You Know You Need a Literary Agent When….

These days, to be taken seriously as a professional writer, and to free yourself to focus on writing and speaking, a literary agent is a must. Publishers great and small are bombarded, and heed the voice of an agent’s suggestion over the mountainous slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts cluttering their desks. Without an agent, the odds are stacked as high as the slush pile against you.

But pursuing one too soon, can actually hinder your progress. So before you consult the Guide to Literary Agents, the Writer’s Market Guide, the Christian Writer’s Market Guide, or reach out to a great organization like the WordServe Literary Group, take the following quiz. See if you’re ready for serious representation.

You know you need a Literary Agent when…

1.  You’ve invested weeks, months, and probably years, studying the craft of writing. Reading books like these: On Writing Well, The Art of War for Writers, Bird by Bird, Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, Stein on Writing, and the bible on easy reading grammar tips, The Elements of Style. 
2. You are now obsessed with updating your writer’s knowledge base, and regularly read other books on writing, watch webinars, read writing blogs, and joined at least one professional writer’s association. 
3. You have practiced what you’ve learned, chipping away at every amateur, unpolished, neophyte part that weakened your work in progress. And then you let it sit for at least two weeks, before looking at it with fresh eyes, and chipping away some more.
4. You honed the skills of Writing a Winning Fiction Proposal, or Writing a Winning Non-Fiction Proposal. Depending on the genre of your work in progress.
5. You let the completed proposal sit for at least two weeks, and then with a fresh pair of eyes, went through it once more with a fine toothed pen. 
   
6. You’ve networked with other writing professionals on social media, at writing conferences, and by following their blogs. The new friends you’ve made have taught you insider secrets, directed you to other learning opportunities, and maybe introduced you to a few influencers in the industry.
7. You’ve had at least one person with a professional writing background, look over your work in progress. With a teachable spirit, a thick skin, and determination not to react defensively, you’ve listened to their suggestions, and improved your proposal and/or manuscript.
8. You feel squeamish at the thought of trying to negotiate the sale of your book, and the ensuing contract with publishing houses. 
9. You are willing to listen to expert advice that will make your work stronger, will help you create enticing titles, and will lead you to topics that will sell. 
10. You have taken action on the things you’ve learned through your investment of study. Especially the things often repeated, such as: Show Versus Tell, Build a Platform, Grow Your Social Media Connections, Know Your Target Audience, Create a Marketing Plan, and more.

Acquiring a literary agent can feel daunting. But step-by-step, you can move closer to your goal as a professional writer. The ones who fail, are those who give up too soon.

Are you ready to pursue professional representation?

Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, Toastmasters, a client of WordServe Literary Group, and the Simply Sue Speaks booking agency. A graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.anitabrooks.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita@anitabrooks.com.

Writer’s Block? Try Freewriting

Are you stuck in your writing project? Begging for some help? Have you considered freewriting–just forgetting about grammar and mechanics for awhile, and “just write”!

What is freewriting? For me, I just put the pen or pencil to the paper (or fingers to the keyboard) and write. I usually don’t even know what I’m going to write until after I write it. Sound weird? Why don’t you try it?

In Writing Without Teachers, Peter Elbow offers some great insight to writers who may get writer’s block. Elbow encourages “non-stop or free uncensored writing,” in the initial steps of the writing process, followed much later by the editing process.

The most effective way I know to improve your writing is to do freewriting exercises regularly. At least three times a week … The idea is simply to write for ten minutes (later on, perhaps fifteen or twenty). Don’t stop for anything. Go quickly without rushing. Never stop to look back, to cross something out, to wonder how to spell something, to wonder what word or thought to use, or to think about what you are doing. If you can’t think of a word or a spelling, just use a squiggle or else write, “I can’t think of it.” Just put down something. The easiest thing is just to put down whatever is in your mind. If you get stuck it’s fine to write “I can’t think what to say, I can’t think what to say” as many times as you want; or repeat the last word you wrote over and over again … The only requirement is that you never stop. (3).

I first discovered Elbow’s book at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His freewriting methods not only helped me through my academic studies, it still helps me overcome writer’s block at times. But sometimes, I still forget to let go of my planning, organizing, self-editing, or trying to make it sound good. In fact, I needed this reminder to do some more freewriting on the project that I’m working on right now.

