Be a kid by Paula Mowery | Guest Post

Emilie here: I'm excited to introduce you to Paula Mowery as she talks about creating characters for children's books!

Be A Kid

As an author of two women’s fictions and six romances, I’m no stranger to creating characters. Of course, bringing women to life isn’t a struggle since I am one. Now, men characters can pose some challenges, but I do interact with men and live with one in particular, my hubby of twenty-seven years.

Recently, I started creating a children’s chapter book series. The main character is a feisty little girl named Chloe Ann Parker. My first idea for this character came from a little girl at my church, whose personality and cute looks are reflected in Chloe.

But then came the hard part. The story is told from Chloe’s point of view. I needed to write it as a child for children.

The following are tips and things I’ve learned in this journey to write like Chloe:

A child character needs to talk like a child. I work at an elementary school, so the first thing I did was to listen to the kids converse with one another. There are times I don’t write something in perfect grammar, because a child of Chloe’s age hasn’t reached that level of fluency yet.

A child has a different perspective than an adult. A child sees issues from how they specifically affect him or her. I had to think on that level and not just transfer an adult reaction to the child character.

What’s important to a child is often different than an adult. Children notice different things. They see things in light of what they can accomplish. They see things in their innocence.

Children learn different lessons. The themes and lessons learned are not to the level of an adult. Children aren’t ready to learn sophisticated lessons. They are still learning about the basics like what it takes to be a friend, what potential they have in math or spelling, and what’s for lunch.

At the beginning of this school year, I asked one of the first-grade teachers if we could pretend that Chloe was in her class. I would get her students in on it. The teacher and I sent home a permission form to use the first names of the kids in the class. Though it is often hard to get papers back from home, we received every one of those forms. I meet with the class every Friday afternoon before I leave. I normally arrive with questions about what they are doing in class or I pose questions about what they would tell Chloe in a particular situation. I then utilize their answers and create a post on my writing blog for kids. The kids give me answers and insights into their minds that make Chloe come to life as a first grader.

Part one of The Adventures of Chloe Ann Parker – First Grade is out just in time for Valentine’s Day. But don’t miss the first book from kindergarten. That first chapter book introduces readers to Chloe. But I am quite excited about this first-grade edition, since the first graders’ names from Mrs. Taylor’s class will appear in print.

In conclusion, I suggest if you create a child character, you hang out with children of that similar age. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt to immerse yourself and just be a kid!
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Paula Mowery has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction, especially romances of all sub-genres. She holds a Master of Education and taught English/Language Arts in public school and then came home to educate her own daughter, first through twelfth grades. She teaches at writing conferences such as the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. TAG, Tomorrow’s Author Guild, is a pilot program she is currently creating in which she teaches and designs writing lessons to encourage young writers as well as assisting teachers with writing instruction.

Paula is a published author in Christian fiction. One reviewer stated that her writing “thunders with emotion.” Her novella, Be The Blessing, won the 2014 Selah Award. Her story, The Prayer Shawl, from the book, Legacy and Love, was a finalist in The Carolyn Readers’ Choice Awards from North Texas Romance Writers of America. Her devotions have also been included in several devotional anthologies. Connect with her on her blog, www.paulamowery.blogspot.com.

T. A. G. stands for Tomorrow’s Author Guild. The goal of this program is to encourage the writers of the future. Because lack of purpose can equal lack of motivation, writing lessons are created and taught with the aim of sparking interest in the student and providing a platform in which to practice good writing skills. The writing lessons are created to help alleviate some of the pressure and demands of teachers so that they can accomplish the writing objectives in fresh ways. www.getkidswriting.blogspot.com

Paula Mowery {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Paula...

Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements. In November of 2013, her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. Legacy and Love is her first solo romance. Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living.

As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.

Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team.

Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a first year college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.

How to connect with Paula...

