by Rachel D. Russell, @RDRussellWrites
I think we’ve all seen the meme about what the world thinks a writer does, what friends think a writer does, what a writer really does. In every scene depicting actual writing, the writer is sitting alone.
Alone.
Maybe miserably toiling over every word, every scene. Pressed onward by some seemingly inexplicable deep-rooted desire.
Frankly, that’s how I always imagined it, too. Writing alone—not toiling. The reality of toiling came later. But, seriously, someone has to actually sit down and type those tens-of-thousands of words, right?
While it’s true that, ultimately, my own words must be placed on the page, I’ve learned that the writing process can be deeply enriched through the development of craft partners.
A craft partner is different than a critique group. Usually, a critique group gives feedback on fairly completed scenes or other written works. They provide constructive criticism to help you further shape the scene.
Craft partners are authors on the journey with you. They can shine a light on your dark scene. They may pray for you, brainstorm with you, and cheer you on. Like your trusty friend with the four-wheel drive, they’re the one you call when you get stuck in a (writing) ditch. When you’re sunk so deep in the mire that you’re not sure anything can save your manuscript.
It’s the phone-a-friend lifeline.
My craft partners have helped me troubleshoot everything from character development to plotting to scene tension. They’ve helped me get unstuck in a scene by strategizing possible options. And, when you’re all done and that novel is launching into the world, craft partners are the friends who understand how truly terrifying and wonderful that really is.
And you’ll be able to do all the same for them.
Now, you may be wondering where to find said craft partners. Novel Academy is a great place to start. You can also try local author groups, conferences, and writing workshops. You want someone who speaks your language (genre). For me, being able to talk SEQ, STQ and SHARP is imperative.
Like all friendships, developing a craft partner or two happens over time and it may take some trial and error.
So, get mingling and find yourself a craft partner!
Cole Barrett, former Army Ranger, has a new mission objective. Sell his grandfather’s house and put Deep Haven in his rearview mirror as fast as possible. Deep Haven holds the hurts of physical abuse at the hands of his grandfather, a man now in a memory care facility with dementia. Recently divorced, single, and unattached, Cole just wants a new life as a US Marshal. One where he can forget the past and start new.
Unfortunately, there’s a tenant in the garage apartment who’s refusing to move. Even worse? It’s his childhood crush, Megan Carter, and her son.
She’s waited years for her first love to return.
Wedding planner and single mom Megan Carter is no stranger to Deep Haven. To her, it’s the place where she makes dreams come true—at least, everyone else’s. Her big dream is to purchase the Black Spruce Bed & Breakfast to turn it into a premier event venue and, if she can stay booked for enough weddings over winter, she’ll have enough money to buy the inn, move out of Grandpa Barrett’s garage apartment, and finally give her nine-year-old son, Josh, the life he deserves. After using part of her intended down payment to cover his hockey fees, she’s behind on her Black Spruce funds and only has thirty days to come up with four thousand dollars.
Still, she’s oh, so close…until her childhood friend-slash-crush, Cole Barrett, returns to Deep Haven. Unfortunately, he’s not back to fulfill a silly childhood promise to return, but she never expected him to evict her! The last thing she needs is more expenses. Or for another man to walk into her heart…and break it.
Maybe it’s never too late to finish a love story…
When a blizzard strikes Deep Haven, and Megan is overrun with wedding catastrophes, it takes a former Ranger to step in and help. But the more he comes to her rescue, the sooner she’ll be able to move out…and he can move on.
And that’s what they both want, right?
Rachel D. Russell writes contemporary inspirational romance focused on forgiveness, redemption, and grace. She’s a member of Oregon Christian Writer and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy. Her two Deep Haven Collection novels with Sunrise Publishing will release in 2021. When Rachel’s not cantering her horse down the Oregon beaches, she’s probably interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent enjoying her active family, including two teens and three keyboard-hogging cats. You can catch up with her at RachelDRussell.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.