Since this theme of my personal blog is BLESSED, I want to mention some of the blessings of freewriting. Freewriting serves as an emotional outlet for me–my writing and healing therapy. Often I just rip out the page that I’ve just written and shred it (or delete it). Why? Some of my freewriting doesn’t need to be read by another human being.

When my emotions are out of control, or when I’m stuck in my writing projects– freewriting is my means of escape. It helps me press pass the cobwebs in my mind and see things from a different perspective. With just a few minutes of freewriting, I’m able to view my thoughts more objectively.

I also encourage other writing to practice regular freewriting. It builds my confidence as a writer and provides a source of creative inspiration. And I know implementing this technique in the writing process helps a lot of writers.

Even Peter Elbow struggled with the writing process. But that’s how he discovered freewriting for himself. In the introduction to his book, Writing Without Teachers, Elbow says:

It was a kind of declaration of independence in writing: independence from care, control, planning, order, steering, trying to get it right, trying to get it good … I felt obliged to plan my writing, make it good, keep control, figure out my point ahead of time with outlines, and so on … realizing that my survival depended on forcing myself to have early drafts no matter how bad they were—I finally learned that I could write decent stuff if I let go of planning, control, and vigilance. I had to write down without stopping whatever came to me in my thinking about my general topic, and above all I had to stop worrying about whether what I was writing at the moment was any good. I had to invite chaos and bad writing. Then, after I had written a lot and figured out a lot of thinking, I could go back and find order and reassert control and try to make it good. If I wanted to get quality—indeed if I wanted to fining the job at all—I had to invite garbage and nonsense.

Maybe you’ve never considered freewriting, or you’ve stuck in your current writing project. Consider free writing, and let me know what you think.

Some people cringe at the thought of freewriting. Do you? 

YouTube/svsugvcarter (Peter Elbow – On Writing)

Related articles

• Selected works of Peter Elbow http://works.bepress.com/peter_elbow
• Freewriting exercises  http://castle.eiu.edu (Mary Lieske)

Karen Jordan encourages others to “tell the stories that matter most.” Find links to her writing workshops, speaking topics, and other online connections on her personal blog/website (www.karenbarnesjordan.com).

Facing a Fear? Do It Afraid!

Graduation Day: Mother, me, and Miles

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

Making changes and facing challenges can often brings thoughts of fear. Can I really do this? What if I fail? What will others think?

Changes and challenges. Sometimes when I face a change or challenge–like when I confront someone, change jobs, or re-evaluate priorities and commitments–I feel paralyzed with fear. Then, I spend more of my energy dreading the inevitable than actually “doing it.”

Deadlines. In college, fear often overwhelmed me at the beginning of a new semester or when I faced a deadline or test. I would think, How can I possibly do all this in just a few weeks or days? How can I remember all those details?

Success. But I found success as I took each assignment or test one at a time. And then, when the next test, assignment, or semester rolled around, and fear attempted to paralyze me again, I’d remind myself of my previous victories.

Fearless. As I face more challenges this year, I pray that I’ll remember to “do it afraid.” I’ve decided not to allow the voice of fear to keep me from going forward in my life. I’m choosing to walk by faith, not by fear.

How do you face your fears? 

Karen Jordan encourages others to “tell the stories that matter most.” Find links to her writing workshops, speaking topics, and other online connections on her personal blog/website (www.karenbarnesjordan.com).

Why I’m a Qualified Writer

What Events Litter Your Writer’s Path?

One way I know I’m meant to be a writer is because of the fascinating things I’ve experienced. Many painful, some practical, all emotional, these events have shaped my own life, and God uses them to touch others. So many strange things have happened — I sometimes wonder how I’ll get to writing about them all.

Here’s a quick bullet-point rundown of some very private moments:

