Untitled and Unforgiven

I spent last weekend in word-nerd heaven. I found this three day bliss fest in one of the most unlikely places… Green Bay, Wisconsin. In a town mostly known for its football prowess, over 2,000 word nerds gathered to learn, share, listen, speak, and enjoy each other’s company. 83 events, 7 locations, dozens of talented creative professionals and 2 epic presenters (Sherman Alexie and Margaret Atwood!). It's called Untitled Town and it's happening again next year. IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE.

I was honored to be a part of the inaugural year line up, speaking on Saturday at the Brown County Library, about how to Think Outside the Bookstore Box, sharing tips and tricks I have used to sell books, outside of a bookstore. (Pst: If you want this presentation including the oh-so-helpful active links, just email me! wordnerd@amandazieba.com) During this presentation and throughout the weekend I met a plethora of amazing people.

One of them, Patt, commented on my blog post: Complete The Story #1: A Single Drop of Hope, saying that she also LOVES this book. She said, “ My writing partner and I each work on writing from the same prompt and then share and compare our stories. It's amazing how creative yet different the stories turn out. We randomly select them counting from the beginning or end of the book, or a number of pages forward or backward from the last story we completed.” She asked me if I would complete a specific story in book and share my results, because they would also be working on this prompt this week.

So, Patt, here ya go! This one’s for you!

* Remember, the bold words are what was given as the prompt and the rest is my own. Happy reading! *

Complete the Story #2: Unforgiven

The desert is an unforgiving place. This one is called Death Valley for a reason. Every living thing here has to fight for survival. And we would have to fight too, or else end up dead and buried by the swirling grains of sand.

Those grains. Each one tiny and insignificant. Something so small should not cause such trouble, but it was hard to believe this thought as those tiny grains pelted my body, finding ways into my eyes, nostrils, ears and mouth. Every breath in took a few of those miniscule hazards into my body. Already it felt like a pile had begun to grow in the depths of my lungs. I knew this was impossible - the wind storm had only started minutes before. Even still - breathing was hard and I cursed each tiny grain of sand for its part in my troubles.

The afternoon hadn’t started out badly. Quite the opposite. We set out on the dune buggy full of enthusiasm and adventure. Too bad the gas tank didn’t match our explorer’s personalities. We’d been driving for about an hour and a half when the dune buggy’s engine quit and we coasted down the largest dune we had encountered all day.

Gerald, our guide, hopped from the driver’s seat, checked the height of the sun in the sky and swore.

“Damn interns. I give ‘em a checklist for a reason.” He slammed a fist on the hood of the vehicle, took one last look at the sun before starting to trudge back up the steep dune. “C’mon,” he called over his shoulder.

As he walked away I figured he thought we needed no more explanation. He must have been certain we’d follow, which we did. Scrambling would probably be a more accurate description than follow. What a sight we must have made, slip-sliding down, instead of moving upward with each step.

“Do you think this is just a designed flaw? A part of the boss’ team-building experience?”

Anthony had a point. It sounded like something Mr. Jacobson would do. At the time I had shrugged. Hours later as I forced one foot in front of the other, still not back at base camp, I made plans to sue him.

Poetry, Kissing and an Interview... Oh My!

April is National Poetry Month.

I can hear your internal monologue right now… “Hey word nerd, what does that even mean?” or “Sure, for seventh graders studying common core state standards.” Or “Ugh. Poetry is soooo boring.”

Calm down. Lend me your eyes and attention for 8 minutes will ya? I promise to lead you safely to the other side and possibly even change your mind by the time we reach the end. Deal? Okay, let’s go.

So, what is National Poetry Month?

“National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives every April.

Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the Academy of American Poets established National Poetry Month in 1996. Along the way a variety of government agencies and officials, educational leaders, publishers, sponsors, poets, and arts organizations were enlisted to help.”

— poets.org

And I’ve decided to join in the fun.

During the month of April I read When My Sister Started Kissing, the new release from award winning author Helen Frost. I had previously read Hidden and Crossing Stones  by this author and knew my choice would not disappoint.

A novel is verse is a fictional story told through a series of free verse poems.

When My Sister Started Kissing is the story of two sisters and the time they spend at their cabin each summer. Situated directly next to a lake and full of memories of their deceased mother, the cabin is a place both ten year old Claire and thirteen year old Abigail love fiercely. But this year their new step-mom is coming for the first time. Not only that, but their new baby brother will be born while they are staying there. All this change affects the girls in different ways. Claire clings to the past and Abigail starts kissing.

The story is told in alternating viewpoints, sometimes with Claire’s childhood voice of innocence, sometimes with Abi’s teenage angst and occasionally through the eyes of the ever present Lake.

I would quickly slap my self-appointed title “word-nerd” on Helen. Not only is her word choice impeccable, but she also is a formatting genius, creating lines with shape and form that add oodles to the overall message and meaning to the collection. Not only is Helen a word nerd; she is a generous one. I emailed her to ask if I could interview her for today’s post and she graciously agreed.

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The Word Nerd: When My Sister Started Kissing is set at a lake home. Is this something your family did in the summer? How much of your own life experiences did you draw on for this book?

Helen Frost: We went to a cabin on Lake Kabekona in northern Minnesota for several summers when I was around 8-11. Then we moved to Massachusetts and couldn’t go there anymore, so my parents sold their share of it to my aunts and uncles. One of my cousins still owns it and has rebuilt it into her year-around home, which means I can still go there. Yay!

We all, of course, draw on our life experiences in our writing, and When My Sister Started Kissing includes a lot of details of different lakes I’ve enjoyed—the book is dedicated to them, in fact!

The Word Nerd: The relationship between sisters can be a terrifically ugly wonderment that a woman (at times) struggles to fully understand. What is your relationship like with your sister(s) and again, did it influence any parts of this book?

Helen Frost: I grew up in the middle of a family of ten children, including seven sisters, and we were, and still are, close. Part of the closeness comes, I’m sure, from the things we fought over when we were kids, and that comes into the book in the characters’ voices—the sisters rely on an underlying love, even when they are disagreeing, or mad at each other.

The incidents of sneaking out, lying, kissing just for the fun of it, etc., may or may not have any basis in memories of my sisters and myself. I’m glad to have so many sisters so there is no danger of damaging any one sister's reputation.

The Word Nerd: Often NATURE plays a role in your books. Can you explain your pull to include the natural world in your storytelling?

Helen Frost: Memories of loons, pine trees, fishing—that sort of thing—remain very clear to me, and I think they ground the story in something that feels real  

One memory that remains very clear to me is hiking around a lake in Scotland (Loch Mannoch) and coming upon a swan’s nest. It was huge, and the swans were a powerful presence as they swam around the loch. In a lovely unplanned co-incidence, When My Sister Started Kissing had the same publication date as a picture book, Wake Up!, that features Rick Lieder’s beautiful photographic images of new life. The cover, and several photographs inside the book, depict a family of swans at the time the cygnets are hatching, just like in the novel. The two books companion well together.

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I enjoyed this experience so much that I think I started a new tradition for myself. Maybe I will read a novel in verse every April! Seriously, if you have never given one a try, do it! Maybe you already have a favorite novel in verse? Share it in the comments below so we can all benefit from the great recommendation. Until next time, happy reading my word nerds.

Your Northwoods Writer’s Paradise Awaits!

Today I have BJ Hollars visiting the blog to tell us all about the Cirenaica Residencies sponsored by the Chippewa Valley Writer's Guild. Man do I wish I had looked at these offerings before my summer filled up. Believe me when I say I will DEFINITELY be applying for a spot next year. If you are needing a writer's escape, a push on a project, or some expert advice, settle in and read on... because BJ is about to hook you up with some knowledge on an four amazing opportunities. 

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Love writing? Fellowship? Nature? And some pretty incredible food? Then Cirenaica’s the place for you!

