APTAT

How many times have you heard writers need a platform? Just the thought of platform makes me throw up in my mouth a little...or maybe that gag reaction is because in effort to increase my platform, I've agreed to a speaking engagement.

I'm a lot of things. Mom. Author. Tutor. Wife. Daughter of a King. Not necessarily in that order, mind you. But one thing I'm not is a speaker. So why did I agree to talk for an entire weekend at a women's retreat?

Platform.

I figured it would increase my visibility and/or, more importantly, God's visibility...which is a tall order for someone who'd rather be shut in a room with a computer all day than rubbing elbows with the masses. And, quite frankly, I'm scared to death about it.

So last Sunday's sermon was a Godsend. Literally. I'm pretty sure someone whispered my dilemma to my pastor and he developed a message to deal with my fear. It's a great concept that can apply to any anxiety causing dilemma like finishing a manuscript, querying an agent, or meeting with a publisher.

Simply put, it's APTAT.

No, I'm not speaking in tongues or even in Klingon. It's an acronym. Feel free to use this handy-dandy bit of gibberish next time you're anxious about writing...or anything else, for that matter.

A = Admit

Admit to God that you're not up to the task. In fact, if left up to you, you'd fail at whatever you set your hands to. In my case, I need to admit to God that unless he goes to the podium with me, I'll probably pee my pants.

P = Pray

Ask God to help you. He is, after all, master of the universe. He's overqualified and willing to help you with any of your 'little' troubles. In my situation, I'm asking him to give me loads of creativity to help encourage the women I'll be speaking to.

T = Trust

Dig into the Bible and find a rock to plant your feet on. The whole book is full of promises to you. Do you believe them? Personally, I'm going with "Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

A = Act

This is where the rubber meets the road. I'll have to force my feet to cross over from audience member to the spotlight. What is it you need to act on? Parking your rear in a chair to finish that story? Stashing your pennies in a jar so you can attend a conference? Unless you act, you'll be stuck in limbo.

T = Thanks

Yes, you will have something to thank God for. He will act. He is faithful. Disclaimer: He might not act in the way you think He will. There's not always fireworks. In fact, on the outside, you might see nothing at all, or worse, disaster...as defined by you. God's always up to a gazillion things. He will use your actions for His purposes, and that's something to be thankful about.

Fluff Defined

One of my readers wrote:

"I agree about planting seeds, but that can be done even in lighthearted books.

We don't have to be serious to go deep with the Truth."

I'm not going to argue with that. Lighthearted stories can kidney-punch some powerful wallops of Biblical truth (which is what I was advocating in my previous post). Humor is a fantastic approach to impart hard principles in a way that is more palatable.

It's not lighthearted I have a problem with. It's fluff. Here's a dictionary definition:

fluff (flf)

n.

1. Light down or fuzz, as on a young bird or on a dandelion or milkweed seed.

2. Something having a very light, soft, or frothy consistency or appearance: a fluff of meringue; a fluff of cloud.

3. Something of little substance or consequence, especially:

a. Light or superficial entertainment: The movie was just another bit of fluff from Hollywood.

b. Inflated or padded material: The report was mostly fluff, with little new information.

4. The parts of a junked car that are not metal and cannot be recycled.

Definition 3A...now that's what I'm talkin 'bout. Note that it says light, not lighthearted. This is exactly what should be considered when developing characters, plot and theme.

Banish the Fluffy Characters

If you don't make the reader care about your characters, they won't give a flying wingnut about what happens to them, even if it's catastrophic. Your job as a writer is learning to be a good tightrope walker. It's all a balancing act. Villains can't be all bad. Heroes and heroines can't be all good. A reader connects emotionally to a multi-faceted persona because that's the way people are. It makes them more relatable instead of superficial.

Axe Fluffy Plots

Not that you have to have mushroom clouds and/or zombies dominating every scene, but you do have to include increasing crises which build to a climax. This doesn't have to be physical. Emotional confrontations create fireworks as well. This is especially important to remember in the middle of your tale.

Say No to Fluffy Themes

This is where you have the chance to impact a reader's life. Don't waste your opportunity with platitudes. You can go simple but go deep.

