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#2MinWritingTip – Find Your Rhythm

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I have a confession to make: I almost always hate audiobooks? Why? After all, they’re convenient, they’re fun, and they’re a good way to make your daily commute fly by.

But they can also be painful to listen to, especially when the author of the book didn’t pay any attention to what his writing sounded like when read aloud. The best writers’ work feels like music when performed; there’s a flow and a rhythm to it that’s not unlike a song. Done badly with series of short, staccato sentences–or worse yet, run-on paragraphs without a pause to catch your breath–and it’s about as much fun to listen to as your neighbor’s toddler banging on his toy drum set.

Musicality isn’t only necessary if your stories are going to be turned into audiobooks, however. Language is essentially a spoken medium; even when we read silently to ourselves, we hear the words in our mind. When the sentences and paragraphs flow smoothly, it’s a pleasant, transporting experience. When they don’t… well, we’re back to the toddler’s drum set.

If you don’t know how your work flows, spend some time reading it aloud to yourself. Wherever you stumble, wherever it feels unnatural, that’s where your reader is likely to stumble as well, pulling them out of the world you’ve tried so hard to create. But find your proper rhythm, and they’ll come back for the experience again and again.

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Are You Ready To Be Starstruck?

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I’ve got big news today! If February and Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe feels too far away, I have something that will help you endure the wait– a bonus book!

I’m thrilled to announce the next novella in my Discovered by Love series, which follows reluctant hearts to interesting places where they’re sure to find their perfect match! Without further ado, here’s the first glimpse of Starstruck, coming on November 1, 2018.

 

Having your book turned into a TV series is every writer’s dream come true…
Unless your leading man happens to be your ex.

Novelist Christine Lind has achieved her lifelong dream—a string of best-selling books and a cable-TV adaptation about to go into production. But on her way to London FanFest for the cast reveal, disaster strikes: their leading man is injured in a motorcycle accident… and his replacement is the one person she hoped she’d never seen again.

Nick Cleary has clawed his way to recognition as a Hollywood actor, but it’s long past time he get the chance to show he’s more than a pretty face and a chiseled set of abs. His big break comes in the form of a juicy lead role in a new steampunk fantasy series. There’s just one catch—casting has to be approved by the author… a woman he once devastated through his own youthful stupidity.

Christine is the last person to be starstruck by the handsome heartthrob, but as the clock ticks down to the cast announcement and Nick races to show that he’s really changed, she begins to wonder if there’s more to her ex than his Hollywood persona. Except now the consequences of being wrong no longer apply only to her career… but also to her carefully guarded heart.

Starstruck will be available wherever e-books are sold on November 1, 2018, so be sure to mark your calendars and watch for the release day announcements! You can also join my newsletter to get reminders. As a thank you, I’m giving away the first book in the series, Jilted, for free!

If you’re excited about this book, please share with the buttons below and help spread the word! You’ll have my eternal gratitude and also help make sure I can fit more of these fun novellas into my wider publishing schedule.

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Five Inspiring Podcasts for Writers

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I was going to save this post for January, when most of us start doing our vision casting for the new year. But I’m finding this transition into the fall season to be a difficult one. For one, I just got back from an awesome, early-20th-anniversary trip to London, and reentry has been…let’s say, challenging. For another, Denver seems to have skipped right over autumn and gone straight to winter, which makes me want to do no more than curl up in front of my fireplace, read books, and drink tea. Considering I have numerous deadlines looming, that’s not the best impulse!

So in the spirit of getting my head back in the game, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite inspirational podcasts for the next time you too are tempted to play hooky rather than continue writing the Great American Novel.

The Portfolio Life

This podcast by Jeff Goins (The Art of Work, Real Artists Don’t Starve) is designed to help you “pursue work that matters, make a difference with your art and discover your true voice,” through inspiring conversations with interesting, successful people, all from a Christian worldview.  Whenever I need a little business-attitude-adjustment, this is my first stop. Goins strikes a nice balance between inspiration and practical advice that always helps me redouble my dedication to making a living through art.

Episode to Try: The Fun Formula: Why Doing What’s Fun Brings Success with Joel Comm

The Tim Ferris Show

Fair warning, Tim Ferris can be insensitive and even profane at times, but he’s a gifted interviewer whose natural curiosity about the world pulls the best out of his interviewees. Past guests include billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, comedian Aisha Tyler, and chef Eric Ripert. You’ll want to be selective on the podcasts and pick only the topics that interest you–I have no interest in psychedelics or the inner lives of sex workers, for example–but its an invaluable look into what has made successful people successful, not to mention a great research tool into professions you might otherwise have difficulty getting a peek into.

Episode to Try: #100: Brené Brown on Vulnerability and Home Run TED Talks

Oprah’s Master Class

There’s not a lot of Oprah in Oprah’s Master Class, which depending on how you feel about the legendary host might be a positive or a negative–this is an audio of the on-screen episode, for which Oprah only comes in to do the voice over. Nonetheless, her guests span the gamut of arts, sciences, and politics, guaranteeing you’ll find interesting content and inspiring stories.

Episode to Try: Justin Timberlake (2018)

Mark Dawson’s Self-Publishing Formula

This podcast is another one whose quality varies depending on the guest–some are great, and others are painful. But Mark Dawson is one of the most influential voices in the independent publishing community, and there’s always something to learn in these episodes…even if it’s only that making a good living from publishing is possible.

Episode to Try: SPF-134: A Successful Author Mindset with Adam Croft

Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert

I don’t always agree with Elizabeth Gilbert’s stance on life-choices (I happen to be one of the people who hated Eat Pray Love and found it anything but inspiring) but I thought that her book Big Magic was brilliant. While I find Gilbert’s spirituality pretty general, her take on human creativity illuminates parts of God’s big picture that I rarely get from other writers. That’s why I’m glad there’s finally a second season of the Magic Lessons Podcast, in which Elizabeth and her famous friends help a different person through a difficult part of her creative life. It’s been a while since I’ve gone through season one, so the specifics elude me, but anyone who is finding themself stagnant and searching will probably pull out some nuggets of wisdom to get themselves on track.

Episode to Try: 101: Do What Ignites Your Soul

Do you have any favorites I should add to my list? Tell me below!

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Win an ARC of Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

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Hey everyone! I’m super excited to be unboxing the ARCs of Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe today…and I’m giving away 4-5 copies to you guys, my loyal followers! Here’s what you can do. All giveaways end on October 14, 2018 at 11:59pm MDT.

  1. Watch the video above (I mean…I won’t know if you don’t, but there’s some fun details in there, and it’s not that long, so come on…) and then leave me a comment below. One commenter from this post will win.
  2. Visit my Facebook Live video post and comment there too. You could also like the page if you’re so inclined, but it’s not required. One Facebook commenter will win.
  3. Find my Tweet on my Twitter feed later tonight and retweet for another chance to win. One retweeter will win.
  4. Visit my Instagram feed and either leave a comment on my story in the next 24 hours or on the giveaway post through Sunday. One Instagrammer will win.
  5. This is a wildcard entry. Will I choose from YouTube commenters? An extra one from any of the above? Depends on what I feel like when I get up on Monday morning. For your best chances, do all four. Or give me a fun suggestion on how to pick below.

Also, don’t forget that you can request a copy through NetGalley or Edelweiss. Availability is limited, so it’s best to get your request in as soon as possible for your best chances of approval. Tyndale Blog Network members will also get a chance for reading copies as it gets a bit closer to the release date.

Thanks for tuning in and good luck with the giveaway!

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