With a Little Help From my Friends

By Keith Fisher

I Joined Facebook back in November in order to promote my writing career. I started making writer friends. Most of those friends were friends already, but I began to make new friends and my circle increased in size.

Now, I have 217 friends (not all writers) but I have a small army of a network. That means if I happen to be having a book signing in almost any town, I can announce it on Facebook and some of my friends will come and support me.

At the recent LDStorymakers conference, I attended a publisher’s panel discussion, and listened to Lyle Mortimer, President of Cedar Fort, suggest writers join Facebook and make friends with him. I smiled because I already had. I’d been commenting on his wall, and he’d commented on mine.

Lyle is right. Now I have a friend who is a publisher. That friendship won’t nescisarily get me published, but it will get me looked at. My manuscripts will have a better chance of being printed.

This type of networking, however, is not new to the internet. I also, belong to other groups like Author’s Incognito. It’s an online support network exclusively for those who attended an LDStorymakers conference. The membership is growing, and those friends offer support and expertise. Often times, if I have a plotting question or problem, I can post it to the group and almost always, someone, who is an expert in one way or the other, will offer professional help. I can get first hand advice from medical people, police officers, even high school English teachers.

It's like Nichole said on Thursday, "We need a support system in which we feel a special kinship, one that gives us the ability to share knowledge with, and encourage each other."

Writing, and getting published, is easier because of my increasing circles of friends. In 1967 The Beatles recorded a song on the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The lyrics were, and can be, interpreted in many ways, but the relevant part for us is the first verse:

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
and I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.

By changing the words slightly, we can relate this to writing instead of singing and then it becomes a theme song to sing when we need help with our writing. If you just launched your writing career, I suggest you start now, to build your network. Even if you never need their help, a person can always use a friend.

Good luck in your writing---see you next week.

Immersion

By Keith Fisher

Fair warning! I’m going to talk about romance again. "Oh no!" you say. "When is he going to give it a rest?" I promise I won’t make fun of the genre, because well, if you’ve followed my blog recently, you know, my new work in progress, although I intended it to be general fiction, has turned into romance.

I’m sure no one is more surprised than me about that. While looking at the Deseret Book catalogue, I saw the new books by Anita Stansfield, Rachel Ann Nunes, and Josi S Kilpack. I suddenly realized if I pull this off, if my book does well and I follow it with another and another, I could someday be counted as one of their contemporaries.

Is that a scary thought for you? Considering, I set out to become the next Dean Hughes, it definitely gives me cause to think. But then again, have you read his new book, Promises To Keep? It's a romance.

In the course of plotting my book, I discovered hidden talents. I think it surprises my critique group as much as it does me. They point out my usual bad writing mistakes, and show me places where I must learn to think more like a woman. The ladies continue to tell me to get into my character’s heads, because I’m writing for women, and the audience would like to experience the feelings. It’s a difficult balance to write like a man but make it intriguing to a woman.

It’s frustrating sometimes, but they’re right. I know it, and I’m grateful for those four ladies who have unending patience with me, especially, when my natural inclination is to argue. To be truthful, however, I am getting better, and they deserve a medal, but let me get to the point.

Back when I was more righteous, I served a mission in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The schools up there had a program called French Immersion. For a period of time the student had to speak, read, and do everything in French. The other day, I noticed the marquee at a local elementary school referred to a Spanish Immersion program.

Like the programs above, I think my mind is immersing me in romance. I’ve noticed a change lately in the things I read, and the movies I watch. This was not a conscious effort, I assure you. I have been revisiting movies I watched years ago like; You’ve Got Mail, Casablanca, Sleepless in Seattle, Key Largo, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, and Murphy’s Romance to name only a few. I’ve even been reading Nicholas Sparks. I catch myself analyzing character motives and feelings.

It seems my mind is determined to turn me into a romance author. It’s taking me into a new realm. I guess if it has its way, and if the ladies in my critique group keep having patience, I might end up as a contemporary of those ladies above . . . well, maybe someday.

We all know, one of the rules of good writing is to read, read, read. Especially the genre we write in. I never really read a lot of romance before, and you might laugh, considering what I’ve said in the past about romance, but this story has a desire to be told, and I’m learning as I go.

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Don't Overlook an Idea

By Keith Fisher

One day, during a recent hospital vigil, I went looking for a private place. I needed to get away, shed a few tears, and try to put my life in perspective. Going down in the elevator, I remembered the chapel.

Sitting in the back, in the comfortable chairs I removed my glasses and rubbed my face. Everyone has those moments, and I had one of mine. After a while, I began to notice the cut glass mosaic behind the pulpit. I saw the rose depicted in colored glass. I followed the sweeping lines of the leaves and traced the layers of the rosebud.

