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My Grand Epiphany

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

During my week-long hiatus, I ruminated over this writing journey and all that it encompasses. I got to thinking about my goals and what I can do to accomplish them.

My lifetime writing ambitions:
1. To learn the craft so each story is better than the last
2. To write stories that leave an imprint on my readers’ hearts
3. To get published through a traditional publishing house
4. To honor and glorify God with my words

What will help me accomplish these ambitions?
Hands down, writing novels. A close second, reading craft books, going to conferences, getting and giving critiques….

Does blogging help me accomplish these ambitions?
Yes and No. Yes, because blogging forces me to reflect on my journey and monitor my progress. Yes, because blogging brought me to some very inspirational and informative blogs and fellow writers who have enlightened my path. No, because it can be a major time-vacuum.

So if blogging sometimes gets in the way of writing novels, why bother?
Writing can be a solitary, discouraging endeavor. Blogging has led me to a wonderful community of writers. It’s allowed me to celebrate and garner hope from those who are ahead in the writing journey, and it’s allowed me to offer encouragement to those who are behind. It’s a place to share celebrations and concerns with a group of people who truly understand how frustrating and exhilarating this path can be.

My grand epiphany:
While I value blogging, it can very easily take precedence over things it was never meant to take precedence over. Especially if I’m not paying attention. Blogging needs to keep it’s proper place in my life. It’s not more important than my quiet time with God. It’s not more important than my husband or my son. It’s not more important that my stories. This isn’t a very grand epiphany, is it? In fact, it’s rather DUH. Sometimes lessons tend to be that way for me.

Thanks for letting me share.

Questions to Ponder: How do you feel about blogging? How important is it to you at this point in your writing career? Why do you do it?

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3 C’s – It’s Friday!

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Cares:
My baby boy is one today. I’m feeling all nostalgic, thinking how this time last year I was in school, having contractions. Hubby came home at 5 pm, we got to the hospital at 6 pm. Brogan entered the world at 8:23 pm. All we knew about him was that he was a healthy baby boy, 18.5 inches long at 6 lb, 12 oz. He was a stranger, straight from my womb. Now, 365 days later, this little guy owns my heart. With his goofy, dimpled smile. The way he laughs through his teeth when I tickle his belly. The daredevil look in his eye when he finds something to climb. The soft warmness of his palm when his hand brushes over mine. The way he blows bubbles in his food, or lays his head on my shoulder. I knew none of these things one year ago. And yet they define my world today. Happy birthday to my one year old!

In the spirit of Follow Friday, I wish I could recommend everybody’s blog. There are so many great ones. However, since I can’t link to everybody’s blog, I pick Gwen Stewart, Singer Scribe. She’s so honest about the joys and challenges of writing and has a way with words. Plus, she’s a working mom like myself. Not just any working mom, either. But a teacher! Gotta love those teachers.

Concerns:
It’s been raining for two days straight here in Iowa. Boo!

I’m feeling a bit angsty. I always get this way when I start writing the rough draft of a new story. It’s hard to let go of the old one and really immerse myself in the new. And plus, I tend to glorify memories. Does anybody else do this? Does anybody else remember things as better than what they actually were? I remember all the good and forget the bad. So when I “remember” writing my previous book, I remember how awesome it was to write it, and forget all the struggles. So, logically, when I pass through current struggles, I freak out. My mind thinks things like, “Writing was NOT this hard last time.” Really, it was, I just conveniently forgot.

Celebrations:
I’ve established a routine I’m very happy with, and it includes exercise (something I’ve had very little of lately). It’s working for me at the moment.

I sent a query to one of my dream agents on Sunday (when I think of my dream agent, three people come to mind) and she requested a proposal on Monday. No guarantees, of course, but still encouraging! Her email was so personable. I really like her style.

Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations this rainy Friday morning?

Thanks for all the comments in my previous post! I’m glad you got a kick out of my students’ imaginative story. We’re currently writing the rough draft together. It’s a doozie!removetweetmeme

A 5th Grade Story

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

My students, being ten and eleven year olds, tend to skip over prewriting and jump into the rough draft without a firm grasp on story structure. To help them understand what prewriting is all about (and why it’s so important), we went through the prewriting process together. I must say, their excitement and imagination during this activity was highly contagious.

First, we listed a bunch of topics. Everything from snowstorms to puppies to food fights. What did my class pick? Invasion. Go figure.

Second, we listed a bunch of genres. My students voted for fiction. They voted again on a sub-genre. I was thinking science-fiction would win, but much to my delight, they voted for romance. My interest was definitely piqued.

So we had narrowed down our focus to a romance about an invasion. If that doesn’t make you giggle, I don’t know what will.

Third, we filled out one of my most favorite graphic organizers of all time. It’s called the Somebody Wanted But So graphic organizer, and it’s divided into four columns.

First column is Somebody (the characters). My students, keeping romance in mind, chose two characters: Jared, a big, handsome, smart athlete, and Sarah, a pretty, freckly, flirty farm girl. They chose the adjectives, not me.

Second column is Wanted (the character’s goal): Jared’s goal is to take Sarah on a date so he can propose.

Third column is But (the conflict): This is where the story gets interesting. Keep in mind, this wasn’t just a romance, but a romance about an invasion. So, alien’s invade Earth, kidnap Sarah, and take her to space where they will force her to marry the alien-prince. (My students were getting very silly at this point, but still on task!)

Fourth column is So (how is the problem solved?): Naturally, my students decided Jared would buy a spaceship, fly to this alien-planet, fight the aliens, and win back his woman. 24 5th grade HEA’s in the making.

The pitch? A handsome athlete sets his sights on a flirty farm girl, determined to win her hand in marriage. But alien’s invade earth and steal her away. Can the handsome athlete fight the aliens and win back his woman before they force her to wed the alien-prince?

Question to Ponder: What do you think? Future Best-seller in the making?removetweetmeme