Local Flavor

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director, Southern Writers Magazine


Yesterday I found myself in the famous Schwab's Drug Store in Memphis, where you can buy anything from forgotten brands of candy to good luck mojo bags.  The latter promise success in a variety of forms, via bags labeled "Health", "Love", "Travel" and the like.  I looked for one labeled "Coming Up with Ideas to Write About", but they must have been sold out of that one.

In any event, what did catch my writer's eye in a different section of the store was a book called Santa is Coming to Tennessee.  After asking myself what month this was, I settled into the fact that holiday books for sale in March were no more out of place in this eclectic store than their Fortune Telling Fish.

Picking up this children's title, I acknowledged what a clever idea it was to narrow down Santa's journey into a more personalized one just for children in Tennessee.  I considered that if they were really smart, they'd do similar books for every state in the union.

With that in mind, I looked inside to see how specific or generic the book was in terms of its adaptability.  When I saw that most of the text was universal, and how few times a Tennessee landmark had to be mentioned to give it the proper Volunteer State feel, I realized that Steve Smallman and Robert Dunn had indeed crafted a book where only minor customization would be needed to publish Santa is Coming to Florida, Santa is Coming to Hawaii, etc. An online search on my smartphone confirmed that they indeed did just that.

From an early age, we value a book that speaks to us personally.  What child wouldn't be drawn to a story set right where they live, as if it were written just for them?

A few minutes later, while driving past the monorail leading to Mud Island, I was reminded of its significant appearance in The Firm, and how big a role the South plays in every John Grisham story. If there were any more Memphis flavor in The Firm, it would need BBQ sauce.

No matter what our age, readers have extra appreciation for a book whose setting fits the story. C. Hope Clark's Murder on Edisto and Sandra Balzo's Main Street Mysteries are solid examples of strong locales that complement and enhance the plot.

Whether you choose a real-life location for your story or you create an original backdrop of your own, let the setting be more than a mere afterthought.  Giving your characters a memorable place to be and a good reason to be there improves your chances of bringing it on home.

Taking Notice or Taking Action

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine



“It is easy sitting up and taking notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.”   
—Honore de Balzac

French novelist Balzac may have been having a difficult time with his New Year resolutions when this thought came to mind. Many of us are thinking the same thing as well here early in January. We have taken stock but have yet to move on the idea.

Let’s take stock of our accomplishments in 2013. What were your key ones? What could you have done better? For that matter what have you done in your life that changed your life? What could you do that would change your life dramatically? What are your key goals in 2014?

George Bernard Shaw

Taking notice is easy but many fail to do so. We need to take time to take stock of where we are and see if we have made progress as to where we are going or want to go. It is time to measure.

George Bernard Shaw once said:

“The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.”

We too have grown in our skills. We must take measure of our accomplishments and what that  has changed in our lives to move on. We have stretched our mind, our skills and our abilities to
take on new and bigger things in our lives. 

David facing Goliath thought back to his prior accomplishments before tackling the giant. David remembered conquering the lion and the bear and knew he could beat the giant. We should do the same. What have you conquered in the past that has prepared you for what is ahead.

Three frogs were setting on a log and one decided to jump. How many frogs are sitting on a log? The answer is three. The one was merely taking notice. You must take action! You must JUMP in 2014!

Because It's There

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director

Over 5,000 people have attempted to scale it, and only 1/8 of them have succeeded. Mountain climbers who like a good challenge consider Mt. Everest—the pinnacle of the earth—the ultimate goal.

Achieving our writing goals is like scaling a mountain. A strong determination, the proper tools, and a capability for the craft are essential to begin the climb.  There'll be obstacles on the way up, and moments when you think you just can't do it.  But those who make it to the top of Everest don't let difficulties keep them down.  They envision the pinnacle of the mountain and focus on how magnificent the view will be from 5 1/2 miles above sea level.

What is your writing goal?  If you're just starting out, maybe you simply want to write a book and get it published.  If you're already a published author, maybe your goal is to have a New York Times Bestseller.  If you've already had several bestsellers, maybe you just long for a week off without having to write anything.

I had an interesting conversation with an author this week, one who's been published regularly for years and has enjoyed success by any writer's standard. Even so, they harbor a certain reluctance to claim their success; to own it.  Whether it's humility, disbelief, or a fear of jinxing a good thing, it is hard to say "I've arrived" when you still have mountains to climb.

Indeed, this is a sentiment echoed by most of the authors we speak with.  Even though they became "professionals" when they sold their first article or book, the real goal in their hearts is an ambiguous, uncharted one that they won't even realize they've reached until they get there. And when they do, they'll still keep going.

