Writing Advice with Carrie Walker
What is your favorite writing craft book?
Ooo. That’s a toughie. While writing, the Emotion Thesaurus and Psychological Wounds Thesaurus are always nearby. When editing, I love Editor Proof your Writing by Don McNair and Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin.
Which do you think is the most underrated writing craft book? Why?
Show Don’t Tell by Sandra Gerth. It’s so small, I’m sure it’s often overlooked, but it made the whole “show don’t tell” and figuring out what that meant so clear. It gives some very helpful examples, and concise explanations. After reading this one, it clicked for me.
What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?
ACFW national writers conference
What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?
I often visit “Editing Insiders with Janyre” and “MARATHON A Community for Christian Fiction Writers and their Cheerleaders” on Facebook. Both offer great resources along with members who themselves are so helpful. Editing Insiders offers the benefit of first-hand advice from editor Janyre Tromp. MARATHON has countless writing articles and advice posted almost daily for authors. Both also have a nice network of authors to interact with.
Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?
If I had to choose one inspiration it would be Karen Kingsbury. Mostly because she was my first introduction to Christian fiction and her stories are so moving. Plus, she offered the first writing class I ever attended online :)
What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?
“Never publish your first novel.” Now, I’ll say the concept of your first novel not being published is not a terrible thought to put out there, and it is somewhat freeing to know many haven’t and later went on to publish other books. However, I almost gave up on my book a number of times because this was playing in the back of my head.
While the first draft of your first novel is never something to be published, if a story idea is good and you’re open to working hard on learning the craft and editing, it’s possible. More appropriate advice would be: Never publish your first attempt at a book without the help of a critique group and a lot of editing.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Go to a conference. Years later, I’ve learned they are invaluable both with networking, support, and education.
What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged and find a critique partner(s) to help you learn and improve (and cheer you on).
What is your best self-editing tip or advice?
If I’m working on a scene and no matter what I do, it still doesn’t feel “right,” this is what I do. I will go through and highlight the four types of story-telling (physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual) in four different colors. Then I’ll look where there is a solid block of only one type and intersperse the others. Almost always, once I’ve balanced the physical scene with the thoughts of the character and their feelings, it will read better.
Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.
Keep writing, find friends to encourage you, and always remember that what one publisher will think is worth passing on, the next may take to the pub board (yes, this happened to me in the same week). There’s a reason there are so many different genres and styles of writing. Not all types are for everyone.
Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.
Emma’s Hero released on April 5th. It’s the story of a pregnant single woman who was told at her twenty-week ultrasound that her baby had a brain condition deemed “incompatible with life.” However, her baby lives and touches the lives of many.
For the more information: https://a.co/d/hpdSjqR
Carrie Walker is an award-winning author who lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. As an avid reader, she pens what she loves to read, stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Besides writing, Carrie enjoys board games, time with family and counting down the days ’til Christmas.
www.carriewalkerwrites.com
www.facebook.com/cwalkerauthor
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https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carrie-walker-8d24459c-063b-4486-af34-81a48916a266
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48336857.Carrie_Walker
For more writing tips, check out:
Writing Advice with Dolores Liesner
Writing Advice with Latayne Scott