Like a Pumpkin Seed Caught Between Your Eyelashes

One of my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE things about writing fiction - and particularly romantic comedies - is that I get to make up all kinds of new analogies.

Anytime I'm sitting down to write, whether it's a blog or novel, I try my absolute hardest to not say analogies that have already been said once or three million times. A word of warning - you can over-do unique analogies, but a few perfectly placed sayings can take your book to a whole new level. And new levels are great for catching editor's eyes.

Here's a few common cliches for example:

I love him like I've never loved anyone else.

It itched like ants in the pants.

I stuck out like a sore thumb.

He looked healthier than a horse.

Instead, why don't you try something else a little more...unique?

I love him more than a midget loves to limbo.

It itched like a dandruff-stricken measles patient.

I stuck out like a pink, inflatable elephant at a wedding reception.

He looked about as healthy as the tomatoes in my Gran's fridge. And Gran always kept the best-looking tomatoes in her fridge.

Now it's your turn! Here's a few common cliches - how could you rewrite them to sound more eye-catching?

1. Don't be such a stick in the mud!

2. We feel like we're meant to be.

3. He was going to be toast.

4. There are lots of fish in the sea.

Have fun!

How 'Bout Some Information, Please?

As any author will tell you, one of your biggest challenges (after you've written your magnum opus, natch) is effectively marketing not only your work, but yourself.

So you step up your blogging, sign up for Facebook, Twitter and whatever other social networking sites are hip at the moment, and you launch your official website.

But every once in a while, you've got switch things up so that people will continue to be interested, which is precisely what I'm doing with www.christabanister.com as we speak. And now that I'm in the process of making tweaks, I wanted to ask you, our loyal Scribble Chick readers for your feedback on the following...

And to sweeten the pot a little, the first five people who respond will win an autographed copy of one of my novels (your choice). As always, thanks for taking the time to read, and please let us know if there's anything you'd like us to address in future posts.

1)What components do you like seeing on your favorite authors' websites? What could I add that would make you want to visit regularly?

2)If you're a writer, would you enjoy reading a special section that gave specific tips about the craft, writing for publication, etc.?

3)Do you like websites that are basically the author's blog? Or a more of a standalone page like I have with links to everything else? Why?

4)Do you like receiving regular author e-newsletters? Why or why not? And if you like them, what makes one an absolute must-read?

5)Any other feedback/thoughts? Please don't hesitate to let me know...

Because we gotta share the love...

Because Erynn is one of our own Scribble Chicks and because I seriously loved my preview copy of her newest release (August 16th 2011) SKETCHY BEHAVIOR from Zondervan, I had to use my week to post the review I just put up on Amazon...

Erynn Mangum is a well known coffee addict, so I can't resist using coffee metaphors to describe her newest release, SKETCHY BEHAVIOR. This novel is like the perfect blend of coffee. Instead of milk and steam and chocolate, however, SKETCHY BEHAVIOR mixes fun, romance and suspense into a delightful concoction that will send you running for your favorite mug! (and stashing this great read on your keeper bookshelf)

SKETCHY BEHAVIOR is the story of a young teen who by happenstance (or was it by God's Will?) is thrust into the spotlight as a forensic sketch artist. The tables turn when 16-year-old Kate Carter realizes that her sketch wasn't just a get-lucky kind of coincidence in art class, but rather a real gift that might just be more trouble than its worth...

Erynn creates a great balance of crime-scene realism with humor and lighthearted fun, (and even romance!) so the reader doesn't get bogged down in grit, but at the same time, gets to enjoy a suspense ride with all the trimmings.

Don't miss this great read by Erynn Mangum! I couldn't put it down...

Emotional Connections - Not Just for the Bachelorette

Imagine for a moment there’s a hot guy staring at you. You’re also single. (I didn’t say this wouldn’t be a stretch.)

You glance back and your eyes meet Hot Single Guy’s momentarily. He looks away. So… he’s not a creep.

A hot guy who doesn’t treat you like a fresh piece of meat? You need to find out more.

Your heart pounds as you approach. “How’s it going?” you ask.

Then he proceeds to tell you. His grandmother died last year. His Great Aunt lives about 20 minutes from this park bench. He was born in Delaware. He likes cats. He, he, he…

He seemed so normal before he started talking.

In five minutes, not once has he asked a question about you. Not once has he tried to connect with you. There was that first alluring glance, but it was all in the toilet after that.

Sadly, we’ve all met someone like this man. But we, as smart, caring women wouldn’t dare be “that person” to anyone else… would we?

