Crunch Time

Here’s the thing: I have been going to bed and getting up just like every other normal person out there, but somehow my brain has not made the connection that this is how days pass. Because even though I know it’s July 18, it feels very much like it should be the 6th or so.

And since it is July 18, that means I’ve got exactly 5 whole days before I have to be completely prepared for a fiction workshop I’m teaching in Colorado Springs. Oy.

On top of all of this, my church has an annual thing called Avalanche where we have tons and tons and tons of middle schoolers come to the church and play awesome games (like football with a cow tongue!) and hear way cool messages and listen to probably the best band ever (I’m probably biased - Jon and both of my brothers are in it). That week is amazing, but the whole month before is crazy with planning. I’ve been at the church most of this week painting the backdrops (which look AMAZING - thanks to Katie, Robert, Becca and Caitie!).

And even beyond all of that, after a lot of prayer, I decided to turn in my resignation at the church and take a job at an adorable tea room. So, come August, I’ll be able to make you the best pot of tea there is. :).

Add to that still trying to write on my story, still trying to meet with as many girls as I can before I leave, still trying to work out occasionally, still trying to keep the house in decent order and still trying to keep both me and Jon fed…

It would probably explain why I’ve fallen dead asleep both times I’ve sat down in the past two days.

Oy. I don’t understand how women with children do it - all this plus a two year-old? I’m clinging to my hope that God gives extra strength when you’ve got kids.

Which is why I’m so delayed, but I proudly bring you “Following Through - How To Do It.”

I hope you’re giggling too. I’m like the last person on the planet to teach about following through.

As I’ve just illustrated, pretty much the best way to follow through with writing is to go live in a cave until you’re done with whatever you’re working on. But since caves are pretty scarce and probably damp, I wouldn’t highly recommend that option.

No, instead, I’d say this: What’s causing you to not finish whatever you’re writing?

Then ask yourself: Is that more important that my writing?

If it isn’t, then by all means. Write. The hardest thing about writing is writing. Turn off the TV, turn your phone on silent. Sitting down, plugging away at a faceless machine, downing caffeine and trying to be creative is not easy.

But if whatever is making you freeze mid-sentence and then forget where you were is one of these three things: 1) Family, 2) Friends in Need, 3) Job - then put the caffeine down and interact with what God has put in your life right now.

As for me? I’m getting back to work on my workshop presentation. Or possibly taking a morning nap…

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Erynn

Trust Schmust

So. I’ve been mulling (that word makes me think of cider) over a bunch of things lately. Here’s a few of them:

* Jon’s a college graduate! Congrats, darlin’

* What’s next? This a cause of worry.

* Where should we go? This is a cause of stress.

* I can’t do anything about either one! This is a cause of handing a monkey wrench to the Builder of my faith and being like, “Okay, God. Like a Chevy with a radiator missing, here I am.” (This is my version of the Potter and the Clay.)

Here’s what I’m learning: Sometimes, it’s okay to not know what’s going to happen. Jon and I were playing that dumb trust game the other night - the one where you fall backwards into the other person’s hands and see if you don’t freak out - and it’s so easy for me to trust Jon and his intentions and his abilities. Which then begs the question, why him and not Christ?

Easy answer actually. I’m like the slowest learner in the whole world.

“Trust God”. Not just a platitude, but a command. To do the opposite is not only arrogant, it’s disobedient.

So this is me trying again. And again. And again. Someday, I hope to get it. In the meantime, if you ever catch me spouting off complaints, please feel free to take the figurative ruler to my wrist. Okay?

Have a fantastic afternoon everyone!

Erynn

P.S. Doing our famous Happy Dance (did this at the wedding too) YAY JON!!!

Got Plot?

