Guest Blogger: Dorothy Cadet "Writing in the Midst of Chaos"

by Dorothy Cadet

http://www.dacbooks.com

When I tell people I am a motivational speaker and writer and have published my first book, they gasp and ask how a mother of 3, (at the time and all were under 7 yrs. old) was able to complete that task.  The short answer is, “sleep deprivation.”  The longer answer is that it was dedication to ensuring that I wrote something every day.

As a stay-at-home-mother, life can get hectic with children, school, house, and working to stay sane.  We are the great vacation-less class of society, but it’s one of the most important jobs in the world!  It’s not always fun and easy, but the rewards are limitless.  In December 2009, I made the decision that I would finally write a practical book full of tips that would encourage women to establish goals dedicated to making memories and prioritizing relationships.

I set myself on a timeline of five months.  Five months was important for me, to minimize the additional work that came along with the children being out of school for the summer, possibly having to relocate for my husband’s job, and oh, by the way, I found out I was pregnant as well. 

I drew up an outline with defining points and when complete, I would have my book in rough draft form.  It began as an hour to an hour and a half daily, however the closer it got to completion, it stretched to nearly three hours.  Regardless of whether it was good or not, I wrote.  I could always edit out, but if there was no content to edit, “Houston, we have a problem.”

It may seem like such a simple thought, but that is how it happens.  Taking what many see as a massive undertaking and blocking time out to get it done, little by little.  I gave up my favorite TV programs and limited internet surfing to about 30 minutes.  I had to get serious about reorganizing my time if I was to complete my project.  Once complete, my husband and I went on a celebratory mini-vacation.  This was crucial because I had poured so much of myself into this project; he and I had to take time to recoup and reconnect.

It was tips like this that I included in the book and a host of others that enable women, whether an expectant mom or veteran, to not let go of their dreams.  The goal of “Laundry Can Wait” is to become a resource for women with practical information that is relevant and immediately implementable.  I encourage all women to pick up a copy at my website, www.dacbooks.com, or they can order it at www.Amazon.com, or fine retailers. Dorothy also writes columns for Examiner.com, an online magazine.

Relationships: All About Friends

They say social media is all about relationships and I agree. This week my guest was Frankie Sherman and as I predicted we had a blast! I met Frankie's publicist via social media. When the firm sent me Frankie's bio the information contained her accomplishments (such as writing the book, "Why we need Girlfriends") but it also contained the details that she was from the south, and loved sweet ice tea. I in turn was born in New York, now live in the south, and love unsweetened ice tea! 

While opposite in many ways, we are kindred spirits. She inspired me with her love for the Lord, her hard work and the attention to details. She was a choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Now her stage is packed audiences waiting to hear her message that is laced with humor and truth. Just as she choreographed the half-time shows, she now works on her presentations. You can see a clip of her video on youtube from her website: www.frankiedsherman.com

Frankie has written a book that is a Bible study. This study is unique in that it focuses on the perspective of two Biblical girl-friends, Mary the mother of Christ and Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist. Through this study you will learn that we all need someone to lean on, an ear to listen and most of all the strength that comes from the Lord to face all that we will in this life.

In receiving a copy of this book I was immediately engaged and hope to soon purchase a copy to give one of my friends in the hope that we can complete this study together. What a wonderful blessing to take a friendship, a relationship to the next-level. Closer to each other and to Christ!

In typical Frankie Sherman style here is her list of more reasons we need girlfriends...

Only our girlfriends understand-

Why we cry at weddings

Why we need 5 pairs of black shoes

Why a pack of M&M’s and a Diet coke is a balanced diet

Why hair spray is the 8th wonder of the world

And only girlfriends understand…other women.


Frankie also added these sober statistics...

1 in three marriages end in divorce

1-in four had been violently abused by a husband boyfriend-the person who told them “I love you.”

10 million diagnosed with clinical depression

1-8 have or will suffer from breast cancer.




We all need friends and sometimes friendship can be found in a book with a caring author. For those of you aspiring to be authors, think about the impact your book can have on another and write from the heart. That will surely inspire, and create a lasting impact in the lives of your readers. What a wonderful legacy you will leave the world. Thank-you Frankie Sherman for leaving your mark for future generations.

Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized: Writing Your Book

Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized 

Writing Your Book

With Thanksgiving week fast approaching I realize your time to write is going to take a hit. Writing your book may not have been on your top ten priority list, anyway. But, with the holiday season upon us it will take a place even further back than usual.

I speak to so many people who have dreamed of writing a book and becoming a published author. This is the best time to do it! Why? Because there is a new industry sprouting up and that is a self-publishing. Even traditionally published authors are sometimes self-publishing their books in order to expedite the turn around time. I will address the new rash of self-publishing houses owned by traditional publishers in a future blog post.

For today, don't put your writing project away quite yet. Before you get too caught up in the flurry make a list! I recently read a post that made me think! 6VAQJY4P6HT4 The suggestion was to make short lists that are manageable. For example no more that ten-twelve items at a time on a list! These are items you can get done that day.

I have an version of this system. I use yellow, or white pads of paper. You know, the legal kind where the pages flip over. I divide a line down the middle and put two headings. Today and Later. Under the today heading I have the items I must accomplish and under the later...things that crop up or I want to accomplish but I'm not sure I will get to today. It helps to keep my frustration level a bit lower!

I have on-going projects that will take weeks and it can be really disappointing to see them on my list day after day. For those I have a flow chart. I have one for books under contract, and another for a book line for books that will be released, including book promotion time lines. I am still tweaking these but hope to have them in an e-book version in 2010. This has been an invaluable help for me.

