DevoFest Conference & "Me, Just Different" by Stephanie Morrill Giveaway!

DevoFest is a three day conference held in June for ages 7 - 17 to help youth "discover and develop their interest and talents in film, print and public speaking." Many classes will be held at this event on novel-writing, screenwriting, acting, etc. By the end of this event, one lucky person will receive a book contract! You will meet best-selling authors, professional actors, and several young talents who share the same interests as you. This is an affordable conference, held in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains - a great opportunity for youth to get a jumpstart in their creative talents and begin pursuing their dreams. Visit their website here if you'd like to learn more.

In order to help promote this event, I've decided to hold another giveaway. The winner will receive the YA Christian Fiction novel "Me, Just Different" by Stephanie Morrill. I wrote a review on this book recently that you can read here.

This giveaway is open to anyone in the US. I will choose someone randomly through random.org on March 11th at 12am EST (early morning). The winner will have three days to reply before a new winner is selected.

To Enter:

You must be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect.
Comment on this post with your email address (__ at __ dot __), and include any bonus entries if you'd like (below).

Bonus Entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway and tag me @tessaemily. +1
2. Follow me on Twitter. +1
3. Add me as a friend on Facebook, OR "like" this blog (at the top of this page). +1
4. Add my button to your blog (right side bar). +2
5. Add the button for DevoFest on your blog (right side bar). +3
6. Post about this giveaway on your blog (be sure to include the link and to mention DevoFest somewhere in your post). +4

Good luck to everyone, and I hope you all have a great weekend!

Show Vs. Tell Part 2: The Rude Playwright - Dialogue

Last week I discussed what show and tell is and how authors should use filmmaking techniques. In this post I'll talk about how not to tell through dialogue, or as "Self-Editing For Fiction Writers" calls it, the rude playwright.

Dialogue is one of the most frustrating things for me to read when it's being "told" instead of "shown". I put a book down when I come across this kind of dialogue. It distracts me, reminding me that an author wrote the story. Readers don't like to be reminded of this because they'd rather feel satisfied being falsely convinced that the story they're reading is actually happening right before their eyes.

The book "Self-Editing For Fiction Writers" gives a great example of how frustrating this type of dialogue can be for your readers:

"Imagine you're at a play. It's the middle of the first act; you're getting really involved in the drama they're acting out. Suddenly the playwright runs out on the stage and yells, 'Do you see what's happening here? Do you see how her coldness is behind his infidelity? ... Do you get it?' You get it, of course... You don't need the writer to explain it to you. This is exactly what happens when you explain your dialogue to your readers."

Since showing is supposed to make things more simple for the reader, it's fairly simple to avoid telling in dialogue. There are just five general rules to keep in mind:

1. Stay away from adjectives and adverbs. People who use these through their dialogue tend to do it for each. And every. Line. This is the main thing that annoys me. Here's an example "Self-Editing For Fiction Writers" gave which helps to clarify the reason why this is wrong:
   
   "'I find that difficult to accept,' she said in astonishment. Here the explanation does let your readers know that your character is astonished. But you don't want them to know the fact, you want them to feel the emotion."
   
   Author Jill Williamson wrote a great post on why adjectives and adverbs should be avoided, only used sparingly throughout the dialogue if necessary.
2. Add beats. Beats are the character's movement during the dialogue. This can show what the characters are doing, their reactions, body language, etc. and it is a tool which can be used in place of the said tag.
3. Don't describe - simply show. Although beats are a good way of showing, authors tend to use beats as an excuse to tell. Here's a tip: avoid describing. For example, don't say:
   
   "Jenna gathered her long, curly chestnut brown hair into a bun on the top of her head but allowed a few ringlets to fall down on the side of her face. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror next to her on the back of the door then turned to me and smiled, showing off her blinding white teeth."
   