Nestled on 43 acres of hills, farmland, and forest near the quaint village of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, our summer writing residencies promise participants an intensive yet rejuvenating experience amidst an inspiring natural backdrop. Complete with guest writers and editors, an on-site chef, and even a waterfall right up the road, we strive to provide the perfect summer writing experience for writers of all levels and genres. If your life’s filled with a thousand little distraction, there’s no better fix that three wondrous days in the wilds of Wisconsin.

During last year’s inaugural summer, our jam-packed residencies provided incredible opportunities to 60 lucky writers from across the nation. And by summer’s end, over 15 of our participants had published their work in an array of literary magazines, journals and even on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Wisconsin Life! Upon reflecting on the residency, one participant, wrote,

“I am unable to overstate the value of Cirenaica. The natural beauty of the region, combined with exquisite tutelage and talent [and the] exceptional facilities yielded the perfect storm for creativity.”

Another added:

“I used to think writing was a solitary experience, but after the residency I realized the importance of community and the energy derived from a community of writers. I entered this residency not knowing anyone and left with friends and wisdom that I will never forget.”

These sentiments are echoed again and again, confirming— for me, at least— the value of writers coming together for the benefit of their craft.

This summer, we invite you to apply! And as a special thank you, for every referred application, receive $10 off your own accepted application. Bring 5 friends and save $50! Space is limited, the deadline is May 1, so we encourage you to apply today!

This summer we will be hosting five, 3-day residencies:

 Stranger than Fiction

On Writing Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir featuring writer-in-residence Allyson Goldin Loomis (June 8-11)

 Theory and Practice of Fiction

Featuring writer-in- residence Nickolas Butler (June 22-25)

 The Art of Memoir

Keep it Honest, But Keep it Interesting with writer-in- residence June Melby (July 6-9)

 Poetry in the Shadow of Walden

Featuring writer-in- residence and former Wisconsin poet laureate Max Garland (July 13-16)

 Writing Young Adult Fiction

The Magic Formula featuring writer-in- residence Marsha Qualey (July 21-24) 

Click here for an overview of the program, here for details on this summer’s offerings and here for testimonials.

As we like to say here at Cirenaica: be inspired, inspire others.

Split Personality aka: Writing With a Pen Name

Today's guest post comes from a fellow word nerd, Donna Schlachter, who has a new book out entitled: Echoes of the Heart. Donna and I both write for Forget Me Not Romance (Champion Chocolatier's Indie Press) and I told her I'd be more than happy to spread the word about her most recent project. Echoes of the Heart is part of The Pony Express Romance Collection. All 9 stories in the collection are available in paperback now on Amazon for only $7.90. 

Donna is talking with us today (actually talking with herself) about the task of writing under two different names... her own and a pen name. It is an interesting concept that many authors consider and I found this conversation both helpful and amusing. I'll let you listen in for yourself...

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Leeann, my alter ego, and I were chatting the other day.

She wanted to know why I created her.

“I was writing and hoping to publish in two different genres: historical suspense and contemporary suspense. I didn’t want to confuse my readers by writing in different genres,” I answered.

“How did you pick my name?” She wondered aloud.

“My husband’s middle name is Lee, his mother’s middle name is Ann, and my mother’s nickname in nursing school was Betts.”

“Isn’t making up a name illegal?”

“Not unless I’m trying to avoid a legal claim or defraud somebody.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, a funny habit she has. “How do you keep us straight?”

I smiled at her. “First of all, you’re cute and perky and all the things I’m not. Second, you write different stories than I write.”

“Such as?”

“Most of my historical suspense are stories about women who have made some bad choices, and now they want to straighten out their lives. Your stories are about stronger, quirkier women who are driven to excel.”

“Sounds like you,” she complimented.

Now it was my turn to chew my bottom lip. Maybe she inherited that trait from me. “But the women you write about don’t know they are strong. Or quirky. And the women I write about are just like me. Hoping it’s true that God is a God of second chances. And finding out He is.”

“So we’re different but the same?”

I patted her on the head like she was an obedient puppy. “Exactly.”

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So what do you think? Are you interested in playing the pen name game? Just for fun, write your would-be-pen-name in the comments below! For extra fun, tell us what genre this new persona would tackle. 

Until next Wednesday, Happy writing, 

Amanda

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Author bio:

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid publisher who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own name. Her current release, Echoes of the Heart, a 9-in-1 novella collection titled "Pony Express Romance Collection" released April 1. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and judges in a number of writing contests. She will be teaching an online course for American Christian Fiction Writers in June 2017, “Don’t let your subplots sink your story”. Donna loves history and research, and travels extensively for both.

Get in touch with Donna via any of the following social media platforms.

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter

Books: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq

Echoes of the Heart: http://amzn.to/2lBaqcW

Going to the Library

Once a week I go to the library with my students. Invariably the stack of work I’ve brought along to grade gets set aside. I wander the shelves recommending books to kids and scan new arrivals. I corner a few reluctant readers and successfully place a book I know they’ll love in their hands. I remind a clutch of kiddos to stay on task and admire beautiful displays up by the librarian.

After everyone has checked out a book and is seated and quietly reading, I sneak over to the magazine rack. Because our school subscribes to a wide variety of publications that are available to students and staff alike, I have no need to pay to get my own at home.

Today I grab a National Geographic that has caught my eye. The front cover boasts images and stories of Vikings. This group of ancient people are of particular interest to me. I’m writing a YA fantasy novel set in Iceland. The myths, fashion and passion of the Vikings are traits I wish to infuse in my story world. Thus, any and all material about them that crosses my path I quite literally inhale.

I opened the magazine to the table of contents and scanned it to find the article on the Vikings. After all, I only have fifteen minutes left of class! I needed to make the most of my time! But as I flipped the pages to find my reading destination, I slowed, paused and eventually stopped. As much as I wanted to rush to the Vikings, the knowledge casualty count was rising to an alarming rate. I stopped and went back to the beginning.

I read about a team of adventurers who kite sailed across Greenland. I saw images of mooring posts half frozen like mushrooms at low tide. I stalked through the London’s Richmond Park on a misty morning, living vicariously as a red stag. I learned about a monastery in Egypt and their efforts to recover erased texts from parchments that had been recycled by scraping off the ink one letter at a time. I had the opportunity to reaffirm my belief in climate change and challenge myself to do something about it. All in sixteen glossy print pages.

Now this might sound like an advertisement for National Geographic (it isn’t). But it is a plea to sit down and read… something. Anything. If I hadn’t read today, I would have missed so much.

Writing Workshops

            Earlier this week I taught my first adult writing class. It was definitely a switch from teaching middle schoolers. It was low key. It lacked the teenage angst and drama. It was anything but intense. I sat rather than stood. I participated during free write time rather than reminded others to stay on task. I still provided instruction. (Heck, I still provided a pen and paper.) It was different, but it wasn’t. I loved it.

           The workshop focused on short stories and what we can do as writers to improve our storytelling craft. We used two different idea generation activities to build our foundation and then further fleshed out our story by further digging into the story elements of character, conflict, dialogue, and resolution.

           My favorite part of the two-hour workshop was the community that we quickly built. I did not know the workshop participants prior to their walking through the studio doors, but within minutes, we were word nerds on a common journey. Writers ready to commit to improving our craft. If this sounds like a road you’d like to travel, email me and I can let you know about my next workshop offerings, or start a conversation about planning a new event for you and the word nerds in your life.

           Here is the prompt and story I polished up during the workshop this week.

Happy reading!

❤, Amanda

           P.S. If you are looking for some story starter ideas, join my writing eNewsletter for five free writing prompts.

         The Wall

         a short story by Amanda Zieba

** The bolded words at the beginning of the story are from the writing prompt book: Complete the Story, as mentioned in this previous blog post. It was one of the idea generation activities we did in the workshop. It was amazing to see the plethora of different stories that came from the imagination of the participants and these two incomplete sentences. Romania, World War II, a survivalist reality show, YouTube and a medieval wall complete with a guard were all represented. How amazing our minds and language can could create all of this in just two hours! **

          The darkness was dark and suffocating, like a heavy blanket had been thrown on the world. He had to get over the wall, had to get across the border before the sun rose. The morning light would doom his mission for sure.