Side note: Saw this picture and had to giggle. Get it? Plots?

~~~

So, we’ve just finished a loooonng week of VBS (note to Jon: let’s hold off for a little while on having kids, okay?) where I team-taught the 4 and 5 year-olds with my cousin, Katie and my sister, Cayce.

Fun. Exhausting.

So, I didn’t get a lot of writing done. Mostly because I would come home, fall onto the couch and just sit quietly for the next hour.

But, without further delay, I present: Got Plot? The next installment in these few little writing tips. Once again, I’m not a very experienced writer and most of the “writing tips” I have are ripped straight off the pages of writing manuals and teachers I’ve heard. And half of what I’ve learned, I tossed out and made up something that works for me.

Example: I talked to one writer who told me to write 10 pages and nothing less every day.

This sounds like a great plan to pop out a novel every 36 days, but at the same time, what if I don’t have anything to write? What if I came home from VBS and wrote 10 pages of “Much as I love kids, I love giving them back to their parents when they’re screaming”?

It wouldn’t be too beneficial to my book. So, I didn’t heed that advice.

Or, the classic - and the one we’re talking about today - “You need to outline, outline, outline, Erynn.”

Three things wrong with this:

A) I don’t think that far ahead when I write. I sit down, write the first sentence and find out what’s happening in my story as I write it.

B) I don’t outline because I feel constricted then when things change from when I had originally imagined them (in Miss Match, I didn’t even know Ryan would be a character when I started writing it. And he became a huge part of the series!).

C) If I don’t even know what I’m doing in the next 14 minutes, how in the world can I expect to plan out my characters lives?

So, basically, I don’t outline.

I do however start with a general plot idea. Miss Match was: Girl who is convinced she’s staying single decides to start setting up all of her friends.

Pretty loose. I like it like that - it lets me expound and write and add characters as much as I want. Everyday when I sit down to write it’s a completely new day - anything can happen!

For those of you who love to outline, definitely check out Brandilyn Collins’ website (brandilyncollins.com) or James Scott Bell’s site (jamesscottbell.com). Both of them are not only friends, but excellent writing instructors. (Also, check out christianwritersguild.com - Brandilyn is teaching this year at their annual writing conference in Colorado Springs).

For everyone out there who is like me and can’t think that far in advance, read on!

So, the next question becomes, how does the plot advance?

Here’s a really fun exercise to do when you’re writing, writing, writing and then all of a sudden the wheels grind to a halt and there’s that slight smell of brain brake fluid (too many metaphors. My bad). Start with your character and the general idea for the story like we talked about earlier.

Character: Millie.

Idea: Millie is an average girl who gets abducted by aliens.

Okay, now, let’s say you’ve gotten as far in the story as her being picked up by little green Cupie dolls. Then, you don’t know how to expand this idea further. Here’s where it gets fun. Ask yourself: What is the worst thing that could happen right now?

Well. Millie could be deathly afraid of zero gravity. She could’ve spent her whole life holding onto fence posts when she walked and avoiding bungee jumps.

See how that works? We add in a major fear. In Miss Match, Lauren Holbrook is afraid of what? Things changing. She’s more like her dad than she realizes.

So now, Millie is not only coping with green Cupie dolls, she’s also facing her worst childhood fear. Add in a cute space nerd and maybe a couple of planetary setbacks and you’ve got a great plot.

Important Thing To Remember: It’s very important to decide at the beginning of the novel what will be driving the reader to finish the book. Will it be the characters or the plot? If you’re writing suspense, it’s automatically the plot - the characters could be anyone. If you’re writing a more contemporary book, it will most likely be the characters. Whatever is the main reading drive, make it the most elaborate. But… DO NOT NEGLECT the other one! I’m pretty sure all of us have read books that dragged on for years because they were missing a plot. Or, have read suspense novels that you couldn’t remember the main character’s name because you weren’t even sure if there was a main character!

