Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Writing Your Way

by Mindy Obenhaus

When I began writing some seventeen years ago, I knew nothing about the craft. I wrote my first manuscript unaware of POV (point of view), GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) or story structure. Then I attended a writers’ group and the learning process began.

Since then, I’ve loaded my shelves with numerous books on the craft of writing and routinely attended writers’ groups, workshops and conferences. Because let's face it, we never stop learning. Sometimes I come away from an experience enlightened, while other times I’m confused or feel inadequate, like I'll never be as good as that author. Or I’ll be really excited…until I try to execute someone else’s tried and true writing process and find that it stymies me.
Let me pause here to say that I’m not talking about the elements of writing. Every scene/manuscript needs POV, GMC and story structure. What I’m talking about is finding a process that consistently helps you take an idea and turn it into a book. Because just as no two people are the same, no two writers are the same. We all learn, think and work differently. That’s why there are so many books on the craft of writing—The Hero’s Journey by Michael Hauge, Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, to name a few—and workshops that teach the same principles with different approaches.

It took me years to settle into a system or process, that worked for me and made me a more productive writer. Basically, I don't like things complicated. I prefer a simple approach. I don’t care to waste precious writing time getting bogged down in too many details about my characters because I’m also a doer. I don’t like to be idle. I need to feel as though I’m moving forward. So I gather what I need to get the ball rolling, then discover the rest as I write. Now I have writer friends who would go absolutely bonkers if they had to use my process. They want to details. Like I said, we're all different.

So how does one go about discovering what does work for them?

First, ask yourself if you’re a plotter—someone who prefers to plot and have everything figured out before they start writing—or a pantser who prefers to let the story unfold as they write. This is going to be key to your process. 

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I'm a pantser a heart. However, to be a more productive writer, I've had to become more of a plantser. I plot, but if I'm inspired, I give myself permission to write and that satisfies the pantser in me.
Now that you know what type of writer you are, it’s time to—

ExploreWe should never be so set in our ways that we’re not open to something new. The key is to find what works for you. Revisit those writing books and conference notes and look at those aspects you did like. Perhaps as a whole you found a process lacking or overwhelming, but even if there’s only one thing in there that helps, claim it. Talk to other writers and find out what's worked for them. A friend of mine shared her plotting chart with me several years back and it changed my approach to plotting. Granted, I tweaked it to fit my needs, but I'm a better plotter because of it.

Try – Now that you’re armed with some new tools, let’s take them for a test drive. Add them to your current process. If they work, great! If not, let them go like Elsa's gloves vanishing on the wind. Remember, this is about finding what works for you

Make it yours – You are unique. No one tells a story the way you do. You deserve a writing process tailored to the way you think, learn and write. One that will make you more productive and evolve with you, setting you on the road to success.

Okay, now for some fun.

She’s always played it safe…Can he reach her guarded heart?

Ready to open his camp for young cancer patients, Daniel Stephens must impress foundation overseer Blythe McDonald to ensure she approves funding for next year. But the cautious former cancer patient was once let down by a similar program, and she’ll leave no stone unturned in her evaluation. Can he convince her his camp is worthy of the money…and that he’s worthy of her love?
Life has been far too serious lately. Makes me want to escape in a book until it's all over. So, with that in mind, let's giveaway some books. Five sounds like a good number. Simply leave a comment telling me about your writing process or simply how your life has been impacted by recent events to be entered to win one of five copies of my latest release, Her Rocky Mountain Hope, or any of my backlist titles. (US mailing addresses only, please)



Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus, writes contemporary romance for Love Inspired Books. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.mindyobenhaus.com

37 comments:

  1. Hi Mindy;

    I was once in a relationship seminar in which the instructor said something I thought was very profound.

    "A good marriage is not a matter of finding the right person but rather of being the right person."

    I think this might apply to writing. It's not so much a matter of finding the right process for you but rather it's one of being the right person for the given technique.

    This at first may seem like much the same thing but I believe that there is a vast difference. Finding the right process may be like finding the right diet book: it will work fine if you actually do it. Doing it is the problem.

    It's like looking for a panacea: find the right key and the kingdom shall be open unto you. I believe that the solution is not 'out there'. Being the right person is proactive. It's like trying to learn how to be happy in a house you have rather than looking to find a house which will make you happy.

    Just some late night thoughts.

    Please put me in the drawing for your new release.

    Vince

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    1. Vince, I'm going to latch onto your thought about finding the right diet book since I've purchased many of those throughout my years, too. Yes, you have to actually do it, BUT it also has to be something that fits into your life and you can maintain. This is why there's yo-yo dieting. If an eating program doesn't fit your life, you're not going to be able to stick with it for the long haul.

      It's the same thing with finding the writing process that works best for you. Is it one you can live with and use regularly?