• Found out around the age of twelve that I’m an accidental occurrence. My mom was almost three months pregnant when my parents married.
• In fifth grade, one of my closest friends died when he slipped off a tree branch, and was hung while playing mountain climber.
• Pregnant at sixteen myself, yet finished high school while taking care of my infant son and working a part-time job to feed him.
• Threatened numerous times for exposing an illegal activity I discovered while working in a bank. This person eventually pretended to be pregnant, befriended a young girl, took her in the woods, and shot her in the head right after she delivered her baby. A few days later, authorities captured the woman who threatened me, and she’s in prison today for murder.
• Donated a kidney to my younger sister in 1997.
• Committed myself to a serious relationship with Jesus Christ in a Denver, Colorado hospital.
• After the transplant, I slipped into my first bout with deep, clinical depression.
• Early 1999 — Finally scaled out of the black pit, with God pulling me up, every inch of the way.
• Mid 1999 — Notified of my husband’s affair with another woman.
• Plunged back into the dark hole of clinical depression.
• 2001 — In one of my first experiences of clearly knowing God was telling me to do something, I disobeyed. I was supposed to pray with the clerk behind the counter at a convenience store I was in. I allowed my fear of what others might think prevent me from doing it. Approximately an hour later, the clerk was dead, shot by a man who went on a killing spree in the New Mexican desert.
• Five years of walking what felt like the valley of the shadow of death as I grieved, searched, and ultimately healed through Christ who strengthened me.
• 2006 — First heard the whisper that said, “I made you a writer.”
• 2008 — Attended my first writer’s conference, after two years of asking God how in the world I was supposed to be a writer with no formal education, and no idea of how to get started at my age.
• Spent a year and a half reading 100 books on writing, practicing while I studied, and celebrating when I met my goal.
• Sold my first article. Then three more were published.
• 2010 — Writing was put on hold when one of the most dramatic secrets I ever heard was revealed to me. About my own existence. Found out in October that my dad is not my biological father.
• Spent a year searching, to no avail, for my birth-father. During this time, I did two radio interviews on the subject, and was contracted as a speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.
• 2011 — Having exhausted all avenues I was aware of at the time, I let go of the search for my father, and picked the writing back up. While praying about who God wanted me to invest my writing talents with, I was miraculously introduced to my agent at WordServe Literary Group.
• Early 2012, my first book sold.
• October, 2012. Submitted the final manuscript for my first book. Sent out a book proposal for my agent to shop. And created a timeline for four more projects.
• Also in October, 2012, through an unusual situation, I contacted the television show, The Locator. I’m now contracted with investigators who may be able to do what I could not. Find my biological father, and potential siblings, along with other unknown family members.
• Currently — I work while I wait. Only God knows the end from the beginning. But I will move forward as He unfolds my future. And I’ll trust.

The chapters written on the story of my life are why I’m a qualified writer. Not everyone has experienced the drama, the life-education, and the call to write. And though this intimate list doesn’t cover everything I’ve experienced, I hope you can see how these events uniquely shape my ability to share lessons learned.

So now I wonder about you.

My Beautiful Sister on her Wedding Day

If you’re supposed to write, what stories qualify you to inspire others?

Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Specialist, Certified Team Training Facilitator, Marketing Specialist, national speaker, and author of First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market – Summer, 2013.

She’s a member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASS for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, a co-founding partner of The Zenith Zone, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.brooksanita.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com.

What to Wear

Fashion Favor. A friend approached me for a favor. She was scheduled as the featured speaker at a large women’s event and she didn’t know what to wear. She wondered if I’d be willing to help her.

Another friend, whose husband was running for U.S. Congress, asked if I’d help her shop for some clothes to wear to several events in Washington, D.C. A couple of summers before, she and I had enjoyed helping her granddaughter shop for outfits to wear when she attended the Presidential Inauguration.

There is a reason women seek out my advice. I’ve spent more than seven years in the fashion industry. I’ve learned the secrets of accessorizing, and tips to help women look ten pounds thinner and ten years younger. I’ve attended seminars on fashion trends and hot colors. All of it is fun for me, but I never really thought about how helpful my fashion training might be to writers until I attended a CLASSeminar. This was professional speaker training which included teaching us how to project a professional-looking image. I found the speaking a challenge, but the image part was a cake-walk for me. I didn’t realize that was not the case for everyone until my writing friends who began speaking also began coming to me for help.

What should you wear to a speaking engagement if you’re the featured speaker?

