Tips for submitting stories to compilation books

CWE: There are so many compilation books out there today. Can you offer writers any tips that would help them get noticed when submitting a story for a compilation book?

 

CP: One of the courses I teach at the Weekend of Hope in Stowe, Vermont is “Writing to Publish,” and with it I give the “recipe” for “cooking up” a good Chicken Soup story which really applies to any compilation book.

 

1.   Have a catchy title. That always makes the reader want more. Although it may be changed later by the editor—don’t despair.

2.   Think slice of life (bite-size). Many stories try to cover too much territory. Think in terms of a pivotal aspect of that journey. If you’re writing about an illness, don’t tell us about the diagnosis, surgery, and treatment, rather pick out one “scene” and let that be your story. 

3.   Start out with action or dialogue. When you start your story with conversation, it immediately grabs the reader’s attention and you’re drawn in and want to read more. Think in terms of a movie trailer; they jump right into an action scene.

4.   Continue to use dialogue throughout your story. There’s no better way to make readers feel like they are in the scene with you than by using dialogue.

5.   Emotion. Does your story evoke laughter, tears, and/or both? Read your story out loud or better yet, read it to someone else. If it evokes emotion, it’s a keeper.

6.   Conflict. This is what most writers leave out. They forget to solve the conflict or they don’t create a conflict.

7.   All stories should have a beginning, middle, end and universal truth (or moral of the story). Closing with a punch or “zinger” as I like to call it is difficult for many writers. They just don’t know when to quit. Often it’s the paragraph before your last paragraph!

8.   Inspire your readers. How did you feel when you read the last paragraph? Did you want more? Did you leave your readers with a feeling of satisfaction, goose bumps, laughter—or all three? If a story doesn’t evoke some sort of emotion then you haven’t connected all the dots.

9.   The Wrap. I love this part because this is when your story comes full circle and you tie it back to the beginning. Don’t leave your readers dangling. We’ve all watched movies where we walk out of the theater and wonder what happened. Don’t do that with your readers; give them something to take home! It’s the “ah-ha” moment. Don’t deprive your “audience” of that!

 

CWE: What gives you the drive, determination, hope to keep moving forward? What is your greatest motivation?

 

CP: I think as writers and speakers we have a great responsibility, not only to our craft, but to those who read or listen to our words. I have a file on my desk that says, “Read this when you want to quit.” It’s filled with e-mails, letters, notes from people who have read my stories or heard me talk. In fact, just this morning I received one of those e-mails. I spoke to the United Disabilities Association on “What’s Humor Got to do With It?” It was such an inspiring day for me; I got to see how they train seeing-eye dogs and prepare prostheses for people without limbs. I was mesmerized by their stories and their dedication. And then came this e-mail:

 

 

The funny thing about that is “they are my heroes and they inspired me.” When you write and speak, you receive so much more than you give. And the really cool part is you never know the lives you are touching. 

 

God is my great motivator; He’s the only audience I need. I write and speak because I love to do it, and the rest is in God’s hands.

 

 

CWE: What is the hardest part of the writing journey?

 

CP: I think the hardest part is being disciplined to write. I have to block out sections of time for writing because my office is not where I do my best work; it’s a place where I clean out my Inbox, sort through files, send e-mails, and do the business side of speaking and writing. I collect stories all day long and write those thoughts down in my journal, but they are fleshed out in “chunks” of time that I have set aside. One of my favorite places to write is at the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania—the sweetest place on earth! I’ll get a cup of hot cocoa, sit in the mezzanine area, and write—sometimes all day. The staff knows me so well, that they often ask me what I’m writing about as soon as I walk through the door. I smile broadly and say, “I’ll let you know when I leave!” For some reason, stories come to me when I first wake up or while I’m taking a shower. I’ve learned never to depend on my memory; there’s a journal in every room of the house—not scraps of paper because they get lost. I always keep my journal by my bedside and one in my purse. I’m an observer of life and often grab my stories in line at the grocery store, in the parking lot, and on the road. You have to be a people watcher. Often when I jog, stories come to me, so I carry a digital recording device and talk as I walk/run. Stories are everywhere…

 

CWE: What's one piece of advice you can offer to all writers that might help them in their journey?

 

CP: To be a good writer, you have to love to read. I’m usually reading three or four books at a time. I have favorites that I read over and over again, but right now I’m reading 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey (I know…I’m probably the last person on the face of the earth to read it, but now I can’t put it down); Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler (I use it as my devotional); and for pleasure I’m reading The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans (it takes place in Italy and there’s lots of Italian dialogue, so it’s fun!). We spent six years in Italy, so I love Italian novels and it helps to keep me fluent.  

 

CWE: You speak regularly around the country. Where might our readers find you in the coming months?

 

CP: In the past three months, I have been to California, Italy, Switzerland, Nebraska, and back to Pennsylvania to see my youngest son graduate from Grove City College on May 16, 2009—a day I thought I wouldn’t live to see. At the end of the month, I’ll be in France for ten days, and then I’ll be doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and then some local speaking (not out of the state). I like to keep the summer months free for writing. I have several projects lined up, and one is to finish my Moms of Sons Devotions to Go book by the end of July. I’ve also been blessed to be a reader for my author friend, Kathy Pride, as she completes her Moms of the Bible book by Regal. We are with the Diva Celebration and are planning our first speaking event together at the House of Hope in Danville, Pennsylvania. I’m the “Passionate Diva” and she’s the “Stressed-Out Mom Diva.” Diva Celebration is all about more joy, less stress, friendship, and faith. We hope to be doing more events together in the future.

 

CWE: Thanks for a great interview, Connie. We've enjoyed reading your testimony and these writing tips are great. Happy Mother's Day!

 

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