With the release of my book approaching (1 week away), I started thinking about how I got here. I wrote a post a long time ago about the importance of a support team. I thought I'd repost now that everyone has heard of my Dream Team.
Left to right: Danielle Craver, Dawn Ward, Ginny Hunsberger, and Kim Sharp.
So, you've begun the process of writing a book! Congrats! Now, you must begin the ever daunting task of completing it--bringing to life the world you see in your mind. There are plenty of websites with great information about writing and editing, but a tidbit of information you may not find there is the importance of a support team.
Some people prefer to keep their art to themselves and not share it with the outside world until it's perfect. I encourage you to abandon that notion and involve trusted friends and family. Their presence in your life and in your work, particularly as you move through this process, will prove to be priceless.
I affectionately call my support team "The Dream Team." I'll tell you a little about each member so you can get an idea of what attributes are helpful in building your own Dream Team.
Dawn Ward- Dawn serves as my "Creative Consultant." She is the person I can call, email, or text whenever I'm stumped or need inspiration. The two of us spent countless hours over bowls of queso at Moe's Southwest Grill fleshing out certain scenes. Find someone who will stimulate and, when needed, jump start your creativity.
Kim Sharp- Kim is my "Time Keeper." In all my endeavors, whether writing, acting, or directing, she keeps me on task. Often times, I let myself wander down one bunny trail or the other, but Kim always reigns me back in. She read each chapter as I constructed it and texted or emailed me daily to ask for the next section. Knowing she was out there expecting another chapter kept me fueled and focused. Find someone who can help you work wisely to meet your writing goals.
Danielle Craver- Danielle is my "At Home Editor." She fully immersed herself in my world and my characters and discussed them with me as if they were real. She was never afraid to tell when something worked in the story and when it didn't. Having a reader who knows the nuances of your characters and your world can keep your story consistent. Find someone who will discuss your characters as if they actually exist and really involve him/herself in the world you've created, but also make sure this person isn't afraid to tell you the truth. Trust me, you'd rather hear the hard reality from people who love you than from people who don't. She also took it upon herself to create crests for my book that you can find here.
Ginny Hunsberger- Ginny is my "Proofreader." Invaluably, she can find even the most obscure errors in my work. She provided me a list of errors with the page numbers assigned so I could quickly go in and make changes. Find someone who can proofread your work because we often see what we want to see when we re-read our own writing.
So, as you begin your writing journey, don't forget the importance of your support team. That "You ARE going to get published" or "Did you ever consider having your character do this or that" can make all the difference.
Until next time,
E
Some people prefer to keep their art to themselves and not share it with the outside world until it's perfect. I encourage you to abandon that notion and involve trusted friends and family. Their presence in your life and in your work, particularly as you move through this process, will prove to be priceless.
I affectionately call my support team "The Dream Team." I'll tell you a little about each member so you can get an idea of what attributes are helpful in building your own Dream Team.
Dawn Ward- Dawn serves as my "Creative Consultant." She is the person I can call, email, or text whenever I'm stumped or need inspiration. The two of us spent countless hours over bowls of queso at Moe's Southwest Grill fleshing out certain scenes. Find someone who will stimulate and, when needed, jump start your creativity.
Kim Sharp- Kim is my "Time Keeper." In all my endeavors, whether writing, acting, or directing, she keeps me on task. Often times, I let myself wander down one bunny trail or the other, but Kim always reigns me back in. She read each chapter as I constructed it and texted or emailed me daily to ask for the next section. Knowing she was out there expecting another chapter kept me fueled and focused. Find someone who can help you work wisely to meet your writing goals.
Danielle Craver- Danielle is my "At Home Editor." She fully immersed herself in my world and my characters and discussed them with me as if they were real. She was never afraid to tell when something worked in the story and when it didn't. Having a reader who knows the nuances of your characters and your world can keep your story consistent. Find someone who will discuss your characters as if they actually exist and really involve him/herself in the world you've created, but also make sure this person isn't afraid to tell you the truth. Trust me, you'd rather hear the hard reality from people who love you than from people who don't. She also took it upon herself to create crests for my book that you can find here.
Ginny Hunsberger- Ginny is my "Proofreader." Invaluably, she can find even the most obscure errors in my work. She provided me a list of errors with the page numbers assigned so I could quickly go in and make changes. Find someone who can proofread your work because we often see what we want to see when we re-read our own writing.
So, as you begin your writing journey, don't forget the importance of your support team. That "You ARE going to get published" or "Did you ever consider having your character do this or that" can make all the difference.
Until next time,
E
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