Brave Review

Last week, I went to see Disney-Pixar's Brave with some family visiting from Texas, and overall, I enjoyed the storyline. However, I did notice some underlying threads that disappointed me.

What I loved

The broken relationship that Merida and her mother Eleanor must work to mend is a beautiful picture of repentance, forgiveness and love. Their comical struggle to communicate and work together after Eleanor’s transformation will make you laugh, while the price that their foolish pride could have cost them both teaches a valuable lesson.

I also appreciated that the resolution to the problem is not to simply marry off the princess – as in almost every other Disney-Pixar princess movie. She and her mother grow closer through the conflict, and the conclusion implies that Merida is now free to choose her own husband – when and if she decides to do so.

What made me frown

Disney-Pixar is known for having magic in their princess movies – There always seems to be an enchantress, a witch, a sorcerer, etc. So characteristically, there is a witch in this story.

However, the movie presents her as a whimsical old woman and is not clear whether she plays a good or bad part. Her role helps propel the plot but never identifies her as a villain. I dislike when entertainment waters down right from wrong – and blurs the lines between good and evil.  

What also made me frown was how the movie presents men and fathers. They handle themselves like buffoons, always quarreling and fighting. Merida and her mother constantly have to put them in their places. Granted, the men do not lack bravery – jumping to defend the women against the demon bear – but in general, they act like children.

One last note

Due to the violence and scary scenes, I would not recommend this movie for small children. For older children and families, though, it makes for a good story, a discussable plot – and I should not fail to mention the beautiful Celtic soundtrack.

Catch Up and Ramp Up Your Writing

A week ago, I returned from my church mission’s trip, which was quite simply a fabulous experience. Getting away from the day-to-day demands, bonding with a talented and diverse team, and having the chance to help our missionaries in their ministry are just a few reasons why I enjoyed so much being a part of this trip.

Not so fun were the flights back home which involved a nearly 12-hour stay in an airport with a mere 6 terminals, getting into our connecting city at 12:30 in the morning, arriving at a hotel at 2:30 in the morning and then finally landing in Tampa during Tropical Storm Debbie.

However, I’m not convinced that traveling challenges are the hardest part about coming home. I think harder still is getting back into a routine – specifically, a writing routine. After a mission trip – or any trip for that matter – what is the best way to “ramp up” and get back to being serious about your writing projects?

Never stop writing in the first place

Whenever I go on trips, I take a journal with me. Of course, journaling doesn’t equal the intensity of book writing projects, but it keeps me channeling ideas onto paper – ideas that may even come in useful for future projects.

Get your distractions out of the way

What do I mean by that? Simply this: Take care of any immediate demands for your attention. For me, that list included unpacking, laundry, emails, phone calls, photo development, etc. In other words, take care of what you need to address, and then your mind will be freer to focus on your writing projects.

Pick up right where you left off

Sounds like common sense? Well, it is (and it’s much easier if you left your writing projects in some form of organization before you left). There’s no use staring at the computer screen wishing you were back wherever you just went. Roll up your sleeves, and start writing.

So what helps you get back into a routine after time away?

The Rough Draft Is Done! Now Get Out the Red Pen.

It's done! I've completed the rough draft for book two of my Wings of the Dawn series.

But as we talked about last time, the rough draft is simply a step along the way toward completing a book. It's a big step, but still ahead are several challenges.

That's why - although I'm taking this moment to lean back in my chair and appreciate my 60,000+ word count - I am not shutting down the computer just yet.

Instead, I'm jotting down some questions that will help focus my proofreading - and perhaps prove helpful to other writers who are ready to get out the red pen and start reviewing their rough drafts. 

Consider some "big picture" questions:

• What questions did I raise early in the story? Did I answer them - or did I intentionally leave them unanswered?
• Does my character development seem natural? Readers should be able to relate to the characters and find their struggles and successes believable.
• Does my plot move at a steady, suspenseful pace, and do I have a logical timeline of events? 
• What details might I (as the author) take for granted that my readers may need clarified? For example, by this point, I feel as though I know my characters personally and can practically see them and hear them talk. However, have I glossed over some helpful descriptive information that my audience might want to know?

That said, don't forget the details. Back in college, I learned that I needed to proof my papers and projects several times - each time with a different focus. For example, the first time , I would review the "big picture" issues. Then, as I went back for a second and third review (and in some cases, more than that), I would focus on the details of sentence structure, phrasing and grammar.

Yes, a rough draft is a big accomplishment, but now isn't the time to rest on any laurels. Now is the time to grab the proofing pen and set to work on the next phase of the story's development.

Planning Your Book Production Calendar

The other day, I was telling one of my friends how close I am to finishing the rough draft for my second book.

“Oh, I can’t wait to read it!” she said. “So I should look for it on Amazon sometime soon, right?”

I smiled to myself and then explained that my rough draft doesn’t quite equate to the finished, published version. It’s just one of the milestones in the process.

My day job involves managing catalog development at my workplace, and I’ve learned that the best way to plan catalog production is to work backwards. Your book project planning can work much the same way.

Start with the finish line in sight

When I say “work backwards,” I mean you must first determine your deadline or define your expectation. Do you want your book to be orderable in December? What do you have to do to achieve that?

For example, let’s take a look at two key dates on the timeline of my first book... in reverse.

• November 30, 2010 – Published, available on Amazon.com
• November 4, 2010 – Uploaded manuscript to self-publishing service

Let’s pause right there. When I bought my self-publishing program with Xulon Press, my author service representative told me that the physical production process could take up to 90 days. You need to plan for how long the process could take, and if it gets done sooner (as in my case), that’s icing on the cake.

