Dancing Word Writing Workshop

with Cyndy Salzmann

 January 29, 2008

 

 

Hosted by Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

Anne McDonald: I'll open up in prayer, go over protocol, then introduce our guest 

Lord, thank You for Your blessings and mercy. Thanks for creating us with a passion for writing...please guide our words so that we can be a blessing. Please be with each of our participants tonight, and especially our "professor" for the evening. Bless each of them and meet them at their needs. Let tonight's workshop glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments, and ga when you have finished typing. ga = go ahead and keeps us from stepping on each others' toes. 

Tonight, I'm tickled to introduce a gifted writer and teacher. Please welcome Cyndy Salzmann.

* Annie leads the applause 

* wanderer clapping 

Anne McDonald: Cyndy, thanks so much for coming.

Cyndy Salzmann: Great to be here! I thought I'd start with some basic info and then open things up for questions. Sound okay? 

Anne McDonald: works for me 

* Annie turns the floor over to Cyndy and takes her seat 

Cyndy Salzmann: Great!  Are you trying to get organized so you have more time to write? Here are six rules guaranteed to make you more productive and more organized. 

Number one: Work with Yourself, Not Against Yourself. When you're trying to become more organized, it's tempting to try and fit into the existing organizing system of an "expert." They seem organized and they promise that if you try it, you'll be organized, too. 

What's more effective is to understand your personality and what works for you. There are MANY solutions and you may have to experiment to find the system that best fits the way you work--your mind, your body and the way you think. And this might be a combination of ideas from many different experts.

Give something new a fair trial, but if after a month or so it feels awkward or counterintuitive, let it go and find something else! For example,  I would rather use paper for notes than the computer. I like my research to be sortable. Trying to log it into a program like Excel drives me crazy. So listen to yourself—and delight in your design. You'll be more productive. Make sense? 

Anne McDonald: yes 

ram: sounds good to me. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Any examples of what works for you and why?  

Anne McDonald: A file folder system works for me. I like to be able to get whatever I need at a moment's notice.

Cyndy Salzmann: I like files too.  Since I write offsite...I have a portable file bag that I can carry with me for my WIP...and spread out at Starbucks. I like the notebook idea too. Maybe using post-it tabs to keep things organized. 

grace: I find I have to write straight into the computer, so I can use the thesaurus immediately and get the next sentence right 

wanderer: I am a paper and  pencil person.  It is portable and I can write wherever I am 

Linrose:  I like notebooks; like Cyndy, I like to manually write out my stuff and notes and take them with me to read. I use files, too; but a pile of notebooks is my greatest writing tool. 

wanderer:  I love those black and white composition notebooks. My kids know me so well that is usually what I get for Christmas. I can take them with me and be sure to get every idea down on paper. 

Linrose: August when they're on sale, I get about 30 at 10 cents apiece! 

ram: I was gonna say the same thing. I buy them when they are on sale in different colors for different books! 

Cyndy Salzmann: Great ideas!  Ready for point #2? Focus and Pay Attention 

If you find that you always seem to be busy but that you never have anything to show for it, this could be the most important tip for you. When possible, do one thing at a time. Don't let your mind or hands wander to another task. Picture the finished project in your mind, and focus only on that. Get in the "zone" – you're able to be so much more effective when you're giving your whole mind, thought and attention. 

When we split our attention between different tasks ("multi-tasking"), most likely none of them will get done right, if at all. As well, you can find yourself in a perpetual state of having many "open projects" started but not completed. Each project moves forward just an inch at a time.

Moms are great at multi-tasking but when it comes to sitting down to write, it's better to stay focused. If you choose ONE project or task, you can move it forward to completion much faster. To choose one, you need to estimate which project will give you the best results when it's finished. Putting aside other projects clears the clutter from your mind, attention, desk and workload. 

Comments? Questions regarding this? What gets in the way or your focus and how do you overcome it? 

wanderer: Now there is my real problem 

ram: This is something I really struggle with, too 

wanderer: As a full time missionary wife, mother, grandmother, etc with half a dozen ministries going all at the same time I have a definite problem focusing on my writing. And when I do focus on it I find that I feel guilty because I know which project will bring the best results. 

ram: My daughter is always telling me to stick with one thing, but I have so many that I want to do that I get distracted!  

Cyndy Salzmann: This is really hard for me too. Remember—your writing talent is a gift from God. Don't waste it. Don't feel guilty for setting aside time to write. I finally had to start writing away from home by using a laptop. My new office is Starbucks, with no laundry, phone or distractions other than a mocha.  

wanderer: I know that my writing is a gift from God. I have 29 finished novels, and thought that when the kids were older and most of them gone I would have time to edit and get them out there somewhere to be published. But so far, it's just not happening 

grace: wow! 

Cyndy Salzmann: wanderer—I have a friend who had 15 novels completed before she received her first contract. Now she has FIVE books coming out just this year, and is contracted for 18 more. 

Anne McDonald: (woo hoo!) 

wanderer: (wow) 

Cyndy Salzmann: You may know her—Mary Connealy.  

wanderer: No, afraid not. Costa Rica is sort of the outback of the book world. 

grace: wow—and I will say it backwards—wow! 

