This novel has been on my mind lately, so I thought it might bear another look by you, too, dear reader.
Throwback Thursday
What I learned at summer camp…
As you may know if you’ve been with me a while, my husband and I work part time with a New Testament church in Tallinn, Estonia. Every summer we go to camp with the church to help out teaching lessons, playing with the kids, doing whatever needs doing at summer camp.
This year, camp was a little different. For 29 years, camp was about youth and kids. It was a camp geared to reach out to families by providing a place for children to go for a week to learn a little English from the various missionary groups who support it, to play, to sing, and to feel the love of God in their lives. In 2024, the campground was sold by the Estonian government. This meant that camp had to be reframed.
Instead of giving up and deciding that camp was impossible because we had to go to a smaller campground and make changes in the way it worked, our camp director wisely decided to reframe the camp experience. Instead of being a youth camp, our summer camp became a family camp. Yes, it was smaller. In the past, we’ve had 140+ kids and teens attend camp. This year, we had families and the location could only support about 125 campers. The activities were different, though some were just reworked for families—we still played Minute to Win It, my favorite camp game. At the end, even though it was different, campers all agreed it was the best camp ever. (Just like it is every year!)
Does your novel need a reframe? Maybe you’ve been stuck for a while, thinking that something has to happen a certain way, or that you have to follow ALL the writing rules. What if you reframed it? What would happen if you let yourself imagine your novel in a different POV? Maybe added an antagonist, or a struggle to build conflict? How would that change things?
Maybe it is your writing practice that needs a reframe. If you are trying to force yourself to get up at 5 AM or write an hour a day and it is not working for you, think about how you could reframe your practice. What if you wrote for fifteen minutes a day? What if you did three writing sprints per week? What if you wrote during lunch instead of doom scrolling? How could you reframe your writing practice and make it work for you?
Want to Figure out how much to write each session to hit your writing goals?
Get your own copy of the calculator here.
Want to see what it’s like to be coached?
- BONUS Podcast Episode and preview of Fall 2024 season Live Coaching with Lauren
Preview:
- We’ll be starting the Fall 2024 season with a selection of our favorite first pages.
- Books in the Fall discussion series include: The Marriage Portrait, The Picture of Dorian Grey, The Sympathizer, and Ashenden, or the British Agent.
- We’ll wrap up with a few episodes featuring first pages by listeners. Enter to have your first page selected here.
Book Review: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
If you are looking for a novel that combines environmental activism, ambiguous moral decisions, an evil billionaire, and plenty of twists and turns, this is it. The opening is a little slow, but don’t stop reading! Once Catton has the players on the board, the game is afoot!
Meet Mira, the de facto leader of Birnam Wood, a group of ecoactivists in New Zealand who do something sort of like Yarn Bombing, only with gardening plants. They find land that is not public, but that they feel might be better used, and they plant vegetables. Really. The group dynamic is starting to fray along with their finances, which are basically on life support, when American tech billionaire Robert Lemoine offers Mira a lot of money for a specific project on some land that he [almost] owns. The group goes along, with the exception of Tony, who is convinced that the ends never justify the means and that all billionaires are evil, in fact that their very existence is morally wrong.
When someone is killed at the site of their project (no spoilers), everything begins to unravel and Lemoine takes control of the situation and the cover up. The wildcard is Tony and his possibly off-kilter attempt to expose what he is sure is a massive conspiracy at the highest levels.
The writing is brilliant—Catton absolutely skewers both the Left and the Right for their hypocritical and self-serving messages. She makes the reader examine how individuals can have conflicting ideas about the world, even within their own minds. She forces the reader to think about what the options might be for going forward, who is responsible for the shape our planet is in, and what ought to be done about it—all while giving us a satisfying thriller, no mean feat. She lets the story do the work, because there is no preaching!
The characterization is refreshingly nuanced—no one, not even the billionaire is one-dimensional. In the end, all the loose ends are tied up, but probably not the way the reader might have predicted. This book is wonderful—entertaining and thought provoking at the same time.
If you want something that is both challenging and wickedly humorous, get it now.
Want to get Book Reviews, Writing Tips, and more in your inbox?
New Podcast Episode: Wallop Your What If
This is a summer binus episode, part of a webinar recording from earlier this year. Terry and I will be back discussing more books and first pages in September.