I finished my moment, and squared my shoulders, willing myself to go on. I put my glasses on and glanced at the mosaic again. It had changed---the rose had turned into pieces of cut glass arranged in uncertain patterns. I visualized where the rose had been, but my mind could not focus on it.

I alternated between glasses on and glasses off for a few minutes, and marveled at the contradiction. My glasses might be the wrong prescription, but they usually provide clarity of vision.

I don’t know why I couldn’t see the rose with my glasses on, but the experience provided distraction from my troubles, and I am grateful for it.

As a writer, I search my mind and experiences with life to find plot direction. I tend to overlook the silly or unbelievable, thinking the reader would never believe it, or it would change the whole direction the book is supposed to go. So, I ignore those thoughts trying to bring my mind into sharper focus.

I wonder what would happen if I took off my glasses and ran with the unusual? It might take my book in refreshing and publishable directions. I have a friend in my critique group who did that. She writes historical fiction with serious subjects. One night, she and her husband got silly, joking around with what if scenarios. The result of that laugh fest will be a wonderful light-hearted series of books everyone will love, and they are not historical.

Maybe sometimes we should take off our writer’s glasses and enjoy the view. If nothing else we could have a wonderful time exploring the silly. Perhaps we should stop taking ourselves so seriously. It’s true, we can’t all write humor but like the time I spent in the chapel, sometimes we all need a little distraction.

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

The Extension of Light

By Keith Fisher

Have you ever seen morning sunlight through the fuzzy tips of a pussy willow? The soft aura-like glow makes each pod appear to have an inner source of light extending out to the world. I want to be like a pussy willow.

Like every writer, I have moments when the world goes away. I am left with characters and scenes in worlds of my imagination. At times like these, the gratification of my chosen craft can be overwhelming. The pure expression of creativity provides joy and brings tears to the eye.

There is another expression that sometimes happens. Like the moment above, The gratification brings tears, and I rejoice in my chosen craft. Being a writer of LDS fiction, I have a unique opportunity. While writing faith-building experiences into the lives of my characters, I often feel a sweet spirit. Tears come to my eyes and I feel the scene can touch the heart of a reader.

There are times, however, when both moments come together and I am left with a sense of awe. I cannot believe what I wrote, and I’m convinced that somebody needs to read it. Often, when this happens, I discover a need in my own life, to adjust my actions to be closer to my Heavenly Father.

As writers, we can have influence. Unfortunately, many of us use that influence, and direct readers down convoluted paths. Not always voluntarily, and I hope not intentionally. Others lead people to a place in their heart where God can help them know they are loved, and they are of eternal great worth. This too is not always voluntarily, but sometimes it is intentional.

I regret to admit that I often find myself on the convoluted paths, but I hope to someday be like the pussy willow. To radiate the light from within, to intentionally influence others to do good, to build lives of joy and happiness. This, I believe is one of the reasons I exist. Until I get there, I’ll keep trying to touch lives as best I can.

Good luck in your writing---see you next week.

Come to the Tower

By Keith Fisher

I’m impressed. No, I’m amazed. When Annette Lyon asked me to review her new book on the blog, I readily agreed. I looked forward to another of her Temple books. I asked to be scheduled last so I would have time to read. With all the stressful moments, competing for my sanity this month, I barely touched it.

Then one day, I took my laptop to the hospital to be with my dad. I wanted to read my new book to him before he died. With visitors coming and going, I managed to get it read and he liked it. He pointed out a concept I hadn’t noticed was there, and we had our last literary discussion.

I noticed the icon representing the PDF version of Tower of Strength, opened it up, and started to read it to Dad.

I became transfixed because of the depth of the writing. Annette’s talent and word crafting skills jumped out from the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed her descriptions, and the depth of characters. She makes the reader love her character in a short few paragraphs. Even those who would not be in the story for long came fully developed on the pages.

I found myself stopping my reading to go back and reread whole paragraphs. I’m sure Dad felt like a TV viewer without the remote, trying to watch while his spouse keeps changing programs.

I didn’t get to finish reading the book to dad, but he loved what he heard. Dad' was familiar with the author’s work, and I took pride in the fact that I had an advance copy of a new book by the author of At The Water’s Edge.

I am back reading the book, and I’m pleased by the historical depictions of places where my ancestors lived, in the times when they lived there. The romantic aspects are portrayed with the magic of the human heart. I especially love the way Annette showed us the unabashed, pure love, Fred had for his wife, Tabitha.

So far, Tower of Strength is a must read. Especially, for those who are a little critical of LDS fiction. The writing is very good, and reflects the quality of many of the books being published in that market these days. You can buy a copy Here

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Look at the Manual

By Keith Fisher


Don’t critique it, I know it has problems. Just take a look, and I’ll tell you about it at the end. Oh, and I realize many will disagree. It’s just my humble opinion.

