am only taking stepping stones right now, and have a lot more ground to cover. You can help me out by reading my blog posts and commenting on them. 

-I did title this post "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" for very good reasons. I am excited to tell you that I am beta-reading Schuyler McConkey's 1920's novella. I can't tell you anything more, as it's really her baby (I'll let her do all the gushing when she's ready), but I do wish I could, because so far I'm entranced. I'm actually about to continue reading it in just a few moments. (Aren't you jealous?!) You can also find Schuyler on Facebook, so please do hop on over there to find her and let her know you're looking forward to the new novella! Here is a snippet for you to whet your appetite: 

-Finally, I do have something new I am working on! The characters are almost completed, there is always on-going construction with some characters and plot details, but most of the work that I needed to hash out before beginning the actual writing has been completed. Since last Friday, I have accomplish the first 10 pages. 

-I have been gathering ideas for more blog posts lately, too. In the future, I'd like to have some character analysis posts. What kind of characters would you like to read about? I love to pick apart literature and find moral or Christian themes in them, plus I love talking about a good story. If you have ideas for other posts, please share them! Things like interviews with other writers could be a possibility. Also cats. I really like talking about cats. I could interview my cat. What do you think??? Send ideas!

Update

Hello all!
I wanted to let you know that I am still working on writing projects, just so you don't think I went away.  (((I know you tried to run. ))))

I do have something beginning, but it's not quite a seedling yet.

My "break" lasted about 1.5 days* and while Atremento has been shelved (today) I was sneaking into unused offices on lunch breaks this week to borrow white boards and create some rather messy thought bubbles. Forget outlines. Pssht, I never used outlines anyway. Just brainstorm!

*the 1.5 days included a Sunday, so it doesn't really count. It is more accurately measured as .5 days according to my brain-clock. I do not count numbers when telling time. Time is like "morning" "afternoon" and "evening", followed by "when I'm supposed to sleep."


Second, Nadine Brandes, author of the Out of Time series is hosting a Facebook release party on Tuesday for her third book in this series A Time to Rise! I have just completed the second book, A Time to Speak, and once again I have found a new book to fall in love with. Her dysotopian novels combine fiction and faith head-on, calling readers to consider what they plan to do with their time today. She asks the question, if you knew when you were going to die, how would you live differently? I discovered her books through Tricia Mingerink, who lives here in Michigan. Tricia Mingerink's Blades of Acktar are a wonderful mix of adventure and action in a western setting but with a fantasy-like feel. Her characters struggle against persecution because of their faith in God.

Breathe Christian Writer's Conference & Moving Forward

First writer's conference is complete! I am so glad I went. It was a great learning opportunity, and wonderful time of fellowship with others. If you want to write seriously, then seriously, go to something like this! As Christians, we are called to worship together not just individually, but together, as a congregation. Events like this are another way in which we can share with each other and grow individually as well as communally. Communion of the Saints is as important as your personal devotions and always worth the effort and time. (Psssst: even for us introverts.) Although writing is a solitary calling, it is a also one that requires bravery, and you will need strong people beside you for that. I recommend the Breathe Writer's Conference because it is a way to learn from other Christians who write a wide variety of genres in a welcoming, Godly atmosphere. I walked away honestly believing that these people truly want you to succeed in your craft.

That being said, I also learned a great deal more, some of which I can't even begin to share, nor do I have the time, and some I'm still figuring out.
The "figuring out" part means I'm taking a break from my 9+ year project, only recently dubbed the "Atremento Chronicles". Since it's taking a break from me, and I from it, I can tell you it was currently 3 books, all partially written, and the first of which was over halfway or nearly finished. I knew Nico in and out. He became my voice throughout, and I was having a blast with Izére. Her witty comebacks and bad habit of popping (literally) into scenes was not only amusing for the other characters, but for me as well. There were minor characters I'm going to miss, whom I put just as much effort into as my major characters.
Putting it down is going to be very strange for me, and it may not mean a permanent goodbye. I have plenty of other projects that are possibilities but I'm going to take my time in making a choice in any direction. In the meantime, there is much to study and new adventures to take (no hints). Perhaps one day, I will pick up this project again, or maybe its characters will find their way into other stories. There are more dark corners I haven't peeked into, slippery stairways I have yet to explore and dusty attics I'm dying to break into. Who can say? There's no pressure. Today, I'm just writing for God and for me.

In case anyone is interested, here is a link to the Breathe Christian Writer's Conference website. This year was their 10th annual conference. The people were all very welcoming and encouraging before I even arrived, they worked hard to keep it at an affordable price and still offer everyone the very best. There was also great food, and plenty of breaks in-between sessions for your brain and for just chatting with others. It had a very relaxed atmosphere, so you were free to come and go to sessions as you chose and not feel pressured, and books to browse for further learning.
http://breatheconference.com/home/