Chicken of the Sea Author Says Surfing Saves

"God gave me surfing to save me," says Paul Hayden, author of Chicken of the Sea. What almost drowned him as a child saved him as an adult. He tried numerous times over the years to write the book, but today it's a reality.

When he lived in Long Island, Paul's friends used to call him the "Chicken of the Sea" because he was afraid of the surf after a near-death experience in the water. Not only did he overcome this fear, but surfing has become one of his passions. Paul says that surfing gives him strength--that the ocean is cleansing. Paul chose to publish this book with Tate, a partnership publisher.

Paul encourages writers to have the faith and conviction not only to write, but also to publish. It takes courage to write about your own life and the people you know, but it's also healing to do so.

After his book was published, one of the teachers from his high school wanted to add his book to her curriculum, but shortly after, she left the school so it didn't work out. What a great idea, however, for schools and colleges to use the books of their graduates!

Paul is currently working on a faith-based novel which he hopes to title, The Nonconformist. He also has a children's book, Byron the Lonely Christmas Tree, coming out very soon. He doesn't use scripture in his faith-based books. He tells his story just like it is from the joy and pain in his life--this is how people can see his faith.

"Write from your heart. Write what you know." Paul writes in a conversational style, no big words.

He writes all his first drafts long-hand. He picked up this habit when he was traveling a lot. He learned to make the most of his time whether he was in an airport, hotel or restaurant. He burned through quite a few ink pen refills and he saves the empty ones to quantify his progress.

"If you don't have a name, it's difficult as a first time author, but don't give up. Be patient. God has a plan for you. It's really great when people write to you and tell you that  you've made a difference in their lives."

"Don't let anyone talk you out of following your dream," says Hayden. "And be sure to set deadlines, or you'll never get anything done!"

Wood Brings Books into the Classroom

"If the story is in you, it will come out," is what Jane learned from a UNF professor. Jane used to outline her writing and plan everything out before she wrote. But today she prefers not to worry much about outlining and structure, but focuses on letting the stories happen more organically.

Jane's books are for readers age 9-14. To be sure that she doesn't lose touch with her audience, Jane keeps up with movies and activities targeting children 9-14.

"My husband is a good sport, he'll see the movies with me," says Wood.

She has found her niche among teachers and students. Most of her presentations are in schools.  Her books tell a story and provide history and other lessons for students. Jane also provides teachers with resources to use in the classroom: vocabulary words, discussion questions, an electronic scavenger hunt and more.  Jane's first three books have been a great success and she's working on two more to add to her collection.

About Jane:

Jane Wood was born in Astoria, Oregon, a community rich in Scandinavian heritage. Jane’s family moved to Cocoa, Florida, when she was ten. She grew up near Cape Canaveral and watched America’s journey into space first-hand. During two of her college summers, she worked at the Kennedy Space Center.

She graduated from the University of Florida with a major in history and a minor in English. She taught junior high and high school in Central Florida, but left the classroom when her first son, Jonathan, was born. Three years later, along came Brian.

Jane remained a “stay-at-home mom” while her sons were growing up in Jacksonville, Florida. She was involved in school parent groups, Boy Scout activities, and their athletic associations. Jonathan played baseball, soccer and ran cross-county in high school. Brian played baseball, soccer and football in high school. Today Jonathan lives in Jacksonville Beach with his wife Jennifer, and Brian coaches college baseball and conducts clinics for coaches and young players.

When the boys were older, Jane spent three years writing part-time for a local newspaper. After earning a Masters degree in Education in 1988, she went to work at the local cable company as the Educational Programming Coordinator. During her 12 years there, she produced numerous television shows relating to education, including many that involved local youngsters in the productions.

Jane has also been involved in many international activities in her community. She is active in the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association and was elected to the board of directors for Sister Cities International. She has traveled to three of Jacksonville’s sister cities in Russia, China and France. Jane lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband Terry. They like to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

Victims' Advocate Editor Speaks Up for People

This evening, Shirley Shaw, Editor of Justice Coalition's Victims' Advocate spoke at FCCW. She told the story of how the Justice Coalition came about and how she became involved with the organization.

Shaw also told us the story of an amazing man, Terry Lane, whom she describes in her article entitled, "Look at the Children," in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Today's Christian.

Shirley clearly has a passion for telling stories of the many interesting people she meets.

Thank you for inspiring all of us this evening Shirley!

Your First Readers Aren't Your Audience

This evening, author Vic DiGenti reminded writers that our first readers aren't always our audience. The person who buys the book isn't necessarily the person who reads the book.

Vic suggested that writers do six things in an open:

1. Get the reader hooked.
2. Establish a bond between the reader and the lead character.
3. Set the scene through dialogue or action--show, don't tell.
4. Get conflict going.
5. Describe the hero or heroine briefly so readers can picture him or her.
6. Surprise or startle the reader.

"Writing is an obsessive-compulsive behavior," say DiGenti. I find this to be true as I continue on my quest for researching, experiencing, writing and publishing more and more ideas. There's never enough time to observe and write, experience and write, think and write, read and write! Anyone else agree?