A true writer writes because they love what they do. They make loyal friends along the way, supporting and mentoring other writers freely.  When they achieve "success," that's not a stopping point.  They thank their lucky stars—and their muse—and keep reaching higher, just from the sheer love of writing.  They do it for the art, not for the accolades. 

When George Mallory set out to be the first to climb Mt. Everest, he was asked why. His famous answer, "Because it's there," is the same reason many of us write. It's just something we must do. It requires no explanation, nor a measurable achievement to make it a valid pursuit.  It's a challenge; an adventure; a gauntlet we have no choice but to pick up.

May you always find joy in your journey.

The Spirit of a Writer

by Lori Beard-Daily

Do you have the right spirit to be a writer? As a writer, you have to have the spirit of commitment. It’s that spirit of staying power that allows you to earn the entitlement of being called a writer. It’s that same spirit that keeps you up at night with new ideas on how you’re going to recreate, rejuvenate, and recommit to making your next writing project an even better one than your last. 

Do you have the right spirit when it comes to dealing with disappointments? Being a writer can definitely be a rewarding experience when things are going well. But, a writer also needs the right spirit in dealing with the ups and downs that comes with the title. It’s not just about the writing. That can be the easy part. The not-so-easy part comes in when you also have to promote and market your work, develop your fan base, and continuously create awareness.

In some ways, being a writer is like being a parent. Your writing is your baby. You want to protect it and are not always open to criticism, right? And even though there may be times when you would like to, you know that you can’t abandon it when things are not going the way you would like for them to go. You have to see things through and arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and skills that you need in order to hone your craft. 

As a writer, you have to have the spirit of confidence. Believe in yourself when others do not. There will be plenty of naysayers out there as you go down the path to be a successful writer. But, in order to do this, you must remain steadfast and have faith in in your talent, your work, and yourself. Connect with other like-minded writers. Seek out relationships and organizations that focus on helping writers. It’s always good to be around others who have your same vision and provide support. You can share ideas and gain new insight when you step out of your comfort zone and open your circle to include other writers. 

As a writer, you also need the spirit of passion. Do you enjoy your writing whether or not you are getting paid to do it? When you have passion, you have a positive energy that comes from bringing more of you into what you do. It’s doing what comes naturally for you. Your passion can also draw people to you. It can also attract more readers to your work. When your readers feel your passion, it gives them a feeling of connection and a desire to know more about your writing.

Writers should read different types of genres, embrace other author’s works, and not compare their work to others’. As a writer, you should go at your own pace. Be your own person and don’t let others determine the value of what you or writing is worth. When you have the right spirit, there is no stopping you! Go and enjoy your passion. Keep your spirits high and continue to be the writer you’ve always wanted to be!

______________________

Lori Beard-Daily is the author of Destination D and was nominated for the 48th Georgia Author of the Year Awards, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the nation and the oldest in the southeastern United States. She will be signing her debut novel at the Decatur Book Festival on September 1. Fans can meet Lori and purchase a signed copy of Destination D at BQB Publishing’s booth 425 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Click here to learn more about Lori and purchase her debut novel in paperback or eBook through BQB's online store, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or your favorite bookstore.

The Successful Road

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

Experience has taught us that success is not an occurrence so much as a process. Regardless of where you are on the journey to becoming successful as a writer, there are always writers ahead of you and writers behind you as well as on each side of you. You are never alone.

As you progress forward on this road, do not fail to turn around and give attention to those who are behind you—the ones who have not come as far as you.

Funny thing about mentoring someone, during that process you will find you have learned a lot too. Someone told me the act of mentoring is neither completely gratuitous nor completely out of self-interest. Rather, it propagates the success process through others, creating a chain of professionalism, which strengthens with each new link, added.

No successful trait we possess is lost by sharing our knowledge with others, matter of fact, very few things are as rewarding as watching someone else become successful and know you had a hand in it.

Generously sharing knowledge with other writers is beneficial to you. It strengthens your foundation and it expands into the world layers of other successful people. Self-made? Not really; there are always people who helped along the way.

Someone said if you help enough people get what they want, you in turn would get what you want. Never refuse a writer who asks for help; they just may be that one person sent to help you achieve your own success.

So while you are on your journey take time to look around and see who you might can help along their journey. The trip is so much more enjoyable this way.

