Today’s question comes from Editor Panlist, W. Terry Whalin.
I resisted for a long time but two months ago, I switched cell phones to the iPhone 5 (my first smartphone). It comes with no instruction book. Yes much of the phone is intuitive. Yet if you want to use your phone to the fullest capability–which I do–I needed more information. I read where novelist Philip Roth is working his way through iPhone 5 for Dummies (http://amzn.to/THCnaq). I thought it was a brilliant idea and purchased a copy.� I have miles to go in my learning process but each day I’ve been working through some of the book and learning new ways to use my phone.
I read it repeatedly in the advice about how to be successful: You have to choose to continue to grow and learn new insights. Over the next few days, let’s discuss different tools and systems that you are using to grow in your writing life. It can be something in the craft or in marketing or an online course or a book or an online video series or ???.
I look forward to your insights.
W. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk. A former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and several of Terry’s books have sold over 100,000 copies. He has authored an innovative training for writers, Write A Book Proposal and has a FREE book, Straight Talk from the Editor. His blog about the Writing Life has more than 1100 searchable entries. Terry is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Follow Terry on Facebook and Twitter.
I am very much a visual learner, so I have to read something in print. If I listen to podcasts–which I do sometimes–I only remember things if I write them down. So my study of craft is mostly through books. The most helpful ones that have really stretched me in the past year are:
THE ANATOMY OF STORY by John Truby
WRITING SUBTEXT by Linda Seger
WRITING FOR EMOTIONAL IMPACT by Karl Iglesias
WRITING 21ST CENTURY FICTION by Donald Maass
Great feedback, Kristi. Thank you. It’s true we all learn differently and need to find our way of learning
I write for children, so I try to attend two regional SCBWI conferences each year. Next week, I am attending a Highlights Foundation workshop.
Other than those, I read books on the craft of writing and follow some blogs.
Patricia,
How terrific to go to the Highlights conference. Sounds fun and perfect for children’s book writers. Also your active involvement in SCBWI is excellent. Great ways to learn about the children’s market.
Terry
In terms of tools, I do almost all of my writing on my iMac. (I have an AlphaSmart NEO too, but have done very little writing on it so far.)
As far as software, I use Microsoft Word for Mac to write my: query letters, cover letters, letters of introduction, articles, devotions, book reviews, and invoices. I manage my lists (next actions, projects, waiting for) with the OmniFocus software and app.
I use the Bento software and app to track submissions and to keep a record of editor contact info and when I need to follow-up if I’m waiting for approval or payment.
Steve,
Thanks for the great list of tools. I’d encourage you to use your Alphasmart. I certainly use mine particularly when I travel. It’s a great tool. Thanks for sharing. Terry
I’m working on a spiritual formation book, Easy Riding, using motorcycles as a metaphor for moving closer to God. I just received a marvelous Christmas gift from my wife, a Nexus 7 tablet, that I can take on the trips to jot down the stories and ideas. Using the cloud, I can access my other files on my trip to Glacier National Park this coming June. Smart phones are too small, laptops are too big, and tablets are “just right” for minor writing projects.
Tim,
The tablet sounds like a perfect tool for your needs. Each of us are different and that’s great insight for how you are using it.
Thank you,
Terry
The largest learning curve I ever had was learning my smart phone, i.e. becoming smarter than it is. If you have a droid, and your carrier is Verizon, if you insist, they will send you an actual booklet for your phone. Like Kristi, I like to read instructions in written form, so my booklet has been invaluable. Now I have become friends with my smart phone and I love it!
Then I got a new laptop and switched to Windows 5, Office 2010. Since I had XP before, that was a huge learning curve, since everything is in a different place from XP. However it wasn’t as huge as my phone, and I conquered it much quicker.
Then I got a Kindle Fire, and that became the easiest learning curve of all. Whenever a good friend has a free book, I download it. I travel a great deal and like to read on planes, in campsites, etc.
Another tool I love is my Dragon Naturally Speaking 11. I had earlier versions that didn’t work nearly as well as the newer ones. I can edit something much faster than I can write, so even if it misunderstands me, it is easily fixed.
Susan,
What a wide range of tools you are using? I tried Naturally Speaking many years ago and it didn’t work for me. I’m glad to hear about your success with it.
Terry
I am very much a by-the-manual learner. Give me a book to read! What seems to be intuitive to most people, is not for me. (Terry, I would be lost trying to figure out anything “i” without a manual.)
In the last 30 days, I have read Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham, and Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. These are wonderful books that I consider essential reading to any fiction writer.
Additionally, as I edit and proof other writers’ work, I am diving into tools like the Writer’s Digest Grammar Desk Reference and The Chicago Manual of Style.