* Annie grins 

Cyndy Salzmann: She was faithful to her gift, and is a good steward of her time. Mary wrote Petticoat Ranch. She is in ACFW. 

Anne McDonald: It was difficult to set aside pet projects to focus in on my son's novel, but with both of us working together we finished it in one year. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Wonderful!!! It may be time now to set goals to submit your work. We'll talk about this. 

Linrose: Just want Cyndy to know my mouth is watering for point three! 

Cyndy Salzmann: Gotcha! Invest Your Time Just like we invest our money, we have to invest our time in the best way. Setting up your new organizing systems can be considered an investment. For example, you may want to set up a system to track submissions.  

Applying this tip can have the greatest impact on your level of organization. By investing your time at the beginning of a project to examine how you can complete it most efficiently, you can save yourself a lot of frustration later. Saving just 20 minutes each day gives you an extra 120 hours each year. 

For example, set-up a mailing station with all of the supplies you'll need to ship out queries and proposals. You can also set-up a schedule of weekly errands such as the bank and the post office. If you know you'll be heading out to the post office on Wednesday, then you can print and put together all your submission packages Wednesday morning. Schedule these things on your calendar. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Questions? Comments? How do you need to invest your time in setting up a system? 

Anne McDonald: Mine has to wait until we have finished moving. :op 

Cyndy Salzmann: Yikes! That's a challenge. 

Anne McDonald: How has internet changed the way you do submissions? 

Cyndy Salzmann: Depends on publishing house. But...I originally developed this mailing station idea for sending out promotional material and fill book orders, but the principle is the same. If we invest time at the beginning to set up a system, it will be much easier to actually get things done.  

For example, I find it easier to get things out when I don't have to scramble to find addresses, supplies, etc. Which leads to point four… 

Make a Habit of It:  Once you have plans and systems in place, work at making them a habit. You can create a new habit (or lose a bad one!) in 21 days. For only three weeks of effort, you can create a lifetime of good habits. 

As you are creating a habit, you'll need some kind of trigger to remind you to do it – alarms on your computer (i.e. Outlook or PDA), a "to do" list or maybe a written schedule for the day with time blocked out for your specific tasks. Be sure to post it in a place where you will see it. 

I use a lot of Outlook alarms and reminders to help me stay on track.  

Anne McDonald: I know there are several writers who will read the transcript and want the answer to this... How is a stay-at-home mom with young children, who can't leave to go to Starbucks, to find time to write?  

Cyndy Salzmann: Good question...and there's no easy answer, but I have a few ideas.

I gave my daughter a journal when she was four and she used to "draw" her stories while I wrote. We both felt like we were accomplishing something. 

I also made good use of naptime. And I wrote my first book while waiting for my daughter at soccer practice. The other kids would ask my daughter why I always stayed at practice. She told them I was writing a book... and they asked “About us??" : ) 

Anne McDonald: lol 

Cyndy Salzmann: You might also arrive early to pick up pr drop off kids at school or activities and write in the car. We all have snatches of time if we will take advantage of them. 

Linrose: I wrote some scenes while a baby was crawling over my lap, and my pre-schooler often sits on my lap while I type into my keyboard. It's not the ideal situation, but it can be done! 

Cyndy Salzmann: Great! Yes—it can—and God will honor your efforts. I often think my best work is done in those snatches of time. Start small with one new habit at a time, and then see if you can add more (pull back if it gets to be too much). 

Comments? Questions? Ideas? 

wanderer: Sounds like great advice to me. We often arrive at the church long before anyone else, and I always have a notebook with me....I sit on a pew and write until others start to arrive 

Noelle: Being overseas, I've done a lot of my homework, reading, writing, whatnot while sitting in the passenger seat. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Wonderful! These are habits that will reap big rewards.  : )  

Anne McDonald: I'm looking forward to carving out time for my WIP once we get settled. It helps we'll be near the sea. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Ready for number five? Number 5—Use the Right Tools. Make sure you have the right tools handy when you need them. From the low-tech  to the high-tech, there are many ready-made solutions out there to keep you organized.  

As we mentioned in Rule #1, it's important to find tools that work FOR YOU. I like to use index cards for research and ideas... I keep packs of them in my purse, car... in the bathroom and near my night stand with a pen. I have a file box that I use to file by chapter so they are accessible when I need them. 

What are some tools that work for you? High tech? Low tech? 

wanderer: I like the composition books because they are sewn, not the spiral one.  I write on the right hand side pages, leaving the left hand side blank, then when I am ready to read through and make changes I make inserts on the left hand side and use post it notes, colored ones with bits of research etc.  

Linrose: When you say, 'file by chapter,' do you mean you print out the entire chapter and keep it in a file? For each book? 

Cyndy Salzmann: Sorry...I was talking about research. Notes, ideas, etc. I file these cards by chapter or scene so when I get to it I have it. 

Linrose: Thank you! 

