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Pitch + Premise = Spine

By on June 6, 2013 in Editing Basics

Maybe you first heard of the “story spine” from Stanley Williams’ book, The Moral Premise. But I actually thought of the concept all by my lonesome the winter of 2011 at the first Deep Thinkers Retreat. Because it became clear to me we HAVE to know what the story is about in order to develop the character and the plot. The pitch is that one or two lines, the concept, of the story that you tell editors or agents. Or you friends when they ask, “What’s your story about.” You must be able to tell it in one or two succinct sentences. If you ramble or start telling too much, then you’re not nailing the core of your story. For example, my pitch for Dining with Joy was “It’s about […]

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Finding Balance With Writing & Life: Learning to Delegate

By on June 5, 2013 in Editing Basics

The summer after I graduated high school, I worked as a waitress at a local family restaurant that stayed open 24 hours. During a particularly busy rush after the bars closed at 2 a.m., I maneuvered through a crowded dining room, carrying a large oval tray above my head loaded with hot food. I approached the customers’ table and started serving their meals. A rowdy gentleman, who had consumed large quantities of alcohol, pushed his chair out, slamming it into my back. My knees buckled, but I struggled to keep from face planting in someone’s mashed potatoes while holding onto the heavy tray with the rest of the food. Unfortunately, the balance had shifted on the tray. To my horror, a side order of beef gravy slid and spilled down […]

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Congratulations to the 2013 MBT Frasier Finalists!

By on June 3, 2013 in Frasier Contest

So many awesome entries this year – it took us a little longer to tally all the judges votes!  MBT Cheers these 5 amazing aspiring novelists and MBT FRASIER FINALISTS for their excellent entries – see you in Indianapolis for the 2013 Frasier Awards! Amy Drown         Gabrielle Meyer             Connilyn Cossette             Kathleen Anderson             Jeanne Takenaka Share this Post…

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Sizzling Summer Success, Part One: Light the Fire

By on June 1, 2013 in Encourage Me!, Life Coaching, Nurturing the Soul, Reba Hoffman, Writer's life, Writing Life, Writing Life Coaching

I’m sure you’ve lit a fire at one time or another. You struck a match or flicked your lighter and, just like magic, flames appeared. In the old days, it was critical to keep a fire going all day and night. Survival depended on it. In our ever-changing world, it’s good to know that some things don’t change. Your survival as a writer depends on keeping the flames burning brightly in your soul. There should be fire in your belly for your story, for your career and desire to be published. Here’s why: Fire produces the energy to burn your midnight oil. It propels you forward in quest for that otherwise elusive “The End”. Fire burns through your fears, inhibitions and objections to going after your dream. It also gives […]

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