Keep in mind the stories you love: Pride and Prejudice has awesome, awesome character development. And we definitely keep reading to find out what’s going to happen to the Bennett sisters. But - if we didn’t have the plot of the Mr. Darcy/Elizabeth friction, the Bennett’s lack of fortune, Lady Catherine’s outrage, etc., we would probably not be able to finish the book because of sheer 20th Century boredom. We care about the sisters because of the plot.

Or, for example, a more plot driven work: Bourne Identity. The plot is the main thing we’re worried about - why is he good at killing people? Why does the government want him back? Why does he have to deal with that gross assassin who pulls the pen back out of his hand? But note the key word in every sentence: him. We care about the plot because of Jason Bourne.

Hopefully that was stated relatively clear.

Next week we’ll talk a little bit about follow-through (which I’m horrible at). How do you keep writing past the 2nd page, 2nd chapter, 2nd novel?

I LOVED everyone’s comments with the first writing tip. Let’s keep it going! What do you guys do to come up with plots? What are ways you make a simple plot more elaborate?

Have a fabulous week!

Erynn

How to Get Ideas for Writing

Better late than never, right?

Actually, the reason this is late is kind of funny - I got an idea and ran with it (no, not literally - I actually sat with it and typed for a while). So…inspiration struck! That and life has been extraordinarily crazy lately.

But, enough with the excuses.

Here’s a question I receive a lot: “Where do you get your ideas from?”

I get a ton of ideas from other books. The plot from Miss Match is ripped right off the pages of Jane Austen’s classic Emma, except that I changed the ending (um. A lot!).

Movies are another great way to get ideas. I watch a ton of movies! If you want the perfect way to get in the mood to write, watch a movie in whatever genre you’re writing. BUT BUT BUT - do NOT just lounge around watching movies all day!! When you get inspired, write!

I’ve gotten ideas from newspapers, magazines, Starbucks employees and just random people I’ve met. I’ve gone shopping and said, “I wonder what it would be like to work in a second-hand clothing store?” Then I went home and started writing about a girl who worked at a second-hand clothing store. I’ve watched friends’ moms bug them about dating someone and then written a story about a girl who’s mom won’t stop setting her up.

But there is one place where I never fail to come away with unbelievable story ideas, and this will probably shock you but here it is: College Bible Study.

I know, sounds really weird, but every Wednesday night, one more thing happens where I just giggle to myself and then make sure I go write it down. So, aside from everyone thinking I’m some kind of a psychotic stalker (oh wow. I actually got called this one time), I’m never pressed for ideas. Any college/singles/young twenties Bible study probably has a unique makeup of characters, but I’m always amazed at how many just straight funny things happen there!

So, I guess that would be my plug to get more involved with your local church.

Here’s a recent example of how ideas can come from anywhere: A couple of weeks ago, Jon was tired and not being his usual cheerful self, so I jokingly called him “Mr. Grumpus” (side note: he still denies all grumpiness). Later, we were in bed, the lights were out, Jon was pretty much asleep, but I couldn’t get that name out of my brain and the next thing I know, I have this whole children’s story running through my head about a man who frowns, and frowns, and frowns until he has SO many frown wrinkles, he can’t even see. So, I immediately jumped out of bed and ran for my computer in the living room. Jon came out all groggy a couple of minutes later and was like, “What are you doing?”

Ah, the joys of being married to a writer, right?

Okay, so let’s try this out. One of my all-time favorite newspaper articles was about when a school bus accidentally ran into the school building. It was summer, so no one was hurt, and the only person in the school who heard the crash was some random person who was there practicing his oboe.

You know, something like that could not just be made up.

Now we have our awesome article, but how do you pull the idea from there? Here’s a fun exercise to do until the ideas just come naturally:

