Keep Typing

I read an encouraging post today by Tamela Hancock Murray (http://stevelaube.com/why-do-i-have-to-jump-through-your-hoops/). In it she explains why writing a good book proposal is important to the agent and the author. This week I've been working on the proposal for Peace, Love and Mashed Potatoes. Putting together all the required parts seems overwhelming. But, I think I finally got a handle on it. Having a table of contents to guide my path helps.

Hopefully with one more look through, the proposal will go out sometime in the next week. Then I wait. If (and that is a big if) the agent is interested they'll contact me and let me know that they'd like to read my book. If they're not interested, then back to square one I go. But, this time I will have an arsenal of information so that proposal number two might not be so daunting.

If you are a writer and you are working on the proposal. Hang in there. Pray and keep typing.

My First Novel

What’s it like to write your first novel?

I’m asking myself this question. Over two years ago, with a nudge from God, I put pen to paper and interviewed the characters who danced in my mind. I found out where they lived, why they lived there, the books they like to read, and what they looked like. As I dug deeper, they told me their story. Just like real people, they each have a story to tell. My fictional characters shared heartache and joy. They told me secrets and made me guess at a few. One personality learned to forgive, another finds her family. A man loves and a mother shares.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve learned great lessons from them and from writing a novel. In carving out the story, I’ve learned to let go of the phrases I thought were so perfect. The journey’s taught me to listen to others who provide feedback and not take personally the critiquing the words need. I’m working on the proposal that I plan to send to an agent. That takes as much care as the novel itself.

Until next time—

What part of novel writing do you enjoy the most? If you are not a writer, what part do you enjoy reading the most?

All New

Thanks to some great ladies at ACFW I have a new look to my blog. I just had to ask for advise and they shared some great information. I hope you continue to stop by as the blog is updated. With most of the work done on this site, I am turning my concentration to the proposal for my novel. I ask for prayer as I pursue my dream.

I'd like to hear from you. What do you enjoy reading?

A Process

As I prepare to write a proposal for my novel, I find that I need a web presence. I am transforming my blog, After 50, into Penny Frost McGinnis, Writing to Encourage and Entertain. Thanks to my daughter, photographer, Maggie Wickline for the beautiful photo of pure encouragement.

My plan is to continue this work in progress as I prepare my proposal. With some prayer and hope, the two will work together.

Now-I have a question for you:
What do you like to read?

Am I There Yet?

Almost there. I've finished edits on my novel and now I just need to get them into the computer, wait for my critic partners thoughts, edit a bit more, write up the proposal, send that to agents and then...wait.

For over two years, God and I have worked to create a story that hopefully touches the lives of the readers. I never imagined how overwhelming writing a book might be. One thing I've learned is to let go. I could edit forever. Tweak, tweak, tweak could be my motto. But instead, I have to turn the chapters over to God and ask what he wants and stop when he says, that's it.

As I attempt to finish the writing, I pray that God continues to walk beside me as I work on the proposal.
Now-I better get back to the story. Can't wait to write THE END!

Happy Birthday!

I can now officially eat off of the 55+ menus at Frisches and Bob Evans. I am closer to 60 than 50. I am closer to retirement than than I was :) I am wiser (I hope), more confident (I think) and closer to heaven (I'm sure). Getting older just means I've wracked up more experiences to draw from, met more interesting people and lived more life.

I've set a goal as I turned 55. To finish the novel I'm writing and get it published before I hit 60. So here I go-on to the next great wave.

Happy Birthday!

Mayberry's Andy

Rarely does a character crawl into the imagination and linger for a lifetime.

Last week, we lost a television icon. One who enriched my life with wisdom and humor. Andy Griffith lived a long life that he shared with the world. As Opie's dad he taught us how to parent, as Barney's friend, he showed us to be accepting and tolerant, as Mayberry's town sheriff he taught fairness and compassion. The one thing I loved most about Andy and his friends was that I could invite them into my living room and enjoy the camaraderie no matter how my day unfolded. They added a bright spot and made me laugh. I'll not long forget the funny stories and even the little white lies Andy told to make everything work out.

So I say thanks to the writers who inspired the show and the warmth that still exudes from every episode. Thanks to Andy for giving us a character enveloped in goodness. While his loved ones will miss him, he lives on in the hearts of his fans and the reruns that will hopefully continue to roll on in to a new generation.