         Gideon adjusted his night vision goggles, said a silent prayer to a God he wasn’t sure he believed in and then ran. His arms and legs moved in a tandem synchronization, and pushed him through the dense curtain of night and closer toward the looming wall. The dust rose from each footfall, but otherwise the world was silent. The busy city in the distance a few miles behind him still slept. Its occupants did not know he was escaping. When they woke and found him gone, he wondered if they would care.

         Although it was just a dark mass before him now, he knew what the wall looked like in the incriminating light of day. He knew everything about this wall. He read a dozen newspapers a day that chronicled the politics surrounding it. He knew how long it was, how tall, when it was built and why it would not come down. At least not soon. He had stared at that wall for months, hating everything about  it. He hated the mismatched materials that conglomerated to keep him from his desired destination. The original wall of expensive and finely crafted brick could barely be seen anymore, but it was there, peeking out from additions later affixed. Poorly applied concrete and mortar held together additions of tile and cinderblock and even in some cases plywood. Barbed wire poked out at random heights, marking where the top of the wall had previously been before it was made higher and higher, and higher. 

          How such an ugly and haphazard obstacle could stand in his way for so long was the bane of his daily musings and complaints. There was no room in his brain for complaints now. Every single fiber of his being depended on successfully mounting and overcoming this wall. He ceased his head on run and transferred his momentum into a giant leap. He flew silently through the night and landed skillfully on a precipice of the foreboding wall.

            Gideon reached a hand up to grab for the wire he knew hung just over his head. Using the strength of his well trained arms and legs he pushed and pulled himself upward. Push, grab, pull, breathe. He moved up the wall in a systematic fashion. His confidence grew with each inch traveled upward. He was three feet from the top when he slipped.          

            For ten perilous seconds he hung from the wall, his sweaty handgrip on a piece of wire the only thing keeping him and his mission alive. He would have sworn if his racing heart and ragged breath would have allowed him the pleasure. After his sheer panic subsided, Gideon swung back and forth, attempting to create a momentum that would bring him back to the wall. Back to safety. Back to surefooted hatred of this brick and mortar monstrosity, rather than viewing it as a lifeline as he did right now.

          Gideon’s foot found a hold. A board, a piece of cement, a brick. It didn’t matter what it was, his toes were curleld around it and he was using it to stand.  Legs shaking, lungs burning, fingers cramping, Gideon stood pressed against the wall, his smooth cheek exfoliated by the course materials that both cursed and saved him. Three more feet to freedom. He did not think. He did not pause a second longer. He surged up, up, up. Within seconds he made it to the top of the wall. He lay there on his back panting and praying.

            He decided at that moment there was a God and he believed in him fully. He was a conqueror of tyranny and fear. “Thank you,” he breathed as he looked at the night sky. Now that he could take a second to appreciate his veil of protection he noticed the abundance and beauty of the stars. Had they always been there, he wondered. He would never take them or their creator for granted again.

            After another fulfilling deep breath Gideon slid off the backside of the wall, his feet hitting lush green grass, enough to both cushion and muffle his landing. He snapped his head up and scanned the open terrain and then he began to run.

Swear Words

I confess that last week while at the Y, I dropped an F bomb. My exact words were, “Ahhh, F***, life is hard right now.” It wasn't loud, but I remember because the lady next to me opened her mouth a little and stared a bit as I forcefully closed my locker shut and stalked away.

I had just spent the past twenty minutes getting one child to karate class and then pleading with the other two to go to Y-Care so I could have one blessed hour to myself to burn off steam and stress run/walking around the track. Task A was easily accomplished. Task B involved tears, purchasing Doritos and a Rice Krispie treat from the vending machine, waiting while said treats were eaten, pacing back and forth between treat eating spot and Y-Care child care location (Were we going in, were we not? We did not know what we wanted!), waiting not so patiently while the Y-Care employees wrote down my children’s names one letter at a time because they couldn’t do it when I said all four or five letters in a row, and waving goodbye to the now happy children who seemed to have not a stress in the world. Not so much for their mother, thank you very much. Just as I was about to (finally!) get to work out I realized I had to pee, and then remembered I had left a backpack over by the snack eating couch. After all of that, I shoved four coats and one backpack in the locker and muttered my expletive.

And you know what? It made me feel better. Just like always, giving words to life, in this case, twenty minutes of frustration, a meaning. Words gave me a way to express and understand my life. And because this taboo word is a bit rebellious, it made saying it out loud feel even better. Because when life is being a little b****, fighting back with a well place F bomb makes me feel like I can battle back. Yeah life can be hard sometimes, but you know what? I got this. I can do it.  F you public meltdown. I can handle you and the next one too.

Just like always, words saved my day.

So back to the shark. Where exactly does that fit in? I mean, there is a swear word in the meme… but does it have any other connection? It does. Sharks, like good words, move with a purpose. There is no idle lazing by for a shark. The complacent shark does not thrive. If it doesn’t hunt down what it wants, it might not even survive.

So it is for the writer as well. And as a writer, I must be purposeful with the words I choose to write and speak. Some days those words are not noteworthy or memorable. Some days we say words in a moment of frustration we know our parents would not be proud of. BUT, if we want to survive, or better yet, THRIVE in our careers, we need to be purposeful with our words. We need to hunt down the best one and put them together in a way that is meaningful and memorable. We need to do this on a consistent basis, each time, putting our best work out there… even on a Monday.

So on this Monday I urge you to be purposeful. With the words that you say, with the words you put into the world…

be a SHARK.

Happy Blogiversary to ME!

One year ago today I wrote and posted my very first blog entry. Happy 1st Blogiversary to me! 

“Writer, writer, word delighter, how does your business grow? Submit and wait and indeterminable length, You only reap the rewards you sow.”

Never has this rung truer for me. When you plunge a tiny seed into the unknowable depths of the future, you never know the crop you’ll yield. It’s hard, sometimes, to take the time, energy and courage to plant these seeds, with the knowledge that there is no guarantee they will grow. And to be honest, not all of them will grow. So then why? Why do we do it? Let me tell you.

Last week I had five bountiful harvests. Five seeds I had planted grew into five wonderful, profitable, measurable, visible yields. Some crops came from seeds I planted last spring while at a conference in Milwaukee. Some new growth occurred because I reached out to an old contact and reminded them of my (in their words) “excellent blog entry” they had wanted to repost. Another sprouted slowly, the correspondence of two busy people making headway to something amazing one inch at a time. And a few new crops grew seemingly overnight or in front of my eyes because I simply ASKED them too. Five seeds, planted at different times, in different locations, at different venues, for different purposes… all bloomed in the same week. It felt pretty darn miraculous.

But do you know what is even more exciting than having a successful week in my passion project? It is the knowledge that planting my seeds is the right thing to do. It is the confidence in knowing that if I continue to do what I am doing, I will get where I want to go.

In March I am planting a new seed. A big one. This seed has taken a lot of development, a bit of research and a ton of think time. On March first I will launch 30 Scenes in 30 Days. This seed is an online writing community, a group full of word nerds who want to write a story, but are not sure where to start. Or maybe they know where to start, but just need a little motivation, or an accountability partner (or seventeen). For 30 days in March I will post a scene prompt. Participants will respond and then offer feedback to the other community members. We will build our story one day at a time, one scene at a time. When the month is over I hope we will all take away a solid foundation to our stories as well as a newly established writing habits and a few good word nerd friends.

To celebrate my blogiversary, I am giving away one free entry to 30 Scenes in 30 Days. Usually it costs $30 (Are you sensing a theme?), but everyone who joins my Word Nerd eNewletter will be entered into a drawing to get in free. (Joining will also get you a PDF with 5 FREE writing prompts). I will pick a winner one week from today (2/23/17) and notify you all via the eNewsletter the name of that lucky word nerd. I will also tell you how to sign up and pay if you didn’t win.