Some other key steps in your planning process should include:

• Researching your publishing options: This is an ongoing project (unless you have a publishing house just waiting for your manuscript or an agent who is working to sell your book for you).
• Editing your draft: If you are confident in your command of the English language and undertake the task yourself, you will have to keep yourself accountable to your book’s calendar. If you contract a professional editor, you’ll need to get a quote up front to help you estimate the time factor involved.
• Completing your rough draft: This is a huge achievement, but don’t give in to the temptation to sit back and relax. You still have a lot of work in front of you.
• Getting started: As I talked about in my previous post on metrics, it’s important to set word and page count goals to keep yourself disciplined and accountable. Sure, your estimates are subject to change, but they give you something to work toward and help keep you on track.

Here’s the heart of the matter: Starting your book production with the goal in sight is really the only way to start.

Summertime Reminds Me to Try New Things

Florida already feels like summertime outside, and summer still gets me excited – even though I’m no longer a student and don’t get to enjoy an actual summer break.

No, summertime makes me excited, because for the second year in a row, I'm going on a mission trip. Last year, I went to Nicaragua with Chosen Children Ministries. This year, I’m helping my church – Spring Hill Baptist – with our missions program and a trip to Montana to work with some of our missionaries.

There are two things I love most about mission trips. The first is time set apart to spend time with God and serve Him while seeking to make a difference in other people’s lives. Daily life is so burdened with responsibilities and demands; being able to leave them behind and focus on the One who matters most is indescribably refreshing.

The second is something I learned to love while in Nicaragua: the chance to try new things. We haven’t even boarded the first flight, and already I’m experiencing this blessing.

During our first team meeting, my pastor asked who would be interested in working with puppets. I have never worked with puppets but wanted to give them a try – so my hand shot up along with several teenagers’ hands.

My pastor looked my way and smiled. “Well, Kristen, since you’re the oldest, why don’t you head up puppets.”

Oh boy, now you’ve done it. I thought. I don’t have a clue where to start.

But that turned out to be the best part. My pastor, knowing how I enjoy writing, suggested I write the puppet skits. So I cranked out four skits on the Fruit of the Spirit that follow a frog, a ditzy red head, her friend Daniel and their Sunday school teacher. My puppet teammates and I have had a blast running through the skits and recording them – and now we’re just about ready to start practicing with the puppets themselves.

Our trip starts in less than a month. And I am so excited to see what God is going to teach me and how He may see fit to use me.

I know this post isn’t really about how to be a better writer, but in some ways, it is. Summer is almost here, and there’s no better time to try new things.

The Glad Game

Do you ever get excited when you rediscover as an adult a movie that you loved as a child? I just recently watched the movie Pollyanna, starring Hayley Mills, with my family and had this experience. However, my perspective was quite different today than it was when I was ten, and as a result, my take-away was different.

So how do you create a story that speaks to all ages? Two quick ideas from Pollyanna…

Universality

That’s a big word that means everyone can relate to what’s being said or done. There’s a universal appeal or application, truth that any audience can recognize.

Pollyanna invents a game for herself called the Glad Game that changes the population of Harrington Town. Simply put, no matter what has happened, you must always think of something to be glad about.

She tells the story of really wanting a doll but getting a pair of crutches instead. Pollyanna finds something glad about the mistake. “Well, at least I didn’t have to use them [the crutches].”

From Aunt Polly to Nancy to Mrs. Snow to Dr. Chilton, all the characters learn something from Pollyanna and her Glad Game. Find yourself in one of these characters, and you’ll find out what you can learn from this little girl.

Something Untold

The movie ends with Aunt Polly and Dr. Chilton taking Pollyanna to have a procedure done that will make her walk again.

As I child, I saw this as a happy ending. Everyone is smiling and waving and cheering.

As an adult, I saw the ending differently. My life experiences have shaped my perspective, and I realize that all stories do not end happily. I realize now there is no guarantee that this little girl whom the entire town has come to love will actually walk again.

And what if she doesn’t? Will she be able to keep smiling? Would I be able to keep smiling?

My Take-Away for Writers

No matter what story you’re trying to tell, it should have the element of universality. For example, are your characters believable? Do they have a backstory, or what are their struggles? If they’re perfect, it’s going to be hard to find an audience that can relate to them!

And finally, what does your story say – or what doesn’t it say? Whether the conclusion wraps up all the loose ends or leaves unfinished details, give the audience something to think about.

So what are some favorite movies – or books – you’ve rediscovered as an adult? What qualities make them worth revisiting?

Metrics and Keeping Your Writing on Track

Have you heard the saying, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure?” I realize this principle is primarily connected with the business world, but I believe there’s an application here for writers as well.

 I remember when I first started seriously writing fiction during my high school years. I’d sit down at my computer, work really hard and save my draft a couple hours later, feeling quite accomplished. But then, life would happen, and the demands of high school (not nearly as complicated as they seemed at the time), would get in the way. My progress was like an irregular heartbeat.   

With my first book – and especially with my second one – I established benchmark goals. Setting goals is certainly the first step, but without a way to track or measure progress, the goals lose their clarity.

That’s where metrics comes into play. Metrics, as simply defined by dictionary.com, is “the science of measuring.”

For example, my goal with my second book is to have my rough draft complete by June (yes, of this year). A goal has to be specific, so I estimated my target page and word counts. Then, looking at those numbers, I set up an Excel spreadsheet with formulas to calculate the difference between my actual and target counts. As I record my progress each week, I’ve been able to see the difference as I chip away at those goals.  

Guess what? My simple spreadsheet has helped keep me accountable, and I’ve stuck to my weekly goals. I’ve watched the difference between actual and target counts shrink and the percentage completion steadily rise, which has in turn helped motivate me to stay on track.

And what I’ve learned is this: Goals, metrics and motivation work hand in hand. You can’t have one without the others.