Example: forgiveness. Sounds easy enough, but if you pick apart the act of forgiveness, you can share nuggets of Biblical truth all the way from bitterness to freedom. And this can be done in any genre, from humor to horror.

I suppose the point of this rant is to make your writing count. When it comes to words, quality is indeed more virtuous than quantity.

Nixing the Fluff

I keep forgetting this is the last year of my life...if the Mayan's are correct, that is. Personally, I think they ran out of parchment or papyrus or whatever-in-the-world kind of paper they used.

But for the sake of argument, what if this really were the last year any of us had here on earth? Would we live differently? Love differently?

Write differently?

If so...then how?

I'm thinking theme. Message. Take away value. Plant deep the seeds of Biblical truth so that readers very souls are affected. Not that I'm advocating sermonizing and whapping people upside the head with the Bible, but honestly...is it worth a reader's time to ingest pap?

When I do finally park my behind in a chair and get back to my WIP, I'm going to keep this in mind.

Fame...Possibly

Pretend you're at a party. Not a rip-roaring gangbuster of a blitz, but a small gathering. It's comfortable. Cozy. You know most people but not all. One of the strangers approaches you, and without fanfare or even a hey-how's-it-going, they corner you and say, "I read your book." That's it Nothing more. Perhaps this is just small talk, but it sure sounds like a threat.

Yeah, well, this scenario is not make-believe. It happens to me, and I NEVER know how to respond. Usually I mumble some stupid comeback. Take your pick:

A.) "Oh."

B.) "Umm...you want me to give you a gold star or what?"

C.) Awkward silence followed by, "So...how about those insert-sports-team-of-your-choice?"

I suppose all this is because I'm too gutless to ask how they liked it. I mean, what if they hated the story? The characters? The cover or the overall theme? What if they hate me?

Or worse...what if they came to some existential literary conclusions that I accidentally wrote and I don't have a clue what they're talking about?

Are all writers this psychotic or is it just me?

Whatever the answer may be, I should probably come up with a proactive plan for the next time I'm stuck in an uncomfortable situation. And as much as I hate to admit it, my mom's advice from many moons ago is as pertinent as ever. Memorize, along with me, this timeless nugget of sage advice.

Smile and say thanks.

Of course, no matter how hilarious I think it might be, I should also stop writing Jodi Piccoult on my nametag.

The Intersection of Life and Writing

As much fun as it is to live in my fictional world, life often jumps in and pulls me away from it.Such is the case this week. My family and I have been New Years partying all week with another writer buddy's family in Iowa. It's been a fantastic time, and I'm on my way home now, but guess how many words I accomplished on my wip. Yep.

Zero.

So how to deal with the lurking feeling of dang-I-haven't-gained-any-ground-word-wise on the ol' manuscript? Simply put...get over it.

If life doesn't take priority over fiction, real people trump the fake voices in your head, then not only will your writing suffer, but your relationships will as well. Your story world isn't going anywhere. It'll be there when you get back, unlike the important people in your life who can and will withdraw if you're not really 'with' them when you're with them. Savvy?

So next time life intersects with your writing, choose life. Next time you sit down to write, you'll likely find your characters will be all the richer for it.

Bingo!

We have a winner...a winning piece of musical inspiration, that is. Click on the following link and listen to this with your eyes closed.

Rolling in the Deep

Did story scenes pop into your head or am I the only freak around here?

Resolution Revolution

Yeah, losing ten pounds would be nice. Revamping my budget would be a great idea as well, especially since my charge card is still smoking from Christmas. But seriously...we all know those things are going to happen anytime soon.

So what if this year my resolutions weren't about me? Hmm....

This year I resolve to target 1 writing-related person per month. No, not in a creepy stalker way. Instead, I'll hand-write an encouraging note and put that person on my prayer list. It could be anyone from a well-known multi-pubbed author, to an agent or editor, or might even be the kid down the block who likes to write silly stories.

Think outside the box this year and revolutionize your resolutions. If the Mayan calendar is correct and the world does end this coming December, why waste your time cutting calories?