How would you like to get to that One Yes with your novel?
Historical Fiction and Mystery, Upmarket, and Literary Fiction work with Robin at Readerly to craft the compelling novels readers crave about people who’ve made a difference.
The Power of Subtraction
Why is it that when we brainstorm about solutions, we mostly think about ways to add? Why when I read the comments on the recipes in the Cooking section of the NY TImes, do they always tell about all the stuff they added to make it better? Why do writers sometimes think that more surprises, more plot events, more twists are necessarily better?
Why do we feel the need to add?
As humans, we have a bias toward adding. For one thing, when you add, you get credit for making a change. If you subtract, even if you make something better, it is unlikely to get noticed. Editors are notorious for wanting to subtract. They encourage writers to use fewer words, limit adverbs—give the reader just the essentials. It is one of the few professions where subtracting is the default a lot of the time. Since my work involves a fair amount of editing, I love the idea of the power of subtraction to make things better.
In my last newsletter, I wrote to you about backstory as sludge and how it can slow readers down. Using subtraction to make your writing better is a related concept. How much backstory do you need? Less than you think. How can you rewrite a sentence to make it both more beautiful and more meaningful, while at the same time using fewer words? You can, but it isn’t easy. The goal is to write beautiful words that make the reader want to slow down—not because they have to digest the family tree of your protagonist or the twenty names of the people in the room, but because they want to be fully present to experience the words. That is what the good use of subtraction can do for you.
If you want to see an example of some subtraction practiced on a passage generated by Chat GPT, keep reading…
The Power of Subtraction—EXAMPLE
CHAT GPT PARAGRAPH
In the dusky twilight of a sultry summer evening in the year of our Lord 1778, amidst the verdant and undulating hills that cradle the burgeoning yet beleaguered American colonies, there stood, poised with a graceful yet deliberate determination, a figure of striking resolve and ineffable beauty, a young woman of unparalleled fortitude and clandestine purpose. Eliza Harrington, a daughter of liberty and clandestine agent of the fledgling Revolutionary Army, traversed the perilous landscape of her divided homeland with the silent tread of a shadow and the fervent heart of a patriot. Yet, entwined within the labyrinthine corridors of her heart lay a treacherous secret, one that threatened to unravel the very fabric of her loyal convictions: a profound and forbidden affection for a dashing British officer, Captain James Everhart, whose azure eyes and gallant bearing had, against the dictates of duty and allegiance, ensnared her very soul in a web of ardent longing and inexorable passion. Thus, in the delicate balance between love and loyalty, espionage and enigma, did Eliza find herself ensnared, her every step a dance upon the razor’s edge of destiny. Word count 185
Revised Version
Eliza mopped the sweat from her neck with her kerchief. The cellar of the XXX Inn on the road between YYY and ZZZ offered slight respite from the oppressive August heat and the prying eyes of its patrons. James should have been here by now—she would have to return to her chores soon to avoid being missed.
She had intended a flirtation with the billetted British officer as a means to gaining information for the patriots, but found that she anticipated their meetings more than she should. She turned to go, tying her kerchief back around her neck. They would have to arrange another tryst. The soft click of the latch to the cellar door sounded and Eliza turned to greet the British captain from between the barrels of ale, but her smile froze when she saw that it was AAAA, not James, who had ventured into the cellar. Word Count 149
Which one makes you want to keep reading?
NOTE: The inspiration for this post came from listening to the Hidden Brain podcast, an episode entitled: Innovation 2.0—Do Less
Could you use some help simplifying your book idea or your story arc in revision? The One Pager Session will help you do that.
What to do with the stuff you cut out of your novel…
The following is a guest post by a Readerly Writer. As you can see at the end, her pub date is coming up. Huzzah! She writes about one way to use some of the material you cut from a novel. She has created a bonus prequel for her readers that she is using to build her newsletter list. You can get it at the end of this post!
When Robin and I worked on my historical romance Secrets to the Wind, we quickly summarized several scenes that I had originally written to be several pages longer. I put them all in a folder marked Outtakes. They did not fit the overall story arc of the novel, and many of them did not have a story arc of their own.
