Category: Guest blog

Make Your Stories Come Alive

M. Liz Boyle

So happy to have author M. Liz Boyle back here at JPC Allen Writes. Today she’s giving advice on how to make your stories come alive.

Hi, and thanks to JPC Allen for the opportunity to discuss Writing with the Senses!

What words come to mind when you read this paragraph from Firehorse by Diane Lee Wilson?:

“I crouched so close over Peaches’ neck that her mane whipped my cheek. When I drummed my bare heels against her sides, she doubled her speed. The pebbled dirt road melted into a blur. My heart pounded through my skin.”

Excitement, restlessness, and urgency come to my mind. Interestingly, none of those words or their synonyms are present.

How do we know that it’s a warm summer day? How do we feel the rush of wind and hear the horse’s fast breath? What did the author do to transport us into the rider’s life?

It all comes down to Show, Don’t Tell and catering to the readers’ senses.

Writers at any stage in their career have heard about Show, Don’t Tell. If you’re like me, you may at some point have wondered, “Um, okay, but how?” One thing that has improved my ability to show is to ignite the senses.

How do we ignite the senses? Let’s study a few examples.

Each plump dewdrop glowed with the moon’s reflection. We don’t have to be told that the moon is bright – we can picture it!

My pulse hammered behind my eyes and I craved my pillow and quilt. Obviously the narrator has a headache, and more importantly, we can understand how bad the headache is. 

My ears strained to pick up any sound – a snapping twig, a rustle of grass, anything besides my conscience screaming at me. This is stronger than describing the setting as “quiet as a mouse,” and we know that the narrator is in (or will be in) trouble. 

It was like the clouds’ paint set exploded with reds, pinks, and orange, filling the world with a rosy glow. So is the sky beautiful? It seems like it to me, even without using the word beautiful. 

Grandma hugged me, and like always, she smelled like home. There’s no need to say that Grandma gives comfort, because readers will deduce that.

The soup’s perfect blend of flavors made my tongue regret that I was swallowing the last spoonful. Without using the words delicious or famished, we know that the soup is delicious and that the narrator is still hungry. 

Consider what’s missing in the sample sentences. With the exception of the color words in the sunset/sunrise example, there are very few adjectives. 

You’re familiar with adjectives, those noun-describing words that your 7th grade English teacher encouraged you to generously season every sentence with. I’m not by any means casting out all adjective use, but I am saying that in some cases, we can give more vivid descriptions without using adjectives. 

We provide vivid descriptions by appealing to readers’ senses. When writing a scene, if you ever feel detached from your character, like they’re in the middle of a boring, flat experience while you’re yawning on the sidelines, tell yourself to zero in on one or two senses. Put yourself in the character’s place and describe what they hear, smell, taste, feel, and see. Find the sense words that make the scene come alive and write the scene.  

Adjectives have their rightful place, and we don’t want to exhaust readers by constantly bombarding their senses with descriptions, but many times, sense-igniting descriptions are just what we need to make the scene real for our readers. 

Loved the examples you gave, especially “My pulse hammered behind my eyes and I craved my pillow and quilt” and “Grandma hugged me, and like always, she smelled like home”.Thank you for the wonderful tips to make our stories comes alive!

For more tips on writing with the senses, click here.

*****

Don’t the covers just scream adventure? Click here to learn more about the Off the Itinerary series. Click here to buy at Amazon.

Praise for Ablaze:

“M. Liz Boyle tackles the topic of showering difficult people with grace and forgiveness, making this a must-read for Christian teens. Adventure seekers who loved Avalanche and Chased will fall head-over-heels for the adventure that heats up in Ablaze!” – author Allyson Kennedy

This summer the Stanley sisters and the Miles boys are excited to hike together again, and now they have the unique opportunity to help two of their ranger friends with an outdoor program in the beautiful Montana mountains. 

Marlee has always considered herself a willing follower. Give her a direction and she’s happy to help. Her older sister Ellie is a natural leader, and Marlee is content in her role as assistant.

