It's all about hope

Writers, like me, Barbara Phinney, all need critiquers, but we often go at it alone. I don't connect with other writers in the form of critiquing enough, and I should do more, but we need someone, anyone to point out our mistakes.I'm creating a proposal for my editor. It was brilliant, too. A good friend of mine sent me her synopsis to read, and I offered her some advice, pointed out the weak parts and the great parts and sent it back. With mine. Remember how brilliant it was? All right, my critiquer, name Carol here for anonymity, sent me back her thoughts. Well, my ending wasn't so brilliant. It looked more like I had written it in my sleep, in fact. But like a good friend she is, she suggested a resolution that was so perfect, that stupid, (yet brilliant) synopsis should have seen it before it insisted it be written. And of course, she pointed out some other tiny, little, itty-bitty holes. Such as why shouldn't a mother want to know the details of her daughter's death on a South American highway? (because it doesn't fit into my brilliant synopsis, of course)
And why did the bug bite not kill the villain, but almost took the heroine's life? (because I said so, okay!!??)
So you can see, my brilliant synopsis might shine like an ugly baby to its mother, but well, it's an ugly baby, plain and simple.
But there is always hope. In fact, a guest speaker in church on Sunday talked of hope. How we hope in the Lord.And I can hope in this synopsis. The underlying message of trust and peace is still there. The faith not in ourselves but in God is still there. It's just the story around which it is delivered needs to be touched up.
Okay, more than touched up. More like total paint job.After all, I have hope!
Blessings
Barbara Phinney, who will use any excuse to post her Bolivia mission pictures!!!

what are your motives?

From Barbara Phinney, as she struggles with motivation.

Motivation is very important, especially in writing. How can I expect my readers to connect with my characters if they don't understand why they are doing what they are doing?

And in our own lives, we have reasons for doing what we do.

My church is finishing up a series on prayer. And we are asked, "Will God grant us our petitions if our motives are impure?"

As I ask for things in prayer, I find I'm asking myself why I need or want such things.

Take for instance, the proposals I have prepared. Of course I want them accepted, and of course, I have asked for it in prayer.

But why?

Quite frankly, it's because we need the money. My family is planning to go on a mission trip to Bolivia. And along with that cost, my son has banged up our car. And there are always other on-going expenses.

But are my motives pure? Should I not be asking for another contract with Love Inspired?

Am I being selfish?

My characters, namely the hero and heroine, must be likeable and worthy of readers to root for, so their motivation needs to be pure, also, and not selfish.
So I also want my own motives to reflect my characters. Heroes and Heroines inspire us, both authors and readers. They aren't perfect, but they are understood, likeable and looked up to.

So I examine my own motives, as we as readers examine our heroes and heroines.

All I can do is try to keep my motives pure, ask for help when they aren't, and keep my character motivations strong and equally pure.

Are you hero material? Are your motives commendable? What can do if they aren't?