      I always appreciate your thoughts, Vince. Late night or otherwise. ;)

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  2. Mindy, this is sage advice and I hope some of our newer followers and aspiring authors are reading this today. It's so important to find your groove as a writer, and to love what you do. I think if you don't love it, it's got to be really easy to skip it each day instead of being eager to have a few hours to create.

    And Vince, great points!!! Well done, my friend!

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    1. Ruthy, getting into that groove is so important if you want to be a productive writer. But finding that groove can take time. That's why we have to keep learning, dig our heels in and determine to keep moving forward.

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  3. I’m not a writer but wishful thinking that maybe someday. Her Rocky Mountain Hope was so good. Blessings

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    1. Lucy, I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. And just so you'll know, wishes do come true. ;)

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  4. It's taken me a lot of years to realize that even finding my process is a process :) I have gotten over the idea from my younger years that if I was a real writer, I'd just know how to do it and if I didn't do it right the first time, I must not be any good. Reading craft books and learning from you ladies and others has helped a lot to see that whatever works for me is good, but that it will take time to figure that out. Great post and I'd love to read this book!

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    1. Glynis, first of all, I am SO glad you tossed aside that idea from your younger years. Like I said, I didn't know anything about the craft of writing until after I finished my first ms. There are things we have to learn, not just about the craft but about the industry, publishers and agents. Don't ever think you can't. Be determined. Keep learning. Writing isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. And you've got friends here willing to help you along the way.

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  5. Hi MIndy, great that you guys are still open, you are my link to the outside world.
    I'm a plotter, I do outlines and charts before I begin, but I've never been a "linear" writer, i.e. I'll write in chunks and go back and fill things in. BUT I'm writing linear on my current WIP, following my outline strictly and nut jumping ahead/jumping back. I chose to do it this way because it's a more complex story than my first two novels and one novella, so I don't want to make too many mistakes up front. I shall of course have to go back and revise it, but this is what Works For Me Now. I think sometimes we have to change our method to match a particular project. I am open to anything that gets my words on a page and, I hope, out to someone else.
    These are times of testing. I have always worked from home so that's not a big deal. Not being able to go out when I'm NOT working kind of is a big deal. Problems with tech this week...lost the internet for three days last weekend, and was hacked yesterday. If any of you got a request from me to buy me a $300 I-tunes gift card, ignore it. It is a scam.
    Been busy, passed in my galleys for third book with Pelican, did a pronunciation guide for an audio version of "Westward Hope," finished writing the copy for my nonfiction book, and got halfway through my WIP with a linear method, see above. Fruitful and productive, but still glad when this is over.
    Going to buy some Love Inspired books this afternoon. I LOVE that line: 1. They are affordable. 2. They tell good stories with real people, complex plots and spiritual content (it's not your mother's Harlequin). 3. You can get them at Walmart (I live 20 miles from any kind of a bookstore). 4. You can get them at Walmart, which is considered an "essential business" and is open. Covid 19 scares me and I'm pretty much playing by the rules except when it comes to reading matter.
    Kaybee in the Time of Cholera

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    1. Kathy, knowing a little bit about the story you're currently writing, I understand why you are having to write linear. You've bitten off one mighty big chunk with this book. And yes, sometimes the process changes from one book to the next. Again, I go back to that word productive. And the greater your armament, the more weapons you have to choose from to help you break through those blockades.

      It sounds like you're keeping busy during this time of testing, though. On the one hand, work makes for a good distraction. On the other, there's so much going on, things are changing so fast and there's so much uncertainty that it's easy to get distracted from the task at hand. But reading is always a wonderful escape. Like you, I love LI books. And not just because I write them. I love the stories. I don't know how you feel about ebooks, Kathy, but all of the LI March releases are on sale for $2.99. Of course, that doesn't help with your need to get out, so you can ignore that. Stay safe and well.

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    2. Thank you, sweetie. The upside to this is I'm getting a lot done. The downside is the same as it is for everybody. Sigh.

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  6. Hi Mindy! Your post hit home with me this morning when I read it. I've been writing for a long time and I have studied the craft, bought books, attended conferences, a member of a writing group, follow Seekerville and two other groups. I've finished 3 manuscripts - two of which are in the file cabinet (haha) and the other one I'm editing due to my Beta Reader's comments. So, I've tried to conform to all those forms and structured outlines, I've just sat down to write with nothing restricting me. My lesson learned is I'm a pantster, but this morning I've learned I'm a plantster - thank you for that term! And thank you for sharing your words with us. I'd love to read your latest book! Stay safe out there.... Karen Jennings

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    1. Karen, we plantsers have to stick together. We can be a strange breed, so it's always nice to meet another one, to learn that we are not alone. We are friends, indeed.