Marlee and her sisters have been assigned to help with Ranger Rose’s team, and they are savoring the adventure. But in a heartbeat while the group is divided by a few hundred feet, fire breaks out between Ranger Rose and Marlee’s group. In this enthralling finale to the Off the Itinerary series, Marlee must face her fears with courage that only God can provide.

*****

Liz is the author of the Off the Itinerary series, the wife of a professional tree climber, and the homeschooling mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She makes adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone). 

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Guest Blogger Madisyn Carlin

Guest blogger Madisyn Carlin

It’s always fun to introduce to a new author here at JPC Allen Writes. My guest blogger Madisyn Carlin releases her first novel, Deceived, on April 25 and offers tips for the writer beginning to wade into the unknown waters of writing his or her first novel.

I arrived late to the writing scene. Instead of being bitten by the storytelling bug in my early years, I finally decided to apply imagination to paper at age sixteen. With some hefty encouragement from my mom, a homeschool assignment to write a novel in a year, and a vague idea that came from nowhere, I set out to see if I could be a writer. 

I learned something within the first few chapters. Writing your first novel—and seeing it to completion—is not as easy as it sounds. 

Dear writer, you will experience setbacks, writer’s block, disappointments, discouragement, and, perhaps, even the temptation to give up and call it quits. When that happens, here are five methods to help you see your novel to completion.

One: Pray

I know it’s exciting to watch those words appear on the screen or on paper, but don’t run headlong into writing. First, spend time in prayer. Pray God will guide you as you write and that the words you write are for His glory. Dedicate your story to Him.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”. Write your book with the anticipation of creating a product that will glorify God. This will help keep you from worrying about potential criticisms and the fact not everyone will like your story.

Two: Learn

There are two basic types of writers. The plotter and the panster. The plotter details their story through outlines, meticulously writing their story from beginning to end—in that order. The panster writes scenes and chapters out of order and returns to piece them together. Determine which type you are. 

During what time of day do you have the most inspiration? Nighttime? Daytime? Afternoon? Midday? Are you an early bird or the night owl? Furthermore, what provides inspiration? Going on a walk and letting your mind wander? Listening to music? Looking at pictures? Does another hobby, like baking, yardwork, or exercise, give you bursts of ideas? Find what provides inspiration and utilize it. This will not only keep your mind limber and ready to write, but it will help lessen writer’s block.

Three: Create

Find Bible verses, pictures, music, settings, colors, quotes, and more that inspire you. Create a mood board or aesthetic. This can be done by pasting pictures and links into a writing document or using photo editors/collage creators. Refer to this daily; definitely just before you begin writing. If you like to draw, sketch your characters. If you like graphic design, create a mock cover.

Four: Write

This goes without saying. After you’ve sufficiently prepared yourself using the three aforementioned steps, sit down and write. Focus on your story and let the creativity flow. Don’t edit as you write. There will be time for that later.

Five: Never Give Up

It’s said the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. For the writer, one more thing is added to the list: writing struggles. These include, but are not limited to, writer’s block, discouragement, disappointments, and outside distractions. Sometimes, these tempt us to give up on our novel. When those struggles come, and they will, endure. Push on. Fight for your story. Don’t give up on the dream God has planted in your heart. 

Writing is an adventure. You never know where your characters and plot will take you. As you embark on this journey, remember first and foremost that you are writing for God, and second, that you can do this.

Thank you so much, Madisyn, for your words of encouragement. It’s something every writer needs!

***

What a gorgeous cover!

In a land built upon lies and deception, uncovering the truth can be deadly.

Therese Westa is sick of death, but taking lives is what provides for her younger sisters. When a client approaches her with an unusual request, Therese takes the job offer, which includes the condition of “no questions asked”. As Therese uncovers the reason for the request, she is faced with a choice: kill an innocent man or save her sisters.

Therese’s hesitation to carry out the assassination thrusts her into the aftermath of a dangerous chain of events. Caught between security and truth, Therese must choose where her loyalties lie, for the answer will determine who survives. 

***

Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Connect with Madisyn below::

Blog: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/madisyncarlin/

Instagram handle: madisyn_carlin

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Mixing in History to Thicken the Plot

Mixing in History to Thicken the Plot

Author Anne Clare is back with a new novel, releasing Nov. 1, set during the WWII Italian campaign. So happy to have her guest blog, “Mixing in History to Thicken the Plot”. Take it away, Anne!