Blog: www.paulamowery.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187
Second blog for Christian writers: www.ccwcu.blogspot.com
Author Interview | Paula Mowery

You and Writing

What is one book or resource you would recommend to other writers? Why?
...I find myself most often recommending The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass and Rivet Your Readers with Deep POV by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Maass’ book is one of the most practical I have found to help polish your manuscript. He explains about a given topic like tension, gives examples from actual novels, and gives pointed exercises to implement into your own work. The only warning I give to this book is that some of his example passages contain profanity.

...Nelson’s book is such a good resource for making sure you are staying in the POV and making it the best experience for your readers to get into that character. She also gives examples and exercises to hone your POV writing skills.

Share a writing-related milestone with us? 
...Legacy and Love is my fourth published work. The distinguishing characteristic about this book is that it is my first solo romance. My first two books were considered women’s fiction. My third was a historical romance story within an anthology. So, Legacy and Love’s release is quite special to me. I have actually written more Christian romance than any other genre and hope this is just the beginning of romance releases for me.

How do you balance your time between writing and other actives? Any helpful tips, tricks, or suggestions?
...My life is definitely a balancing act. I am a pastor’s wife and work part-time in a public school Pre-K to earn that all-important tuition for my daughter’s college. I am an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group as well as writing my own manuscripts. Throw in a couple of blogs and a magazine column with the occasional speaking engagement and you’ve got a full plate! Those who know me, know that I am fanatical about organization. This is the only way I get everything accomplished. I have a very detailed calendar, more like a teacher plan book, on my desk. I write down every deadline and times to work on those. When life intervenes unexpectedly, I rearrange in my planner to make sure everything gets done. 
 

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about the book.
...Legacy and Love contains two contemporary Christian romances connected by the godly influence of a grandmother on the main heroines.

What was one trial you faced when writing it? One success?
...The story, Inheritance, went through so many revisions that I lost count. I struggled with how to begin this story and how much of Granny Olivia to include. Several readers fell in love with the grandmother figure which made it hard to chop many of the scenes with her out. But, after realizing that an editor had wisely pushed me, the story fell into place.
Who is your favorite character and why?
...The grandmothers in each story have become favorites even though they aren’t even main characters. However, their influence shines throughout the stories. This was special to me because I feel the influence of my grandmothers still shining through my life today.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I pray that others will see how important it is to be intentional about the godly legacy we leave.

You

Favorite writing snack:
...I’m laughing because I just had this very snack while writing last night – Cheese-its, Peanut Butter M&M’s, and Diet Dr. Pepper. Strange combo but it gets me through.

Book you’re reading right now:
...I read several books because of the review column I write for an online Christian magazine. Currently, I’m reading an anthology called Sincerely Yours by Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Ann Shorey. Before this one, I just finished Christy Barritt’s Death of the Couch Potato’s Wife and Janice Thompson’s Picture Perfect.

If you could go anywhere in the world for one month (for free) where would it be and why? 
...Now, this is going to be an interesting answer. I actually have the dream to have a cabin/treehouse in the Smoky Mountains for a writing retreat. We live only about an hour to an hour and a half from the Smokies. It is my dream to have this place to slip away to at any time to just write write write. I love my mountains and grew up hiking and splashing in the creeks there. There would just be no more perfect backdrop or spot to escape to.

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Thank you so much for joining me on the blog again Paula! It's been a pleasure getting to catch up with you. Love your thoughts on being organized in order to help with the busy nature of life - I am a crazy organized person (most of the time) and I know it definitely helps! And, I am right there with you in reading several books at once. It get's a little difficult at times, not keeping them straight because they are all so very individual, but splitting up my time :) 

Paula Mowery {Writer Wednesday}

Welcome back, readers, and happy New Year!!  I'm excited to introduce you to Paula Mowery for today's {Writer Wednesday} post. 

Here is a little bit about Paula....

Paula Mowery is a pastor’s wife and a homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction. She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her debut work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER.

About THE BLESSING SEER...

When God sends Addy a special messenger who challenges her to step from her comfort zone, she isn’t sure she’s up to the job. She feels inadequate to take on the task of encouraging others, and when she starts seeing visions, she worries she’s losing her mind.