~~~

Mystery: School bus “accidentally” crashes, killing 25. No driver is found, no evidence that there even was a driver. The only hope for an answer lies with a blind oboe player, and he’s not so willing to talk. How did this happen? Who is responsible for the deaths?

Chick-Lit: Girl just wanted a few minutes of peace and quiet to practice her oboe for tonight’s concert. Breaking into the school may not have been the smartest idea, but it’s cool and silent. But now her dumb dog has ran off and she can’t find him. Guy driving the bus swerves to avoid hitting dog and rams into the building. Sparks - and engine fluid - fly.

Shakespearean: “Oh why hast thou rammed into mine wall? Am I but a flower? Here for one moment and disappearest the next?” she cried. “I couldn’test avoid it,” he resolutely decreed.

~~~

See? Fun. At least for nerds like me.

Here are the biggest things about getting ideas:

* Don’t be afraid to talk to people. If a job/person/location seems interesting, ask about it!

* Don’t hole up in a little writing cave. Books are meant to mirror life. If you don’t really live life, how do you expect to write about it?

* Keep working at your walk with God. I’ve noticed a big trend in my writer’s block occurring when I haven’t had a devotion in a long time. Don’t forget to be in contact with the One who is the Ultimate Creator.

* Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read….

* Watch movies, but with your eyes open for things like plot, character development, character quirks, etc.

* Most of all… Just relax. Sit down with a big cup of coffee and your computer and have a good long chat with God while you try to figure out what you’re going to write about. Our main purpose in this life is to glorify Him, so why not consult Him as you’re working out the details?

Coming next week: You’ve got the idea, now how do you sculpt a plot - especially if you’re not an outliner like me?

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Erynn

P.S. Let’s not make these writing tips a one-sided discussion. I want to hear from you! How do you guys get ideas to write?

3 Book Contest Winner!

So, after a record-breaking number of entries, I’m announcing the winner!

Congrats Betsy J.!

I have to admit, I love giving away books.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered! Keep checking back - I’m trying to do a contest a month. I’ll let you know when the next one starts!

One Day!!!

Hey guys,

Tomorrow is the last day in my contest for the complete Lauren Holbrook series! Leave me a comment with your email or send me an email at: erynnmangum@gmail.com with “3 Books” in the subject.

Yay! Stay tuned for the drawing!

Erynn

The Finale Is Here!!!

So… guess what arrived in my mailbox last week!

Isn’t it gorgeous!!! Yay! The official release date is June 2nd - so just a little over a week to wait! I think my favorite part of this picture is the carpet…

I hope you all are doing well. Things here are good - I’m excited for a three-day weekend!

I’ve been getting a lot of emails from you asking for writing tips, so starting next week I hope to have a few up here. I’m not the most experienced - I still ask tons of questions myself! The question I get the most is about how to get inspiration to either start or finish a book.

Here’s my teaser (full answer coming next week!): Make life interesting. Most people assume writers need to hide away, sit in a dark cave-like room and write. Maybe this works for some people, but for me? My writing leans heavily on three things: 1) Prayer, 2) Coffee, 3) Books, Movies, Friends, Bible studies, Social Stuff.

More to come on Tuesday!

Have a fabulous Memorial weekend!

Erynn

And the winner is…

Laura has just won both Miss Match and ReMatch!

Congratulations!

To everyone who didn’t win - thanks so much for entering! I’m going to do a drawing for all three books (YAY!!!) in the Lauren Holbrook Series on June 1st, so be sure to enter again! Same drill - send me an email with your name and email address, or leave me a comment with both below. If you’re emailing me, be sure to put “3 Book Contest” in the subject line. Thanks much!

Gosh, I love contests.

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Love,

Erynn

A Contest!!!

In honor of less than a month until the release of Match Point, the third and final installment in the Lauren Holbrook series, I’m giving away Miss Match and Rematch to one lucky winner!

Here’s how to enter: Send me an email at erynnmangum@gmail.com with your name, email address and have the subject line say “Contest”. Or, you can leave a comment here with your name and email address. On May 15th, I’ll pick a random winner!

Keep your eyes open for my June 1st contest where I’ll be giving away all three books! Yay!

I hope you win!

Erynn

A Rodential Idea :)

Okay. I think all of us have taken that quiz at some point in our lives that asks “If you were an animal, what would you be?”

Well, after many years of thought and reflection on this question, I’ve finally come up with an answer. Ahem.

A prairie dog.

And now, here’s the reasoning behind my heavily thought-out answer. A few key traits of the prairie dog might explain more:

* They are very social animals.

* They’re loud.

* They insulate their burrows to stay warm.

* They are excitable.

So, with all that in mind, you might be a little more sympathetic when I confess that I don’t really like waiting for things, being calm, being peaceful or having questions that go unanswered.

Maybe I’m reading too far into Proverbs 13:12, but I think the author wasn’t too fond of those things either: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is the tree of life.”

Those aren’t super calm, peaceful adjectives.

So here’s my new plan. Instead of praying for peace or the ability to be calm or even just for life to not have any troubles, I think I’ll pray that whatever comes - pain, fun, heartache, laughter - I’ll do what it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and bring glory to God through it all.

So, who’s up for a little game? If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Hasta la pasta!

Erynn

P.S. Wow. With a sign-off like that, suddenly I’m really hungry for Italian..