If you want to skip the drawing and head right toward the action, you can click right here to sign up. 

Who knows how this new seed will grow. Will participants walk away feeling like they gained useful writing knowledge? Will my epic plan build creative friendships and brilliant story lines? Will this be the first of many online communities/courses I create/teach? Will I really be able to get up at 5am each morning and post the prompt (and live to tell the tale)? Who knows! But I’m ready to dig in, plant this seed, water it and find the sunshine that I know is hiding somewhere, to make it grow.

So, who’s putting on their garden boots and coming with me?

Complete the Story #1: A Drop of Hope

Just as I had promised last week, here is one of the short stories I wrote in my new COMPLETE THE STORY JOURNAL. The bolded words that start the story are what was given. The rest is mine.

Happy reading!

<3, Amanda

Photo Credit: https://www.chinafile.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/xinjiang-unsettled

     At first we thought the black liquid was oil, that we’d struck it rich and that we’d be able to retire and live in leisure. We actually started writing down all the ways we’d spend the money. Our first choice was a vacation. Somewhere green and majestic, with huge amounts of water. Somewhere entirely different that they dirty, dry, flat land we’d grown up on. Colorado, Portland, Banff.

     We hadn’t gone as far as purchasing tickets, but Grayson was already packing. He had always been the optimistic, dreaming kind. At twelve he held more hope than the rest of us combined. Which was sad. Sad the rest of us couldn’t have faith that things would all turn out. But, we’d seen too much.

     The saddest part though, was when we found out what all that black liquid, gushing from the hole in the backyard, a ceaseless tide of ebony fluid, really was. When we found out Grayson was devastated. His dreams and plans drowned in a dark pool of evil.

     The word was melting from the inside out. Heat trapped in the Earth’s core had somehow spread. It spread way past its normal range and skipped its usual escape route. I remembered hearing about an extraordinary amount of volcanoes and earthquakes in the past month. The news anchors seemed to talk of nothing else. And now as I stared at the growing sea of sickly melted earth, the glaringly obvious truth of it all washed over me in a wave of nausea. The heat had nowhere else to go so it was eating its way through the many layers of the planet, one by one.

    Who knew about this?

     Should we tell someone?

     Where should we go?

     Could it be reversed?

     Was it too late?

     We needed a plan. A good one. A plan crazy enough that it might, if we were very lucky, save our sorry souls.

     “Grayson,” I hollered into the house. “What should we do?”

Confession Time

I have not written since June.

Ugh. That statement makes me borderline nauseous. I should probably call it a confession, rather than a statement. Sure, I have dabbled with a scene here and there. Yeah, I’ve posted a blog entry or two. But since I finished the final draft and revisions of Champion Chocolatier in June, I haven’t really written ANY ONE THING from start to completion.

I moved

I sold a house and bought a house, and moved into that new house. We painted a few walls, and bought some new furniture. I started a new job and so did my husband. My kids started new schools and daycares, and we acclimated to life in a new town. We found a new place to get our hair cut, and oil changed, and tried several pizza places until we found our new favorite (Pizza Corral).

I published two books

 I edited, promoted, communicated with graphic designers and artists and indie publishers for those two books. I did guest blog posts and ran contests and and booked/held events and signed into Createspace a thousand times for those two books. 

I hired a business coach.

I met with her several times to plan out my career path and plan of action. I attended classes on business promotion through Pinterest. I worked hard to put all of my new knowledge into action. I had professional photographs  taken and paid to have my website recreated. I launched a new email campaign and automation that included free gifts I designed on my new favorite digital software called Canva. I sold some books.

I have done a lot in the past seven months. But I did not write.

I was in Barnes and Noble one day in December (one of the perks of living in a larger city) and stumbled upon this book.

I frequently pick up books like this. Another confession, I own more “journals” than I can count, and carry at least one if not two with me at all times… not to mention the few others that are within reach of my “home office” (as my husband calls it). (aka: the beautiful chaise lounge in our living room. *See new furniture mentioned above.) Despite these last rambling statements, less often than I pick journals up, do I actually purchase them. But this one was different.

Instead of blank pages, or self-proclaimed cheesy prompts (Write a story that highlights your personal strengths. Be you! Be great!), these story starters were interesting, and varied and I’ll just say it, cool. The cover was appealing and the price was great ($9.98), so I whipped out my fun money and walked out with a brand new journal.

I decided to try and write in my new found treasure as often as possible. I also decided that I would skip the time-suck of self selecting a prompt that fit my mood/whim/muse and force myself to go through the book in order.

It is now February 2. I have written in my lovely little read book 6 times. Not nearly as much as I would like, but it’s a start. And you know what? It feels GOOD. Last night I finished up the short story of the day and peeked at the next page to see what prompt was waiting for me to spill my ink and thoughts upon it tomorrow. I read the lines and couldn’t resist.

Even though it was 10:18. Even though I was exhausted. Even though each morning as I drag myself out of  bed I vow to go to get back into it as early as possible. Even though… I still wrote. I got a quarter of the way down the page before I gave in. The story was started and would be waiting for me tomorrow. My unconscious brain could mull over the possibilities as I slept.

These stories are short. Just a page. But it feels good to be writing again. I look forward to sharing some of them with you soon. Until then, happy reading, happy writing, happy living.

The Power of Asking

I am a confident individual. I grew up surrounded by supportive parents, teachers, coaches and members of my church. I am blessed with an extended family that rallies around a cause like no one else can. I found personal success in athletics and group achievements in the music world. I had close friends. I earned multiple degrees that resulted in earning a good job. I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and children who rush to hug me when I enter a room. (Trust me, I know the drop everything and hug mom routine won't last forever, but it sure is nice for the time being.) 

Life has been sooooooo good to me. And so, when I find myself in a situation that I cannot tackle on my own, I ASK for help. I ASK, certain the help with come. Life has taught me that it will.

When I ASK for help, that answer isn’t always yes. But you know what? No doesn’t hurt. “No” doesn’t put you any worse off that you were before you ASKED.

Will you sell my book in your store?

     No.

          Oh well.

Can you help me improve the SEO on my website?

     No response to my request.

          No biggie.

Can I be a part of your regional book festival? 

     No. You are looking for bigger name authors.

          That’s okay. Maybe next time. (Really, maybe next time! I applied again this year!)

Totally cool, Midwest, up and coming artist, will you illustrate a graphic novel version of my YA sci-fi novel?

     The magnitude of this project and my non-existent budget doesn’t work for you?

          No worries. Thanks for your time.

Grant application accepted? No. Endorsement solidified? No. Agent acceptance? No. Publishing contract? No. Crazy, random, bookmobile business venture? No. No. No.

No harm. No foul.

Even better than no harm, is that by ASKING you have opened the door to a future with that individual, company, or organization. Maybe next time they’ll say yes. Or, maybe you can offer to do something for them, and THEN, if you ASK again later, they will say yes.

Sometimes when you ASK, they don’t say yes, but they don’t say no either.

Here’s an example. Once Upon a Book Club  is a new(ish) interactive reading subscription. For a fee, each participant receives a book box each month that includes a novel and three to five gifts that connect to the story. Each gift is marked with a page number, telling you when to open it. The entire operation is simply brilliant. And so much fun. Just 6 months into their entrepreneurship, Once Upon a Book Club was up to 1,000 subscribers. I wrote to Michelle, the owner, telling her about my book Champion Chocolatier. It would be a perfect quick and light read for December I told her. When she responded that I should send it her way for consideration I bought and wrapped the presents she could include. I included receipts, telling her where she could find each item and also what each item cost. My goal was to make it as easy as possible for her to say yes. I asked, I mailed, and I waited. She said, “no thank you.” The book was too short for her collection. But, did I want her to do a few shout outs about my book on social media (to her almost 3,000 followers)? Yes, please! A no, with a positive twist!

And then, sometimes, you ask and the answer is yes. A blessed and glorious yes.