Secrets to the Wind involves abolitionists Annie and Daniel in the midst of the Civil War. The story I harvested from my outtakes depicts a dramatic incident from Annie’s early life on Martha’s Vineyard. I wanted to use the story as a prequel to the novel, but couldn’t figure out how to bring in Daniel.
My process of turning this into a full-blown prequel involved several steps.
First, I outlined the story, using one of the beat sheets that Robin introduced to me. Using 6,000 words as a goal, I estimated how many words I would allot to the inciting incident, the B story, bad guys closing in, the finale, and the closing scene. This gave me a framework.
Second, I used Annie’s antagonist from the novel to bookend the short story. This created continuity between the novel and the prequel.
Third, I did a little more historical research. (Okay, true confession: I went down the rabbit hole for three whole days. It sure was fun.)Serendipity! I discovered that within the timeframe of my prequel, African-American orator Frederick Douglass actually spoke about a thousand feet from Annie’s home on Martha’s Vineyard. His speech provided a reason for her to be interested in abolition.
Using my outline, I crafted a satisfying story. But still no Daniel. Fortunately, I knew that he and Frederick were good friends from Rochester, New York, and that early in his career Douglass was nervous about speaking truth to white audiences. With a couple strokes of the pen, I inserted Daniel as a bodyguard, and Annie got to meet him very briefly six years before their courtship began in the novel.
I called the short story Songbird in the Swamp because Annie’s music is a theme that runs all through my three-book series. I added word count to each section of the beat sheet to keep the story on track, and it turned out to be 9,000 words–even better than my original 6,000-word goal. After formatting the short story, I included a brief Author’s Note and then attached the first three chapters from Secrets to the Wind.
Creating the cover for Songbird was easy and fun, since I’d labored hard a few weeks earlier to help craft the cover for Secrets. Choosing a significant artifact from the short story and making it the same color as Annie’s dress on the novel’s cover was a great beginning. My designer chose similar colors for the background scene and approximated the font.
I was delighted. Now I have a lead magnet I can use to build my mailing list for Secrets to the Wind. Both covers look gorgeous on the back of my newly-designed business card, too.
Here’s what I learned from this experience. First, I need not be afraid to “kill my darlings” (or scenes) as I refine my novel. I can resurrect them later to create standalone short stories. Second, I can save considerable time by beginning with an outline and sticking to the word limit for each beat.
Finally, my muse is not at all inhibited by structure. In fact, she showed up right on time to fulfill my requirement to have both my novel’s main characters figure into the prequel. I think I will name her Sarah Dipity.:-)
Get Songbird in the Marsh here.
Jeanne Gehret is the author of Secrets to the Wind, scheduled for publication this fall. You can visit her website at www.JeanneGehretAuthor.com. She finds plenty of historical inspiration in her hometown of Rochester, New York.
Outlining is a valuable tool at any point in the writing process: just getting started, revising your novel, or writing your summary to query.
Get your free copy of the Beats of the Heroine’s Journey with examples here.
Book Review: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell is historical fiction at its best. Besides riveting readers with a ticking clock to a murder, O’Farrell places us firmly in Renaissance Italy with a woman who is young, with limited agency, and trapped in a world she is not completely equipped to understand.
Lucrezia is nothing if not resourceful, and as the story of her marriage to Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara, unfolds, the reader goes with her on a journey into a web of privilege, wealth, power, and fear. Lucrezia, whose Medici father loves her mother, must leave Florence and the only home she has ever known while learning to navigate in a world where the Duke, her husband, controls everything.
The narrative alternates between two timelines: the runup and early marriage of Lucrezia and Alfonso and their time at the hunting lodge, which is where Lucrezia is set to die. The portrait of the title is a binding element, which ties both timelines together.
Masterfully woven, compulsively readable—if you love historical fiction with layers of meaning, don’t miss this one.
Are You Lost in the Forest?
Sometimes, writing a draft is like getting lost in the forest.
On a recent weekend in the country with our church in Tallinn, Estonia, I decided to take a short walk on the trails before breakfast. Like the boat ride to Gilligan’s Island, it turned out to be a little longer than I thought.
The intention was to walk about ten minutes down the trail and then turn around. I visually noticed some things on the trail to help me remember which way, but I thought I was only taking one trail, so turning around would be no problem.
