Posted in anthology, authors, blogging, books, Fiction, goals, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, reading, short story, sports, success, words, writers, writing, tagged bad headlines, book blurbs, book covers, book titles, catchy titles, fun, funny headlines, humor, inappropriate headlines, internet, risque headlines, titles on April 23, 2018| 4 Comments »
Writers know how important it is to grab readers’ attention as soon as possible. A catchy opening line, an intriguing back cover blurb, even a good title is important to make that very first awesome impression. Sometimes those 3 things alone are enough to make a sale. That along with a good cover of course. I’ve been known to buy a book based on these 4 things. (more…)
Posted in acting, authors, awards, blogging, books, directing, Family, Fiction, friends, goals, grammar, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, reading, resolutions, social media, spring break, success, super powers, tv, vacation, watching tv, words, writers, writing, tagged April fools, Easter, education, Ellen DeGeneres, Ellen show, ellentube, kids, practical jokes, pranks, pranksters, school kids, spelling, spelling bee, teachers, teaching, tests, Youtube on March 26, 2018| 17 Comments »
So this year Easter falls on April Fools Day. You’ve probably all seen this meme
I’m not normally one to appreciate pranks. In fact, I usually hate them. But, this guy is brilliant.
I love his made up words. And the definitions were even better. And, the best part, he did it with a straight face.
Well folks, the story does not end there. No sirree. This guy’s video went viral and that lead to this:
I love Ellen and I love that she gave him a spelling test. So perfect.
Have you seen this video before? Do you think this guy is clever? I think he’s probably an amazing teacher. And, he’s cute to boot. Do you like pranks? Are you one to go all out for April Fools? Come on, fess up and share the details.
Word of the Day: Ethamivan
Fun fact about me: I don’t think I’ve ever played an April Fool’s joke on anyone.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2018. Meme courtesy Google Images. Videos courtesy YouTube (ellentube)
Posted in anthology, authors, blogging, Fiction, goals, grammar, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, short story, success, words, writers, writing, tagged aim higher, editing, good enough, Jeff Gerke, manuscripts, opinions, paralyzed, perfection, perfectionist, preferences, proof reading, Roseanne Bane, rule breaking, rules, taboo, taking risks, The Irresistible Novel, uglification, vulnerable on January 15, 2018| 16 Comments »
Calling myself a writer these days is a stretch since it’s been a very long while since I’ve actually written anything besides a blog post. Of course I’ve had a very good reason, with my recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent poor mental and physical health as a result, but still, I need to get back in the saddle so to speak.
Because my energy has been at an almost imperceptible level, I’ve tried to spend my time reading short chapters and articles rather then getting engrossed in a novel. Yes, I haven’t even had the energy or desire to read, that’s how bad off I’ve been.
But, treatment is going well and I’ve to the worst behind me. So, I’m trying to get back into not only reading, but writing. It’s been hard.
Writers are our own worst critics, especially those of us who strive for perfection. I once read an “inspirational” quote that I tried to apply to my life: If you reach perfection, aim higher. Well folks, that can be paralyzing. In fact, it’s counter-intuitive if you want to publish a book. At some point, that book is going to have to be good enough. I understand that the quote is encouraging us to try to improve and be better every day, but when it comes to a manuscript, throw that advice out the window.
I’ve had a hard time wrapping my brain around that concept though. Good enough. What is good enough? That means I’m settling right? I’m not trying hard enough? WRONG. I’ve been putting my best foot forward with my writing since the day I typed my first sentence. I attend workshops, read books on craft, watch videos from “experts,” all necessary things to improve my craft. By doing these things I’m trying harder, I’m aiming higher.
Recently I read an article written by Roseanne Bane entitled: “Good enough, may be the best thing for your writing.” Say what? That article started with this quote: “The best is oftentimes the enemy of the good; and many a good book has remained unwritten . . . because there floated before the mind’s eye the ideal of a better or a best.” – R.C. Trench, 1861. I read that sentence a dozen times before it dawned on me. That’s me. I’m preventing my own publishing journey because I’m holding out for something better.
The article went on to say, “If you refuse to accept good enough, you can’t move on.” That’s right, I’m becoming paralyzed by my goal to reach perfection. I have to allow myself to be more vulnerable, to take more risks and just let my above-average writing speak for myself. After all, not everyone is going to like my book even if it is perfect. I need to remember that I’m not writing for everyone, I’m writing for those people who believe my work is perfection. For every person who doesn’t like what I write, there’ll be at least one person who does.