      So glad I could offer you some encouragement. Hang in there and keep pressing forward. Just be careful when you leave the house. Six feet. ;)

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  7. Mindy, it was fun to read a little of your writing journey. Your points here are spot on. I appreciate the truth tat we are each unique writers, and each of us has to discover what works best for them to take an idea to a manuscript. Loved your words today! And your book sounds like a GREAT read!!

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    1. Jeanne, you know what they say, the truth shall set you free. We are, indeed, unique and we need to realize that. That doesn't mean we break the rules, we simply get from Point A to Point Z in a different manner.

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  8. Great post, Mindy. I am still trying to figure out what works best for me. I am mostly a plotter. Working on revising my book now. And with no substituting jobs for at least another month, I have all kinds of time to be writing. However, so far I am having trouble concentrating enough to do it. So I need to work on that. Please put me in the drawing for your new book.

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    1. Sandy, I pretty sure you're not the only one having problems concentrating these days. No, I KNOW you're not, because I'm right there with you. We just need to pause and remember that God's got this. COVID-19 was not a surprise to Him. He knew the beginning and He knows the end. We simply need to cling to Him, knowing that He's in control. Stay safe, Sandy.

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    2. Sandy, I am a plotter too. When I am not being hacked.

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    3. Kathy, I hope your hacker will leave you alone now!

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  9. Hi Mindy, love your books! We are sheltering in, but a dear friend sent me a copy of your book! I am so happy and plan to read it TODAY! Keep up the great writing!
    Keep safe.

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    1. Aww, you are too sweet, Jackie. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the story. The silver lining to all this sheltering is more time to read.

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  10. I'm so glad you posted this. I am totally new, like months into writing, new. I feel lost and inadequate wondering if I can learn at all. Thanks

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    1. TJ, you have come to the right place! Every one of us Seekers have been in your shoes. We are here to teach and encourage both novice and experienced writers as they navigate their way through the journey of writing.

      If only we could learn everything at once. But, like tackling our favorite pie, it has to be done one bite at a time. Learn at your own pace, TJ. If you don't understand something, ask someone who's farther along in their writing journey. Seekerville is a safe place for writers to grow and learn, so we would invite you to visit often and get involved with this community of readers and writers. We're happy to have you.

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    2. TJ, I learned a lot here. There are dozens of good craft posts in the archives. Pick something you want to learn about -- dialogue, characterization -- and dig in, you will find something here.

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    3. Thanks kaybee! I'll have to spend more time looking through them. I need to learn about editing, for one thing. I absolutely don't know how to make what I've written better. I've been thinking about it today- I want to do it right the first time but improving on one thing each time I write & edit is genuine progress.

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    4. TJ the mental attitude, the … I'm searching for the word, the … personality type … to write a book...I think that's something you're born with, or not. The ability to enjoy sitting by yourself for long hours, makin' stuff up.
      But the CRAFT, that you can learn. So if you have the right make-up to be a writer, the rest is just hard work and you can DO IT!!

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    5. Thanks, Mary! I've persevered through a lot! And I do like spending hours by myself!

      It's encouraging that some things can be learned and it's not entirely mystical.

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  11. Hi Mindy,
    Thank you for your post. I don't really have a writing process, I am just working on getting the words onto paper. But I hope to figure it out soon. I would love to be entered into the giveaway.

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    1. Angeline (such a beautiful name), sometimes getting the words on the paper is all we can do. That's how I approached things at first. But if I can figure it out--or at least THINK I have it figured out--you can, too. Just give it time and keep learning.

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  12. There are so many different How To books and blogs and lessons because explaining how to write is just HARD. That's why we keep trying to give advice and pointers. We never know when someone is going to explain it in a way that clicks.
    And the longer I write, the more 'ways' authors have that works for them.
    There fore, take my advice (or Mindy's) if it helps and if it doesn't ignore it. There is no one right way.

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    1. Oh well, ignore that part of not taking Mindy's advice. She is all that is wise and right. :D

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  13. I've connected with the books on structure by KM Weiland,very straightforward and informative.

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    1. She has wonderful resources. It was only after I read "Outlining Your Novel" that I really understand that I didn't have to be a complete plotter, but that pantsing didn't work great either so I needed to be something in between.

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  14. The biggest effect on my life related to recent events is that I have 4 grandchildren (ages 3-10yr) with me pretty much 24/7. Some days it is a challenge for this 70 year old Nana to keep them occupied, especially without allowing them too many hours on electronics! LOL

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    1. Anne, I feel for you. Our thirteen-year-old and two-year-old granddaughters were with us for ten days and keeping them occupied was a challenge. You've got that times two! Asking God to grant you strength and an abundance of creativity during this time.

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  15. Mindy, I flaked yesterday! (Becoming more and more common as the days run together.) I'm sorry I missed your post. But it's a great reminder that we all work differently, and no way is right or wrong. I have gathered a hodgepodge of methods that help me. And I sometimes change book to book. But I suspect I need to figure out the best way and stick with it! :)

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