April Showers

I know I'm dragging in this Monday later than normal, but I tell you, I thought I might not make it at all. But, I said I'd be back today, so here I am. I couldn't let you down. 😉

This month has been ultra busy for me. I'm beginning to wonder why Camp NaNoWriMo has to come in April. Why not January or September? They are usually slow months, aren't they? Awww, nevermind. I'm just spouting off.



Seriously, though, today's blog is simply sharing some of the things that have been going on in my life this month. So, stick around. I'd love your feedback, comments and questions. Don't be a stranger! Subscribe and join my tribe. Let me get to know you, too.

Camp NaNoWriMo, has been a huge part of my month. This is where I am right now:

sandykayslawsonWriter

Project: Hope for Charity

Progress: 46 hours

Goal: 50 hours

Tomorrow at 11:59pm is the deadline. As you can see, I have 4 more hours to reach my goal. I'm confident I can finish in plenty of time. That is if the creek don't rise, the Lord doesn't come back and an unforeseen calamity doesn't take place. Let me just say, though. If the Lord comes back first, I will be alright with that. Come Lord Jesus!

Anyway, I have been editing, editing, editing. I've been taking what I learned from my first three chapters through the rest of my manuscript. I'm on chapter 11 now. You may ask, "How many times are you going to go through that thing?" Well, until I'm satisfied I've done my best.

I've also been studying fiction proposals. Researching market analysis and competitive analysis. Did you know that writers don't just need to know how to write? Evidently, they need business degrees...JK. It sure seems that way, though. An English degree, business degree, communications degree, marketing degree...all would be pretty helpful about now. My psychology degree, may help with my writing at some point, but its pretty useless for the rest of this. 😄

My husband and I spent four days in Arizona. He at his conference and me on the patio of our hotel room working. At night we did most of our sightseeing and enjoying the Arizona atmosphere. It was a beautiful place. The plant life, so different from any I'm familiar with. 

When we came back, we had family visiting so my work slowed down, but how could I resist a chance to visit with my loved ones?

Guess what came next? A surprise birthday party for me!!! I admit it. I hit a big one. 50. I can hardly believe it. I use to think 50 year olds were...old. But now that I am here, I can attest to the fact, we are not old. We've just experienced a little more and know a little more. Ok, maybe my body tries to convince me I am old now, but my mind refuses to believe it. Anyway, my husband and kids had evidently been planning this surprise since February. Somehow, I remained clueless until the SURPRISE, threw me into shock. I can't even explain all they did to make my birthday special. I am so blessed to have the family I have. Thank you, to all those who made my surprise party so awesome. Those who planned it and paid for it. Those who came, from near and far and those who sent notes and letters now memorialized in a shutterfly book for me. I am so thankful for each of you. 

One other thing some of them did, you know who you are, they printed out my first year of blog posts and put them in a nice folder for me. How cool is that? I love my family. They are awesome!

One more present, I have to mention because you may see them more in the future. I got baby chicks! 🐣🐤🐥 I had chickens before, but about 2 years ago, they were all killed by what we think were coyotes. 😭 I am thrilled to start my chicken adventures again, though. 

Then came Easter. More family and more fun. Easter services, celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, hiding eggs, baskets of candy, new clothes, pictures, playing outside in the beautiful weather, etc., etc. All play and no work...

My real birthday came after that. Most of the family were gone, but a few still helped me with a little more celebrating. Fifty deserves more than one party doesn't it? 

Believe it or not, I haven't even told you everything going on with me. Appointments, work on our hobby farm, cleaning, organizing...trying to find balance as usual. This month has been a pretty hard month to balance it all, but it's been good nevertheless. 

Now, here I am. The day before my last day of Camp NaNoWriMo. Maybe 50 hours was a little too optimistic for such a busy month, but I think I'm gonna do it and I have to thank my husband for that. He has encouraged me, pushed me, gave up time for himself for me and even did some of my chores to give me extra time. Thanks, Sweet Hubby! You are the best and I love you dearly.

If you are like me, pushing to reach a goal. Keep at it. If it's a good goal, then it's worth the effort. I hope you are trusting the Lord to lead you, whatever it is. May God bless you and your family.

In Christ,

Sandy

P.S.

A reminder: May's Read&Review is, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Celebrating Easter

Hello again and happy Monday! I'm glad you made the effort to come for a visit, whether you are new to my blog or a regular. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to be here.

Easter is right around the corner. From Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday (Easter), it is the most sobering and hope filled time of the year for Christians everywhere. It is the celebration of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate His death, because He died for us and we celebrate His life, for one because it gives us the hope of our own resurrection, but there are many more reasons. The Bible is filled with promises from God that hinge on the resurrection of Christ.

