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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

#WednesdayWordswithFriends welcomes Barbara Britton @BarbaraMBritton

Good Morning!

Well, we've moved out of freezing temperatures into warmer weather. Still below comfortable in the mornings but nice in the afternoons. More rain heading our way and I'm sure there'll be more cool fronts and cold snaps up through Easter. Speaking of which, we're a week into the Lentin season - How are you doing with your fasting, prayers and almsgiving or other Lentin practices? Whether your particular religion observes Lent, it never hurts to set aside 40 days each year to spend more, quality time with our Lord.

Enough from me though, let's welcome my fellow Pelican Book Group author, Barbara Britton back as she shares some thoughts with us on the importance of having writer friends. Take it away Barb!


Thanks for having me back on Wednesday Words, Pam. I’m sharing about some of my friends today.

Many people think that writers are introverts typing away in a writing cave on a story they hide from prying eyes. While many writers are introverts, a lot of books wouldn’t see the light of day without writers having friends. I am blessed to have friends who read and critique my writing before any publisher gets a look at my manuscript. I’m thankful for the comments that help shape my stories.

Recently, I sent my opening chapter to my critique group. Half of the group was confused by the first paragraph. They thought the dog was in the vehicle with my main character. The dog wasn’t in the car, so immediately I knew the picture in my head wasn’t translating to the page. 

Every writer has strengths and weaknesses. I love to write dialogue and action scenes. I struggle sometimes with inner thought and having a character reason their actions inside their head. My writing friends help me know when to go deeper into my character’s motivations or emotions.

Critique groups are also great for accountability. If I have a chapter due to my writer friends by Tuesday, then I have a deadline to meet. When I’m stuck on a chapter, well, I can ask for help brainstorming the scene. A flurry of ideas and possibilities is better than my lone train of thought.
You’ve probably heard Proverbs 27:17. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Building a writing support group is key to writing a successful story. Every writer has unique perspectives, talents, and experience. Don’t be afraid to have a trusted group of friends help you become a better writer. You could say that after my critique group on Tuesday, I’m crafting Wednesday’s words with the help of my friends.

After I finished my series on the daughters of Zelophehad, I was sad to end my time with these five brave sisters. In the most difficult of circumstances, they had each other for support and encouragement. The girls didn’t have a writing support group, but they had a similar sister support group. Make sure you have people to encourage you along your pathway to publication.

Where can you find a writing critique group? Professional writing organizations. Local writing groups. Online groups. Friends and family that will give you an honest opinion. Writing contests can give you feedback, but remember the comments are subjective and aren’t geared toward your writing level. Check local colleges and libraries, too.


BIO: Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Her Christian WWI Historical launched in 2020 with “Until June.” Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb’s books at http://www.barbarambritton.com/books.html  Connect with Barb on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or BookBub.


While the Israelites struggle to occupy the Promised Land of God, Mahlah bat Zelophehad is orphaned and left to care for her four sisters. But daughters of the dead are unable to inherit land, and it will take a miracle for Mahlah to obtain the means to care for her sisters and uphold the vow she made to her dying mother. 

Mahlah must seek Moses, the leader of her people, and request something extraordinary—the right for a daughter to inherit her deceased father’s land. A right that will upset the ox-cart of male inheritance and cast her in the role of a rebel. 

But, God is the protector of the orphan and the widow, and five orphaned daughters need His help. With God, anything is possible. Even changing man’s tradition.  Find “Lioness” on Amazon.


You are so right, Barbara, having friends who are also writers can help us tremendously in our own endeavors. Thank you for sharing with us today. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends, and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight. You can check out Barbara's previous Wednesday Words with Friends post HERE and Saturday Spotlight posts Here and Here.

Until next time take care, stay warm and safe and God Bless.
PamT

23 comments:

Barbara Britton said...

Thanks for having me on the blog, Pam. We enjoyed 40 degree temperatures in Wisconsin yesterday. It made me hope spring will be here soon.

D. V. STONE said...

Thank you for sharing. Good luck with your book.

Kara O'Neal said...

Wow. I love the plot of this book!

JENNIFER WILCK said...

Writer friends are invaluable! I know mine make my manuscripts much better! In fact, I'm looking forward to Zooming with mine tonight. Best of luck with your book.

Barbara Britton said...

Thank you, D.V., Kara, and Jennifer. I don't know where I would be without my writer friends. They not only help me write better, but they a big source of encouragement. Thanks for your encouraging words.

kaybee said...

Good thoughts, Barbara and so true. I atarted out in large writers' groups where people did a little bit of everything -- fiction, poetry, letters to the editor. As I got serious I knew I needed something more targeted, so I formed a fiction group with three other people and we met for several years. My last two critique experiences have been one-on-one. We really do need other writers, for reviews, for beta readers, for launch teams, for blog appearances and sometimes just to vent--or share our joy.
Kathy Bailey

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Kathy. I couldn't do my job by myself. Aren't we fortunate to "need" people to help us. A diverse genre group can be helpful for writing technique, but finding someone in your niche is key to understanding your reader. I'm so glad you joined us.

Audrey W. said...

An absolutely lovely testament to the value of writing and having writer friends. Thank you so much for sharing this!

LoRee Peery said...

Good to see you here, Barb, and thanks for your words, Pam. Wednesday blessings to you all.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Audrey. You're welcome. Thanks for joining us. Having people/friends to read your writing is wonderful. So many times an author thinks they everything clear, and it's clear as mud.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi LoRee! I'm sending you Wednesday blessings as well.

Mary Preston said...

This is all very interesting thank you.

Carol James said...

Thanks for sharing, Barb. My critique groups are such a blessing, help, and encouragement to me. Thanks for sharing. I love your work.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Mary! I'm glad you joined us. Writing has so many facets. I had no idea what I was getting into when I became an author. I started writing when there was no internet.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Carol. I love your work, too. What would we do without critique partners! Thanks for joining the chat.

Karen Malley said...

Barbara, thanks for sharing! It's always fun to hear the "behind the scenes" for writers. It's wonderful how writers support one another. I'm glad you have such a faithful group.

Alina K. Field said...

I've never found a good critique partner, but I love my editor. (I'm indie-publishing) Your book sounds intriguing. I've been listening to The Bible in a Year podcast from Ascension Press. The story of God's people is fascinating!

Barbara Britton said...

Thanks for joining us, Karen. My critique partners have changed over the years, but God always gives me new ones to meet the need.

Barbara Britton said...

Hi Alina. I read the Bible in a year and missed the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. That is what I get for reading before bed. I have been blessed to find good critique partners. Thanks for commenting. I find the Bible fascinating, too. I keep learning about new stories that need a fictional account.

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Barbara and Pam,

Thank you for the interesting post, and it's so true.

Barbara Britton said...

Thank you, Gail. I'm happy you joined us. I appreciate your support.

Lida Bushloper said...

Wow, Barbara, I wish I had a group of critique partners like you do. i've been in several groups, but they all failed for one reason or another. Anyway, best of luck with the book and thanks for an excellent post. Lida

Alicia Dean said...

Great post. I'd be lost without my critique partners. SO sorry for the late visit!