   That beat goes on, and on, and on. And most likely, people will just skim over the details and adjectives. If it isn't important, don't add it. If it can be cut, then cut it. And if it's something that a reader can imagine without having to be told, stay away from turning into the rude playwright. The writer should show what's happening simply through dialogue and that is where your focus should be.
4. Trust that the reader has an imagination and doesn't need to know every detail, which goes along with over-describing during dialogue. If you say "Jenna, your hair is gorgeous." You, the author doesn't need to then come in and tell the reader exactly how her hair looked. The reader has an imagination - I'm sure they've seen "gorgeous hair" before. Of course, if there is a significance about the hair or if it's important, then include the specific details. But only in a few words - or even a beat and the dialogue itself, such as:
   
   Jenna brushed one of her chestnut ringlets away from her face. "It's much shorter than what I described to the beautician."
   
   Doing so you are able to show what Jenna's hair looks like through a beat and dialogue, without having to describe it's length and appearance in detail.
5. Mix it up. Don't repeatedly use the "said" tag. Ugh, 'said' can get so boring. It doesn't allow the dialogue to flow as it should. However, there are many ways to "mix it up" so the reader can see what's happening and imagine what's happening. Use a beat every now and then. Use the word 'said' every now and then. Show someone's facial expressions. Or don't use anything at all. Here's an example of an over-use of the said tag:
   
   "I didn't steal your phone," Carl said. "I was eating in the cafeteria at the time it was stolen."
   "I know that you took it," Mrs. Smith said. "Mr. Jones said that he saw you come out of my classroom during lunch period with something in your hand."
   "Don't listen to him! He hates me!" Carl said. "Besides, how do you know I didn't just leave something in your classroom?"
   "Because, Carl. I know you. Now hand me my phone," Mrs. Smith said.
   "Don't have it," Carl said.
   "Yes, you do," Mrs. Smith said.
   "No, I don't! Why would you keep your cell phone on top of your desk, anyway?" Carl said.
   "How did you know it was on top of my desk?" Mrs. Smith said.
   
   Blah. That's so boring. It doesn't flow. Sure, the reader could imagine each person's emotions without having to see facial expression or hear the tone of their voice - but wouldn't that spice things up a bit? Donita K. Paul calls this type of boring dialogue the "dollhouse syndrome" in the book "A Novel Idea" - which basically means that the author is wiggling their characters to talk, similar to the way that kids wiggle or bounce their Barbie's as she talks for him/her. There's only dialogue.
   
   Instead of "wiggling the characters" to allow them to speak, mix it up:
   
   "I didn't steal your phone," Carl said. "I was eating in the cafeteria at the time it was stolen."
   Mrs. Smith's face was stern, the way it always was when she was upset. "I know that you took it. Mr. Jones said that he saw you come out of my classroom during lunch period with something in your hand."
   "Don't listen to him! He hates me!" Carl raised his voice, ignoring the fact that his other classmates were probably listening to their conversation through the closed door. "Besides, how do you I didn't just leave something in your classroom?"
   "Because, Carl. I know you. Now hand me my phone."
   He crossed his arms. "Don't have it."
   "Yes, you do."
   "No, I don't! Why would you keep your cell phone on top of your desk, anyway?"
   Mrs. Smith tilted her head. "How did you know it was on top of my desk?"

