November is National Novel Writing Month, and thousands of writers join together on NaNoWriMo to support each other as they attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. I know writers who love it and successfully crank out a crappy first draft during NaNoWriMo every year. I know more writers who begin with gusto only to get a few harried days into the month and wonder why they are writing at all.
Just for you, my writing friends, I’ve created a guided journal called The Writer’s Purpose Journal. I created this writing resource because after I finished my seventh novel, I felt depleted and lost as a writer. I spent three months in prayerful introspection, pouring over a file of notes from readers and journaling my feelings about writing and publishing. When I came out of that season, I had a list of questions that had helped me narrow my focus and remember my purpose. I know so many writers who also hit these blocks, and I thought it might help to have the questions laid out in a guided journal format.
Do you want to write but don’t know where to start? Are you halfway through your manuscript and feel blocked? Have you lost your enthusiasm for writing?
Let The Writer’s Purpose Journal guide you on a journey to rediscovering your purpose as a writer. Using questions to prompt soul-searching journal entries, The Writer’s Purpose Journal will lead you through your beginnings as a writer, your influences, your goals, and your motivations to help you remove blocks and find fulfillment as a writer.
The Writer’s Purpose Journal is available now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers. You can read more about my series of softcover guided journals here.
Just for you, my writing friends,
I’ve created a series of softcover journals called Guided Journals for
Writers. Here is a little about each journal and why I created it…
The first journal is The Writer’s Purpose Journal.
I created this resource because after I finished my seventh novel, I
felt depleted and lost as a writer. I spent three months in prayerful
introspection, pouring over a file of notes from readers and journaling
my feelings. When I came out of that season, I had a list of questions
that had helped me narrow my focus and remember my purpose. I know so
many writers who also hit these blocks, and I thought it might help to
have the questions laid out in a journal format.
Do you want to write but don’t know
where to start? Are you halfway through your manuscript and feel
blocked? Have you lost your enthusiasm for writing?
Let The Writer’s Purpose Journal guide you on a journey to rediscovering your purpose as a writer. Using questions to prompt soul-searching journal entries, The Writer’s Purpose Journal
will lead you through your beginnings as a writer, your influences,
your goals, and your motivations to help you remove blocks and find
fulfillment as a writer.
The second journal is The Writer’s Character Journal.
I created this resource because with every new novel I plan, I start a
notebook for the characters. I rewrite the same questions over and over,
and I thought it would save time if I already had it printed and bound.
Let The Writer’s Character Journal
guide you through creating the varied cast of believable characters
you’ll need for your next novel. Using questions to prompt
brainstorming, The Writer’s Character Journal will help you
flesh out your characters’ pasts, quirks, relationships, strengths,
fears, flaws, and more. Complete with a character index and numbering
system for 18 characters.
The third journal is The Writer’s Scene Journal.
I created it because every time I complete a novel, I go back through
each scene slowly and fine-tune the essential elements. During the
process, I rewrite the same questions for each scene. I thought it would
save time if I already had my checklists printed and bound. Also, it’s
handy to have the journal with me when I go out into nature to
brainstorm. (No one wants their computer in the park, right?)
Let The Writer’s Scene Journal guide you through crafting unforgettable scenes for your next novel. Using a list of essential elements, The Writer’s Scene Journal
will help you brainstorm your scenes’ setting, plot, characters,
sensory details, symbolism, and more. Complete with a scene index and
numbering system for 45 scenes.
The fourth journal is The Writer’s Book Launch Journal.
Book marketing and promoting can be intimidating for authors. Since the
day I signed my first publishing contract, I’ve kept a list of book
promoting ideas. With each book launch, I try them and add to them for
my next launch. I have both traditionally published friends and indie
friends who’ve asked for my list (and a couple of publishers too). So, I
created this journal and spread the to-do lists over 12-months to turn
it into an easy to follow plan for any author. My writing friends tell
me they can’t wait for this resource, as even many big publishers rarely
give a book’s publicity more than a couple hours of an intern’s time
these days.
Whether you’re an indie author or signed to a publisher, let The Writer’s Book Launch Journal
guide you through the marketing and promotional tasks every author
should do to ensure a successful book launch. Filled with checklists of
essential tasks, an abundance of publicity suggestions, and questions to
personalize your promotions, The Writer’s Book Launch Journal will lead you on the journey to a fun and fulfilling book launch.
And since some authors want the information in The Writer’s Book Launch Journal but prefer to scroll through the checklists on their computer, I’ve also written the ebook The Writer’s Book Launch Guide: A Step-By-Step Plan to Give Your Book the Best Launch Possible. This ebook is a good companion to The Writer’s Book Launch Journal because the tasks are explained in more depth. I recommend getting both the journal and the ebook together.
If you've followed this blog for long, you've read about Megan Easley-Walsh. She's one of my treasured writing friends and an incredible editor. Megan is also a talented author, and I'm thrilled her first novel Flight Before Dawn is coming out November 14, 2016. I've just started reading my advance copy, and I'm loving it.
Here is a little about Flight Before Dawn:
In
Normandy in 1943, Victoire leads a band of the Resistance. When Leal,
the man she’s had watched for over two years, arrives at her doorstep,
she’ll have to face new challenges in war and in love.
Robberies,
a kidnapping and clandestine night adventures were not at all what
Victoire planned for her life. And she most certainly never planned to
be betrayed. But war — and love — are unpredictable. Joined by her
friend Rainier who is mistrusted by Leal, the mysterious Voleta, and
Father Pierre, Victoire and Leal must struggle for survival, the grounds
of France, and the material of their souls.