Dragon Riding Mouse: I like high-tech...I do all my writing on the big computer and laptop, and I have my massive book soundtrack on my computer. Sometimes I put the songs I need on my mp3 player. 

wanderer: Speaking of music.....I use a lot of music and soundtracks when I write; different music for different scenes.  Really makes the story flow easily. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Cool! 

Anne McDonald: The characters in the adventure series start bugging us to write when certain songs are played. 

Cyndy Salzmann: I'll have to try this...  Ready for the last point?  

Work Forward. Organize for your work ahead; don't organize what's already finished. Sometimes we're afraid or hesitant to move forward until we've finished old stuff. It's much more important to set-up the system and files for what’s coming at you next. Look at what has been creating the biggest stress in your life and start by improving that area going forward. Then, when you have more of your future work under control, you can deal with the old paperwork.  

As you work on bringing these six rules into your life, you’ll be amazed at how much more time and energy you have to pursue your writing.   

And remember the number one rule – only use what works for YOU! 

Comments? Questions?  

Linrose:  I took lots of notes, and your ideas are great. Thank you so much. 

Cyndy Salzmann: You're welcome! My pleasure! 

ram: Your last rule really helped me a lot. I am starting a new book soon and will start with the organization of it. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Great! It is so tempting to try to get all our "ducks in a row” before we write. 

Anne McDonald: Cyndy, can you stay a bit after the drawing to talk about Crime and Clutter?  

Cyndy Salzmann: Sure.  ; ) 

Miralee: I just slipped in late...when is it possible to get a copy of the transcript for tonight? 

Anne McDonald: I should have it up in a week or so. Depends on how quickly I can get settled in the new house. 

Miralee: OK, thank you! 

Anne McDonald: Cyndy has graciously donated a free clutter session to tonight's drawing winner. Noelle, would you do the drawing please?  

Noelle: drumroll ..... 

* Annie rolls the drum across the stage 

Noelle: and tonight's winner is..... Wanderer.... CONGRATS!!!!! 

wanderer: wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Anne McDonald: woo hoo, Kathie!! 

wanderer: Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Anne McDonald: I'll send your email to Cyndy, so she can contact you. Cyndy, Kathie is in Costa Rica 

Cyndy Salzmann: Sounds great! 

wanderer: Looking forward to hearing from you Cyndy 

Cyndy Salzmann: Me too! 

robert: Thanks Cyndy 

Anne McDonald: And now, Cyndy we want to talk about Crime and Clutter 

Cyndy Salzmann: What would you like to know? 

Dragon Riding Mouse: I really am enjoying Crime and Clutter. I am wondering how you handled the flashbacks...any tips?  

Cyndy Salzmann: DRM—do you mean regarding POV?  BTW - I'm glad you like the book! : ) 

Dragon Riding Mouse: no, I mean timing and how you work them in. I hear a lot of publishers and editors say "no flashbacks". I liked how you handled yours.  

Cyndy Salzmann: Thanks!  I used the news clips at the beginning of each chapter to help the reader know we were switching to a different time. I also wrote the flashbacks in third person when the contemporary was in first person. 

Dragon Riding Mouse: I also meant early on, in mid-chapter (chapters 1-4) 

Cyndy Salzmann: Do you mean the flashbacks in the contemporary scenes? 

Dragon Riding Mouse: Yes. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Let me think... how did I do that... : ) I think we used a different font to help the reader. And I had the main character lead into it with an ellipse. I also changed tenses when doing the flashbacks... I think. 

Anne McDonald: (lol) 

Cyndy Salzmann: So sorry—it seems like I wrote the book so long ago.  : ) But thanks so much for the compliment.  : ) 

Dragon Riding Mouse: (didn't notice, lol) 

Anne McDonald: Where did you get the idea for the series? 

Cyndy Salzmann: It is based on my own group of friends—we call ourselves the Friday Afternoon Club. You can see their picture at www.fridayafternoonclub.com. Just click on the page that says Cyndy's FAC 

Dragon Riding Mouse: I assume that the real version of the club is just as colorful (though no greaseball fire, I hope) 

Cyndy Salzmann: Definitely! But we did have a fire at my house.  ; ) Here's the link to the story behind the book: http://www.fridayafternoonclub.com/Cyndy_s_Friday_Afternoon_Cl.html

The story about the lizard is also true. It happened at my brother and sister-in-law’s home. 

Anne McDonald: Woo weee, Cyndy, You must keep your neighbors entertained. LOL 

Cyndy Salzmann: The FAC has been getting together for 18 years.  ; ) It's fun to see our babies getting married and having their own kids.  

I wrote the books to encourage women to invest in friendship. We REALLY need these types of relationships. 

Anne McDonald: Cyndy thank you so much for coming tonight. We sure appreciate your encouragement and expertise. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Thanks so much for having me! 

wanderer: Thanks for all the wonderful advice 

Cyndy Salzmann: You are welcome. My pleasure! 

wanderer: I really appreciate it and am looking for to my clutter session 

Cyndy Salzmann: Me too! 

grace: Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. 

Cyndy Salzmann: Thanks for having me! 

Linrose:  Thanks again, and goodnight. :) 

Cyndy Salzmann: ‘Nite all!  : )

 

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