1. Dress one step up from your audience in terms of formality. If they’re in jeans and t-shirts, you should wear khakis and a nice pull-over. If they’re going corporate-casual, you should, too, but jazz up your outfit with a tweed pencil skirt. Add a great pair of boots and a snazzy scarf or a sparkly jacket.
2. Remember that jewelry pulls your outfit together. Wear at least 3 coordinating items. (Earrings count as one.) This will make you look like you knew what you were doing when you got dressed. Don’t be afraid to stack mis-matched bracelets. This adds a “cool-ness” factor. And go for a statement watch. I know, you use your phone to tell time, but who wants to pull out her phone while speaking? And we can’t rely on the venue to provide a clock on the wall.
3. If you wear a skirt, make sure it ends in the middle of your knee-cap. Any longer makes you look frumpy (unless you wear sky-high heals) and any shorter is, well, too short. Your knee is the thinnest part of your leg above the ankle, so that is what you want to accent.
4. If you wear pants, they should not break over the front of your shoe. You want them to form a straight, long line. The hem should end a half-inch above the floor in the back. This will require a heel on your shoe, but will give you a long, tall, lean look.
5. Put a little extra effort into your hairstyle and make-up. Yes, do wear at least some make-up. If you don’t like the feel, try tinted moisturizer. Add a bit of eye shadow and mascera and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Keep your hair under control, if it is long, with a pony tail. Add a jeweled clip to the hair band and enjoy the compliments.
6. Finally, wow the audience with your confidence and knowledge of your subject. You look great, so relax and share what God has given you to say.

Kathryn Graves writes “On the Other Side of Comfortable.” She can also be found at www.KathrynGraves.blogspot.com and www.KathrynGraves.wordpress.com.

Write Your Story: Epitaphs

Epitaph to William Causey (English, St.Peter’s churchyard) records his untimely death in 1788 (young man of 25) “Death with his Dart / Did smite my Heart / While I was in my prime / My friends therefore / Your Grief forbear / Twas Gods appointed time” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Beware kind friend as you pass by, where you are now, so once was I. Where I am now, you soon shall be. Prepare for death and follow me. (Resthaven Cemetery, Silsbee, Texas).

What will your epitaph say?

When my husband Dan and I were dating, we visited the local cemetery and read the tombstones with a flashlight. That seems like an odd thing for a couple to do on a date, but we lived in a small, southern town, and there were not many activities available. But the local cemeteries provided some interesting discussion points at times.

Youthful reaction. I remember my initial reactionto the epitaph I quoted at the top of this post.  As I looked at the ceramic photo of the deceased on the headstone, I imagined him standing there, reading his own words to me. A surreal moment.

Academic application. I’ve thought of this inscription several times in the past few years. I referred to it when I taught college freshmen, just beginning their academic journeys. Later, I shared this quote, as I led a group of new writing teachers. And now, I share it with you to encourage you to tell your stories, especially your faith stories.

Personal example. My mother wrote her own epitaph, although she didn’t know it at the time she penned it. We engraved an excerpt from one of her poems on her headstone. “Happiness, joy, God’s promise I find. My search has now ended, salvation is mine” (Nelle Baize, 2001).

Part of Mother’s legacy was a collection of poems that she wrote. I’m so grateful that she wrote down some of her thoughts. When I read Mother’s words for the first time, I discovered a voice that I’d never heard.

I hope you will begin to tell the stories that matter most to you.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

What is your favorite epitaph?

Speaking–On the Other Side of Comfortable

“Writing and speaking go together like a hand and glove.” These words from Florence Littauer, founder of CLASS for Christian leaders, authors and speakers, reverberates in my head. All kinds of excuses for not speaking fill my thoughts, but I reject each. There is no acceptable excuse for writers not to speak.

Maybe you, like me, know this with your head, but getting yourself to follow through is another matter. Keeping a few things in mind can help.

1. Whatever you write about can be turned into a speech. Or a series of speeches. If you write nonfiction books, each chapter could be a speaking topic. I novel’s themes can produce topics. If you write articles, each one is a ready-made speech topic. So never let these words slip out of your mouth or into your mind: “I don’t have anything to say.”
2. Effective training can be found at CLASS events.You will be grouped with others of similar experience and come away with a dynamite signature speech and confidence. Joining ToastMasters, International is a good way to gain experience. Find out if you can practice on your small group at church.
3. Start small. You don’t have to begin with an audience of 300. A ladies luncheon group of ten or so women is a good place to start. Or start your own home-based business. I sell Premier Designs jewelry at home shows. These events average under ten in attendance. Over the years, through my association with this company, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to speak in front of people and in looking my best with personal style.
4. If you don’t seek speaking engagements, they won’t seek you. It is up to you.

A future article by Anita Brooks will cover where to find speaking opportunities. Armed with motivation and information, all writers can become accomplished speakers.

Kathryn Graves is a CLASS graduate. She encourages you to join her “On the Other Side of Comfortable.” She can also be found at www.KathrynGraves.blogspot.com and www.KathrynGraves.wordpress.com.