Debra,
Each of us are different and have to figure out the best way for us and our way of learning. It sounds like you’ve found some terrific resources for your writing life. Thanks for sharing.
Terry
I understand the need to keep up with the state of the art of things … but the techy stuff can overwhelm and divert from growth in the craft of writing … for me anyway. Plug away at the basics … read other (good) writers as well as about how to write better … and experiment and practice with what it is I have to say … and mentor those learning to write … all of this helps me step it up a notch.
Janet, I am right with you. I’d rather read, read some more and write some more. But, recently I’ve noticed that all my anthology submissions are asking for a web presence. I interpret this to mean, “if you don’t have a blog with immense following, your work goes in the slush pile.”
We can be stopped dead in our tracks by resistance to technology. I’m afraid I’m stuck.
I vow to (reluctantly) work on this starting today!
Does anyone know a good source about blog creation?
Janet, I’m on FB w/ you and agree with your comments. Everywhere I go, even the gym, I see ppl on their elec devices. It’s obsessive and I don’t want any part of it. FB is enough of a distraction for me! The time it takes to learn new devices seems overwhelming. I think that’s why the Amish genre of books is so popular. Ppl are tired of always learning something new. Thanks for your comments.
Janet, if the tech stuff overwhelms then you are absolutely wise to keep to books and other ways to learn the craft. I agree that mentoring others is a great way to keep your own skills sharp. Terry
I went back to school-first for a BA in English, and then a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing, with a fiction concentration. I was in a low-residency program, which means twice a year for two years I traveled to campus for ten days for lectures and workshops and spent the rest of the semester exchanging work with a mentor. The last residency is only three days or so, but I had to give a craft lecture & allow time for questions & give a reading from my creative thesis. Ugh. For me, working in an academic setting works best for me. I’ve also developed good friendships & found good critique partners. But the best part, & what the tuition pays for, is the one on one mentoring for four semesters.
Cheryl,
What a great way to learn the fiction craft in a concentrated setting. Thanks for sharing. Terry
I’ve mentioned Cec’s book before but will do it again: UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN. That has impacted me in my writing more than any other book. It’s not a “how to” book, but rather a book that encourages you to self-examine yourself and why you write.
I’m a children’s author, too, and have attended SCBWI workshops and also a Highlights week long workshop. Both were interesting, but a bit uncomfortable as no one at any time gave any glory to God. Well, except me. Still, it’s good to see what others are doing and learn from that.
The other thing I’ll be doing this year is judging the Creative Writing at our local Teen Arts Festival. I’m also teaching a workshop. I always learn when I teach.
I even got the seed of an idea for a story character from a picture I saw on Facebook! You never know where you’re going to learn something.
Pam, I’m on FB w/ you and a member of SCBWI and look forward to attending a big writing conf they’re hosting in my area in May! I’d love to attend the Highlights workshops but can’t afford them. I’ve pub’d 9 chn’s books but have not sold magazine articles to chn’s mags. I’d like to learn more about doing this — Christian and secular. Thanks for your comments.
I know Highlights’ workshops are expensive … the time I went for the Whole Novel Workshop for Fantasy, I got a grant and friends sent me $$ to help me go. Highlights is also good at working out time payments. I hope to attend Chautauqua some day.
Yes, I went to Chautauqua the first time on a scholarship too. The other two times I was teaching, which was a lot of fun. I’m still good friends with one of the gals I mentored years ago there. They run a wonderful children’s writers conference.
Pam,
Sounds like a full-court press to me with many different resources you are using to learn. Exciting for you and good examples for us to follow as well.
Terry
Pam, I frequently re-read UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN too–gives me courage to be myself in my writing. I’m active in SCBWI too and have taught at the Highlights workshop you mentioned.
I wanted to mention, if any children’s writers are interested, that I’ll be co-teaching a Highlights workshop later this spring called “Sharing Our Hope: Writing for Religious and Inspirational Markets.” Paula Morrow and I are excited about this. It’s the first workshop on Christian writing Highlights has done. We are eager to have a workshop where, as you said, God gets the glory.
Kristi, I’m a member of SCBWI and look forward to attending a big writing conf they’re hosting in my area in May! I’d love to attend the Highlights workshops but can’t afford them. I’ve pub’d 9 chn’s books but have not sold magazine articles to chn’s mags. Thanks for your comments.
hi Kristi – I’m so excited you’re going to teach at Highlights! I’ll check out their website and see if it’s something I’ll be able to attend.
I have yet to embrace all of the new technology (I don’t even text and don’t apologize for it!). The biggest thing I’ve done to accelerate my writing career was to join Toastmasters and become a confident public speaker. It’s enabled me to meet ppl and get my name out there and earn $$ from speaking and sell more books.