Hey three famous authors (Jennifer Donnelly,  Drew Gormley and Mark Parsons), do you want to contribute to my young writer’s workbook? Yes, yes and yes!

Greetings geocaching.com,  hub of all geocaching activity, will you sell my book in your online story that boasts one million visitors a month? Yes? Heck yeah! (This isn’t 100% official, but it’s looking reaaaallly good.)

Hello, fancy pants hotel downtown (that was just rated the #2 hotel in the NATION!), do you want to partner for an event? I will read and sell books. You can serve your delicious cocoa and heavenly chocolate concoctions. It will be a great way to broaden our audiences, not to mention a wonderfully fun way spend an evening. I wrote them a professional letter, asked to speak directly to the event coordinator, and dropped it off with my book. I followed up with an email a week later. Guess what? They said yes. The event is tomorrow, Thursday January, 26 at The Charmant Hotel, 6:30-8 pm. If you are in the La Crosse Area, I’d love for you to join us!  

One more. Good afternoon ladies at the Department of Public Instruction Expo booth at the state reading convention. I am an author you have likely never heard of. But I’d love to help you out and present at your spring young author’s fairs. Here is my information and a copy of my books. I look forward to hearing from you. That was February 2016. In April of 2017 I will be the featured author at two of their events. 

Ask. It takes a little courage. It takes a little practice. It takes a little imagination. But when you ask, you open yourself, your career and your world up to endless possibilities. Open you mind to asking. And then get ready for the fun.

Solstice Stanzas

This week at my writing group our prompt asked us to consider the oppositional nature of the Solstice. The dark and the light. The good and the bad. I thought about the season of winter and how, for most of it, us Midwesterners complain about the snow and ice and cold and dark and blah, blah, blah. Most see winter as a hinderance. I pondered this and then thought, what if we viewed it differently? What if we viewed the cold and darkness that kept us indoors as a blessing that slowed us down, focused us in, and helped us relax? 

Below is the poem that I crafted after the ten minute free write. I hope you both enjoy it, and use it to reconsider this season in perhaps a kinder light.

Welcome Guest Author, Linda Matchett!

Hello fellow word-nerds! I am excited to introduce you to my writing friend Linda Matchett.

Linda describes herself as an author who writes about “ordinary women who do extraordinary things.” Sounds like my kind of writer! In addition to writing this novel Linda is an avid blogger on the site Stitches Thru Time, works at a high school boarding school, is a docent at a WWII museum and leads a bible study! Sounds like she is doing some pretty extraordinary things herself!

I hope you are able to pick up some amazing writing tips, or find your next read as we discuss Linda’s second book: Love Found in Sherwood Forest.

Award-winning Broadway actress Leighanne Webster has it all until an on-stage panic attack brings her career crashing to the ground. Then her sister throws her a lifeline: Come home and help produce the annual Robin Hood Festival play. Returning to England could be the salve Leighanne needs to heal her bruised feelings, except for the fact that ex-fiance, Jamison Blake, is the play’s director. But she’s a professional, able to do the job without letting old relationships get in the way. Then why does she find it so hard to focus on her work?

Five years ago, Jamison Blake broke off his engagement to Leighanne, so she could travel to New York and become the brilliant, sought-after actress she deserved to be. But he didn’t count on his heart’s refusal to stop loving her, and life has been empty since she left. Her return to Nottingham is temporary, and she is still angry about their breakup, avoiding him at all cost during rehearsals. Can he convince her to give their relationship another try despite careers that span an ocean, or will he have to let her go again? This time for good?

Can two people entangled in their own hurts and misconceptions, find their way clear to discover God’s plan for their lives-plans that may include a future together?

---

AZ: How did the idea for this novel develop? What was your inspiration?

LM: The idea for this story came from a writing prompt. A major publisher put out a call for submissions. And listed prompts based on the type of stories they were looking for. The prompts were a list of three items (such as an arrow, a hidden space, and a book) and also a location. I love history, but the submission request was for contemporary stories, so I had to come up with a way to incorporate history. When I saw  the lists that included Nottingham, I immediately thought of the Robin Hood legend and then came up with the idea to wrap the story around a Robin Hood play.

AZ: Writing prompts are the best! Anyone out there on the lookout for some great writing prompts? Click here for a free prompt gift from yours truly. :)

AZ: Do you have any connections to theater productions or Robin Hood? Were you able to use any of your real life experiences while you wrote the on stage scenes?

LM: Over the years I have attended a lot of stage productions, but last year I performed in our school's production of Fidder on the Roof. I even had three lines! LOL. That experience helped quite a bit in writing the scenes.

AZ: Taking a research vacation is high on my writing bucket list. Did you travel to England to write gather info for this book? What was your research process for this book and do you enjoy this part of the writing?

LM: I was blessed to be able to go to England in March 2015. Until then I did research from my desk. The internet helped a lot, but I also have friends and acquaintances from England and often talked to them. The interviews were a huge help and I highly recommend interviews for any writer while in their research phase. For this particular story I had to research the Robin Hood legend and all the people associated with it. There are myriad opinions on who Maid Marian actually was, and I also stumbled on the Major Oak, a massive oak tree in Sherwood Forest thought to be 1,000 years old that was the shelter for Robin and his men. I love research and had a wonderful time during this project. And I would got back to England tomorrow if I had the chance. It was a fascinating trip, and I only scratched the surface of an amazing country.

AZ: What are you working on next?

LM: I am currently working on a novella for Celebrate Lit Publishing that will be part of a collection. The story is about a young woman on the eve of her wedding who finds out the fiance she thinks died during the war is alive. The manuscript is due to the publisher in early January, and the book will be published sometime in the Spring.

AZ: How does your faith impact your writing?

LM: My faith is an integral part of my writing. I hope to encourage and edify readers through my stories without banging them over the head or being preachy. The themes in my books are usually issues I'm dealing with personally. It helps me to work them out through writing the story.

AZ: Do you have any productivity tips for other writers?

LM: I try to pick a regular place to write. I have found myself to be more productive because it's almost like "muscle memory." When I sit down at my desk, my brain knows I'm in my writing space and it's time to work. Also you have to make time to write (vs. finding time). Schedule writing time in your calendar and stick to the appointment. Also, find a critique group. I am a much better writer thanks to the critique group I'm part of. It's an online group, and I've never personally met any of the women, but we are very close nonetheless. We came together through the ACFW main critique loop.

AZ: Thank you so much for sharing your time and words with us Linda!

LM: Thanks for hosting me!

If you would like to find out more about Linda you can visit her website. To order your own copy of her eBook: Love Found in Sherwood Forest, click here:  You can read the first chapter for free here. 

A Blog Post in Which I Share Several Lists and Give Shout Outs

If you spend any amount of time with me, you will quickly discover 5 things.

1.       I am more than slightly addicted to Diet Pepsi.

2.       In the list of my life priorities, words are #2 on the list (behind my family).

3.       I like lists.

4.       My writing heroes include Maggie Stiefvater, Taylor Swift and Eminem. (An eclectic list, I know.)

5.       If you happen to look at my hands… while I type, while I talk and use them to gesticulate, while I sign your book… you will notice my nails are always nicely manicured. It’s vice #3, right after Diet Pepsi and Cherry PopTarts.  (Did I mention I like lists?)

 For this blog post I am going to combine #2, 3 and 4 to create the ultimate piece of WRITING WISDOM. Also, I may or may not be drinking a Diet Pepsi while I write this. Who am I kidding? I am most definitely drinking a DP as I write this.

In an interview I once watched on a morning talk show, Taylor Swift said, “You need to find the people in this world who are the same kind of weird as you.” This is a paraphrase because it happened during a rare moment in my life when I didn’t have a pen and notebook next to me. Weird, I know. But the general truth still shines through. If you love pickles. Hang out with other pickle loving people. Go to pickle serving restaurants, attempt picklicious recipes, buy t-shirts featuring pickles, shout out your love of pickles! And while your obsession might be totally random and misunderstood, being with people who also love pickles will make you so darn happy, you will not care. There is nothing that can replace the peace, joy, productivity, inspiration or energy of spending time with people who love the same thing as you. How does this in any way, shape or form connect to writing advice? Keep reading.