Yet, Addy wants only to be used by God, even if that means seeing visions and risking relationships with family and friends. By stepping out on a limb, can Addy really accomplish something significant for God? What affect will her surrender to His will have on those around her? And, what affect will it have on her own life?

Learn more about Paula at her blog:
www.paulamowery.blogspot.com

Read more of her writing in her monthly columns on: www.christianonlinemagazine.com

Author Interview | Paula Mowery

You & Writing
 
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...My mother worked for a Christian bookstore, and she would bring me books to read and blank journals to write in. Back then I tried my hand at poetry, diary writing, and composing stories. After I married a pastor and became involved in women’s ministry, I wrote and self-published Bible studies. Still I had a love for reading Christian fiction and began to write an historical story which turned into a whole series. When some friends read my stories and enjoyed them, I kept going, chalking up more than fifteen manuscripts before I submitted one for publication. It seemed each time I completed a story, God had inspired another.

If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?  
...The hardest thing about publishing for me was waiting on God’s perfect timing and place. I tend to be an impatient sort. I literally prayed and laid out my fleece meaning I asked God for a sign that publishing was the way He wanted me to go. He gave me that sign and has worked in miraculous ways since I followed His leading and didn’t jump ahead.

Your Writing
 
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...My debut novella, THE BLESSING SEER, is the result of mulling over the thought of blessings I might be missing by not being obedient or not asking. I, just like the main character, Addy, want more than anything to do something significant for God. I am now working on the contracted sequel in which Addy learns more about being available for God’s use through every circumstance. I am learning this too.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I hope my readers will feel encouraged and maybe even challenged to follow in the call God has for them, utilizing the gifts and abilities they have been given.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Being a pastor’s wife and a pregnancy crisis center devotion leader, I have witnessed so many inspirational stories. I draw from those real life stories as well as dream up a lot of things. I have a friend who told me once that she wanted to end up in the nursing home with me someday because with all of the characters and stories running around in my head, it would make for an interesting trip.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories? 
...When I write my overall intention is to inspire and encourage people toward a relationship with Jesus Christ. If they already have that relationship, I wish to urge them on into service.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing? 
...The first bit of advice I would give is if you are a Christian writer keep God first. You need to study His Word and have a quiet time with Him – this is priority. Then, connect with other writers through organizations like ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). This online community has provided me courses to hone my skills and mentor authors to encourage me. Keep reading – so much can be learned by reading those authors that do it right. Write and publish small first – write an article even if you don’t get paid. This looks good when you send in a proposal to a publisher. Write. Write. Write. You’ll be amazed how your writing will improve just through practice. Read writing craft books. My new favorite is Rivet Your Readers With Deep POV by Jill Elizabeth Nelson.

You
 
What is your favorite snack to eat when writing?
...I have to have a diet soda of some kind. If I’m in the mood for salty, I like the little cracker Goldfish. If I’m in the mood for sweet, I’ve become addicted to Peanut Butter M&M’s, but I try not to have too many of these around. Bad for the middle.

Do you believe in New Year’s resolutions? If so, care to share one of yours?
...I do believe in resolutions, but only the ones that are reasonable. I suppose my New Year’s resolution associated with my writing would be that I would continue to seek God’s direction in this writing ministry He’s begun. Speaking engagement invitations have sprung out of this first book. I know that God has more in store for me to share through writing and speaking. I’m a firm believer in doing what God has called me to do. There might be one person out there that only I can reach.

What’s one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?
...I’m looking forward to my second book coming out. And, mostly I’m looking forward to seeing where this adventure God has me on will lead. I’m hangin’ on and enjoying the ride until I cross the finish line. See ya there!


Thank you Paula for that great interview!  I love your advice to writers seeking to publish - it is so important to always keep the Lord first in everything.  I hope that we can remember that.

So what about you, my readers?  Do you believe in New Year's resolutions?  If so, care to share them with me?  Comment below and make sure and look out for my New Year's post coming soon :)