Just get it down on paper. Make sure you leave a few minutes a day to work toward your writing goals. Even if it is not putting words on paper, you will find that you are making progress if you are researching or editing. The most successful authors are those that sit on that chair, write and do not move! I have interviewed many of these wonderful authors and they all tell me the same thing. They just get it done. If they don't? The lose a contract.


I do want to take the time to say, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post a comment, send an encouraging email or just read the blog, in general! It is because of people like you that there are writers like me. It has been my pleasure to host guest bloggers on this site, as well.

Before I end...one parting question...how do you get your writing tasks accomplished during the busy times of the year? Do you take a break or work through the holidays? I'll answer this question down below, and hope you'll post your advice as well.

Christian Authors Network

Christian Authors Network

What a blessing to have a group of Christian authors agree to interviews on my Blog Talk Radio show, here: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com. These authors have one thread in common, they belong to CAN (Christian Authors Network).  I was introduced to this wonderful group some years back. To be a member you must have a book published traditionally.

In the last few weeks, and some more ahead through the end of the year, I will be interviewing successful authors who have so much to share. Some have made their mark through writing articles, others through ghost writing and authoring their own books, and still others through collaborative efforts. Several are journalists, missionaries, and even romance writers. I have learned so much which is a bonus and perk. I have even received books to review, which I consider an honor.

One such book comes from the guest on an upcoming show, Gail Martin. She penned "Writing the Christian Romance" by Writers Digest books. I was delighted to receive a copy as I have always wanted to write a romance. Actually, I've written two, neither of which I've completed. I consider Gail's book to be one of the best in covering the topic of writing a romance from a Christian perspective. In fact, it has motivated me to pull out those files again and take a look. Maybe they are salvageable after all.

Gail has written a blog post on word placement, using a technique called "backloading" that in essence helps to make strong sentences. Writing boldly is her trademark and I look forward to interviewing Gail as well as reading her post!

Guest Blogger: Candy Arrington

Are Your Writing Ideas Publishable?

© 2009 Candy Arrington

Each of us has gifts and talents, and as writers, we have unique ideas about how to convey various topics via the written word. So why is it that some ideas make it to publication and others don’t?

Often, would-be writers claim someone “took” their idea when they see a book release on a subject they are interested in writing about. But I believe God gives his message, in different forms, to many different messengers. Some heed the call immediately and follow through. Others get bogged down in preparations or procrastination. Years after the idea’s germination, they are still pondering but haven’t thought things through fully enough to get to the nugget that will interest a publisher.

Here are some things to consider when determining if you idea is publishable:

•    What are you writing?

While this may sound amazing, I often review a manuscript the writer thinks is a book, when it’s really an article or devotional. Or a writer refers to something as an article that is really a personal experience story. Or a writer isn’t sure if he’s writing fiction or nonfiction. If you are writing a book, do you know which category your book would fit in on the bookstore shelf? Publishers expect you to know. Until you categorize your work, your writing isn’t likely to get published.

•    Who is your audience?

Do you have a magazine or book publisher in mind for your manuscript? Novice writers write first and then try to place their manuscript. Professional writers write to the market rather than chasing it. Until you know your audience, your writing isn’t focused.

•    Is there a market like for your topic?

Have you done market research to see what else is available on the topic? Have famous authors, who are considered “experts,” written on the topic? If so, you may well have a hard time getting a publisher to consider an additional book on the subject. Can you refine your idea, making it narrower and exploring a different twist on the topic? For example, the subject of parenting is broad. Narrow it down by writing about parenting a techno-savvy generation or effective parenting despite your upbringing.

•    Do you have enough material to support your premise?

Have you created a full outline to see if you have enough for a book, or enough for an article? Can you avoid repeating and rephrasing material? Are there other sources you can draw from and quote? (One caveat: there is nothing more boring than a book of quotations broken up by a little commentary!)

•    Is your idea captivating?

Can you sustain the text and hold reader interest throughout the work? Many times writers repeat the same ideas others have already written on, or worse, paraphrase a seminar they’ve attended. If you idea isn’t involved enough to be captivating, or is pirated from someone else, it will never see publication.

•    Do you have a compelling beginning?

Are you hooking your readers and drawing them in from the first sentence? Start with a story, yours or someone else’s. Write in a narrative format that makes readers want to know more. You have to pique the curiosity of an editor or agent first before moving further in the publishing process.



About :
Candy Arrington’s writing provides Biblical insights and practical advice, often on tough topics. Her publishing credits include hundreds of articles in periodicals such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Encounter, Pray, The Lookout, The Upper Room, Advanced Christian Writer, CBN.com, The Writer, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort series.

She is coauthor of When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House) and Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B & H Publishing Group). Candy is on staff with The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and also provides private paid writing critiques and editing. She is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

Author Interviews: Sandra Glahn

In the next few weeks I will have the privilege of interviewing many authors that belong to the Christian Author's Network, (CAN).  The first of these interviews is with Sandra Glahn. She shared her experience, along with twenty journalists, of meeting and talking to Mr. Nir Barkat, the mayor of Jerusalem.

Sandra is a journalist, as well as a prolific author with some great suggestions for beginning writer’s on her blog: http://aspire2.blogspot.com/2009/10/break-into-publishing.html

I laughingly joke that my first published piece was the letter to the editor. Many of them. When the local paper contacted me about writing a feature editorial piece, and including a picture of myself, I was nervous. This was the “big time” … little did I realize the writing bug had taken a hold.

In her blog post, Sandra recommends writing articles on the same topic as the book you hope to write. It is a great way to break into print. As a teacher to writing students at Dallas Theological Seminary, she should know. She shares much more in her insightful post.

Are you currently working on a book topic? What do you think about Sandra's suggestion?