Erika Beebe's Blog

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful IWSG hosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

Where to Start

I hadn’t realized how much time had passed since I last posted any updates on my writing or myself. Wow! Almost three whole months! 

I’ve missed it. 

So here I am. The question of the month this month asks: If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

As an Indy author of two short stories, I’ve had limited input on cover design, I love the ones the publishers came up with to support the themes and tie the stories together. 

I am a graphic designer by day. I do create magazine cover art and also a variety of print media designs. And I also do use all of the fancy Adobe graphic software. I could see myself getting into cover art. I love photography. I know quite a few great ones. Images are what drive my brain. It’s how I work. I think I could potentially be good at it someday.

So maybe in the future? We can always hope and dream.

Writing Question for You

I do have a question for you. Does anyone know any great resources for writing different emotions in a highly emotional scene? I’d love to hear your thoughts as you go through the gamut of situations, internalization, and finally reaction with the multiple characters who are often so different.

Thank you!

Happy IWSG everyone! Keep writing and don’t stop! Even it takes more than a month, a year, maybe even 5? Oh my.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful IWSG hosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

Where to Start

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to take an entire month, disappear into some sort of great meditative place, and commit myself to my thoughts, my stories, and let my fingers fly with letters, words and paragraphs.

Could I do it? Could you do it? Disappear for an entire month? Unplug? I’m not really sure. I’m afraid the Post COVID sprint has hit me and I find myself hustling blindly through each day, hoping I come out at the end with my arms and legs and body all intact. And my eyes? They make me dizzy some days, focusing on all of the fast-flying objects I pass along the way. 

This month’s post is geared to the National Novel Writing Month, this month. The question is, “Have you ever participated? If not, why?”

No, sadly, I’ve never participated. Maybe one day when the kids are off at college and graduated with their own lives, I’ll be able to focus on a solid month of writing. Fingers crossed.

Writing Update

It’s been difficult to finish the end of my manuscript. I’m so close. It’s outlined. I can taste the end, and I’m hoping I’ll get there by Christmas. We’ll see. My Freshman and Middle School kids are wildly busy. Dance. Marching Band. Taekwondo. Grades. They’re doing it all, and they’re doing it so well I want to be a part of it all.

Happy IWSG everyone! Keep writing and don’t stop! Even it takes more than a month, a year, maybe even 5? Oh my.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts this month: Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!

Check out our IWSG homepage for recent news and events.  And as always, thank you to founder Alex J. Cavaugh  

It’s Natural to relate to what we understand. But what I love about life as I age, is the discovery of different paths and being drawn in and feeling something real for something or someone very unlike me.

This month’s IWSG question asks,  “What do you consider the best character of your favorite genre?”

I love the difficult ones. The withdrawn ones with such a deep internal story, they have to crack and dive into truths we tend to escape from. Next, I love a character with a fantastic supporting character.  I love the constant push of one against the other, and yet they refuse to give up on each other. This is life to me. The lessons. The constant mistakes and learning. The refusal to give up. The hand that doesn’t permanently let go.

One of my go-to favorites is Mackenzie Bishop, a shell of a character with the deepest story told so well by Victoria Schwab. Mac has a past she can’t escape with an impossible present. But when Wes, her supporting character crosses paths with her in a dark hallway apartment at night as she’s escaping, her details draw me in and I’m glued. I can’t relate, but the story is told in such a way I FEEL.

What about you? What favorite character comes to mind? Are they like you? Are they different? Do they have an incredible best friend?

Happy IWSG Day.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful IWSG hosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

Do You Create For You?

I don’t take what I do personally. Not anymore. I design at work. I’m a graphic artist. Logos. Print publications. Whole event planning with decorations based on design. I often get a few bits of information from invested leaders and then I’m asked to run with it. I’ve learned in time to create multiple ideas based on what people plan to use, to attend, to read. One idea never seems to come together the way I need and want it to. Do what part of my work stems from me, and what stems from others?

This month’s IWSG Question asks: When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

Some of my design work is for me, but long ago, I let go of personal attachments to my art. Someone is always tweaking something, doesn’t like one font, or maybe they do. Men and women clients do not see the end product with the same eyes.

Is writing the same? I think genre matters. I remember brain storming my manuscript years ago. I had multiple ideas I’d been exploring with 500 words or less short stories. Based on what my writing friend said at the time, I went with the idea she thought sounded most interesting. So I’ve poured my heart into my story ever since, based on something I thought would appeal to a larger audience, and not what I thought would appeal mostly to me.