How to Create Your Own Luck as a Writer

by Deanna Albrecht

Ever wonder how some people get lucky and get published writer or author? Have you wished that you could find your own lucky charm to bring you the good fortune of getting published?

Writers can make their own luck by learning about writing and publishing.

Here is a list of tips to help get you started or unstuck.

  

Listen to your inner voice.

You know the voice - the one that whispers to you despite your decision to try to ignore it. It doesn’t listen to the amount of education, experience, or credentials you have – it only listens to your heart.

  

Listen to others.

We often shoo the complements of others away. Did a teacher, relative or friend give you a complement that you didn’t receive? For the first time, let yourself to hear and believe it.

  

Don’t listen to others.

Not everyone will cheer you on your road to writing. There will be people who

think writers are dreamers who just dream about writing, and they will say anything to shoot down your dream. Don’t write them out of your life; just don’t share your writing with them.

  

Don’t let the market rule your writing.

There’s nothing wrong with knowing what’s hot, what’s

on the N.Y. Times Best Seller lists, and what your favorite publishers want, but

never let it rule what you write, how you write or if you are going to write.

  

Create space to write.

What inspires you? Does music, quiet, sunshine or the dark spark something beautiful or fiery inside you? Sometimes our creativity needs to be prodded and poked to come out.  Find out what it is for you and let it do its work.

  

Find something to love in your writing.

In every piece of writing, find something to fall in love with. You can turn even the driest stories or topics into something unique and special if you do this.  It might take awhile to find that “something”, but it’s worth it and your writing will be better because of it.

  

Love people more than writing.

It’s easy to fall in love with writing, and the characters you create – but you were created to build relationships with the people in your family, workplace and neighborhood. They need you, and you need them. And just maybe you can sneak them in your stories later.

  

May the luck of the Writing Irish be with you.

  

Which one of these tips do you struggle with?

What is your favorite writing tip to share with others? 

__________________________

Deanna Albrecht writes short articles in her work-life and when she has spare time, she blogs at  www.love-laugh-learn.com 

Find Deanna on Twitter.

The Game of Writing is Won One Down at a Time!

by Sabrina Sentell

I am one of those ladies that love football. I was one of those band geeks in high school and college so I couldn’t help but be involved. Now my oldest son plays the game. Oh and I forgot to mention I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide). Enough said.

Football is a big part of my life; therefore when I started thinking about how I could get my writing game better, football terms came to mind. When I am writing and having other people read it (be it editors, friends, etc.), I am playing Defense. I don’t want the other side to break through my line and advance against me because of something I have written. I definitely don’t want any penalty flags thrown either or points scored. I want to protect my lead. 

Then, I thought but how did I get that lead? What got me here? That is my offense-Me actually writing! This is where my writing game is weak. I need to be playing offense a lot more. So here are some of my game plans on how I am going to try to achieve more time on offense.

1.     

           Using the clock wisely-In football, if you are ahead you want that clock to keep ticking so you get the ball off right at the last second. On the other hand, if you are behind you want to snap quickly and get 1^st downs and completions that stop the clock. When writing, we need to be the same way. If we are ahead of our goals, we need to slow down and take assessments. We need to make sure it is our best work. If we are behind on deadlines and goals, then we need to break our goals down into small plays. The small yards can at up to points just as much as one big play. It makes you feel like you have accomplished more which gets you motivated.

2.      Controlling the ball and scoring-I am terrible about finding other projects I need to work on when writing. When you sit down to write and put that “ball” in your hand, you need to concentrate on getting to your goal whether it is editing, rewriting or starting a new piece. Work your game plan and do whatever it takes to get it there. Just remember the ultimate goal is the end zone (finishing your goal for that day).

3.      Protect the Quarterback-That’s you! Don’t allow those defensive players to stop you from making your play. Have a plan. If a distraction comes at you, be able to call another play. If you get sacked (if you have to stop and handle life), deal with it and then get right back on task. Don’t let anything keep you from your goal.

Sitting down to write is a discipline and just like in football you have to be trained and prepared to meet your opponents. As long as I know what keeps me from reaching my goals and make plans accordingly, then maybe at the end of the day, I will hear TOUCHDOWN SABRINA! 

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Sabrina is a single mom to two boys who currently uses her English degree in her job.with RFMS in Tuscaloosa, AL. 


As a writer she has written for Lifeway's Preschool Worship Kid Style. She's known since high school she would become a writer when she was told she would one day writer the sequel to "Gone With the Wind". Too bad someone beat her to it.


During the fall, when she's not writing you'll find her cheering on her alma mater, The University of Alabama. Roll Tide!