Thank you so much for inviting me to stop by, and for the opportunity to write on the theme of plot. It was good for me to take a step back and think about how I formulate mine! 

I write fiction set during World War II, and I find that my research tends to drive the formation of my stories. While a good plot is much more than a series of events, the true events from history often direct the paths my stories take. 

Perhaps the easiest way to describe this is to use my upcoming release’s plot as an example. 

I knew that I wanted to write a story set in WWII Italy. I also thought that I’d like to set it on or around the Allied beachhead on Anzio. For those of you unfamiliar with the Anzio campaign, in brief, the Allied advance up Italy had stalled, so Allied planners decided to send a force by sea up behind the German lines to land near the town of Anzio. The idea was that with the beach landings from behind and an assault from the main force in the south, the Allies would break through and march on to Rome. It didn’t work. The 70,000 or so troops and personnel who landed on Anzio were stuck on the beachhead from January until May, taking punishing German fire from the heights.

 I hadn’t really gotten beyond planning the setting when I came across an off-hand comment in one of my research sources. As the Germans and Allied lines were so close on the Anzio beachhead, it was not uncommon for soldiers on both sides to be taken prisoner, escape, and just walk back to their own lines. 

This caught my attention and imagination. What would this look like? Surely the escapes wouldn’t be quite as easy as these couple of sentences made them sound. 

Now I had a setting and the start of a plot—the story would deal with a POW escape. I’d most likely need to include a capture which might be a good place to put the story’s “hook.” Imprisonment and an escape with some obstacles would fit naturally during the “rising action.” I still had to decide how the climax of the story would look, and if the escape plans would be successful—but sharing more of that would include spoilers! 

Now, while my imagination took over, filling in the characters and details, I still needed to study the history to make sure that my fledgling plot would be plausible. (While my books are fictional, I try my utmost to make certain that the events could have happened.) A couple of other real events were major influences on my writing.

In mid-February, about a month into the Anzio campaign, the Germans launched a major offensive which cut deeply into the Allied beachhead and threatened to push them back into the sea. The offensive lasted for almost a week. It occurred to me that this would be a prime time for taking prisoners. And what if, with the offensive keeping the German man-power busy, some of the prisoners couldn’t be transported further back to POW camps immediately but were temporarily held closer to their lines. That could work…

Another piece of the plot fell into place. 

Characters also influence the plot, and history provides a wide and varied selection of fascinating characters. Some of the names associated with the Anzio area that might be familiar are Audie Murphy, (the most highly decorated American soldier of WWII) cartoonist Bill Mauldin, and the Tuskegee Airmen.  

Not all of the people serving on Anzio were involved in combat. Generally, the chain of evacuation for wounded soldiers was quite long with the field hospitals far behind the front line. On Anzio, the beachhead was so narrow that the front line was only about ten miles from the sea. Huddled together by the coast at Nettuno, just south of Anzio, the hospital area was well within German firing range. Unfortunately, although the hospital tents were marked with large red crosses in white circles and off-limits to attack according to the Geneva Convention, the area was hit often and badly to earn the nickname “Hell’s Half Acre.” Six nurses and many other medical staff and recovering patients lost their lives there. While their names might not be as familiar as some, their service and sacrifice must be remembered. 

While I do not include real people in my fiction except in off-hand references, learning about the real people who served and sacrificed in these areas helped direct my story and enrich my characters. 

For a final example of history influencing plot, one—somewhat lighter—story about the nurses’ experiences caught my eye as I was reading Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee and Evelyn M. Monohan’s fantastic book, And If I Perish: Frontline U.S. Army Nurses in World War II. (On a side note, I’d highly recommend this book to people interested in this era. The stories of the courage of the women who served in often appalling conditions are inspiring.)

The anecdote went something like this: When some of the first nurses landed on the beachhead, they were to be transported to their hospital area to set up. However, their driver must have gotten turned around and the further he went, the more anxious he became, especially as German shells began falling. Finally, he stopped the vehicle, told the nurses to get out, and drove away, promising that someone would come for them. 