If you look at Taylor’s advice again and substitute the word NERD for WEIRD, you will come up with my best piece of writing advice ever. FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE THE SAME KIND OF NERD AS YOU. What does that mean for writers? Find other word nerds, and spend time with them regularly. I have found a variety of ways to put this advice to practical use. (Ready for a list? C’mon, you knew it was coming!)

1.       Attend Conferences and Writing Events

Last spring my writing partner and I jumped in the car to spend a weekend in Madison, WI at the Writer’s Institute. Three days full of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, manuscript critiques and agent pitches, social hours, public readings, new writer friends (Hi John!) and more… it was worth every penny. I also attended NerdCon in the Twin Cities last year and the opportunity to geek-out with 3,000 other word nerds was an experience I will never forget.

2.       Find a critique partner and meet with them regularly.

Whether online or in person, set regularly scheduled times to share and trade your work with another word-nerd. This will force you to have quality things written on a consistent basis, and also allow you to get feedback in a safe environment. Set a schedule and stick to it to get the most out of this experience. (Shout out to my critique partner Marci! Everyone click here to read Marci’s book Lily Laughs.)

3.       Take Writing Retreats

When you are free from the daily constraints of schedules, children to raise, a full-time job, TV, the laundry, etc. you are able to fully immerse yourself in your passion for writing. This summer I attended my first (and hopefully not my last) Highlights Foundation Workshop. While in rural Pennsylvania I learned about a specific niche market of writing from seasoned veterans. I also made amazing nation-wide writing friends that continue to support one another from home via the magic of the internet. A writing retreat on my bucket list can be seen by clicking here. 

4.       Join writing organizations

I recently moved to a new town and joined Women Writers Ink. Through this organization I was able to meet new friends, hang out with a writing group that meets every other week and also participate in the organization’s public reading and selling events. If your city doesn’t have a face to face organization, join an online group. I am part of a few very productive Facebook writing groups and with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) officially starting on Tuesday, the internet will be full of writers looking to make new connections. SCWBI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) is another great community to consider joining. 

To my writing friends, near and far, present, past and future, thank you for the countless gifts you have given me. Time, critiques, listening ears, words of encouragement, Facebook likes and shares, evenings of reflection, weekends of rejuvenation, weeks of learning, advice, recommendations, reviews and more. You are the champions of craft, the master marketers, the forever friends that make what could be a lonely and solitary place dominated by a blinking cursor a fulfilling world of words and friends.

So, if you are reading this and thinking, “Man, I really need to go round up some nerds!” I resolutely concur. Open your door, internet browser, community center brochure, local college course booklet… open your mind and go find your nerds, whatever kind they might be. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

What kind of NERD are you? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below! Happy reading! Happy writing!

<3, Amanda

Writing in the Good Old Summer Time

The longer I am a teacher, the weirder it feels to not work in the summer. Granted with boat loads of freedom, an endless array of weather-warm options and minimal responsibility just seems… too good to be true. It was this gift of limbo-time that allowed me to complete the ungodly amount of things I accomplished this summer. Things like, visit seven states, ride six planes and drive for twenty-four hours in a twelve day period of time; things like celebrating the lives of two grandparents now gone to heaven; things like sell a house and move; things like plan and attend a class reunion; all without taking a single day off of work. 

While this summer was busier than most, I did manage to use this weird, child-like time off to accomplish some writing. (It may not feel like it if you use my blog as a measuring stick, but I assure you, I did write… some.) Below are the writing highlights of my summer. 

In June I attended a one week workshop at the Highlights Foundation. I spent five days in the Pennsylvania wilderness learning the ins and outs of the Educational Market. Unlike the traditional market or the self-publishing world, this writing niche is home to assessment text, classroom materials, purposeful fiction series and nonfiction book sets. I learned about the practical application of my writing skills and educational experience and made a dozen new writing friends a long the way. The quaint cabins and gourmet food were the icing on this piece of word-nerd cake. The week was capped off with a tour of the Highlights offices and Boyds Mills Press. I hope to return for another workshop in the future. If you are debating on attending, save your money and go. You won’t be disappointed. 

In July I traveled to Glenwood City, Wisconsin to teach an all day young writer’s workshop at the incredibly beautiful Everwood Farmstead. Generous hosts Chris and Bill have created an artist’s haven. Nine young writers and I spent the day creating and polishing, playing and critiquing. I was blown away and humbled by the abilities of the writers who attended and beyond impressed when they braved the stage and read their stories aloud for parents and friends at the end of the day. Definitely put visiting Everwood, whether for a workshop, concert, or culinary event, on your bucket list. 

Finally, I finished, truly finished, two manuscripts. 

The first one, has been a long time in the making. A reallllly long time. The manuscript for The Birthday Cache has been through seven drafts, a couple of agents and their thoughtful feedback, an editor, and critiques from a writing partner and writing mentor. I had begun to feel like the story wasn’t even mine anymore. BUT, then I thought about the writers whom I had listened to over this past year in conference presentations, author panels, blog posts and online articles. They went through how many drafts? How many rounds of revisions from their editor? How many interns helped work on their text? When I felt like I was relying too heavily on others to create high quality work, was I really just becoming more professional? Instead of putting out low grade literary work all on my lonesome, was I really just working hard (really hard) and using the resources available to shine and polish and mold my story into its best possible version? I am choosing to go with this second line of thought. I now have a really great middle grade story that I can’t wait to get out there. Stay tuned for this first geocaching book in the exciting series Adventures Await. 

The second manuscript was a MUCH faster ordeal. I started it in February and finished it last night. Six months, three beta-readers (thanks ladies!), two drafts, and thirty-five thousand words. Champion Chocolatier is being released next month by independent publisher Lovely Christian Romance. This book is part of a six book collection. Each author was asked to write a story that took place in a northern state during Christmas time and had hot chocolate play a major role in the story. I haven’t read the other novellas in the collection yet, but I can’t wait to see what everyone came up with. This book is my first non-self-published book and also my first book to be turned into an audiobook. Proud and excited do not even begin to describe how I feel about it. If you'd like to pre-order this book, please email me! amanda.zieba@yahoo.com  

So, tomorrow the summer ends. I start back too school with teacher meetings and orientations and technology trainings and a million other work-related tasks. So long to the summer hours and the lack of structured schedule. Sure part of me is sad, but there is another part that is ready for the school year and the order that it brings to our family’s chaotic life. See ya later summer, hello fall.

At the Airport

For an author, an airport is an amazing place.

 First of all, everywhere you look people are reading books. Actual books, with covers and pages and everything.  No matter where you are in an airport, there is someone, within ten feet of you, reading. There are entire stores devoted to words... magazines, books, newspapers.  It is incredible and validating and a wonderful place to be.

An airport is amazing because you encounter people outside of your normal scope of everyday life.  Situations and emotions too, for that matter. I live in a small Midwestern town, where most people look and think and act the same. In an airport, I am suddenly surrounded by a diverse world of sights and sounds. Immediately my brain kicks into storytelling gear.

 For example, yesterday while I hastily ate chicken strips at the gate, I tried to figure out the story behind the threesome of college aged kids sitting across from me Were the girls sisters? Friends? Twins? Teammates? I compared their chins, their eyes. Probably sisters, I decided. Next question. Was one of the girls dating the boy? I thought so. She leaned toward him a bit more than the other girl and flashed her phone screen his way a bit more often. Where are they going? Why? Are they headed home or on some fun adventure? I didn’t have time to invent their story before my loading zone was called to board the plane.