Hope to see you soon at First Coast Christian Writers.

Tropical Storm Fay Rains On FCCW

This is the first time we didn't hold a weekly meeting since we first started in January. The storm pounded Jacksonville with wind and rain, leaving many residents without electricity. Trees were down and local officials urged people to stay home as tornado warnings persisted into the evening.

See you next week, God willing.

Inez Announces Weeder's Digest Success Story

First Coast Christian Writer member, Inez Holger, announced her success story this evening. Her article entitled, 'Life, Death, and Cabbages,' appears in the Summer 2008 edition of GreenPrints Weeder's Digest.

If you're interested in getting published, come visit our writing critique group that meets Thursday evenings.

Harvey Speaks About Her Powerful Practice

"Do as I say, not as I did," says Linda Harvey, member of First Coast Christian Writers. This evening Linda provided tips for writers who are considering self-publishing. She spoke about her experience self-publishing her book, Powerful Practice.

If you're interested in learning more about the publishing industry, come join us Thursday evenings for First Coast Christian Writer's meetings at Christ's Church near the intersection of I-95 and 295.

Writing for Magazines & Literary Journals

This evening, Inez Holger covered the basics of writing for magazine publication, a venue that can add valuable writing credentials to your resume. Here are her top six tips:

1. Identify your writing style
2. Identify your market
3. Match 'em up
4. Study your intended publication
5. Shift your style
6. Submit, submit, submit

Identify Your Writing Style

What kind of writer are you? It’s important to identify the type of writing you do so that you can find a magazine that fits your style. The number one complaint from editors is that writers send material that does not “fit” their publication. In other words, don’t send sci-fi to Guideposts. Some categories to consider:

• Essays
• Humor
• Short story (fiction)
• Spiritual
• Reporting (facts only)
• Anecdotal
• Creative non-fiction (apply literary techniques to non-fiction)
• Intellectual (In-depth analysis of complex topics)

Identify Your Market

Once you have a grasp of the style of writing that you gravitate toward, you can then hone in on one or two of the HUNDREDS of markets looking for your work. For instance, in the market reference books listed below, you’ll find extensive lists of types of publications. For instance:

• Adventure Nonfiction Travel
• Arts Parenting Trade
• Business Poetry Women’s Issues
• Christian Regional (your part of the USA)
• Children Religion
• Cooking Science Fiction
• Diet/Nutrition Senior Citizen
• Family Short Stories
• Men’s Issues Self Help
• A Christian marketing manual lists the following (partial listing!):
• Church History Fillers (really short pieces)
• Christian Home schooling Inner Life
• Current/Social Issues Missions
• Devotional Personal Growth
• Doctrinal Prayer
• Encouragement Social Justice
• Essays Short Story
• Healing Take-Home Papers
• Humor Women’s Issues

Match “Em Up

If you always write funny pieces about your kids, then you can check out the markets on “Family,” or “Parenting.” Oh, you like to write stories FOR children. Check out the “Children” and “Teen/Young Adult” categories. Look under “Humor” just in case.

Now that you have a general idea, let’s get down to work.

Study Your Intended Publication

You’ve chosen “Highlights Magazine” and “Pockets.” Should you just go ahead and send whatever you’ve written? Not exactly.

1. Obtain writer’s guidelines

Most of these are on magazine web sites or on writer’s web sites.

The guidelines tell you what the publisher wants, the word count allowed, themes for certain months, when to submit, how to submit.

2. Read at least 3 copies of the magazine, which you can find at the public library, at book-store magazine racks, at church libraries, in

the doctor’s office! Request copies from the publication itself.

By studying what they publish, you’ll know if you truly can

write for them. You’ll find out if the editor is interested in pieces with a touch of humor or prefers anecdotes, especially from beginning writers. You often have to start with small pieces before the editor will trust you with bigger ones. Perhaps you aren’t quite up to their level of writing yet, but you can make a mental note and aim for the future.

3. For an in-depth look at a column or regular feature of a magazine, try

the following:

Take 4 colored markers and highlight these specifics as you read –

• Quotes
• Names and titles
• Facts, statistics, technical lingo
• Figurative language and structural details

Be sure that your article includes the same features.

Shift Your Style

As you study the magazine and writer’s guidelines, you find that your pieces always tend to have a word count of 2,000. They want 1,000. Start cutting. You write well for Catholic Digest but if you really want to send the piece to Guideposts, you might have to cut some references that are too denominationally specific. If you want to send the same piece to Reader’s Digest, you might need to take the same story and emphasize a different aspect (the adventure, instead of your biblical insight).

Tweak. Accommodate. In the process, you’ll get more practice writing!

If you don’t want to change anything, don’t send your piece anyway, hoping that the publisher will be so impressed that he/she will break his/her own rules.

Submit

Stick to the guidelines!!!!!!!!! Margins, paper, email, disk. SASE.

Stick it in the mail.