So to answer the question, I guess I do both. Interesting ideas matter so much and as I’ve aged I realize I don’t have time to dig into what I necessarily want. I want to appeal to the audience. I want others to want to read my thoughts and inspired by messages. The thoughts are mine. The pictures I’ve created with my words are mine. There’s no easy answer. But I know the message in my heart and if I don’t appeal to the audience, they may never get the message at all.

How about you? How do you come up with your ideas to write? Ever created a story based on what someone asked you to write?

I’d love to hear it.

So what about you? What jars you into focus? What helps you get back into a scene when you have to step away for a bit?

Writing Updates

The summer has been a sprint. I’ve been traveling for two weeks on two separate trips with only 44 minutes of sleep between the two. I made it! I even managed so make some fantastic edits on a creepy suspense scene and my editor loved it!

Happy IWSG Day. May the rest of the month bring your exactly the inspiration that you need.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful IWSG hosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

What I know

One thing that anyone who’s ever been close to me knows, I don’t give up easily. Being a mom, working full time and then some extra time when I have to, not every day goes as I wish. Some days though I do manage to free up some time, and I take advantage of it, whether I’m in my car waiting for my son to finish Taekwondo class, or quickly accessing my story for a brief 20 minute writing marathon on my computer. I make it work. Writing helps me get through life, and I have to make time for that.

This month’s question asks, “When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If you have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?”

Goals. A plan. A few inspirational books in my genre are always within reach. I can’t write every day. Some weeks I’m lucky to slip in a day at all, but I know when these days are. I do have a plan. Other weeks, I may have three days I can spare thirty minutes, an hour, sometimes two. I’m not one to sit down and write for hours and hours at a time anyway. But I do carry a small notebook and I brainstorm for 5 to ten minutes whenever I can squeeze it in to map out a new journey in a scene. When I can’t think of a place to start, I always seek out a book that inspired me once. I read a favorite chapter and I study the structure. That in itself, gets me moving.

Question

So what about you? What jars you into focus? What helps you get back into a scene when you have to step away for a bit?

Writing Updates

The spring has passed now and I do have time to get back to writing. This last week was really good to me. I think I turned out 2600 great words and lots of scene development. I see the end of my story. Maybe I’ll be done this summer? I’m not sure. I can try. That’s all we can hope for some days

Happy IWSG Day. Don’t quit. Seek things around you that bring you energy. Look for inspiration at your fingertips.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful cohosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

I made it past the turning pointing in my book, but now I’m on to other complicated loose strings. Sigh. I know I’ll get it. I’m just running a little low on steam and time.

Quite a few years ago, one of my relatives asked me, with what time do you write?

I smiled at her and said something to the fact that I get up really early and I write while everyone is sleeping. Back then, my kids were small. We had our simple routines and they’d go to bed fairly early. But now that I’m getting older, and my kids are getting older, I see some of what she had to say.

This month, I admit, I don’t have a free minute and I guess that’s my insecurity. I’m  not sure how to squeak out more time. Spring brings a plethora of responsibilities at my own job and with my kids both in middle school and extremely involved with school and after school life, it’s nearly impossible.

So I guess what I’d like to say this month is how the arts of practicing patience and grace are truly inspiring to me. I know how much I love to write, as the quote I found by Ray Bradbury speaks true to my heart.

Yet I’m learning to be kind to myself and to try to let go when I can’t be perfect. It’s hard for me. I don’t give up easily. Maybe it’s not giving up but realizing what you need to do for you, when you hit your max load.

So this month, if you’re anywhere like me, just be kind to you, do your best, and listen and learn along the way.  That’s all anyone can ask. That’s the advice I give my kids anyway.

“If I waited for perfection… I would never write a word.”
—Margaret Atwood

I love this thought so much.

So happy IWSG day. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your month.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

I’m thrilled to be a host this month along with Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful cohosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

I don’t know about you, but I barely snuck this post in today, feeling like I’m living a constant three ring circus. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.

I’m still fine tuning the final turning point in my story. I’m keeping my fingers crossed my editor feels like I finally answered all her character questions and making the emotion feel real to human nature, a buoyancy between hesitance and trust. Especially when the information discovered is deep in the past, slightly creepy and surfacing it may create a sudden sense of heightened danger. I’m liking the changes.

