Chasing the Storm

I love a good storm. In fact, the darker the clouds, the more excited I get. The feel of the wind picking up, the sound of rumbling thunder in the distance, the flashes of lightening in the sky... By the time the first rain drops appear, I'm ecstatic. The storm is not only brewing, it's striking!

Ok, so I do love a good thunder storm, but I'm not talking about a storm in the sky. I'm referring to the storm in my brain. As a writer, is there anything better than a major brainstorm? Other than a major paycheck, I don't think so. A good brainstorming session can be just what it takes to bring your novel to life. To add the necessary depth to a character. To form a brilliant plot. To come up with unexpected twists and turns to keep readers turning those pages.

Unfortunately, my brainstorming sessions don't show up as often as I'd like. Which is why I have decided to become a storm chaser. I realized that if I simply wait for the storm to show up, it may never come. So I have to go after it. I need to create my own brainstorm. Which isn't that easy. But it is extremely exciting.

Once in a while, I can experience a good brainstorm on my own (but actually, those are more like thunder showers). The most powerful storms happen when several creative brains are present. Here's the way I see it: The lightening bolts are my own flashes of brilliance. The thunder claps are my friends, offering their (sometimes loud) suggestions. The wind and rain are the Holy Spirit, either whispering to or pelting my heart on whether or not the ideas will work.

Unfortunately, the common people I love and live with don't share my enthusiasm for brainstorming, which is why it's important to seek out other writers to ride out the storm with me. I recently put out a call to other writers in my state, suggesting a meeting specifically focused on brainstorming. I got a few takers and I hope to set up a date very soon. (If you live in Michigan and are interested, let me know!). Because I am currently experiencing the calm (read: writer's block) before the storm, I am ready to begin my chase of a good brainstorming session.

It's my hope that after the storm, the rays of brilliance will shine through the pages of my novel.

So here's my Q4U: Do you have specific buddies to chase the storms with you? What is your brainstorming process?

Breaking Up is Hard to do

It's over.

After a lengthy relationship (almost a year?), the members of my critique group have decided to go their separate ways.

This is in no way due to a falling out or irreconcilable differences. We're just heading in various directions and have different needs at the moment. One writes YA and wants to connect with other YA authors. One just has a different style of critiquing and wants to find like-minded critters. And one just doesn't have a whole lot to submit right now (but her crits were much appreciated!). Like I said, we're just not able to meet the needs of the other members. And that's okay.

As one member pointed out, we're not burning any bridges. We're still here to call on if one of us runs into a bind or needs an extra pair of eyes. We'll still connect on Facebook and our blogs. We'll make every effort to meet up at the ACFW conference in September. We're still friends, for goodness sake. Just not official critique partners.

It hurts a little, but it's all good.

Now I'm on the hunt for another critique partner or two (or six). My agent is coordinating a critique group consisting of other authors he represents. I may look into that. Preferably, I'd love someone who writes (or at least enjoys reading) the same genre I do.

So we'll see what happens. In the meantime, thanks to Nicole, Val, and Patricia (and Heidi - who left a month or so ago) for the helpful critiques and advice you've given me. You all brought something different to the table and I can't tell you how much I've appreciated your feedback. Can't wait to see what God will do through each of you and looking forward to seeing your books on the shelves someday!

Now a question for those of you who are currently involved in critique groups: How did you connect with your group and how do you make it work?