There are many rules how to write dialogue the "correct" way - but the main thing you need to remember is to write the kind that flows, the kind of dialogue that you wouldn't get frustrated reading. Most likely, that's the type of dialogue that your readers will also enjoy. Just make sure to keep the rude playwright off the stage.

~~~

Have you ever put down a book before because the author over-told the dialogue?

What are some other general tips for showing in dialogue?

PS: Come back Friday for a chance to win the book "Me, Just Different" by Stephanie Morrill!

Take A Break From Your Creation & Spend Time With Your Creator

“Each one of us is God’s special work of art. Through us, He teaches and inspires, delights and encourages, informs and uplifts all those who view our lives. God, the master artist, is most concerned about expressing Himself - His thoughts and His intentions - through what he paints in our character… He wants to paint a beautiful portrait of His Son in and through your life. A painting like no other in all time.”

~Joni Enreckson Tada

All artists need a little rehabilitation at times. Some refreshment. So much energy is poured out of us into our pieces of work that after a while this passion of ours becomes a tiring and dreadful task. At least it has for me recently.

Why not give yourself a break this weekend? Spend some time with the Lord. Refocus. Refuel. Allow God to do some changes through you before you try to make some changes to your current project. Take a small break from your creation to spend some time with your Creator. He's the one that you inherit your creativity from, anyway. We are his character. Let him continue to paint us before we continue to paint our characters.

Don't just take a break, though. Allow God's light to shine in you so that it will shine through your story and into the life of your reader. Spend more time with him than you usually do and replace the music that usually inspires your creativity with a few worship songs. You may not be finished with your current project, but God isn't finished with you, either. Allow him to mold you into a "beautiful portrait of His Son" before you continue to mold your story and characters. You must always put your passion for God above all other passions.

We may get weary from working on our creations, but God never gets weary from working on his creations.

“If we are to write fiction that will touch hearts & change lives,

we must be God’s.”

~Karen Kingsbury

~~~

Do you often feel as if your creativity gets drained from working so much on your current project?

How often are your "artist rehabilitations" and for how long?

What are some ways that you enter into the presence of the Lord so that he can mold you into the person he wants you to be?

Show Vs. Tell Part 1: Allowing Your Readers To Experience Your Story

Almost every author in this century should know by now to avoid telling in stories. So why is it that so many of the books I read seem as if the author has ignored this rule? Perhaps there's a misunderstanding about the term show and tell. Based off of what I've been told, the difference between showing your readers the story and telling them about it is the difference between telling someone about the amazing trip you went on or allowing them to experience it them selves - it's the difference between telling your readers about the story in your imagination and showing them why it's so great.

Why is it so crucial that now-a-day writers should show instead of tell? Because, people don't have as much patience as they used to. We would rather be involved in a story that's fast-paced instead of taking up our time trying to imagine the setting and all the other details. We're generally lazy - we'd like to be shown what's happening with no effort invloved rather than to try hard to imagine it for ourselves. And it's the author's job to write in a way that isn't complicated - write in a way so that the reader will hardly know the difference between watching a movie and reading a book.

However, there are many layers to showing and telling that I'm starting to learn more about. Of course, there is the obvious - using action verbs instead of adjectives and adverbs, replacing said tags with character movement and expression. But there is also power, I've realized, beneath the general showing and telling that can make the difference within your story. It can make the difference within the reader also.
I'm currently reading the book "The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction" by Jeff Gerke. In it, he gives one of the greatest analogies of what show and tell is. Here's what he says:

"You must cease thinking of yourself as a fireside tale-teller and begin thinking of yourself as a filmmaker. Now the scenario is changed. Now you're limited to camera and microphone to convey your story. Now you have to dress your characters and light your scenes and compose your shots. Now you are forced to show the story through action, scene, and dialogue."
Yes, there can be power in writing a story as if you're a filmmaker or telling it like you're a fireside tale-teller. It's only when you learn the right techniques will your story go in the direction that you want it to.

~~~

Why do you think so many authors continue to ignore this rule?

Are times when authors should be able to "tell"?

What are some other good analogies of what show vs. tell means?

Book Review: "Caleb + Kate" by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

I post my book reviews a little differently. Instead of creating another summary of the novel in my words, I post the back cover blurb, what I liked about the book, what I disliked about the book, and final comments. Every book has it's pros and cons, and I will be reviewing from my point of view - based on my opinions, my taste, and the author's writing style.

The novel I'm going to review today is "Caleb + Kate" by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma.

Back Cover Blurb:

"As the popular darling of the junior class and heiress to the five-star Monrovi Inn empire, Kate has both everything and nothing. She's bored with school and life...until she locks eyes with Caleb at a school dance. Caleb is new to Kate's exclusive prep school, and it's clear he doesn't fit in. In fact, he and his dad work in maintenance for Kate's father. And while Caleb knows better than to spend time with the boss's daughter, it seems that every time he tries to back away, something pulls him right back in. When their parents demand that they are to stay away from each other, they learn of a fight between their families that occurred more than fifty years ago. It's a mystery Kate doesn't understand...but a legacy Caleb has endured his entire life. With the world stacked against them, Caleb and Kate will have to walk by faith to find the path that God has planned for them."

What I Liked:

I loved the entire story, especially the fact that it was based on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. The author did a really nice job at bringing out the characters and making the reader forget that they are reading a book. I'm also in love with Cindy Martinusen-Coloma's writing style and the way that all of her books are Christian, yet aren't too preachy or subtle in it's message. I also think that she did really good at writing from two different point of views, one of which was a teenage guy's. The character's weren't the least bit stereotypical, either.

What I Disliked:

The only thing that really stood out to me was that the plot-line could have been thought out a little bit more, especially the ending. There weren't exactly too many conflicts. But the story was very intriguing, which is what mostly matters.

Final Comments:

There aren't many books like Caleb + Kate, a Christian teenage romance that isn't cheesy and is well-written. I would definitely recommend, especially if you're looking for a nice Valentine's Day read. =)

