Writing Classes and New Notebooks

Well, senior year is here. And that means a heck of a lot of things to do. I could ramble on full novels of what I have to do but that doesn't concern you Monkey. Seriously, leave it be. You don't want to know. But here we go, because I've signed up for another conference. In February, I will be down in Colorado Springs for the Jerry B. Jenkins Writing for the Soul Conference.

Monkey:...But wait a minute Becca, you write Young Adult Paranormal Adventure fiction. Why are you going to a Christian writing conference?

Well Monkey, I will tell you. I have referenced here and there that I am indeed a Christian (especially in the last post, A Summer of Reflection). Evangelical in fact. And as such, I often am in touch with other Christians. One of them, a Bill Givonetti, recommended I go to this conference because I could sign up for fifteen minute slots with agents, have some face to face time. I'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceisI'mnotgoingtopassthatupnomatterhowsmallthechanceis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, yes. I am going to a Christian writing conference. 

But as I said, that's in February. Right now I am scrambling to get readjusted to my new schedule and trying to cram five days of writing into two hours. My good ol' Composition notebook, Damian, is nearly retired, soon to be upsurred by my shiny new leather bound Luke. I also bought a great book called The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood, filled with all sorts of writing advice and prompts, to help with my short work. Which brings me to today's topic. (At last.)

Getting better at writing when you've hit a stale mate. 

Now, I had this problem a lot last year. Being a mostly self-taught writer, as most of us are, you get most of your skill from reading books and observing the little things. Foreshadowing, flashbacks, prose, so on and so forth. But that will only take you so far. At some point, you need some form of formal training, whether it be in a classroom or from a How-To book. It is, after all, essential to make your writing all that you can when trying to go pro. For this, I have a list of great books to check out if you can't afford any classes (whether it be because of time or money or both.)

13 Ways to Look At a Novel
The Anatomy of Story
The Art and Craft of Fiction
Beginnings, Endings and Middles
Book Life
Characters and Viewpoints
Characters, Emotions and Viewpoints
From Where You Dream
Lights! Camera! Fiction!
Nail Your Novel
Self Editing for Fiction Writers
Story Engineering
The Elements of Style
The Frugal Book Promoter
The Soul Tells a Story
World of Wonders
Write Away
Write Tight
Howdunit: Forensics
The Pocket Muse

Alright, that's all I have. Happy Writings!

PS, wanna know what me and my writing friends do during our study halls?