by Roseanna White | Jul 28, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Confession time: I am not, by nature, the type to accept critique. Maybe (and I’m guess here) it has to do with the fact that back in grade school I was always the one at the top of the class. The one who was always right, who the teachers used as an example. I got accustomed to being the best. And when you think you’re the best, it’s pretty easy to ignore advice from lesser mortals. 😉
In high school, I remember when my AP English teacher was talking to us about constructive criticism. I understood the theory, obviously, but I recall thinking something like, “Yeah, but it never feels constructive. It feels like you saying you’re right and I’m wrong.” Have I mentioned I didn’t like being wrong? LOL.
When it came to my writing, I tended to do it for myself. I had eight books completed by the time I finished college, and only let close friends and family read them. There were quite a few times when I’d ask for advice about a certain aspect of the story, or on where to cut to get my word count down.
And nearly every one of those times, I’d ignore whatever advice came in. Think something along the lines of, “What do you know? This isn’t your story.” And do it my way.
I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but I finally realize that, in fact, it is the reader’s story. And so I need to write it for them, not for me. Which means I need to know what they need. What they think. What needs to be changed. And so I consider myself blessed to have critique partners and editors who offer criticism–the kind that really is constructive.
Last Tuesday afternoon, I got my second round of edits on
Annapolis. The editor, in her email, called it “pristine,” and said she barely got to do her job. Naturally, this made my day. And naturally, when I opened the document, I saw that there was still
some work to do. I paged through it as I was making dinner and getting ready to run out for an evening appointment, and when I saw that some of the suggestions required actual thought, my reaction was something like this: “You’re kidding me, right?”
Yep, the same reaction I’ve always had. Here’s the difference–I used to leave it at that thought. When I first joined a critique group, it would sometimes take me days to heed good advice. Now it’s the same process of acceptance on my part–but it only takes a few seconds. Sometimes part of a second. After that first, “But, but, but . . .” I go, “Yeah, I see your point. Okay.” And I get down to making it better.
Occasionally my work with other writers, many of them new to the business and still working on that first manuscript, proves that I’m not the only one with this problem with criticism. I’ve heard excuses, I’ve heard exasperation, I’ve heard outright denial that there’s a problem with their book. And I’ve thought, “If you don’t want honest advice, why did you ask me to read this??”
Then I realize they’re no different than me, and I make sure to offer my criticism along with the hammer and nails they need to incorporate it–because I don’t want to tear anyone down with my words, I want to build them up.
I know myself well enough to realize that I’ll probably always have that half-a-second argument when I get criticism. But I’m so glad that I’m to the point now where I can so quickly see the wisdom behind it. As I’m working regularly now with editors and agents, I keep thinking of the kind of author I want to be–and I don’t mean defining myself by what I write. Rather, I’m talking about being an easy author to work with. One they know they can depend on to deliver the best manuscript I can, to accept advice graciously, to work hard and quickly to give them what they ask for.
Yeah, a little pride sneaks in when an editor tells me my book is in great shape–pride quickly checked when they follow the praise with constructive criticism. But when I click “send” on a manuscript, it’s not with the thought of, “There, perfect.” these days. It’s with the hope that I gave them what they wanted. That they read through it and think, not that Roseanna is the best author ever, but that Roseanna is a great author to work with.
I have no doubt this will be an ongoing process–and I’m grateful the Lord didn’t bless me with a contract until I was to the point where I could accept all the work required for it with grace.
by Roseanna White | Jul 21, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Last night, as we were flipping through the TV, we came across a new-ish show. It’s another of those reality shows, this one following an archaeologist and writer who specializes in symbols. Who, naturally, is jetting around the world in search of lost legends. Like a real-life Indiana Jones.
Yeah, sure.
We watched this for about half an hour, mostly, I think, so we could laugh at some of the leaps the dude made. What, you found a 6th century sword? Then obviously it was Arthur’s! I mean, why not? You connected three dots so seamlessly . . .
But as I shook my head, I also enjoyed the premise on some level. And thought, not for the first time, that it’s kind of a shame we’ve been conditioned to doubt everything. Because wouldn’t it be fun to think that Arthur really was the king of legend, and Excalibur was lying around England somewhere, waiting to be found? Wouldn’t it be fun to think that there are artifacts so worth questing for?
There are, in a sense–items that, if found, could enrich our history or shed new light on old stories. But do any of us believe, anymore, that those legends have the magic (for a lack of a better word) in them? Not really. And I kinda wish we did.
Sure, I read with amazement how the Ancient Greeks imbued everything with mythology. And as a Christian, I have definite beliefs about where the supernatural comes from. But sometimes I wish we could wind back the clock of time so that I could believe more easily–and not just the legendary tales of magic swords or wishing stones. I’m pretty sure that, without the skepticism and “intellectualism” we’re taught all our lives, we’d believe a lot more about our God as well. Maybe, if we were more disposed to believe in miracles, we’d see more of them.