When
Leal unearths a twenty-five-year-old secret, with Victoire at the
center, her whole life is shaken. As the Allies approach, the past,
present and future hang in the balance. Can anyone be trusted when the
world spins upside down?
In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded the Providence with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement in South America and then return to medical school in Pennsylvania before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he didn’t count on was getting lost at sea… and Marian Foster. When they finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes everything, but will it change his heart?
“A delightful adventure reminiscent of Swiss Family Robinson, Aboard Providence is one of those novels that will stick with me because I feel I've lived it. A captivating, well-researched, and deftly written tale I can confidently recommend to a wide range of readers.” –Heather Day Gilbert, author of Amazon Norse bestseller God's Daughter
“With vivid settings and multi-layered characters, Keely Brooke Keith whisks her readers off on a page-turning journey, not just across the ocean, but within the heart. You won’t be able to put Aboard Providence down until the final word is read and then you will long for more.” –Brenda S. Anderson, author of the Coming Home series
“A blend of history and romance with a compelling inspirational message, Keith expertly weaves an intriguing tale. Fans of the Uncharted Series won’t want to miss this journey.” –Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled
“Keely Brooke Keith is a master storyteller, weaving adventure, love, and wonderful characters into a vivid story that will take readers on an unforgettable voyage to a new place. Full of inspirational messages and tales of God’s love, readers will find themselves longing for more. Keely’s story teaches all of us that the journey is just the beginning!” –Christina Yother, author of the Hollow Hearts series
Author Bio:
Keely Brooke Keith is the author of the The Land Uncharted (Edenbrooke Press) and Aboard Providence (CrossRiver Media). Her novels are known for blending genres in unconventional ways. When she isn’t writing stories, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely resides with her husband and their daughter on a hilltop south of Nashville where she dreams up stories, hoping to encourage, comfort, and inspire readers. She is a member of ACFW.
Marian tried to control the click of her heels on the long hallway. As she approached the staircase, intending to go downstairs, Jonah gave her a slight smile, so she passed the stairs and walked to him. “May I ask you something?”
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Yes, of course.”
“Since you will be our physician now—”
He lifted a hand and whispered, “It is only temporary.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied at an equally quiet volume. “But since Doctor Ashton is injured, my mother will need you if...” It was too difficult to say aloud. She waited for the lump in her throat to release.
Jonah’s brow furrowed. “Do you think there is something wrong with your mother or the baby?”
“No... not yet.” She didn’t mean to reveal her doubt, so she tried to cover with a mild grin and optimistic tone. “I’m sure everything is fine.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, emitting casualness, and inclined his head toward her, engendering concern, but he continually glanced at the stairway behind her. “Marian, I know about your mother’s medical history. She has asked my mother to serve as midwife again. I won’t intervene in the delivery unless it becomes necessary.”
Marian nodded, comforted by his understanding of the situation. “If it does become necessary, which I pray every waking moment that it does not, but if you must intervene, are you comfortable with that?”
“I am fully trained in obstetrics if that is what you mean.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s good to know, but I’ve been there with her during her last three deliveries and—” Her voice cracked. She looked down at the empty water pitcher in her hands. “Those babies were my siblings—two girls and a boy—all born dead. Mother is thirty-eight years old now and pregnant for what she and my father swear is the last time. She depends on me and I’ll be with her for this delivery too, but if this baby is stillborn...”
Jonah’s brown eyes glanced at the stairway again then back at her. He put his hand on her shoulder, neither drawing her closer nor holding her off. “If she goes into labor before my father resumes his duties, I will do everything in my power to help her and the baby, I promise.”
“Thank you.” Marian began to look away, but Jonah held her gaze. She felt the heat from his hand through the fabric of her sleeve and hoped he intended more than comfort, but that hope felt wrong, considering the seriousness of their conversation. He was only reassuring her with a friendly touch.
Ashamed for being infatuated with the man who would be her mother’s doctor, she scolded herself for her immaturity. He wasn’t staying with the settlement, so falling in love would only lead to heartbreak. But no matter what she told herself, standing near him, alone and connected in the dark hallway on a gloomy afternoon, she was fully aware that if he even breathed a hint of attraction to her, every joint in her body would go limp. The empty pitcher she held would hit the floor with a crash, the room would go round as her dizzy head spun, and she would soften into a puddle of spineless flesh and melt down the crimson carpet of the staircase, one achingly grand stair at a time. When she reached the bottom step, all that remained of her would be a calico dress, shards of the broken pitcher, and her teeth clamped in a blissful smile.
Aboard Providence (CrossRiver Media Group). Used with permission.
In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded
the Providence with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement
in South America and then return to medical school in Pennsylvania
before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he
didn’t count on was getting lost at sea... and Marian Foster. When they
finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes
everything, but will it change his heart?
In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded
the Providence with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement
in South America and then return to medical school in Pennsylvania
before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he
didn’t count on was getting lost at sea... and Marian Foster. When they
finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes
everything, but will it change his heart?
In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded the Providence with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement in South America and then return to medical school in Pennsylvania before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he didn’t count on was getting lost at sea... and Marian Foster. When they finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes everything, but will it change his heart?
"A delightful adventure reminiscent of Swiss Family Robinson, Aboard Providence is one of those novels that will stick with me because I feel I've lived it. Winsome characters pulled me into a compelling storyline that had me thinking What if a colony of Christians really had embarked for lands unknown, right before the Civil War broke out? A captivating, well-researched, and deftly written tale I can confidently recommend to a wide range of readers." —Heather Day Gilbert, author of Amazon Norse bestseller God's Daughter