~~~

Have any of you read "Caleb + Kate"?

Do you think the author did a nice job at writing a modern-day Romeo and Juliet?

What did you think about the plot, the themes that it portrayed, the writing style, etc.?

Refining Your Manuscript & "Refinding" It's Magic

Writers appear to have a fairly relaxing life. We sit at our desk (or comfy couch) and make up stories while sipping on coffee. There's a thrill that approaches - a thrill that most other jobs lack.

You're in love with writing. And you realize that this is the job you want to do until the day you die.

Until you've reached the editing process.

Now it's starting to seem like work. The magic of your story fades away as you chop off some of your favorite scenes. Your hopes of how great the story was when you were writing grow dim as you focus on the flaws of your manuscript and receive criticism from others.

Writing is something that I love to do: Getting to know my characters, allowing God to speak through me as I type a story that will hopefully touch the hearts of others. It's exhilarating... until it's time for the editing process. Until I read back over my story and find the many mistakes that causes the doubts to begin to creep in. It makes sense that this would happen, considering that editing involves focusing on your manuscript flaws - and possibly the flaws in your own talent as you pick apart the amazing work of art that you used to be in love with.

So how can writers "refind" the magic our story brings while refining it's impurities?

• Keep it simple

. Create a process to go by. I started out by writing down different layers in which to edit my manuscript. Layer one involved scanning and focusing on the big picture. Each layer after the first involved focusing on more and more details. Of course, there are many ways to self-edit and this is probably not the preferred way to go - but it's the way that worked best to me. Try to create an organized plan that works for you from the onset of the editing process and stick to it.

Keep a binder/folder that includes the essence of your story,

in case you ever lose touch of it's magic through the picking apart process. In this binder, place pictures that have inspired this story, pictures that look like your characters, quotes on the art of writing, and possibly a few of your favorite scenes.

Listen to your story's "playlist" as you edit,

the music that inspired you to write this story or that could be considered as it's soundtrack.

Be inspired

by getting back in touch with your artist-self.

Don't just edit everything on the computer - print it out. Read it as if you were reading this story for the first time. It looks different on paper, and it is sometimes easier to edit by hand rather than on the computer screen.

Don't edit your manuscript to pieces. If you do this, the magic is guaranteed to disappear. Make sure to stick to your voice and allow the story to flow naturally on it's own. There is a such thing as over-editing.

Don't accept all of the feedback you receive from others.

Trust your instincts and go with your gut. There isn't anyone who knows your story and characters better than you do, so you should know which advice to accept.

Try not to over-analyze every detail.

This can become frustrating. Again, go with your gut. You've researched this industry, so you should know how this writing thing works by now.

Take breaks and treat yourself every so often.