John 11:25-26(ESV) 

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

So, in honor of the Lord Jesus, I want to focus this post on Him and the Easter celebration. Even if you aren't a Christian, keep an open mind and read on. God may have a reason for you reading this today, so stay put and see.

Quotes:

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time." 

-Martin Luther 

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there." 

-Clarence W. Hall 

"Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life."

-Ravi Zacharias 

"The happy ending of the Resurrection is so enormous that it swallows up even the sorrow of the Cross." 

-Timothy Keller  

Poems:

"An Easter Carol"

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;

Death is strong, but Life is stronger;

Stronger than the dark, the light;

Stronger than the wrong, the right... 

-Phillips Brooks 

"Easter" 

Most glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day,

Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin;

And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away

Captivity thence captive, us to win:

This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin;

And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye,

Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin,

May live for ever in felicity!

And that Thy love we weighing worthily,

May likewise love Thee for the same againe;

And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,

With love may one another entertayne!

So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought,

Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

- Edmund Spenser 

"O Savior"

O Savior, Divine God takes on flesh,

A plan from the beginning, prophesied Christ,

O Savior, such sorrow brought great sweat drops of Blood,

A prayer Not my Will, but Thine be done,

O Savior, what Passion for Thy Glory and Thy Sheep,

Whipped, beaten, pierced through Thy hands and Thy feet, 

A crown of thorns, a Cross of death, carried to Calvary,

O Savior, lifted up like the serpent of old,

Look to Me and be saved, You say, a Grace more precious than gold,

What Mercy, what Love, too amazing to comprehend,

O Savior, Your Blood poured out, Your life given, my sins forgiven, You bore them all on the Cross,

From the Father separated, the price of sin owed, the price of sin paid,

You cried out "It is finished" and the Victory was won,

O Savior, the Veil was from top to bottom torn, 

O Savior, my Mediator, to the Father I come.

Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit, Amen,

O Savior, my Savior, the Victory won.

-Sandy Kay Slawson

Favorite Easter Songs:

"Because He Lives"

"How Deep The Father's Love For Us" 

"In Christ Alone" 

Short Gospel Message:

 "The Goal of the Gospel" - John Piper

"What is the Gospel" - Dr. Ravi Zacharias

I hope you have a Happy Easter, but most of all, I hope you will think about the reason we are celebrating. Bunnies, Easter egg hunts, candy filled baskets are all fun, but if that's all Easter is to you, then you are missing out on the greatest joy of Easter. May God bless you and your family this Easter with true joy that can only be found in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Housekeeping:
The next couple of Monday's I will be taking an Easter blogging break, not to mention it is Camp NaNoWriMo month and so far I haven't made much progress. Last week I had appointments and obligations every day, so I really need time to focus on my writing/editing AND there is still my proposals to finish. I won't be able to relax and enjoy my editing and writing until I get those sent in. So, I'll plan to put out another blog on Monday the 29th. Take care and don't forget to subscribe and join my email list, so you don't miss out.

**I have chosen the book for my May Read&Review, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. If you want to get a head start, you can follow this link. 

Fiction Proposal Lessons

Good morning and happy Monday! I'm so glad you made the trip over to my blog. Welcome to any new visitors today. Remember everyone, I NEED for you to subscribe to my blog AND email list, if you read last week's blog, you know why. 

Last week I told you, I hoped to get my proposal out by the end of March. That didn't happen. I went to the website of one of the Literary Agents, that I plan to submit my proposal to and found that there are still a couple things I need to get together. I don't think it will take long to do, but there is one thing that will slow me down most. I need a professional head shot to send in with my proposal. I hope to go get that taken this week, but I am not sure how soon I will be able to get the picture to submit it. So, I am disappointed about this delay, but it shouldn't be too bad. 

                                    

What is a Fiction Proposal? 

Good question... 

"A book proposal helps an agent or an editor learn more about an author than a two-sentence bio. It gives them insight into marketing opportunities. And it provides a snapshot of the project that saves hours of work when someone preparing to evaluate a project for potential representation or publication."-Jillian Bergsma Manning a contributing editor for Independent Publisher. 

The Hartline Agency website says:

"We evaluate a proposal almost as closely as we do the writing to see if it gives us all the information we need to effectively represent a project." 

You can probably see, why I am trying so hard to do this proposal right. I don't want my work to be rejected, because I sent in a sub par proposal. 





What should a Fiction Proposal include? 

According to some leading Christian Literary Agent sites, the following may or may not be required in your fiction proposal depending on the agency. So, if you are also preparing a proposal, make sure you check the relevant agency website to make sure you are sending what they want.

• Cover Letter                     
• First 3 Chapters
• Promo Sentence
• Sales Handles
• Back Cover Copy
• One Page Sell Sheet
• Biographical Sketch
• Story Synopsis
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Strategies 
• History of Manuscript

The Steve Laube Agency also suggests answering the following questions:

"In a single sentence, state your purpose for writing this novel. Why did you write (are you writing) this story? What are you trying to prove about life with this story?