Writing Retreat

Getaway. Over the last weekend, I spent a couple of days with two writing friends. We live in three different states, and it had been several years since we were all together. So, we caught up on each others’ lives, sat around on comfy furniture in an amazing home by the shores of Beaver Lake, Arkansas, and brainstormed and wrote while deer played on the lawn.

Productive Results. I came away refreshed. Energized. And exhausted because I stayed up too late at night. I developed (with the help of my friends) a to-do list that will rev up my writing career. We decided on a brand for my writing, which you’ll see at the bottom of this page. I feel like I have a handle on where I’m going and how to get there.

Friendships. These women are the steady constants in my life. They prayed with me through my cancer battle and gently pulled me forward when I meandered and hem-hawed. They are my tech support and soft landing-place. Spending time with them seemed like a slice of heaven.

View from the Deck

I don’t live near many other writers. Hanging out with those who understand my writing compulsion and idiosyncracies is not something I can do very often. And although I have other writing friends in other locales, these women are the ones to whom I am closest.

Writers are Unique. My experience last weekend speaks to the value of spending time with like-minded friends. Those of us who create are a different sort. I do hang out with a couple of artists who are dear friends and live in my city. That’s almost as helpful because they also create. But it boosts my productivity to be with writers. They spur me to keep on writing and submitting. We collaborate and network. And laugh and eat cookies, washed down with chai tea.

Thank you, Karen and Anita, for being my friends. Thank you, Dick and Doris Kelsey, for opening your home and for feeding us. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for speaking so powerfully to us and leading us and creating this triple cord which cannot be broken.

Kathryn Graves  lives “On the Other Side of Comfortable”

Photos/Deer, Karen Jordan/Lake View, Anita Brooks

Writing a Graphic Novel

No, a graphic novel is not one with Too Much Information. It is a novel written in comic book form. Many kids (and adults!) won’t even consider reading a full length novel. But they love comic books. So creative writers invented the graphic novel. Most of these works target the young adult market, and many are adaptations of existing traditional books.

However, if one can learn to write in the graphic format and do so with an original plot, editors will notice. It is not necessary to be an artist. In fact, it is best if the artwork is left to the publisher’s prefered artist. Here are some general points to keep in mind:

• Not as many words can fit on a page and pages are called “panels.”
• Conversation will carry the plot.
• Sound effects can be written.
• Writing format will be similar to writing drama or a movie script.
• Graphic Novel is a craft and must be learned.
• The proposal will be in a different format than for a traditional novel.

When sending a query, or meeting an editor, ask about their interest in the graphic novel. Most publishers now have a graphic novel imprint.

A good introduction to graphic novel can be had by perusing the website, www.GraphicNovelReporter.com. This is a general market site, but is helpful for those who want to learn more about this genre. The website http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/ka-pow-the-basics-of-writing-for-graphic-novels/ offers a good short description of how to write a graphic novel.

The graphic novel was a new phenomenon ten years ago. It is still cutting edge, but is here to stay. It may offer a way for aspiring writers to break into the market and get  paid for doing what they love–writing.

I found the following book on Amazon:

Related content: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/introtocomicbooks

Kathryn writes on Mondays and Thursdays at www.KathrynGraves.blogspot.com and on Tuesdays and Fridays at www.KathrynGraves.wordpress.com.

Fun Writing Quotes

Unique Perspectives

“Be careful, or you might end up in my novel.” I don’t know who said this, but it’s just one of the fun and inspiring quotes I’ve run across while pursuing the serious world of writing.

Today, we’ll explore the clever, witty, and humorous view others have of this unique job we call writing.

“Only a mediocre writer is always at his best.”~ W. Somerset Maugham

“With sixty staring me in the face, I have developed inflammation of the sentence structure and definite hardening of the paragraphs.” ~ James Thurber

“I love being a writer.  What I can’t stand is the paperwork.”  ~Peter De Vries

“A good many young writers make the mistake of enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope, big enough for the manuscript to come back in. This is too much of a temptation to the editor.” ~ Ring Lardner

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”  ~ Sylvia Plath

“I just wrote a book, but don’t go out and buy it yet, because I don’t think it’s finished yet.” ~ Lawrence Welk

“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”  ~ Elmore Leonard

”Writing is learning to say nothing, more cleverly every day.”~ William Allingham

Who, or what expression, has inspired your work?

Fun & Inspirational Quotes

Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Specialist, Certified Team Training Facilitator, Marketing Specialist, national speaker, and author. She lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

She’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research.

Follow her FreshFaith blog or contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/  or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com