Writing is fun, but editing is work. Which is why it can become exhausting at times. And if you over-work anything it can become a mess, so the only way to keep going is to take breaks and treat yourself as you meet your goals.
Editing doesn't have to be such a dreadful process. Take Mary Poppins' advice and keep a positive attitude to make your work fun. This may seem silly, but it's possible - especially if your career is something that you already enjoy doing. Eventually the hard work of refining your manuscript's impurities will pay off and it will be almost as shiny as gold. =)

"Editing might be a bloody trade. But knives aren't the exclusive property of butchers.

Surgeons use them, too."

~Blake Morrison

~~~

What are some tips you refine your writing and "refind" your story's essence?

Is editing an exhausting or exciting process for you?

What are some ways that you make self-editing seem like fun instead of work?

We Were Made To Worship

Notice the title says “We Were Made to Worship.” Not “We Were Made To Worship God”. We were made to worship, period. The way you live feels in the blank. Each and every one of us were born with a desire inside of us to give something or someone praise.


Unfortunately, many of us fill this desire by worshiping things other than the One who created us. John 4:23-24 says “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit… that’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship… those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves…”. It’s what you say, the way you act, and your love that reflects what’s in your heart – and your heart reflects who or what you live for.

If you’re a teenager, then you’ve probably caught yourself drooling over a guy/girl and craving to give in to peer pressure. Or maybe you’ve caught yourself raising your hands at a concert or a football game. We live for what we love. Are there any desires in your heart that you have subconsciously put before your Heavenly Father? If so, ask him to remove those and replace them with the desire to worship him only.

“The secret things in their hearts will be made known.

So they will bow down and worship God…”

~John 4:23-24

You were made by God. You were made for God. But are you living for him?

Author Versus Writing

I can hardly believe that Valentines Day is just around the corner. I'm sure that many of you will soon be buying your special Valentine flowers, cards, and candy. Perhaps now is a good time to start renewing your relationship with each other, especially if you've had a few rough patches with this person lately. Or maybe it's a good time to renew the relationship you have with writing.

Of course, I'm not married, nor am I considering getting married in the near future. But recently I've noticed many couples who are one day in love with each other, the next day at odds with each other, almost to the point of giving up.

Writing is very much the same. It's a love/hate relationship. One day you could be in love with the art of writing, the next day you're completely at odds with it and don't even want to think about facing your manuscript. Things just don't seem to be going the way you first thought they would. What are a few "therapy exercises" that can make the relationship strong again?

1. Go back to the time you fell in love. Why did you first decide to get "in a relationship" with writing? What attracted you and made the "sparks first fly" - was it the fact that writing allows you to create different worlds, or maybe because you're able to make up stories that brings God glory?
2. Focus on the positive, not the negative. Sure, writing may take up huge chunks of time in your schedule, and you may have to work extremely hard for a long period of time before finally receiving your first small paycheck. And if you aren't willing to pursue writing wholeheartedly, then maybe your lack of dedication is enough to cause you to change your mind. But if you only concentrate on the positive - likewise with the positive in people, you'll find that the good things completely outweigh the bad things.
3. Take a break from each other every now and then,

especially when things start getting tough. Usually when you take a short break from each other, you'll be energized, refreshed and ready to move ahead in the relationship once you get back together again.

Go on dates.

Obviously this is impossible, considering writing is not a person. But what I mean is, take your inner-artist out on dates. You could do this while taking a break from writing. Visit places that inspire you, watch inspiring movies, etc. Click here to learn more.

Last but not least, keep God first in the relationship and do not give up.

Sure, every relationship will go through it's highs and lows. But it can usually work out, as long as God is completely in the center. Don't give up on writing just because it becomes frustrating every now and then.

“I write when the fear of not writing overcomes my fear of writing.”

~Unknown

A couple may go through a time when they completely cannot stand each other - but that doesn't mean they don't still love each other. And when the fear of not writing overcomes the frustration that comes from being together, that's when you should write.

~~~

Does it often seem as if writing is a love/hate relationship for you?

Has there ever been a time when you felt as if you should just give up on the whole thing completely, it just wasn't worth it to you anymore? What are some other ways you try to ignore the negative and stick with the positive?