Becoming a Writer

I've always wanted to be a writer. In first grade, I had a red diary with a lock. I actually wrote in it.

Think... what makes a six year old want to write down her daily activity and thoughts. It's a bit funny to me some forty years later, but it was the beginning of my destiny. A revelation of what was just "in" me.

For a long time I remembered the diary as a gift, but now that I think about it, I believe I purchased it on my own.

Don't panic if your story is not like mine. I know plenty of authors who didn't start writing until they were older. Several had reading disorders growing up, but overcame as they matured. Some still deal with dyslexia but have become successful novelist.

How you came to write a novel is your own complete journey. But now that you're here... what do you want to write? How do you know what to write about?

We've heard the saying over and over, "Write what you know." If that were the case, I'd be done after book one, my knowledge exhausted.

When I read "Write who you are," then I understood my stories are an extension of my heart, passions and life experiences. What I don't know, I can learn. AngelaHunt was never an embalmer's apprentice, but she wrote the Fairlawn series about one, about a woman who ran a funeral home. Research gave her the knowledge she needed.

Angie wrote a story that interested her and she was able to parlay that into a story that interested readers. She wrote about a character who embodied pieces of her passions.

I've never been a country songwriter, but I wrote a book about one. I'm a horrible songwriter. Everything rhymes with King, Thing and Ring. Or Love, Dove and Above. But after a lot of research, I learned how to become a Nashville songwriter.

Book after book, I ask myself, "What do I want to write?" I counsel with the Lord, my husband, editor and agent. And of course the spunky Susan May Warren.

Then I look at myself. What do I like. Who am I? What kind of movies, books, people am I drawn to the most?

I love romantic comedies. I love romance and family saga stories. I'm drawn to people who have a positive passion about life. I love justice and truth. When I speak with other people, I want to encourage them in God, encourage them to find the hope of His calling on their lives, to walk in their destiny. I love animals. I love cowboys and athletes. I love my country. I grew up with three brothers and a sister.

I've lived in the south most of my life, but I've also lived in the Midwest. I've traveled nationally and internationally.

I love happily ever after.

So my stories have to be a composite of two or more of those elements. Romance, community, humor, strong characters, and a unique spiritual angle showing how the weak human heart can encounter the omniscient God.

What about you? What do you want to write? Or read? Make a list of what you like. Wrote down who you are. If you're not sure, ask those who know you best.

Then start developing your story and characters. Let the writing begin.

Writing about food

I'm writing about a character who can't cook, but food is central to her world. It's challenging -- not only to write a sympathetic engaging character, but one who lives in the foodie world but does not feel apart.

In that way, Joy is very much like me. But how do I show it?

I don't get the foodie world. Watching the Food Network doesn't make me want to run to the kitchen and break out the pots and pans. Reading recipes only irritates me. Why does any dish need more than five or six ingredients?

I once tried a mac-n-cheese recipe from Pat Conroy's cookbook. Oh my gosh, what a mess. I dirties three pans, per his assembling instructions, never mind the mess on my counter. And I'm not a slob. I kept thinking, "all this for mac-n-cheese?" I never wanted to make it again. I stayed out of the kitchen for a week after that night.

I don't want to cook for cooking sake so don't ask me to add citron to a cake. I'm not going to do it. First, what is citron? Second, how is it going to enhance the chocolate taste I'm baking the cake for in the first place?

Asking me to grate a lemon rind equates to asking me to grate my own nerves.

One friend said to me, "It's like everyone is in on this great secret about food and not telling me."

Exactly!

I've read Molly Wizenberg, Judith Jones, Suzan Colon, and Julia Child memoirs with fascination. What makes their heart zing over recipes?

I love food. I love to eat. And maybe that's why I don't like cooking. Because I want to EAT what I've cooked. Weight and I are not friends. "It" wants to control me. And don't want "it" to control me.

Yet, I love the aromas of baking cakes, cookies and bread in a warmly lit fall or Christmastime house. It's comforting and homey. But whose going to eat the warm treats I bake?

Still, in the midst of it, I'd rather read or write than stand in the kitchen. I'd rather walk or bike, or frankly, I'm being honest here, I'd rather Drive-thru.

In the midst of my writing and research, I have yet to connect with the heart and love for food as those I've read. God didn't give me that gene. I understand what the writers are saying and I appreciate every fine detail, but my emotions are not moved.

Growing up, I was never fascinated with the kitchen or watching my mom or grandmothers cook. In fact, I avoided the kitchen at all cost fearful they'd put me to work. One cannot cook without dirtying a few pots and pans. I never liked doing dishes either until college. Now I'd rather clean than cook.

Lest you start the violin strings for my hubby, I do cook. I can't afford not to! But cooking must not involve a recipe. If it does, no more than six maybe seven ingredients and nothing that I cannot pronounce. It's just not worth it to me. I'm not "into" it.

I bake. I can make mean chocolate chip-peanut butter chip cookies. I have a few tricks for making a box cake that is yummy. However, I can eat the whole thing myself, so let's not go there.

My can opener is my number one tool and the Rachael Ray knife I use to cut onions. I do love onions.

So, back to my character. There's something about food she does love, something she is longing and looking for, and it will spill out on the pages. . . eventually.

What about you? Do you cook? Do you like to cook? What are your favorite food memories?

Exciting things coming up!

Just got off the phone with the great marketing and promotions team at Thomas Nelson and they have some fun and exciting things lining up for the release of The Sweet By and By.

If any of you have a review blog or book blog, let me know, we might be able to give you an influencer copy of the book.

Also, keep an eye out for deets on my Fan Page Birthday Party where YOU my guest will have a chance to win prizes. Why not? All y'all bless me throughout the year.

Steadily working on my own book before diving back into book three with Sara. My protagonists, Joy and Spear, are taking shape and I'm hewing out their story.

Did you see The Proposal? Remember when Drew was at hacking away at the old canoe in the front yard after a argument with his dad? Yeah, that's me and this book.

I think the pressure is really internal. I'm nervous I won't write a good enough book. And need to just surrender it to Jesus.

Here's one of my favorite lines. And it so works. "Jesus, You have a book to write. What do You need me to do?"

Stay tuned for more exciting details here.

Book Therapy!

Susan May Warren invited me to join her newly launched Book Therapy. I'm honored to do so!

Can you make your characters come to life?
How do you fix a saggy plot?
What are your writing strengths, and how can you play to them?
What makes a scene sing with life?
How do you keep a reader hooked?

Want to know how to craft an award-winning book? (er, yes, says Rachel)

Book Therapy will teach you how!

So, you're writing a novel. You might be a little nervous that the plot doesn't hold together, or that maybe an editor won’t love or understand your hero like you do. But underneath these little worries is a thrum of energy that drives you to the computer, or causes you to burst out in fragment sentences, and even wakes you in the middle of the night, groping for the light so you can scribble down your latest dream.

I know, because, I too am a writer. I know the angst and the joy of writing. I know how you pace your room, talking to yourself. I know how many chocolate chips you consume during chapters (they’re really good frozen).

I also know how a book works. How words flow together, or not, for best impact. And how to get your characters to talk as if they are in the room with you.

Inside every book that refuses to come together, or struggles with sluggish pace, or even simply doesn't pack enough plot punch is a deep-seated problem.

Book Therapy will help you root out and solve your problem.

Check it out.