Amy Clipston: Writing Tips

Writing Tips

By Amy Clipston

People often ask me, “How do you work a full-time job and write books?” Since my mother raised me to have manners, I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead sweetly reply with, “I just make it work.”

Unlike many authors, I work full-time for a local government entity while also working to write a few books per year for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. 

My writing career began in the early 2000’s when I stumbled upon a local chapter of Romance Writers of America. Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, Chesapeake Romance Writers was a wonderfully supportive group of writers who took newbies like me under their wings. With their help and guidance, I learned how to turn my hobby of writing romance stories into a career by polishing my books and then searching for an agent. 

I signed with my first literary agent around 2005, and I sold my first novel, A Gift of Grace, in 2007. Since then, I’ve published more than fifty novels, and I’m current writing number fifty-seven. 

While full-time authors may write for eight hours straight on a Monday, I pop out of bed 5:30 a.m. and rush to a job located 20 miles from my home. Balancing two jobs has forced me to be disciplined. 

Through the years I’ve found that my book projects fall into two categories—they either write themselves or writing them feels like having my teeth drilled. In other words, the characters either tell me the story or I push them through the story as if they were dead weight.

Something Old, Something New, my new contemporary romance novel, fell into the first category. When I first started plotting this book, the main characters, Christine and Brent, came to life and they told me their story. In fact, at times I felt as if I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with them!

A Promise of Hope, the second book in my Kauffman Amish Bakery series, however, fell into the latter category. When I wrote this book back in 2008, I finished a few chapters and then hit a brick wall and found myself stuck. When I mentioned my writer’s block to one of my editors at Zondervan, she offered me an outline method that forced me to plot out the story from start to finish, and it brought the story to life in my mind. 

I still use this outline method today, and I’ve found that it helps me fight the dreaded writer’s block. My outlining method has enabled me to not only meet my deadlines but also turn in my novels early. In the fifteen years I’ve been published, I have only asked for one deadline extension.

Here’s my process for keeping up with deadlines and avoiding writer’s block:

1. Write a short synopsis

I start by composing a short synopsis to send to my editor for her approval. It consists of a few paragraphs and short character sketches. It’s a general summary of the story. 

2. Write a longer synopsis

After my editor approves my short synopsis, I expand it into a longer synopsis that I incorporate into the marketing form the cover designer utilizes. I include more details in this synopsis, such as specific scenes. I also write character sketches for the main characters, detailing what they look like, their personalities, and their backstories.

3. Compose the outline

Once I have completed the longer synopsis, I begin my detailed outline. The outline forces me to plot out the entire book, chapter my chapter and scene by scene. 

Don’t be afraid of the outline! I’ve taught classes on this method, and some of the writers were afraid the outline would kill their creativity. When I explained why I outlined, they became excited about it. Don’t see outlining as a creativity killer; instead, look at it as a roadmap for the story. The story can change and grow, but the outline will force you to look toward the finish line.

I have the outline set up in a Word document with rows and columns and includes the following:

• Chapter number
• Scene number
• Point of View
• Day
• Time
• Setting
• Event (what happens in the scene)

Sometimes it takes me a couple of weeks to complete my outline. If I get stuck, I brainstorm with my editor or my mom, and we work out the snags. It’s a challenging process, but I feel organized and ready to write once the outline is complete.

4. Write, write, write!

After I have completed my outline, I get to work. As I mentioned above, the story changes and grows along with you, but the outline keeps me working toward that finish line. I write whenever I get a free moment. I’ve been known to bring my laptop with to me to doctor’s appointments or I’ve sat in the car and written while my kids were at music lessons. When I’m on deadline, I’ll write late into the evening or all weekend long to get as much of the story done as possible while I have the time.

5. Don’t forget a healthy work life balance!

Whenever I finish a book project, I find a way to celebrate by doing something fun with my family. I’ll watch a movie, go out to eat, listen to music, listen to an audio book, or just relax and play with one of my cats. Celebrate success and remember to recharge your creative batteries.

I hope these writing tips help you stay focused on your writing projects. Keep believing in your stories and keep writing!

—

Amy Clipston Bio

Amy Clipston is an award-winning and bestselling author and has sold more than a million books. She holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, mother, two sons, and five spoiled rotten cats.

Facebook Page: facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks/
Instagram:  instagram.com/amy_clipston/
Twitter:  twitter.com/AmyClipston
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/2765728.Amy_Clipston
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/amy-clipston

Pinterest: pinterest.com/amyclipston/

Website: AmyClipston.com

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Sometimes treasure can be found where you least expect it.

In the decade since high school graduation, Christine Sawyer has realized her dream of opening Treasure Hunting Antique Mall, the place where shoppers find gems that are new to them. Between her store, her house, and her role as a doting aunt, she’s happy with her life—if a bit lonely. But she’s used to being less lucky in love than her fraternal twin sister. Britney was always the popular one, the head cheerleader who dated the homecoming king and quarterback, while Christine stayed in the shadows.

Brent Nicholson is still trying to come to grips with the shambles his life has become. After leading his football team to a state championship, he suffered a career-ending injury. Now he’s lost his construction business thanks to his so-called best friend. So when his great-aunt Midge asks for his help readying her home to put it on the market, the opportunity to spend time with his biggest fan is a balm to his bruised soul.

But the antiques Brent finds in his aunt’s house lead him to an unexpected partnership with Christine. After being blind to her for so many years, is it too late for the former high school jock to win the heart of the self-proclaimed “nerdy twin”?

As they shift through items of the past, Christine and Brent learn to let go of the pieces they don’t want to bring into the future—and realize the value of what’s in front of them today.

“Hometown charm and swoon-worthy second chances make this a must read.” —Kristen Mckanagh, author of Snowball’s Christmas

BUY HERE

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing