Category: Writing A Novel

Why I Switched My NaNoWriMo Focus the Week Before

When life changes without warning

I planned to write a short, cozy garden mystery for NaNoWriMo. Dutifully, as a plantser (hybrid planner and pantser), I began jotting down notes for possible clues and motives and searching Pinterest to create my annual NaNo board to spur me onward to my goal.

Photo by Sam 🐷 on Unsplash

I felt good about my progress when a financial shift occurred out of the blue. We discovered our monthly income was not what we’d received in previous months. The only solution was for me to monetize my writing better.

That meant more writing of what would bring in a return the fastest. As I saw it, I had three options.

1. I could carry on writing my mystery story and hope for a fantastic book launch with considerable sales in three months (experience said, “not likely.”)

2. I could write several ebooks for my Etsy shop with more chances of earlier success.

3. I could write more on Medium and hope I’ve got the algorithm right this month.

Hmmm.

Daunted and confused, I turned to prayer. (I should have started there. Hey, that could be another poem!) It became more apparent that I had not one choice of three options but three options to achieve the same goal collectively.

NaNoWriMo Woes

I had an idea this time
to write a mysterious crime
with murderous beast
five suspects at least
and victim appearing deceased.

But life took a turn to the side
and all of my notes I did hide.
Instead, I did flop
facing my laptop
and outlined new books for my shop.

Then joy filled each thought
as I prayed like I ought
and I saw that I could do both.
With November’s troth
I wrote down a personal oath.

And now Nano’s here
and I have no fear.
I can write a cozy plus two
Etsy ebooks for you.
That’s three books in all brand new!

*originally published in KOINONIA on MEDIUM

Til next time, remember — you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

~ Lynne

NEW WORKBOOK FOR NONFICTION WRITERS

Hello there.

I’m excited to announce my new workbook for nonfiction writers!

White Rose Writers Etsy Shop


WHAT IS CREATIVE NONFICTION?
“A factual narrative presented in the form of a story so as to entertain the reader.” –Wikipedia

Have you ever read a historical book or a contemporary article that was simply full of facts but had you dozing off after the first few pages?

I created this workbook for writers who want to write a nonfiction book from a creative perspective and offer a factual story that doesn’t put their reader to sleep.

I hope it will help you as an author to write your fantastic book with confidence and have fun too. The workbook/planner is a download that you can print out and use for all your nonfiction writing.

Included in the workbook:

  • Ideal Reader Profile
  • Genre List
  • Crafting Your Premise
  • Crafting Your Summary
  • Chapter Ideas
  • Genres
  • 5 Inspirational Posters for your workspace
  • Character Profiles
  • Character Development
  • Setting Worksheets
  • Scene List Worksheets
  • Story Arc
  • Research Worksheets
  • Author Bio Worksheet
  • Checklist
  • Creating a Book Cover
  • Launching, Marketing & Promoting and more…

Not sure if your book idea fits the Creative Nonfiction genre? Here’s a list from the workbook. It may surprise you to see your story idea in there.

Nonfiction Genres that can be written creatively

  • Biography – a narrative of a person’s life as told to someone else or from research.
  • Autobiography – when the author is also the main subject, and the book spans many years.
  • Memoir – a true story focused on particular events—usually the author’s own stories.
  • Narrative nonfiction – factual information about a significant event presented in a format that tells a true story.
  • Personal essays — expressing a subjective opinion about a topic.
  • Literary journalism – personal diaries or career logs.
  • Self-help book  – informational to help readers solve personal problems and could lend to being written with a memoir aspect.
  • Textbook – a how-to book teaching a specific subject with personal experiences in creative form.

I have a series of workbooks in my White Rose Writers Etsy shop that help writers who want to write a nonfiction book–

The From-To Writing Method — which show how to use social media platforms you may already have to create your books using a quick and easy method. They include a writing schedule for writing a nonfiction book in just 10 hours or a novel in 30 days.

  • From Blog to Book
  • From Muse to Memoir
  • From Post to Published
  • From Pin to Print
  • From Tweet to Tutorial

And here’s a handy 15% OFF COUPON if anything in the shop interests you.

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment or message me at the shop.

Til next time, know you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

Lynne

A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

If you followed my work during NaNoWriMo 2019, you’ll maybe remember my novel was about lies and deception in a small Canadian town. The story follows a middle-aged woman (my unlikely hero) and the local church community. Hence the title of my blog A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing. I published my novel last October.

I’d like to share with you the talent of my wonderful artist, Gustavo Ruiz, who created the perfect expression of my antagonist. Just look at those eyes! This image is one of the introductory pages of the novel.

A wolf in sheep's skin
art by Gustavo Ruiz

“ABUNDANT LIFE” is now available on Amazon.

Want to read some of scenes from the first draft? They’re in Book Bites. In the rough. Unedited or revised.

Til next time, know you’re loved by the One who created you in His image.

~ Lynne

Book Launch Giveaway

Watch for a Giveaway coming next week!

My new novel is ready for launching. I’m so excited.

It’s a contemporary suspense about lies and deception in a small town. I blogged about it last year in Book Bites as I was revising it from a previous NaNoWriMo challenge.

I’ll be posting teasers and gems as a Launch Countdown each day next week and doing a draw on the 29th.

2 winners will receive a signed copy of my new book.

Be sure to follow me on my Facebook Author Page for a chance to win!

And ‘like’ this blog for a second chance to win!

And remember you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

~ Lynne

Opening a box from Amazon

Book Bite 10 ~ When I Fall In Love

I decided to follow the theme of my last post which was about a friend’s romantic book collection and share with you a scene from my WIP novel which includes the song, “When I Fall In Love” by Johnny Mathis. My protagonist’s husband can be quite the romantic. Enjoy the song while you read the scene…

“When I Fall In Love” by Johnny Mathis

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry I got on your case and flew off the handle. I’m just concerned. You’re absolutely right, I don’t know what you saw. Just because I didn’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” Tom eluded to one of Maddie’s favourite quotes from her college years. “I’ll pour the wine; you slip into something very comfortable and I’ll meet you in front of the TV. Do you have a preference what to watch?”

“No, you choose tonight, dear.” And with that, Maddie sighed with relief and headed for the bedroom.

She was about to unzip her dress when Tom appeared in the doorway holding two half-filled glasses and a large bottle of Frisky Beaver wine.

“Let me get that for you,” he grinned with that schoolboy look in his eye he always got when he had more than wine and a movie on his mind.

Tom placed the wine and the glasses on the table beside the bed and started the music playing, “When I Fall In Love” by Johnny Mathis.

“Do you remember our wedding night, Mrs. Hardwick?”

“I think I could be persuaded, Mr. Hardwick.” Slowly, he began unzipping her dress…

Sorry, I had to stop there or I’d need to rate my blog PG!

This is my last Book Bite for my novel. I’m hoping to get it edited soon with a release date mid-summer. I’ll be adding this song to the playlist. I’m blessed to be able to work from home at something that’s more pleasure than work and I’m my own publisher through Amazon.

Til next time — stay safe and be well in these trying times and remember –You are loved by the One who created you in His image.

Lynne