Describe your protagonist’s quest. What does he want or need? What is his goal? For what does he yearn?

What is at stake in this story? If your protagonist doesn’t attain his goal, so what? Why does it matter and why should the reader care? What are the consequences?

What is the “takeaway value” of the story. How will the reader be changed for having read it?"

One thing I have realized, is that instead of making one proposal and sending it out to the three places, I will need to tailor each one according to the agency's particular requirements. 😰 When I get one done, though, I plan to send it out and then others can follow as they get done. 

Last Weekend:

I have to admit that this last weekend I didn't work at all. My husband and I needed some quality family time. We missed our kids and grandkids. So, we took the weekend off to have some fun with family. Here are a few snapshots from our weekend...

It was a great weekend and much needed time with my kids and grandkids. I am ready now to tackle this proposal challenge and the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge. Thanks again for stopping by! Don't forget, Subscribes, Shares, Likes, Comments, Joining my Email lists...will all help me to reach my dream of becoming a published author and I appreciate all of your help. May God bless you and your family as you try to live the life He created you for.

In Christ,
Sandy

Camp NaNoWriMo 2019

Happy Monday and thanks for stopping by. 👋

Jumping right in to today's subject, Camp NaNoWriMo.

"Camp NaNoWriMo is a virtual writer’s retreat, designed for maximum flexibility and creativity. We have Camp sessions in both April and July, and we welcome word-count goals between 30 and 1,000,000. In addition, writers can tackle any project they’d like, including new novel drafts, revision, poetry, scripts, and short stories." 

Last year in April I participated in my first Camp NaNoWriMo. My goal was 25,000 words. I met that goal and in the process finished the first draft of my novel Hope for Charity. Since then, I have been working on editing that manuscript. I have to say, I never dreamed it would take me this long. I didn't know back then how much I still had to learn. Two beta readers went over my first three chapters, which is what I hope to be sending as part of my proposal soon. I learned even more from their thorough inspection of my work. I never realized what a comma lover I am. 😃 Even though I love to read, I never enjoyed my grammar classes in school. Well, I sure wish I had paid more attention! I do believe the things I am learning now will help me in my future books, though.

My first three chapters are ready to be sent off. I have perfected them as much as I am able. I'm hoping to send my proposal out before the end of this month. 

While my proposal is in the hands of the Literary Agents and Editor, who requested it, I hope to spend Camp NaNoWriMo in April perfecting the remaining chapters in my novel. My goal for the month is 50 hours. That means 50 dedicated hours of revising the remaining chapters in my book. I'll plan to give you updates throughout the month.  

Because of my busy schedule next month, I won't have a new Read & Review book for  April. I plan to have my March Read & Review done and posted on my website by March 31st, so make sure to check that out. If you haven't heard about the Read & Review for this month and you would like to participate, go to my website to find out more. Don't forget to subscribe while you're there!

Last time I talked about the need for us to have friends that have common goals and jobs. One of the things I like about Camp NaNoWriMo, is that I am in a virtual "cabin" with a group of writers that are all working on their current writing projects. There are many "cabins" filled with many types of writers. My cabin is filled with women Christian fiction writers. Since the last Camp NaNoWriMo, we have stayed in touch through a facebook message chat and were able to sign up for the same cabin again this time. It's nice to go into the camp with people I am familiar with this time. 

Camp NaNoWriMo is different from NaNoWriMo, in that you have the choice of what part of your writing project you want to work on. NaNoWriMo is in November each year and there is a set goal of 50,000 words for everyone. I didn't do that this year, because I needed to work on editing. I am hoping to do it this next November and maybe finish my second novel during that time, if I haven't finished before then. There is also a Camp NaNoWriMo each July. Camp NaNoWriMo gives writers a great opportunity 3 months in the year, to have some dedicated time to work on their projects, while also building friendships with other writers.

Whatever kind of writing you do, if you do write, you can find a cabin that fits your style. It's a great way to form friendships with other writers. I encourage you to check it out. 

Proposal Update:

As I said, I have my first three chapters ready to go. I am also supposed to send my synopsis, author bio, information about other writing projects and information about my platform building. The platform building part is the part that worries me most. Even though I have tried to be diligent in my efforts in several different areas ie. facebook, instagram, twitter, blogger and my website, I can't control who subscribes, follows, shares, likes, joins, etc., etc.. I just hope my numbers aren't too low. From everything I have read and learned, my platform performance is one of the main things publishers look for. If you are a writer and you haven't started to build your platform, you may want to start learning about it, especially if you want to be published traditionally. Even though I started the platform building process because I was told I needed to, I have really enjoyed the process. I have "met" new people. I have had to learn and grow. I have had to break out of my shell and be more outgoing. I feel that through this process, I have really learned to spread my wings and it feels good. 