The nurses took shelter in a small chicken house, and eventually saw men crawling toward them from two directions. Recognizing them as British and American soldiers, they approached. The soldiers were astonished to see the women and informed them, “We’re the front line, and you’re in front of us. That puts you in no-man’s land.” (Page 252.) 

Eventually, the nurses did make it to their hospital. I’m not sure what happened to the driver. And the incident solidified some ideas I’d already had for where my work of fiction might go. 

Writers, what real things influence your stories and their plots? Incidents from history? Things that happened in your own lives? 

Readers, do you enjoy reading stories with plots based in real events? Are there eras or places that you find particularly compelling? 

Again, many thanks to JPC Allen for hosting me today, and to you for stopping by! 

Thank you for explaining how you use mixing in history to thicken the plot. Best wishes with your latest release!

If you’d like to read Anne’s previous guest blogs, click here.

*****

Wonderful cover!

When she had signed up, she’d thought she was ready. Ready for a combat zone. Ready to prove that she could be brave. The sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, stronger and longer lasting than any bout of seasickness, foreboded that maybe she had been wrong.

1944

Lieutenant Jean Hoff of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and infantryman Corporal George Novak have never met, but they have three things in common.

They are both driven by a past they’d rather leave behind.

They have both been sent to the embattled beachhead of Anzio, Italy.

And when they both wind up on the wrong side of the German lines, they must choose whether to resign themselves to captivity or risk a dangerous escape.

Where Shall I Flee? follows their journey through the dangers of World War II Italy, where faith vies with fear and forgiveness may be necessary for survival.

Anne Clare is a native of Minnesota’s cornfields and dairy country. She graduated with a BS in Education in 2005 and set out to teach in the gorgeous green Pacific Northwest, where she and her husband still live. She also serves as a church musician, singing in and occasionally directing choirs, playing piano, organ, and coronet (the last only occasionally, when she forgets how bad she is at it.) After the birth of her second child, she became a stay-at-home mom, and after the birth of the third she became reconciled to the fact that her house would never be clean again, which allowed her to find time to pursue her passion for history and writing while the little people napped. Although she’s back to teaching part-time, she continues to write historical fiction and to blog about WWII history, writing, and other odds and ends at thenaptimeauthor.wordpress.com. You can also follow her on her FB page.

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Author Interview with Laurie Lucking

Laurie Lucking

So glad to post this author interview with Laurie Lucking! Laurie is returning to JPC Allen Writes to talk about her latest novel and the reasons she writes YA fantasy.

Why do you choose to write speculative fiction for young adults, rather than adults?

My flippant answer is because that’s still what I prefer to read, even as an adult! The exciting, moving journey of finding your place in the world, the vivid emotions of leaving the familiarity of home to strike out toward something new, the joys and pains of falling in love for the first time… *happy sigh* 🙂 But on a deeper level, the books I experienced as a young adult had the most profound impact on my life, during a time when I needed that escape and could curl up with a good book for hours on end (now my kids always manage to find me…). Losing myself in a story with a main character I could relate to, a fun adventure, and an uplifting, hopeful ending, helped me forget all the pressures and insecurities of my day-to-day life. I pray my books can provide that kind of safe haven for readers who need an enjoyable break complete with loveable characters and an inspiring message.

What do you think are the keys to creating engaging main characters for young adult readers?

I’ve found that young adult readers seem to really engage with a character when they get to deeply experience that character’s perspective throughout the book. Rather than telling a story or giving limited glances into a character’s mind, narratives that allow the reader to live through the action right alongside the main character – practically feeling like they could be that character – are the ones teens just can’t put down. And I’m right there on the edge of my seat with them!

I still have a long way to go toward writing that kind of immersive point of view, but I think a huge key is having an understanding of the human mind and heart and translating it onto the page. Balancing beautiful prose with the way people actually think. Including internal responses in the midst of actions and dialogue. Taking the time to think through what sensory details your specific character would notice in place of generic descriptions. It’s a long, work-intensive process, but it’s amazing how that in-depth experience really draws readers in!