When I turned around, I was faced with more options. Walking in one direction makes it seem like you are on one trail, but when you pivot, multiple options appear and they all look alike.
I must have taken a trail that was going the opposite direction to where I wanted to go, because by the time I decided to consult Google Maps, I was a 40 minute walk away from our retreat site. My twenty minute hike turned into a two hour tromp through the forest. The good news: I made it back, with just a few twigs in my hair. Bad news— I missed breakfast (and it was pancakes)!
Sometimes when we’re drafting, we get lost in the forest.
We intend to hit the plot points that we know we need for the story to have shape, but that backstory seems important, and maybe we need to see where this flashback takes us on the trail. By the time the draft is done, it is a meandering 100,000 words and seems not to follow any type of story arc at all. Has this happened to you?
Well, I may not be a competent forest guide, but I am a great novel whisperer. If you find yourself in need of a guide to help you untangle your plot and get it on the path to an engaging story, let me help.
Sign up for a chat today, I am waiting to hear about your novel. Together, we’ll make sure you get back to the lodge and that your story works, maybe even in time for pancakes.
Want to get Book Reviews, Writing Tips, and more in your inbox?
Guest Post—Busting Writing Retreat Myths
Today’s guest post is by Lisa Shaughnessy, a Readerly Writer who runs her own writer support business to help writers find great writing retreats.
Busting Writing Retreat Myths
Have you been thinking of attending a writing retreat but feeling a bit skeptical? You’re not alone.
In this post, I’ll dive into the three most common myths I’ve heard from writers and writing retreat hosts and debunk them once and for all. By the end of this post, maybe you’ll be ready to pack your bags and set off on a writing adventure!
Myth #1: Writing Retreats are Too Expensive
Yes, writing retreats can be an investment, but they’re not necessarily out of reach. Many retreats offer a range of options to fit different budgets. Some include all meals, accommodations, and even workshops in their fees, providing great value for the money.
While it may seem like every writing retreat is in an Italian villa, you may be surprised to find one close to home in more humble—and affordable—accommodations. A few I’ve seen have been hosted in cabins in a state park or in smaller, but lovely, rental homes.
Many retreat organizers also offer scholarships or early bird discounts. So, do a little research, plan ahead, and you might find the retreat of your dreams is more affordable than you thought.
Myth #2: They’re Only for Experienced Writers
Some writing retreats cater specifically to experienced writers, but most welcome writers at all stages of their careers. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting your first draft, many retreats offer tailored programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions that accommodate various skill levels.
Please don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Every writer started somewhere, and a retreat can be the perfect place to find your voice and develop your craft. In fact, a writing retreat can help you uplevel your writing skills by being around other writers of all levels.
You don’t need a book deal to benefit from a writing retreat—just a passion for writing and a willingness to learn.
Myth #3: They’re Just Glorified Vacations
While it’s true that many writing retreats take place in beautiful, relaxing locations, they’re far from glorified vacations. The locale is just a backdrop for an environment where you can focus on your work without the usual distractions of daily life.
And, if excursions are included, they can be a good way to open up creative channels or take a mental break from writing for a few hours, so don’t immediately discount their value.
Additionally, being in a new environment can spark creativity and help you see your project from a fresh perspective. The change of scenery, combined with the support of fellow writers, can be incredibly motivating and productive.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you’re away from your regular routine and immersed in a community of writers for even a few days.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Now that we’ve busted some common myths about writing retreats, hopefully, you’re feeling more confident about the idea. They can be a transformative experience, offering you the time, space, and support you need to dive deep into your writing.
Whether you’re looking to jumpstart a new project, finish a manuscript, or simply find inspiration, there’s a retreat out there for you.
Explore your options, find a retreat that fits your needs and budget, and get ready for an unforgettable journey. Happy writing!
About Lisa
Lisa Shaughnessy is on a mission to help writers find writing retreats that help them reach their writing and publishing goals through her Writing Retreat Directory website and her podcast, Your Writing Retreat Connection.
While working on her own writing, Lisa saw a need to help other writers discover writing retreats that will inspire, motivate, and support them.
She lives with her husband and dog in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling, camping, genealogy, and writing creative nonfiction, short stories, and her Andie Schubert Cozy Mystery series under a pen name on Kindle Vella.