I hate to say it, but there are a lot of writers out there (I’m guilty! I’m guilty!) who treat our readers just like the guy on the park bench treated you. Writers (that’s me!) who say nothing at the beginning of a chapter, at the beginning of an article, at the beginning of a poem, to help the readers feel connected to us or our story.

Oh, we talk about ourselves or our characters plenty. But there’s no common emotion to bring the reader into our world.

And to be honest… it makes our readers feel a little used.

So I challenge you – let's start our stories in places where the reader can emotionally relate. No dry monologues, please. Let's ask ourselves, What could I say that would make the reader relate to the character emotionally?

As for the answer to that question, I defer to you lovely ladies. It’s time to pitch your ideas. What makes you want to keep up a friendship, even if the guy isn’t hot?

What are some ways you're trying to connect through your story?
****
B.J. Hamrick writes for you and for teens at http://www.realteenfaith.com/

The Unexpected

Writing, like life, needs to have a few unexpected twists and turns.

Like life, the characters in your novels need to have a few surprises. Characters need to be upset or overcome or completely shocked by something.

Say... for example... that your character is having a pretty normal day, changed a few nasty diapers but all in all was pretty much going about her day when she got home to discover that the dog had completely gone all upset-stomach all over the kitchen floor.

See? Unexpected.

Then say, for example, that your character spends the next hour sanitizing every single tile on the floor and is so covered in the stench of antibacterial spray that she can barely breathe, much less cook dinner for her family. She's tired, she's grouchy and she's about to either make the dog an outside-only mutt or find a new home for him somewhere where there are lots of kitchen tiles that no one cares about so he can get all upset-stomach on every day without getting in trouble. So, her husband takes her and their baby out for dinner.

Again. Unexpected. But this time, in a good way. :)

Like life, your characters need to feel emotion - they need to be shocked, sad, confused, angry. But don't just tell it - show it. How do you act when you're upset? How do you behave when you're tired? Do you ever snap a short, sarcastic reply when someone asks the wrong question at the wrong time?

Writing, like life, needs to be full of life. And life abundant.

And as for the dog, I am still deciding whether or not to let him back into my good graces. Maybe once the scent of sanitizer fades from my hair. I'll keep you posted.

From 60 Rejections to Success

Fellow writers,

Need some inspiration? Well, Kathryn Stockett, you know the best-selling author of The Help has a great story of how 60 (yes, 60!) rejections still didn't get her down.

Guess it's a good thing she didn't give up, right?

Don't Forget to Share...

And no, I don't mean gossip...but seriously, isn't this picture just too cute for words?

Ok, back on topic...Betsy's fantastic post about encouraging other writers yesterday made me immediately remember an idea I'd planned to write about long, long ago. You know back before I got really busy and disappeared for a while...

I always said that if I had any measure of success as a writer that I'd share what I knew with others who aspired to do the same. And while I haven't exactly hit the New York Times' bestseller list yet (but boy, would I ever freak out if I did), I've had many opportunities to do just that—and it's been one of the most rewarding things about the writing life.

Back when I was the new kid on the block in Nashville and had just started working for CCM Magazine, my editorial assistant duties mostly considering of typing and html coding back issue copy (apparently, just scanning it in wouldn't work). And considering the magazine had already been in print for twenty-something years when I started, well, there was lots and lots and lots of typing to do.

And because there was sooo much typing, I was pretty sure I wouldn't actually be writing for a good, long while. But before I contracted the hideous case of carpal tunnel that I often stayed awake worrying about, one of my editors surprised me with a short feature writing assignment. It was only 400 words, but to me, it was the equivalent of being asked to pen a sequel to The Great Gatsby.

Once I turned it in, other opportunities started becoming available to me, too, and I was immediately struck by the generosity of my superiors. Sure, they were also writers, but they had no qualms about introducing me to people who could help further my career, too. And once those very people left CCM, they made sure to keep me in the loop for other editorial projects as well. Plus, whenever I needed career advice, they were more than happy to meet for coffee or chat over dinner, and that encouragement was pivotal in me launching my own freelance writing business.

So long story short, that's exactly what I try to do now. I've had four different interns in the past couple of years, and teaching them the proverbial tools of the trade has been such a joy. I see the same hunger and passion for writing in their eyes that I had in the beginning, and pointing them in a helpful direction so they can succeed—or even sharing my contacts with them—is an absolute pleasure.

See, there's always enough writing to go around, no matter how competitive the market, so I guess what I'm trying to say is sharing is definitely the way to go. And when you do so, you never know what might be around the corner when you're generous with your own resources...