*I took a break after writing this post and listened to this short sermon. I think it was just what I needed to hear. God knows what I need for this proposal to be excepted. If He wants one of these Literary Agents or this Editor to choose to work with me, then I can trust that He will handle the details and give me wisdom to do what I need to do. 

Thanks again for coming. Remember to follow, subscribe, share and join my email list so you don't miss anything. Also, take a trip to my website. I try to add at least a couple new things there each week. May God bless you and your family. Have a great week!

In Christ,
Sandy

The Friendship of Tolkien and Lewis

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! If you are taking the time to read this, thank you for giving me part of your day. 😊 

A few weeks ago, I attended a play. Two of the three actors played the parts of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but my son was so excited about it and wanted us to go. So, several of us made the trip. 

As I sat in the audience and the play was about to begin, I realized that I should take notes. After all, two actors were about to "become" two famous authors right in front of me. The two older actors (at least they looked older), sat in chairs in front of the audience for most of the play and talked with each other as if they were indeed Tolkien and Lewis having one of their yearly visits. The play is called Lewis&Tolkien/Of Wardrobes and Rings. Maybe one day you will see them on a college campus near you.

One thing that struck me is the amount of knowledge these two men had to have in order to carry this off for an hour...two, I'm not sure, but there was no way my note taking could capture the amount of information these men shared.

The setting: two chairs, a couple of small tables, some food and tea on the tables. A talkative "waitress" came out every now and then. Simple, to say the least. The two main actors were portraying Tolkien and Lewis in their older years, bringing to life their longtime friendship. 

Tolkien and Lewis 

Tolkien and Lewis - Actors

I knew that Tolkien and Lewis had been friends, but I never put much thought into it before this play. They had so many differences as people and writers, but they still had a camaraderie that I think was something special. They corresponded, shared poems, quotes and had deep religious and political discussions. C.S. Lewis is the one who encouraged J.R.R. Tolkien to finish The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit. Tolkien wasn't even a big fan of Lewis' novels, but being able to agree or disagree gave them a freedom of expression in their friendship, that made it even stronger, in my opinion. 

       
 

      

                    

   
Tolkien and Lewis were both well educated authors. They were Christians, although Lewis wasn't when they met. It was through a series of discussions, letters and poems with/from Tolkien, that Lewis eventually embraced Christianity and became a believer. The first poem Tolkien sent is called "Mythopoeia". 

"Mythopoeia" was created as a reaction to C.S. Lewis' statement that myths were "lies breathed through silver." The poem takes a position opposed to rationalism and materialism, referring to the creative human author as "the little maker" wielding his "own small golden sceptre" ruling his Sub-creation (understood as genuine Creation within God's primary Creation)."

The friendship between Tolkien and Lewis remained steadfast until Lewis died November 22, 1963. His death didn't receive the recognition it should have, because it was also the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I am sure, though, that at least one man did not fail to mourn the passing of that great author. 

New York Times Obituary

“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.” 

― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Why am I focusing on this friendship of theirs instead of their amazing novels? Because recently I have talked about writers needing interaction with other writers. I talked about going to writers conferences and I have mentioned becoming part of a local group of writers. I started attending a new writers group in October of '18. Usually it's just 4 of us. We share some of the writing we have done, even if it's just a journal entry. We don't write the same way and I'm the only fiction writer in the group. We are all Christians, but have different backgrounds and histories. Even though we are different in many ways, I feel so at home in that group. Maybe because even though we are different, we are similar in many ways, too. The feeling of kinship I get when I am around other writers is inexplicable. Maybe that's the feeling that caused Tolkien and Lewis to form their bond of friendship.

Just as Tolkien and Lewis inspired, encouraged and critiqued each other, we can also, with our own writing friendships. Maybe you aren't a writer. You can still be an encouragement to someone, who can also be an encouragement to you in whatever your life's work. Remember, I'm not only a writer, but a homemaker.  Friendships that encourage me in that area are also important. Making friends has never been my strong suit, though. Believe it or not, I'm a shy introvert. Unless I really feel comfortable in a situation, I will be the quiet one who goes unnoticed. The older I get, the more I'm trying to fight those natural inclinations to hide. I realize more and more how much I need friendships with people that know more than me. Friendships with people that have already learned things I still need to learn. 

Samwise Gamgee, The Fellowship of the Ring

Maybe I'm the only one who came away from that play with this message, but it has made me appreciate more the writing friendships I am forging and those I hope to forge in the future. 

I hope you will think about the friendships you not only have, but need. May God bless you with good friends.

In Christ,

Sandy