Influencers come into our lives for many different reasons. Maybe it’s a job switch and a mentor who knows how to show you where to start. Maybe it’s a teacher who read a poem and thought you had a special gift with wordsmithing and imagery. For me, I’ve had many influencers and I’m so grateful for each one.

Today, I want to say thank you to two of them who are still very much around: Mrs. Lafoy a current Western Romance Writer, my sophomore high school history teacher, and the woman I should have listened to when she said, “Go to college. Get a degree in teaching and history, and then write.” I swear so told me I had so many stories to share with the world.

And Raimey Gallant, I met her through our writer’s group. She has come in and out of many of my posts and every word she’s ever said in encouragement has really meant something big to me. She connected me with my current editor, and sometimes  that’s not always easy to find. A person who challenges you, who allows you to grow in your own way, because I really think we part of a giant garden and each one of us grows a little different.

So thank you. Thank you to all the writer’s out there who wake up and try every day. I’m still trying too

Happy IWSG Day, all.

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

I’m thrilled to be a host this month along with Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful cohosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

I don’t know about you, but these past holiday weeks breezed by so fast, and yet I caught quite the sniffle making me so frustrated at not getting everything done I really wanted and meant to do. Oh well.

I’ve been working on the highest plot point in my story. The point of no return and face falling movement closely thereafter. It’s a research-based plot where History meets science with sprinkles of magical possibility. I thought it was perfect. Three edits later I realize I’ve revealed nothing new.

So this is my frustration for the month. Sheer joy at the progress of writing, then submitting, then failing on my face after feedback.

What do you do? I guess you get back on the horse and try again.

How about you? Did you manage any writing goals this month? Did you fall on your face like me? That’s okay if you did. It’s worth a good chuckle and results in a fresh new beginning of creative possibility. Don’t stop. I’m not.

Creativity requires input, and that’s what research is. You’re gathering material with which to build. ~Gene Luen Yang

And also;
After all, the ultimate goal of all research is not objectivity, but truth. ~ Helene Deutsch

Happy IWSG Day! I decided to forego the optional question this month, but I’ll be jumping around various blogs all day to see what you all had to say

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

Happy IWSG Day!

I’m thrilled to be a host this month along with Joylene Nowell Butler , Kim Lajevardi  , Lee Lowery,  and Victoria Marie Lees  

Thank you to you, and thank you to the wonderful cohosts who are spreading the writing love this month.

I don’t know about you, but these past several months have passed along at a sprint and I am finding myself out of breath almost every day, especially on this third day of November.

Writing Updates

I’ve been spending a lot of time brainstorming the end of my book with my editor and I’m so excited to finally see the end! I’m actually getting there! It’s right at 80K and I know it will need another 10K to finish. That’s a lot for my genre in Young Adult, but I’m sure there will much some cutting room. I’m shooting for a goal of Christmas, but we’ll see. It might be February before I’m actually typing “THE END.”

I will say, with this book, I’ve always known what the title should be. Titles are easy for me, intuitive. For me it boils down to one word summaries of the entire theme. It’s the shorter summaries, the Blurbs that take me hours or simplifying. That’s why I picked the quote by Katherine Cecil Thurston. Short phrases and sentences make people remember; they often drum up emotion in a short few seconds whether it be shock, anger or even awe.  

Question of the Month

What about you? In answering this month’s question, what’s harder to do, coming up with your book title or writing the blurb?

Do blurbs rattle straight off your tongue, or are titles more difficult to decide on?

I hope you have a wonderful writing month, and no matter how much time you have to meet your goals, don’t give up. I know I haven’t

[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here

The awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard!

***

Speaking my heart was never easy. Finding the right words in the right way was never something I could do well when it mattered, especially under fire. And when someone uses “swear” words in an argument with me, I freeze. It’s no different when I read them. They simply hang in the air around me, raw and glaring, like bright, broken neon signs you pass on the road.

So what do “swear words” have to do with writing? For me, a lot.

 This month’s IWSG question asks , “In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?”

I draw the line in anything I’m not interested in writing about, or reading, which in my case is “swear words.” Mild ones don’t seem to matter so much, or if I’ve spent time getting to know the characters in a book, which might occasionally drop one, but never on the first page. If I see one on the first page, I might shiver. I might lose the image of the entire scene unable to get past them.

How about you? Where do you draw the line when you write or read?