 And before that, while I waited in line for the aforementioned chicken strips, a woman said determinedly to a boy "Well you are hungry enough. We'll find something you like.” The boy looked like fast food was a foreign concept and proceeded to ask many questions. Behind me, a teenage girl complained to her mom on the phone that she had never ridden on such a small plane, not even when she rode from Austria to Prague.  What stories lay behind these comments? How had their previous experiences impacted this small moment I witnessed in their lives?

 So many people, from so many different places, all crammed into this one building. Limited space and a small likelihood of future interactions with these strangers lowers privacy inhibitions. Questions that would normally seem invasive, are permitted. Where are you from? Are you travelling for business or pleasure? What are you reading? What do you do for a living?

 An Elvis impersonator, with wispy black hair and a guitar to boot. The cadence of accents from all over the world, inside a single space. Fandoms of all sports and states, colorfully dotting the escalators. A TSA employee singing me an old song about my destination (Scranton, PA) and a semi-load of bananas that once spilled down the city’s large hill. Within the walls of an airport bodies are full of motion and purpose, and it is all on display for an author to muse and capture. Character studies, emotion analysis, creative storytelling. All of it, right there for the taking, at the airport.

Have Books, Will Travel

So… we’re moving. At least, that is the desired end result.

Last night my job was to prepare the house for our first showing… on about 24 hours notice.

After work I raced through Wal-Mart to pick up some of the Glade plug-ins YouTube is always advertising on my writing music playlists, a few Rubbermades, new rugs and shower curtains to update my bathrooms and some Windex. I got my children from daycare and then quickly fed them a gourmet dinner of chicken nuggets and tater tots before depositing them at a friend’s house for a couple of hours so I could get some serious cleaning done. (Thank you Cathy!!)

The largest task was cleaning and organizing the items belonging to the youngest two Zieba’s.  I started in the living room and quickly realized that the both the books and toys would not fit in the shelving unit. I made an executive decision and started piling the books into the Rubbermade. As I did this, I realized a few things.

1. We have a lot of books. They easily outnumber the DVDs in our house four to one. Maybe even five to one. I also realized that I am ridiculously proud of this ratio.  

2. As I stacked up the books, I realized that each one is a memory. Moments in time are pressed safely between their covers, just waiting to be revisited again and again. I relived the first time I read my first child I’ll Love you Forever. I’d read it before, but never to MY child. I had never understood why everyone cried at the seemingly simple and predictable story, until I read it to MY son. It was then I cried like a baby while blubbering to him, “Kameron, it turns out your momma is a sap, just like everyone else.” I relived afternoons spent reading in our deck tents, enjoying both our stories and a cool spot on a hot summer day. I relived the moments the books were given… for birthdays, baptisms, and just becauses. Each book packed away was like time traveling to each time it was read. Book by book, year by year, a childhood encapsulated in cardboard covers.

3. By the time I was done in the living room and both boys’ bedrooms I also realized the 30 gallon Rubbermade was too heavy to move on my own (even when I tried pushing it across the carpet). It was a job I would need my husband to help me tackle.

When I looked at that tote, so full I could barely snap on the lid, I looked at 6 years of reading memories and love. I looked at a thousand precious moments. I looked at the foundation we built of a life of loving to read.

After I was done, I couldn’t help but go downstairs (where, thankfully, it was already clean) and gaze at my own bookshelf full of memories. There was the young reader’s edition of Heidi that I read at a fifth grade birthday sleepover while the other girls fought for most of the night. There was the copy of Speak I read as a high schooler in my front lawn and marveled at the problems that existed in our complex world. I smiled when I saw Oliver, Amanda and Grandmother Pig and struggled to remember who exactly got me this first beloved chapter book. Mom and Dad? Auntie Jan? Grandma? There was the entire set of Harry Potter books, the set I loan to no one, right next to the copies I do allow to leave my presence. My eyes pass over my growing collection of author autographed books. I count the titles on the shelf that I own, but have yet to read. (36, for inquiring minds).

If things go according to plan, these memories will also have to be boxed up. The moment will be bittersweet. We have spent the last 9 years in this house, with these jobs and these friends. Even though it is somewhat sad and scary to move on, we are excited for all the future holds. Knowing that we are taking some of our history with us, will make our new space feel automatically like home.

So last night I realized something else. Have books, will travel… and luckily the memories will come with us too.

Writing is hard. Sometimes I read instead.

Writing is hard work.

And sometimes, after a full day of work and mothering… I just don’t have any parts of my brain working at full functioning levels to plot, dialogue or edit. Last Friday was one of those days. I had taught half a day, visited my son’s school for Muffins with Mom, done three Career Day Presentations at a local elementary school, ran a rummage sale for a few hours after school and managed to get the boys fed and in bed.

I sat down. It was 9:00. I couldn’t fathom doing a single thing more. Even my Friday cocktail sat in a melted pool of ice. If I couldn’t finish that, how on earth was I going to puzzle through the forty pages of edits and editions I needed to type into my novella-in-progress? I couldn’t.

What do writers do when they are too tired? This writer reads. It is my reward, my learning experience, my relaxation… all in one. So today, instead of productively detailing a technique or sharing some bit or writer wisdom, I am going to tell you about the best books I have read lately. If you find yourself burnt out at the end of your day and unable to be productive on your WIP, here are a few books for you to consider. (** Disclaimer, other than being great written works from which to learn or enjoy, the books below are not writing related what-so-ever.**)

A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans

When one woman sets out to live a year of her life as a woman of the bible would, hilarious, relatable and intriguing events occur. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book that my pastor ensured me was “funny”, but I can tell you I am taking a lot more than funny away from it. Rachel is the girl next door. Nothing fancy. Nothing perfect. A regular-Jane, attempting to live life as a good Christian woman would. It is her “every-day-ness” that makes her lessons easy to apply to your own life. And if you are not ready or willing to cover your head at all times, call your husband master or sleep in your front yard during your period, you can learn valuable life lessons vicariously through Rachel’s experiences. Through this book I have learned that not all customs (religious or cultural) that seem from a distance backwards or barbaric, truly are. I learned a lot about what it means be a Christian/Biblical woman, but mostly I learned about how to be a woman of high moral character, one that from any standpoint or walk of life I would admire. For the record, my pastor was right. This book is very funny. I would also label it thought provoking, enjoyable, and an easy read.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

This is the fourth and final book in The Raven Boys series, and because the literary universe loves me, it was released on my birthday. The sheer weightiness of my schedule prevented me from picking it up until yesterday… but now that I have, I will cease to do anything unnecessary until it is finished. Beautiful prose weaves a fantastical tale of a girl, her psychic “relatives” and four Prep-School boys on a quest to find an ancient king and collect their one wish reward.

“These days, they all had their hands thrust into the sky, hoping for comets.” – Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven King

If every book that was thrust into my hands, or onto my computer screen via an inbox advertisement or jammed on to my shelf was like this series, I’d never write or cook or sleep a full night, ever again. Do it. Stiefvater, she’s amazing. Just read them. All of them.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Reading just a chapter a day aloud to my students was pure torture. This book begs to be devoured. (Judging by their audible groans at the end of every chapter, I think it is safe to say I am not alone in this sentiment.)

Sage is an orphan that has been pulled from a medieval orphanage and thrust into a dangerous game of political intrigue. Conner plans to mold Sage, or one of the other three orphans he has “selected”, into the supposedly dead Prince Jaron. He plans to claim the throne through his chosen boy, rule as a regent and live himself a pretty fine life. What happens to the three not chosen? Well, one is already dead.

Secrets and facts are woven into half-truths and bold faced lies. The reader is tugged (not always so gently) through each chapter with the promise of more truth around every corner. Who will be chosen? Who will be declared the winner at the end of the dangerous game? The best part of this book just maybe that reaching the end is truly only a beginning. Two more books follow in this incredible middle grade series.