What is your greatest challenge when writing for young adults? What is your greatest joy?

I often find it challenging to let my characters make mistakes and suffer the ramifications rather than jumping in to prevent or fix them. In some ways, I think I view my characters like my own children and feel the need to protect and nurture them. But of course no one can avoid learning the hard way every time, and going too easy on my characters would never make for an interesting story or powerful journey!

My greatest joy is hearing from a teen (or more often her parents) that she’s read my books over and over again. That’s exactly how I enjoyed experiencing my favorite stories as a young adult, and it means so much to know that my words have impacted others in the same way. One of my readers even dressed as the main character from Common for Halloween last year! Talk about making an author’s day 🙂

That’s a major compliment. What a wonderful tribute!

What are some of your favorite young adult speculative fiction stories?

How much time do you have? *cracks knuckles* Ha, there are just so many, but I’ll try to contain myself! 🙂 I absolutely devoured Katie Clark’s dystopian Enslaved series, and her Rejected Princess series is also fantastic – the clean romance in her books is just so sweet, and her stories have so much intrigue! V. Romas Burton’s Heartmender series has been a recent favorite, with memorable characters and powerful allegorical themes. J.M. Hackman and Laura L. Zimmerman both create such vivid fantasy worlds to explore alongside strong, snarky heroines who experience so much turmoil and growth. And Carrie Anne Noble writes some of the most gorgeous prose I’ve ever read, with imaginative, unpredictable plot twists and deep insights into the human heart. I’ll stop there, but I’ve reviewed and featured lots of my favorite clean fantasy books (many in the young adult category) over at www.landsuncharted.com if you’re looking for more recommendations!

What story are you working on now?

I’ll admit my writing time and creative energy have been pretty limited over the past year between homeschooling my kiddos and all the uncertainty in the outside world, but when I get opportunities I’m working on Book 3 in my Tales of the Mystics series! Tentatively titled Scarred, this story centers around Prince Dominick (Princess Penelope’s spoiled little brother from Traitor) as he humiliates a peasant girl because of the scarring on her face, then has to rely on her help when he’s later cursed and on the run. I’m having a lot of fun with this twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and can’t wait to bring all the scenes I’ve written together into a coherent story!

Thank you so much for hosting me today! 

You are so welcome! And best wishes as you complete Scarred. I always like twists on familiar stories.

*****

Tales of the Mystics

Common

Only one person knows of the plot against the royal family and cares enough to try to stop it—the servant girl they banished.

Leah spends her days scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and meekly curtsying to nobility. Nothing distinguishes her from the other commoners serving at the palace, except her red hair.

And her secret friendship with Rafe, the Crown Prince of Imperia.

But Leah’s safe, ordinary world begins to splinter. Rafe’s parents announce his betrothal to a foreign princess, and she unearths a plot to overthrow the royal family. When she reports it without proof, her life shatters completely when the queen banishes her for treason.

Harbored by an unusual group of nuns, Leah must secure Rafe’s safety before it’s too late. But her quest reveals a villain far more sinister than an ambitious nobleman with his eye on the throne.

Can a common maidservant summon the courage to fight for her dearest friend?

Buy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Goodreads.

Traitor

Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes-if only it didn’t require betraying her new fiancé.

Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.

Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.

Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family. But her devoted, caring fiancé makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she’d rather keep buried far beneath her pristine exterior.

When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fiancé, putting her reputation on the line once more. And her heart.

Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?

Buy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Goodreads.

*****

Laurie Lucking loves books, music, and spending time with her family. A recovering attorney, she now spends her days chasing her active one-year-old, struggling through her sons’ math homework, and writing young adult romantic fantasy (plus a little cooking and cleaning when absolutely necessary). She and her husband make their home in beautiful Minnesota. Laurie’s debut novel, Common, won the Christian Editor Connection’s Excellence in Editing Award and was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her short stories have been published in Brio Magazine, Deep Magic Ezine, and a number of anthologies. Find out more at www.laurielucking.com. You can also follow her at her blog Lands Uncharted, newsletter, reader group, Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, Amazon, and Goodreads.

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