I’ve talked about this before in various ways, but watching someone quest for Excalibur last night brought it up again. I’m not always willing to suspend disbelief for a half hour TV show–and yet, it’s when I can that I begin to see things in the world I never noticed before. Things that make me smile, make me raise my hands to heaven, and make me thank my Lord for creating a world beyond which I can normally see.
Do I believe Merlin used magic to weld an ancient sword back together, one which could not be defeated, which first came out of a stone? No. But I do believe that with faith, we can triumph over our enemies. Sometimes in ways that are called miracles . . . or which become the stuff of legends.
by Roseanna White | Jul 14, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
In a few short weeks, I’m going to be hopping a cross-country flight and winging my way to Oregon for the
Oregon Christian Writers Conference. This will not be my first conference, or my first solo flight. But it’s my first time flying so long at all, and my first time going to a conference as an editor. I’m so excited! (Okay, not about the loooooong, lonely flight, but . . .)
It’s kind of funny. When I agreed to do this, it was because it sounded like too good an opportunity to pass up. I’ve always wanted to go to Oregon, and going to conferences for WhiteFire was a must. So I accepted–then began to think, “But I don’t know anyone there. I’ll have appointments, sure, but who am I going to talk to otherwise?”
In the months since, it seems like every week I come across someone who is from the West Coast and will be in Oregon for the conference. To start, the editor who wants to see the manuscript I’m working on now–she asked me to bring with me whatever of it was done. Then, there’s my new agent, Karen Ball of the Steve Laube Agency. I’m stoked to get to chat with her while I’m there! Then I discover that one of my readers for
Jewel of Persia is the president of OCW and will obviously be there as well. Wow!
I’ll also get to teach a class while there, and of the options I sent them, they chose my “Marketing Monster” workshop. Rather than focusing on the specifics of marketing, I’m going to be focusing on overcoming your fears of marketing. (I’ve already gotten some great input from published and unpublished authors on what their fears are, but if you haven’t already sent me yours, feel free to do so now! I’m looking for the things about marketing that make you sweat or wince or your stomach knot up, the things that make you think, “But, but, but . . .”)
So all in all, Oregon is on my mind a lot these days. =) I’m dreading leaving my kiddos and hubby for four days (and will be leaving on my birthday), but I’m looking forward to seeing the beauty of Oregon, meeting in person all these wonderful folks I’ve talked to these last couple months, and chatting with folks on behalf of WhiteFire. Should be fun!
by Roseanna White | Jul 7, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
“You crown the year with Your goodness
And Your paths drip with abundance.”
~ Psalm 65:11
Yesterday, when I sat down for some much-needed reading and praying, I read Psalm 65, and this verse really struck me. In church last weekend we were talking about how this has been a horrendous year for natural disasters. So many tornadoes . . . flooding . . . wildfires . . . earthquakes . . . tsunamis . . . . Disaster after disaster after disaster that have left very little of the country (and world) untouched.
About two weeks ago I mentioned how much rain we’ve gotten this year, and a friend in the Southwest said how they hadn’t gotten a drop of it in nine months. While things here have been washing out, things there have been drying out.
Yesterday when I read this verse, it resonated within me because I’ve been having a great couple of weeks, professionally speaking. I have an editor super-interested in the book I wanted to write next anyway, I signed with a new agent after phone calls with three of them . . . it’s been great. Exhilarating. I would usually quote the verse about my cup running over, but I like this even better–I’ve been following His path, and it’s dripping with abundance.
But the contrast is still there. Not so long ago, I felt like I was going nowhere. I knew I was doing what the Lord wanted me to do, so there was peace in that, but it was a resigned peace. An “I guess Your will for me doesn’t include this dream of mine” kind of peace. I was dried up. Burned out.
Much like a few friends of mine are now, while I’m going through this period of much.
In a way, it seems weird. Unfair. Right? But it’s about seasons–we all have them. We go through them ourselves, and so does everyone else, and rarely do our seasons line up perfectly with everyone else’s. Still, I had to wonder, yesterday, why this fabulous season of mine corresponds so exactly to such dry periods in the lives of two of the people closest to me.
Then I took a deep breath and remembered that when I went through my dry spell last year, they were there for me. Encouraging, praying. Giving of themselves. Giving of themselves because they could. Because they had the abundance then.
Isn’t that really awesome of God? Yes, we could choose to focus on the wrong thing and be jealous of our friends when all’s going well for them, or to be resentful. But while we can’t send the Southwest our rain, we can pour out the healing waters of the Lord’s love upon others when we’re overflowing with it. We can nourish their souls. And then we can trust that when we’re the ones in the arid places, they’ll do the same for us.
