BEGINNINGS



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Please enjoy this guest post by Sleuths' member Rosalie Lombardo. She is not only a talented writer, but also a Certified Natural Health Professional and Enzyme Digestive Health Specialist.

Note: This was meant to run in January, but things happen. After all, beginnings aren't just for the first of the year. Spring is also known for fresh starts.

 New Beginnings

                 Each January, in many places throughout the world, people celebrate the beginning of a new year.

            Starting something new is a gift for everyone. Writers, in particular, are used to starting something new. New beginnings are not exclusively designated as an annual occurrence; they happen every month, week, day, hour and minute. They originate when the writer decides to start an endeavor.

            Writers construct innovations the instant they compose a new word, a sentence, a thought, a story. They are a special breed of people who constantly celebrate new beginnings. All beginnings are just new choices. This holds true with any undertaking. The choice to start fresh exists for everyone and it belongs exclusively to the choice maker. No one else owns that power.

            We can choose to cast aside unwanted patterns, to continue or eliminate a habit, to think positively or negatively, but what eludes most of us is the awareness that we are the only creator in our minds.

            Creation starts with one tiny step immediately after saying “I choose.” That moment is when the magic of change occurs. No matter what direction our decision takes us, the creator has to launch the first step.

            Writers like us are accustomed to making choices, taking first steps, and creating. The advantage with new beginnings emerges from our regular exercise of writing. Most writers don’t realize the blessing this process affords them.

            I see a parallel with writing and choice; if a writer can readily start a new thought for a story, he can just as easily apply new thoughts toward creating something different in his life (a new page, a new habit, a new path.)

            I believe the familiarity writers have with new beginnings can be transferred to choices made in everyday life. I choose. It is my decision. What does my spirit want to do today? The common theme is me, myself, and I.

            Once you take the first step, the results can be all you’ve ever imagined. Re-creating yourself might seem like a big order, but you start with that one first step.

            Every day we create our world through the choices we make the instant we open our eyes. What kind of world will you create when you open your eyes this New Year? As for me, I choose to create happiness and to expand that happiness by wishing you all Many Happy New Beginnings. Until next year.

Rosalie

 

Tips Of The Trade

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I shared this on my personal blog and thought I would re-post it here.

I recently spent some time beta reading a writer friend's new book. For those who don't know, beta reading is one of the first steps you should take after writing a novel. You give it to people you trust, to read and tell you what they think. I usually go a bit further and do some editing suggestions. Just because I like that part of it.

If you're ever asked to beta read here are a few rules:

1. Make sure the book is ready to read. The writer should have done all the editing they could on their own before they ask for your help. You definitely don't want to read a first draft.  I highly recommend The Frugal Editor  -  an easy to follow process for self editing -  http://amzn.to/2aEoydz
2. Be kind, but honest. Most writers really want to know what needs improvement. If they don't, then they shouldn't be asking for your input. If you know the person well enough to believe they may be offended, think about politely turning down their request. Better to keep a friendship than make an enemy. 
3. Try to point out things like POV (point of view) mistakes, inconsistent characters, plot holes, or anything that just doesn't make sense to you as a reader. Let them know if the beginning captures your attention or if perhaps they might want to start the story at a different spot. 
4. Don't make any changes yourself. Use Word comments to make your suggestions. You are not the author and they will not appreciate your corrections, no matter how well intended. 

Beta reading can be fun. After all, you get the first look at a new novel and maybe your suggestions will help the author craft an even better story. 

Why Writer's Groups Are Important

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Do you belong to a writer's group? If not -- why not?

Maybe you don't know of any in your area. Maybe you think you don't need it. Or, perhaps you are an introvert and meeting new people gives you hives.

Here are a few reasons I love my writer's group.

1. Writing is a solitary endeavor. And let's face it, no matter how much you enjoy your own company, it's important to interact with others. If only to get a fresh perspective on your current work or get ideas for future stories. And although the local coffee shop's barista has a lovely smile, she probably can't tell you the difference between a simile and a metaphor.  
2. Some groups have really great speakers. Just this year at Sleuths' meetings we've heard from a court recorder, a Karate expert, an arson investigator, and a newsroom producer. That's just a partial list. In short, I've learned how to start a fire, report the fire, defend myself at the fire and how the court will keep a record of my trial. Or, ummm, how my characters could all do these things. 
3. Advice, feedback, and encouragement. Not sure how to write that query letter? I bet somebody in the group could help. Not sure the last passage you wrote is worth keeping? Ask that person next to you if they would mind giving you an opinion. Just got another rejection letter? "Great, at least you're trying. Keep sending it out there. You never know."

Still not convinced? Just come to one of our meetings and then decide. Don't write mysteries? We don't care. Our members write in all genres. Or if you don't live nearby, find a group close to you. I guarantee there is at least one. Just check online. Or maybe that nice barista can steer you in the right direction. Because we all know how much writers love coffee shops.  

MORE CONSISTENCY PLEASE

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It was recently brought to our attention that our web site is sorely lacking in updated content. Unfortunately, this is quite true. Here is a brief explanation.

We are a group of writers who enjoy getting together once a month to support each other and learn something new from guest speakers. We run a yearly challenge called JANO - more on that later - and a mystery writing contest in the Spring. Usually the people in charge of those events post the info on here once and then forget it. Since none of us are getting paid and participation is voluntary, sometimes things slip through the cracks. Understandable right?

Well, that's changing. I foolishly volunteered to keep this blog up to date. I really need to learn to keep my hand down at meetings. ;-)   My plan is to post at least once a week. There will be author interviews, notice about upcoming events and speakers and interesting tidbits about writing. Our hope is this will be a place people will want to visit.

If you'd like notification of new posts, please sign up with your e-mail to the right.

And to the person that brought this to our attention, thank you.