BookingIt

So last week I mentioned that critiques can smother or dull a voice. Well, the opposite is also true. Good critiques can smooth and refine voice. Just because a voice is strong doesn't mean it's the best it can be. Writing guidelines are tools, as are critiques. Use them to sharpen and shape your voice, to strengthen it and make it powerful. What is the best critique you've ever received in any area of your life? How did it change your writing or perspective?

Most of you have probably heard of the flooding in Nashville. To help the victims, some writers put together an auction. Check it out HERE . It's called Do the Write Thing For Nashville and it's awesome! There are critiques, editor/agent phone calls, jewelry, and books on the bidding block. I plan to check out what's up tomorrow! This is a great idea! I hope they raise a million dollars with this! Hope to see you in the comments section. :-) (I may be at the beach today, so if I miss your posts, I'll be around later) Who would you want a manuscript critique from? Which publisher are you targeting for your work? Do you know anyone in Nashville? Any specific prayer requests?

On Saturday I went to an American Christian Fiction Writers meeting in Orlando. There was just a few of us and it was wonderful. By the time it ended, I thought my brain would explode from all the awesome information. The funny thing is, I learned from both pubbed writers and unpubbed writers. I think there is a generosity in the writing world that's not seen in other businesses (there's also some craziness, but that's another post). I'm planning on sharing some of the goodies I picked up in some later posts. What do you think is the most important thing you've learned from a fellow writer? Have you experienced the generosity of a published writer before?

I just want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to pop over and read my interview. Wow. I am both honored and humbled by the kind comments you gave. You guys are awesome and I hope I can make you feel as special as you all made me feel. :-) Recently I won a book from the Seekers called 100 Words Every Writer Should Know. It's pretty cool. Here's a word for you: Obluquy. Any guesses as to the meaning? (No looking it up; think Balderdash!) Person closest to the truth wins a toddler-(lightly)marked-with-pen-on-the-cover-but-still-in-good-condition Diamond Duo , Marcia Gruver's debut historical.

The other day I managed to get all my kids down for naps at the same time. It was wonderful. So I sat down on my couch and began to work on my wip. Five minutes later the phone rang. It was my mom, who loves to chat. She asked what I was doing and I said, writing. She said, "I'll let you go so you can get your writing done." And we hung up. It was an amazing moment. I've heard others say how difficult it is to carve out a writing time and have people respect it. And yes, there are people in my family who don't understand the need for aloneness. But my mom totally blew me away. In that moment I felt incredibly blessed to have such a supportive, thoughtful family member. Anything like this happen to you lately?