A Novel Creation www.WatersWords.com

  Writing Your Story…By THE Book     by Rebecca Waters   Last week I encouraged my readers to consider writing their own stories of hope and inspiration and submit them to Chicken Soup for the Soul. If you missed that post, click HERE.    Some of you may have a different sort of story in mind. When I decided to take my writing seriously in 2012, I had an idea for a story. A novel. Because I knew little about the process of crafting a novel, I began by journaling my way through the first draft. I continue to use this practice now as I work on my fifth book. I am convinced journaling helps writers identify and resolve problems as they write.   But this post isn’t about journaling. It is about a discovery I made through the journaling activity.   Journaling is part of my morning routine. I read my Bible, eat my breakfast, and spend five minutes or so journaling about my novel. As I journal each morning, I note where I am in the manuscript and where I...

What is Your Story?    This past weekend I attended an online writing conference sponsored by Mt. Zion Ridge Press. The keynote speaker was award winning James Rubart. The other headliner was well known author Rachel Hauck. I’ve heard both speak before. They are inspiring as well as instructive. Conferences are a great way to connect with other writers and pick their brains. I always learn something new.   At this conference, one participant asked about the market for memoirs.    The truth about memoirs is simple. If you are a celebrity or hero of some sort, your memoir will get published and sell. The rest of us? Not so much.   Yet, I am convinced we all…ALL…have a story to tell.  A story of growing up and coming of age.  A story of love lost or love found.  A story of grief.  A story of overcoming.  A story of success despite all odds.  A work story. A school story. A story of travel or adventure.   You get the idea. We ...

  Perspective.   At an earlier visit to the library, my ten-year-old granddaughter checked out  The Dangerous Book for Girls . It is a fun book offering a range of how-to advice and information about growing up. There was a section in the book called “boys.” The author offered what boys think and why they act as they do.  Interesting.   My granddaughter wanted to know what the authors told boys about girls.  Smart.   On a recent visit to the library, she located  The Dangerous Book for Boys  and turned to the section labeled “girls.” Doing Her Research   The authors of the book had little to say. They wrote an entire paragraph basically saying that girls like to talk. They also mentioned in a sentence or two that girls don’t find body noises as funny as boys do.  Curious.   Remember the Mel Gibson/ Helen Hunt movie  What Women Want ? It’s an “oldie” from back in 2000. Through an electrical accident Mel Gibson’s character c...

The Roller Coaster Metaphor   I am always surprised when experiences collide and shape my understanding of the world. I love being able to look at the past through a new lens, lending meaning to my current life circumstances while at the same time, helping others. This is the case of the roller coaster.   The first story I sold to  Chicken Soup for the Soul  was called “The Roller Coaster.” It was published a volume titled “The Power of Positive.” In that story I shared how resolving my fear of roller coasters helped me address other intimidating situations. It is a true story.    But this past weekend, my roller coaster experiences emerged in two very separate conversations as a metaphor for grieving.  (I started to write the grieving “process” but I think it more a journey than a process. More like a roller coaster.)   Saturday, I talked with a new writer friend. She lost her husband suddenly two years ago. A logging accident. Then on Sunda...