Jenny spent the rest of the afternoon checking with her mother, making reservations, and dinner. She purchased a greeting card, and a new dress. Got a makeover, and was waiting for Sam at the door when he got home.
"What’s going on? Where’d you get the dress?" Sam asked.
"I wanted to make the weekend special." She led him to the dining room and he stood there, staring in the direction of the table.
She had set out her grandmother’s china and crystal. Candles were burning, and she’d thought of everything for a romantic dinner.
"What’s all this? Did I miss a birthday or something?"
Jenny frowned and shook her head. "No, you didn’t forget anything. I just wanted a romantic weekend."
He looked skeptical. "Where are the kids?"
"They’re at my mom and dad's. We have the whole weekend to ourselves."
Sam looked around the room. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, dinner tonight. Then, drive south tomorrow morning. I have reservations at a bed and breakfast."
He scowled. "And how do you plan to pay for it?"


As I’ve said before, I’m writing a romance and this is part of a scene from my book. What did you think? I bet the women nodded their heads and saw similarities between Sam and someone they know. I also bet the men either missed the point or they skipped over it. After all, Sam works hard all day only to come home and find out the wife spent all the money.


Whether you identify with Sam or you despise him, depends on your perspective and in large part, your gender. I’m learning a lot from my characters and I discovered a secret.


Guys? If you want to learn to be romantic, read what your wife or girlfriend is reading. Talk to her about it. Listen closely. Don’t add your opinion. Realize that not every male character is realistic, and apply the good things to your life. Try to emulate what she likes in a character. Before long, you might find that she is a lot like the women in the book. Hopefully, you will realize that she always was.


Girls? Try to realize your man is trying to understand you. He is the same guy he always was he’s just confused. He’ll come around. If he’s like Sam, you might have to hit him over the head (not literally please). Mostly he doesn’t know he’s done something wrong. Above all, don’t compare him to the leading man in your book. He can try, but he might never become that character. Encourage the good things and try to overlook the bad.


Good luck in your romance and your writing---see you next week.

P.S. Next week I will Review Tower of Strength by Annette Lyon. I think you will like it.

Hank Did it, You Can Too

By Keith Fisher

Do you remember Hank Williams? I’m not talking about Jr. I’m talking about the original? Hank was a country music singer/songwriter in the nineteen fifties. He sang with a kind of whining tone that was popular in the type of music he played.

He wrote some good lyrics that are still used by musicians today, but its how those lyrics came to be written that I want to write about.

There is a story about the song, Kaw-Liga that expresses my point. Now as I understand it, and you’ll have to check on my accuracy, Hank was staying with friends, associates, and drinking buddies in a cabin in the hills. Hank had been keeping pretty much to himself and in a reflective mood.

After a day or two, they ran out of liquor and took a car to get some. On the way back home, Hank was riding in the front seat of the car. He said that the woods surrounding the cabin did something to him. That the feel of the place got him thinking and he suddenly hit the dashboard and followed with the rhythmic drum-beat that is prevalent throughout the song. He started singing his lyrics and borrowed a pen and paper to write them down.

You can take many of the other songs written by him, and tell the story of his life. All of his hurt, Joy and fears are expressed in his lyrics. Of course, he didn’t write some of the songs he sang, but he lived the words.

The point here is Hank listened to his heart and wrote what he found there. He used life’s ups and downs and made music many people could, and do, relate to. We as writers can take a lesson from that.

As many of you know, I have been spending a lot of time lately in the hospital sitting with my dying father. While walking down the hall of ICU one-day I had to stop, listen and breathe in the air around me. This was a scene I had tried to describe in one of my stories once. I didn’t get it wrong but there were certain details I had missed. The rhythmic beep, beep, beep of a monitor, the sound of a respirator as it breathes for the patient, the smell of the antiseptic dispensed from the containers lining the walls.

I wrote it down, and I’ll use it in a story someday. About three weeks ago, I sat in an armchair in the public library, waiting for my daughter to choose her books. People of all walks of life passed by. Some were in a hurry, some not. Some of them were dragging kids along. Others stopped to peruse the books on sale tables. I watched them all, made my judgements and cataloged them in my mind as characters in future books.

In another story, I'll take my current experiences, draw from my feelings and lay it out for a reader to feel. Like Hank, my life can be told in what I write. Many people tell me they would love to be a writer but they wouldn’t know what to write about. I’m going to start telling them to look around, pay attention, feel the moment, and use your senses. Then tell others about it. The craft of writing can be learned as you go but if you really want to write, start listening and pay attention.

Good luck in your writing---see you next week.