Shortly after I read the above article I read this passage in a book called “The Irresistible Novel,” by Jeff Gerke, which I highly recommend by the way: “It is inevitable that you will encounter people who will say you’ll never get published if you do (or don’t do) X, Y, and Z . . . I hope you understand that these people are merely giving their preferences, their opinions, and their own person brand of paralysis. ” That really resonated with me because I do hear so many differing opinions on what you should and shouldn’t do as a writer. Also, I hear all the things you absolutely should not do and then I read book after book where those “taboo” things occur repeatedly. Say what? It’s confusing. How did they get published if you absolutely should not do those things? Why can they do it, but I can’t?
Mr. Gerke went on to say: “If you keep letting the “experts” cause you to doubt yourself, you’ll end up in misery.” Exactly! He wrote that “. . . at some point you have to stop being so flexible and just decide how you want to write the thing.” It is my book after all. I like that Mr. Gerke.
I know my manuscripts are better than a lot of books out there on the market, and there are millions. I’ve read several books lately that really should not have been published without another good proofreading or round of edits. I’ve read books with weak plots, boring characters, confusing dialogue. I know my books are better than that.
So, bottom line. I’m going to take a look at my manuscripts with a different perspective. Sure, I have to edit out the bad grammar and typos, but as far as the story goes . . . I’m going to believe it’s “good enough.” I’ve read them umpteen times. Beta readers have read them. Critique groups have read them. I’ve even had editors read them. It’s time to let actual readers read them.
It’s time to take Mr. Gerke’s advice – I have to stop being so flexible and just decide how I want to write the thing. Bam. Done.
Look for something from me later this year. There, I’ve said it. Now, I have to do it. Right? You’ll all hold me accountable?
So, tell me readers, are you perfectionists? How do you know when your craft is “good enough?” What advice resonated with you for anything that created a change for the better?
Word of the day: uglification
Fun fact about me: I didn’t read a single Christmas novel this past year. (I barely read anything for the past 3 months of the year.)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2018. Photos courtesy Google Images.
Posted in authors, blogging, Family, Fiction, friends, goals, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, romance, short story, success, words, writers, writing, tagged brainstorming, editing, edits, fiction, historical romance, ideas, imaginary characters, imagination, innkeeping, morning person, novels, settings, work, work in progress, worlds, writing on October 30, 2017| 6 Comments »
Usually I like to “work ahead.” I do things today that will make my life easier tomorrow. Like chopping onions or veggies for dinner or putting together a casserole for breakfast.
Posted in authors, blogging, Family, Fiction, food, friends, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, short story, tv, watching tv, words, writers, writing, tagged autopsies, autopsy, causes of death, coroner, dead bodies, dead body, decomposition, dissecting bodies, fascinating, fiction writing, medical examiner, morgue, murder, murderers, on-line class, research on October 2, 2017| 13 Comments »
The writer in me sometimes needs to go on research trips. Most of those trips involve either an actual trip to the library or, a staytrip into cyber world. Research can be tedious, but it can also be enlightening. And fun. (more…)
Posted in anthology, authors, Family, Fiction, friends, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, romance, short story, success, words, writers, writing, tagged authors, CJ Box, editing, errors, fiction, Greg Iles, Joe Pickett, Joe Pickett series, Kate Burkholder, Kate Burkholder series, Linda Castillo, mistakes, mistakes in books, novels, Penn Cage series, reading, typos on August 14, 2017| 10 Comments »
Like most writers, I am a voracious reader and have been most of my life. While I do tend to gravitate toward certain genres, I usually enjoy reading anything well written. And, like most readers, I have favorite authors. (more…)
Posted in authors, blogging, Family, Fiction, friends, goals, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, success, words, writers, writing, tagged addiction, bookmarks, books, gel pens, hoarders, hoarding, journals, library, notebooks, office supplies, pencils, pens, random, stickers, writing desk, writing implements, writing supplies on August 7, 2017| 13 Comments »
It’s no secret that writers love books. Most are book hoarders if you want to know the truth. Books are our crack. My love affair with books began at a very young age. I blame my mother. She used to read to me every single night even after I was more than able to read by myself. It was our nighttime ritual. (more…)
Posted in authors, dancing, dieting, Family, Fiction, goals, grammar, humor, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, success, words, writers, writing, tagged abs, aqua zumba, editing, editing manuscript, exercise, manuscript, riding bikes, slim down, tap dancing, tighten, tone, trimmed down, water zumba, wordiness, working out on July 17, 2017| 8 Comments »
Exercise is not my favorite activity. I know it’s a necessary evil and I know there are great benefits to be had from daily partaking in this event. But, I don’t like it. Over the years I’ve tried to find a form of exercise that I enjoy. (more…)