Helpful Hints and Resources

• Even though you are writing a book, consider magazine publications as a means to adding writing credits to your resume and as a possible means of opening doors with book publishers.
• Consider writing for contests. The practice will improve your writing skills and who knows, you might even win.
• You can check out back copies of magazines from the library.
• “The Writer” has an ongoing updated list of markets and highlights a different market area each month. May 2008- History. Read the library copy instead of purchasing.
• “The Writers’ Journal” has monthly market lists, with new magazines and very specific markets.
• Consider trade magazines if you have particular expertise in an area. Agriculture, dentistry, retail, you name it.
• Good web sites: www.writersdigest.com, http://www.pw.org/toolsforwriters, http://www.pwcwriters.org/links.htm
• The following market guides will keep you busy:
• Christian Writer’s Market Guide by Sally Stuart
• The American Directory of Writer’s Guidelines
• Writer’s Market (available for several genres)

Last of all, don’t underestimate your life experiences. You cook, you clean, you eat, you raise children, you garden, you collect coins or salt shakers, you fix cars, you have relatives, you feel pain, you love cheesecake, you’ve seen every George Lucas movie, you play guitar, you’ve been young and now you’re old. Nothing to write about? Think again.

About Inez Holger

Inez has written since elementary school, completing a book of poetry by ninth grade. Her nonfiction works have appeared in various publications such as The Upper Room, Greenprints, The Family and Parenting Treasures. She worked as a contributing editor for Jacksonville Sports Magazine and wrote weekly news articles and features for a local community newspaper.

For the past several years she has had the opportunity to tutor students from home schooled and public school backgrounds while working on a collection of family vignettes and a series of devotions for Christians struggling with their faith.

 

Total Attendees at today's meeting:  9

New members joining today:

Total current members: 10

Plan to Write Every Day

Do you write every day? Join us on Thursday, April 10, to learn more about Buddy's tips on how you can incorporate writing into your schedule every day.

Buddy Putman

Want to Publish? Blog to Billions Every Day!

Do you have a desire to publish? By starting your own blog, you can start building your readership today. And you can start for free. More than a billion people worldwide are Internet users. You don't need a publisher to get your words out to the world! This evening we learned about the benefits of blogging. It's easy to set up. Even I could do it!

Debi Wilson, Lorraine Haataia, Mary McCormack

 

 

Total Attendees at today's meeting:  10

Total current members: 11

Mowbray Designs Logo Options for FCCW

Word Weaver Officer, Al Mobray, designed a few sample logos for FCCW so we can brainstorm ideas for our image. Check these out! My favorite one is number... never mind, I'm not going to tell you. I look forward to putting it to a vote at our next meeting.

Thank you Al!

Dr Lorraine

FCCW Founder & President

 

Logo #1 

 

Logo #2

 

 

Logo #3

 

Logo #4

Johnson's System Helps Writers Organize and Prioritize

"Use electronic folders liberally," Jean recommends, "and don't keep hard copies." While working in the advertising industry, Jean developed a simple and effective three-step system to stay on top of all her writing projects. This evening she shared her three secrets that can help all writers improve their productivity.

Lavada Haupt & Jean Johnson

Jean tells writers to:

1. Use folders liberally
2. Use Excel as a giant notepad
3. Back up often!

Use folders liberally

Have you ever wasted time looking for a chapter or an article that you wrote? If you apply Jean's system for managing your file folders, you can spend more time writing and less time searching for what you wrote.  Computer file manager programs display your file folders and file names alphabetically. Jean recommends that you use numbers before folder and file names  so that you can prioritize your projects like this:

+ 01  My novel

+ 02  My church essay

+ 03  My Rendell study

+04  Future Projects

+05  Past work

Use a two-digit format in case your list goes beyond ten and use the same directory line-up for your web Favorites to capture related web links and references. Renumber your folders as your priorities change. 

So let's assume that you're ready to start you work day on your top priority, your novel. So you click into the 01 My Novel folder where you see your progress:

+ 01  My novel

-00 Novel groundwork

- Chapter 01  Done

- Chapter 02  Done

- Chapter 03

          Chapter 03 Storyboard.xls

          Chapter 03 Text.doc

You left off on chapter 3, so you can begin working on chapter 4 or you can continue working on chapter 3 until it's complete. Jean stores a text file and an Excel storyboard for each chapter.

Use Excel as a Giant Notepad

Jean uses Excel's powerful color and drawing tools to map her stories and characters. She turns off the grid lines and then brings her story to life using colors, text boxes and connector lines. Excel provides thousands of rows and columns, enough for you to plot out the details of just about any story.

Back up Often

Don't count on your computer to start up the next time you're ready to work. Every computer will fail eventually--it's just a question of when. Be sure to back up your files regularly on a hard disk, a CD and/or on flash drives (a.k.a. pen drives or thumb drives). You can also back up your files by posting them on a web site. If you lose your data, it's your own fault!

Total Attendees at today's meeting:  7

Total current members: 11