I always used to define “abundance” as having a lot of what you want or need. But my new definition is “having enough to share.”
***
On an unrelated note, I’m trying out a new commenting server thingy. What with all the issues with comments that Blogger’s been having, and the option with this one to reply to an individual’s comment rather than the whole thing if you want, it seemed worth trying. Though it doesn’t recognize your Blogger account, which is the drawback (though you can leave one as “guest”). So opinions on it welcome!
by Roseanna White | Jun 30, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I’m finally giving in. After years of refusing to label myself (and not really needing to), I’ ve found myself wanting a tagline. Primarily because I need to upgrade my website and want something to put under my name, LOL.
But I could use some help. Who’s up for brainstorming?? =)
Here are some things I’ve considered including, themes to all my books, etc.
History/historicals
The problem with this is that I hope to publish some of my contemporaries somewhere along the way, too.
Shine
Since I received the word “Shine” for the year from the Lord, I’ve really been loving all the ways this can be used, and it’s definitely a big goal with my writing–to Shine for Him with my words
Hope
When I asked my best friend/crit partner Stephanie Morrill what common thread ran through all my books, she said it was the hope. So you know . . . common thread . . . good for a tag line, LOL.
Optimism
Not that this is the catchiest word or anything, but it’s probably my most defining characteristic. Which goes in with the hope. =)
Faith
All my books are faith-based, Christian fiction. I want all my stories to glorify the Lord
Love
Though not all meet the definition of “romance,” all my novels are love stories
Depth
This is a word that springs up often when people are talking about my stories–they’re usually very involved and dig deep into matters and hearts
Intelligence
Even when I’m writing silliness, it tends to be smart silliness. Those are my agent’s words, not mine, LOL. So please don’t think me pretentious. And I don’t really know I’d want it in a tagline. Just trying to give you a rounded understanding of me and my work. 😉
Emotion
I like to get really involved in the emotional aspect of a story.
Passion
I know lots of people with this is their tagline, so I might not want to go there, but I’m definitely passionate about the written word, and I like to write about characters passionate about life, love, and the Lord
So . . . any brilliant ideas? I’ve toyed with these:
History, Heart & Soul (which wouldn’t work with contemporaries)
Fiction that Shines with Hope
But I could use some help finding that perfect phrase. So HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPP! Please. 😉
by Roseanna White | Jun 23, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Last Friday was our 10th anniversary, so my hubby and I celebrated with a trip to Niagara Falls. This is the first trip we’ve taken on our own since honeymoon, so it was pretty darn exciting. =) And a truly wonderful, fabulous time.
The kids went camping with my parents and also had a great time, freeing us up for the 6 hour drive. All went well and relatively uneventful on the way up (other than one instance of Google maps directing us down a dead-end road that did not connect to the highway it was aiming us at! LOL), though we discovered that PA/NY 219 has very, very few restaurants on it. We started looking for a nice place to eat breakfast . . . and ended up eating lunch at Burger King two hours later.
Once through Buffalo and across the Niagara River, our first stop was the American side of the falls. Where I discovered why everyone recommends the Canadian side. It’s beautiful still in the U.S., and you get to feel like you’re at the falls, but you never really get a great view of them.
One of my favorite things while still in NY was the series of little tiny falls that led up to the main ones.
After exploring for a while, we crossed over into Canada (happy to report we weren’t detained or strip-searched or anything, LOL) and checked into our hotel. Which gave us this awesome view. Yeah, gorgeous, huh? I don’t think we ever closed the curtains.
That night, being our actual anniversary, we went to an Italian place across the street from our hotel, which ended up having live music that was a lot of fun. We didn’t realize it when we picked it, but we ended up in the front row out on the patio. The band was great and funny, and dedicated a song to us. Then we got a kick out of the members of Latin Heat–who looked the part–coming over and saying, “It’s a nice night, eh?” in the most typically Canadian accent you ever did hear. =) It made me grin, and we couldn’t get over how nice everyone was!
After a walk down to visit the falls, we called it a night, and got to watch a fireworks display from our hotel room. How’s that for celebrating your anniversary??
Saturday we did all the usual tourist things (plus a 3-mile walk uphill after a full day walking already–oops) and crowned it by getting all fancied up and going to the rooftop restaurant at the hotel, which was sooooooo nice.
Sunday we took one last walk down to the falls and then packed it up and came home. Other than the customs guy asking, “What in the world is maple butter?” we had no problems on that border crossing, either, LOL.
All in all, it was a super fun weekend, and we’re planning on taking the kids up that way in a couple years, when Rowyn’s just a little bit bigger. For anyone else planning a trip to Niagara, here’s my insider info: most folks aren’t out up there in the early morning, so if you crave the view in solitude, just be out by 7. And be aware that things open up there about an hour later than they do here. Or at least my “here.”
And there you have it. Our adventure at Niagara. =)
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.