Laugh-Along Lessons by Helen Lester

Reading at home this spring has happened less than I would have liked, but one book my sons (ages 6 and 3) have gone to again and again is Laugh-Along Lessons by Helen Lester. While it slightly resembles a school-basal text book, I assure you it is much more fun. Inside, 8 great stories featuring real-to-life problems and characters walk readers through sticky situations and their sometimes funny solutions. My sons and I adore the illustrations by Lynn Munsinger, an added bonus. My favorite is “Princess Penelope’s Parrot”, while Kameron loves “The Wizard, the Fairy and the Magic Chicken”, and Riley likes “Me First” best. There is really something for everyone. One short story turns into two more helping us easily fill up our reading calendars.  

A few Side notes

I read to my middle school students each day, 5 minutes aloud at the start of class. This year I have read some amazing titles: Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper and A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen would top this list (along The False Prince mentioned above). I also had the pleasure of re-read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Maniac Magee, both truly a treasure.

Books on my TO-READ-List include: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen,  Baby Fat: Adventures in Motherhood, Muffin Tops and Trying to Stay Sane by Pauline M. Camposand The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. 

What about you? What have you recently loved? What is next on your list?

Happy reading!

~ Amanda

10 Pieces of Writing Advice From the Pros

Earlier this month I had the incredible opportunity to attend the UW Writer’s Institute in Madison, WI. Thanks to the invitation from my writing/critique partner Marci, I was able to spend three full days immersed in words and wisdom. (An invitation is not required to attend, but going with a friend is always more fun!) There is nothing quite like being surrounded by people who love the same thing you do. If you ever get the change to attend such a conference, trust me when I say, GO!

 Below is a list of ten pieces of advice given by rockstar instructors and presenters at the Writer’s Institute. It is by no means and exhaustive list of all I learned, but it will give you a flavor of the quality and scope of the event. Happy reading and writing!

“Forgive yourself. You can’t do it all, and that’s okay.” – Dan Blank 

It is appropriate that this piece of advice comes first. Dan was our keynote speaker on day one and his message was an important one to consider. Being a writer is a multifaceted monster of a career to tackle. Social media posts, querying agents and publishers, maintaining a blog, doing public appearances and oh yeah, writing a book. Dan let us know that it is impossible for anyone person to do it all, and that you shouldn’t beat yourself up about your inability to be and do all things. I know this is a struggle many writer’s face and it was nice to hear I was not only not alone, but that I also could give myself permission to focus on just a few tasks and do them well.

“Nothing in this world takes the place of persistence.” – Hank Phillippi Ryan

“If writing is not hard for you, you are probably doing it wrong.” – Hank Phillippi Ryan

Yes, Hank gets two quotes. She was that good. Anyone who wants to succeed in this business has got to be willing to work hard. There is no way around it. This no-nonsense lady proved her point in both words and actions, as she could be seen speaking at the podium, chatting with conference attendees and attending classes lead by other instructors.

“Make friends with book stores/sellers and librarians. Go to events. Buy books there instead of having Amazon deliver them to your house. Build relationships long before your book is for sale.” – Mare Swallow 

So often we are only focused on what others can do for us and our success… especially when we are trying to sell a book… especially when we are trying to sell our own book. Mare makes a good point. Build the relationship first. Do it before you even have a book written and ready for sale! Then, many months down the road when you are looking for venues for a book launch party or a book club to introduce your book too, you have friends to ask.

“Have friends in every city across the US ask their library for your book. Librarians buy requested books and then, read them and the best part, tell others about them!” – Bibi Belford

Simply brilliant. Everyone has friends far away. High school friends who moved away. College friends who spread their wings to new destinations. Distant family you only see once every other year at reunions. They all have hometown libraries. It costs them nothing to request your book… even if they have their very own autographed copy at home. A few additional sales and potential new fans nationwide, what could be better? Feel free to return the favor for other author friends!

“In a series, be careful not to change your main character too much. They can grow, but don’t lose the character your reades fell in love with.” – Bradley Beaulieu 

This is an interesting point I hadn’t considered before… which probably means I hadn’t been giving it adequate thought or attention. Make a list of your main character’s endearing qualities and then stick to them. While a character can adapt, don’t lose those essential characteristics that make them uniquely yours. Food for thought as you write your series!

“Don’t treat your writing with intention, give it attention.” – Laurie Buchanan

Writing is tough work. It takes mental stamina. Giving it any less than 100% of your focus and attention will result in poor quality work. Giving your work attention means also scheduling your writing time and sticking to it. Intending to write each night for two hours and actually giving your undivided attention to a manuscript, a blog post or rewrite for two full hours are entirely different things. Make sure you are the writer that pays attention to your work, instead of only intending to get tasks done.

“Make your readers angry with you because they can’t put the book down. Do this by building empathy for your character by creating compelling circumstances with perfect timing.” – Kristen Oakley 

“There are three ingredients to a thickly plotted, richly layered store: outstanding concept, true to life characters and a tight, cohesive, engaging plot.” – Josie Brown 

Do you know what are my favorite types of sessions at writing conferences? The sessions where authors sharing their secrets to writing incredible stories. I love to listen to their tips and figure out how to make them work in my own work… with my own twist of course. I habitually do this while I am reading novels in my writing genre, but to have someone do all the decoding work ahead of time and just tell you what works??? Now that is the best! Thanks Kristen and Josie for these writing gems!

“There is nothing like sharing time and space with people who go all geeky and gaga for the same thing as you. Time at a conference is invaluable, rejuvenating, and wondrous!! Not to mention, you deserve it!” – Amanda Zieba

This last quote comes to you from yours truly. If you have been contemplating attending a conference, go for it! You will not regret the time or money you spend on this career enhancing event. This can be true for writing or any other field of interest be it writing, reading, dirt bike racing, gardening, star gazing, or coin collecting. Tell me in the comments below… what has been your favorite conference (writing or otherwise) you have attended, or what conference is on your bucket list?

The Cocoa Contest

See that cup of coco right there? Looks tasty doesn’t it? The only trouble is… I don’t know how to make it. My homemade version of hot chocolate is water, a splash of milk and two heaping tablespoons of store bought powder. It’s fine, but it isn’t delicious. It’s okay, but it isn’t blissful. It isn’t divine, scrumptious, delectable or mouthwatering in the slightest. It isn’t what Emmy Dawson would serve to her customers at Sweet Shores Chocolate Store.

Yes, that Emmy… the winner of the Facebook contest that gifted her with a chocolate store to run… yes, that run down and outdated shop she gets to keep forever if she turns a profit by the end of the year. Yes, that Emmy, needs a four star coco recipe to help heat up her business and turn her dreams into reality. Never mind she doesn’t have any business experience. Dismiss the rumor you heard around town that she doesn’t even like chocolate. Okay, maybe do think about those things… and then fork over your recipe… because she needs it bad!!

So what do you say? Can you help out my literary friend? Trust me when I say you will be sweetly rewarded!

I am looking for an incredible hot chocolate recipe. A recipe that chases away the winter chills and warms your soul. Do you have one of those? Maybe from Grandma? Or maybe you finally achieved a creamy cup of chocolate perfection after a hundred mornings of trial and error? Yes, that is the recipe I want.

What will you get in return for sharing your (royalty and copyright free) recipe with me, I mean, Emmy?

The Prizes

• The recipe will be placed in the Appendix of my novella: The Champion Chocolatier, with your name on the by-line. (Hooray, you are now published!) Your recipe will be accompanied by other recipes mentioned in the book.

• I will name a character in the book after you!

• And of course, there will be a chocolate prize delivered directly to you.

To enter:

1. Email me your recipe along with your name. amanda.zieba@yahoo.com

2. Sign up for my free monthly eNewsletter by clicking this link.

3. In the comment section below, write me a quick note to let me know you’ve entered and to be looking for your email.

4. Complete these three steps by Sunday, April 10th at Midnight.

The winner will be announced by the end of April, after I’ve had a chance to taste test all the recipes!

Thank you in advance for helping poor Emmy. Have I mentioned she is a terrible cook and her version of baking involves visiting the refrigerated section at the grocery store? Please hurry, Emmy and Sweet Shores will be sunk unless she can get a winning recipe ASAP!