I have been at a storytelling conference since Sunday and while I am learning the most productive tools to connect to the students, the workshop has left me completely drained and exhausted. The irony of attending a writing workshop but not having any time or energy to write because you are in class from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., is not lost on me.

Today I had a meeting with my mentor about my work. The most nerve-wracking things for a writer is to have someone critique your work, so it is extremely important that you are comfortable with the people you choose to show your work to. Remember, be extremely careful. Do not cast your pearls before swine.

Anyway, at the meeting we went over critical things that my chapters need to possess. One of which is conflict. Make sure that every chapter moves - physically. Think of the old adage - show not tell. Furthermore, when you open your chapter place the character in the setting. Tell the reader where the character is and make sure you use your senses to enhance your writing (see, taste, hear, smell, touch). The next time that I meet with her I have to have made revisions on twenty of the pages and have thirty new pages to show her. I know that the morning pages will help me to dig out what I have buried in.

One more thing to note: Don't make the mistake of reading someone else's work before writing. I made that error recently and I found myself writing from the perspective of the narrator in another novel instead of my own. The writing came out stilted and forced. While the most important thing for a writer is to read as much as possible, it is also imperative that one knows one's work well enough to allow it to stand on its own without using aids from outside sources.

Well, I'll spend the next couple of days reflecting and making revisions. I will have to spend some quality time in the space where my story takes place so that will be fun - sort of an ethnographic study. Take care and remember to write!

Today I had a meeting with my mentor about my work. The most nerve-wracking things for a writer is to have someone critique your work, so it is extremely important that you are comfortable with the people you choose to show your work to. Remember, be extremely careful. Do not cast your pearls before swine.

Anyway, at the meeting we went over critical things that my chapters need to possess. One of which is conflict. Make sure that every chapter moves - physically. Think of the old adage - show not tell. Furthermore, when you open your chapter place the character in the setting. Tell the reader where the character is and make sure you use your senses to enhance your writing (see, taste, hear, smell, touch). The next time that I meet with her I have to have made revisions on twenty of the pages and have thirty new pages to show her. I know that the morning pages will help me to dig out what I have buried in.

One more thing to note: Don't make the mistake of reading someone else's work before writing. I made that error recently and I found myself writing from the perspective of the narrator in another novel instead of my own. The writing came out stilted and forced. While the most important thing for a writer is to read as much as possible, it is also imperative that one knows one's work well enough to allow it to stand on its own without using aids from outside sources.

Well, I'll spend the next couple of days reflecting and making revisions. I will have to spend some quality time in the space where my story takes place so that will be fun - sort of an ethnographic study. Take care and remember to write!

Setting goals was one of the best things for me. I actually wrote for a number of hours at my local library and accomplished two more pages than I originally planned. Remember, writing is like AA. Take it one day at a time. Don't worry about whether or not tomorrow will be the same as it is today. Stay in the present and bless Him who helped you to accomplish it.

OK., writers. So we all live in the 21st century where we are repeatedly swamped with new demands on our time. This summer I was supposed to dedicate my entire two months off from teaching to write my first novel, but unfortunately (or fortunately) I received another writing job that is leaving me unable to write the four hours that I and my mentor would like. I have decided to stop this insanity and to start priortizing my time by establishing a schedule. I suggest that you do the same. Create your schedule so that you are not a semi-god who can do all things at all times. Be realistic. Understand that we are all only given 24 hours a day and that four of those hours are dedicated to writing. Homework assignment for today is to establish your schedule. Tomorrow is for putting your schedule into action. Have a great holiday!

The first step for anyone to actually publish a book is to first write the book. But before you can write you must have an idea of what you want to say. Remember, this book is not for other people to praise you, it is for you to feel good about achieving your goals. The first task for this week is to free write everyday for twenty minutes (or 1,000 words). Buy if you can, Julia Cameron's The Artist Way, and read the section on Morning Pages.

Good Luck and Start Writing!!!