Today’s Babe Letter is guest edited by Babes Member Christyna Hunter. If you’d like to guest edit the letter sign up here.

In order to spread my writing wings, so to speak, I decided to enter a writing contest. Just one chapter of my in-progress memoir. I edited it to see how I could make it a solid entry contender. In preparation, I decided to review past winners. I wanted to see if there was a writing technique or flow that I could emulate. But as I read, my heart seized with alarm.

I can’t write like this, I feared. The numerous entries I read were lyrical in their execution. The actual stories were good but there was an extra layer to them all. Like frosting on a cake, the verses and word styles made each essay all the richer. The reader within me applauded while the insecure writer withered.

What if you have a decent story to tell with enough drama or conflict to make the bones of the story stable, but the flashy words aren’t enough to stir the readers’ hearts? Is it still a good story? Which is more important, the story or the words?

Sometimes when I am writing, the words flow like clear water in a brook. And like that brook water, those words refresh and rejuvenate me. Other times, we’re talking petrified sludge. Not only gross but the flow halts. Just a dead stop.

I went from frozen to panic because the deadline for submissions narrowed in on me. I could skip this contest, I mused. It wouldn’t be the first time I shied away from taking a chance. However, I wanted to really work at it. I wanted writing to be a real, consistent part of my life again. (It hasn’t been for the last 5 years thanks to too much life.) In order to balance the uncertainty with the opportunity, I stepped away from the piece for a couple of days.

When I got back to it, I pumped my brain muscles to reach for the right words and phrases. Then I changed the introduction three different times, all without success. I wanted flashy words but not too gaudy. I still wanted the reader to savor the cake as well as its icing. My effort became a climb up an icy mountain, changing directions when paths became treacherous or ended abruptly. Frustration battled with tenacity.

Weary, I stepped back again and let my subconsciousness “brew.” That’s when I got the idea that I not only needed to have glittery words but an unconventional format to punch the emotion up a notch. In this case, that’s why the soul stirring lexicon wasn’t enough. If I had only worried about the words, I realized, I would have lost the potential for emotional impact. Pretty words are not everything. How to tell a story can be as important.

With this new epiphany behind me, I found a new structure to enhance my story. Moved paragraphs. Added a timeline. And, yes, found some more compelling phrases. That done, I submitted my work. And while I wait for whatever the outcome, I have a better appreciation for overall arrangement within a written piece. Adding the cherry on top (melodic vocabulary) to the scrumptious baked batter (story) allowed me to submit a tasty treat for my reader.

-Christyna

Christyna Hunter has surpassed all perilous predictions, despite being born with a disability. She is a freelance writer, has published two romance novels and has worked at a non-profit organization. She was a librarian for 20 years but now spends her time reading romance novels, obeying all demands from her furbaby, and praying often to her writing muse. Her website is christynahunter.com.

Christyna’s Writing Process: If I am struggling with something, I ask myself "Why." Why is this character frustrated/sad/happy/homicidal? The other questions of who, what, where, and when seem to follow. But why is the most important to ask in the beginning.

Three Writing Tips:
1. If you have the flexibility, find the time during the day that works for you in terms of writing time. For example, I just recently found that my "itch to write" is really later in the day, say mid to late afternoon. I am not a morning person in any way, including writing.

2. Strike a balance between having to get everything down that's spurting around in your brain and what your body can handle. Due to some physical issues, I need to take breaks often. Allow yourself as many breaks as your body wants.

3. Read to write. Be a voracious reader to learn what your interests are, as well as what writing styles capture your attention. Those styles and interests often turn into book ideas.

Recommended Reading: The Quiet Ear: An Investigation of Missing Sound by Raymond Antrobus. Another great memoir on disability and identity, an issue dear to my heart.

Invest in your writing. Join an upcoming group!

October 22nd - November 26th @ 9:30AM CST - SOLD OUT
November 9th - December 14th @ 7PM CST
November 10th - December 15th @11 AM CST - SOLD OUT

New on HerStry

Come to the table. November is all about food. The meals we’ve made, the tables we’ve shared, the way food has impacted your life. Eating is universal, sharing a meal is universal, how does it factor into your story?

HerStry publishes personal essays every Wednesday. Personal essays are a way for our writers to tell the stories they want to tell. There are no rules. No themes. As long as the story is true and about you, we want to read it. Nothing is off limits. We are accepting general submissions until November 14.

Events:

Build a Morning Writing Practice (for Life)

We all know it’s too easy to get to the end of the day without getting a writing session in. So let’s build a sustainable habit together. We’ll write first thing in the morning, before our phones, inbox, loved ones, or professional lives have a chance to derail us. Build a habit in one month. In this class that meets Mondays through Fridays from 8:00-8:50 AM CST, we will focus on generating new writing—making headway on a current project, reviving an old project that’s been gathering dust, or writing based off of the daily prompts. The first 40 minutes of class is a gentle, camera-off, silent writing session. The remaining 10 minutes are an opportunity to share excerpts of our work, reflect on progress made, and set intentions for the following day. Some days we will read passage together on the writing life and we'll close each class with a new learning about artistic inspiration or habit formation. Sign up.

Substance Over Substack

Despite a decade of social media dominance, email newsletters remain the most powerful tool in a writer's platform-building arsenal. Yet in the Substack era, many writers approach newsletters with confusion, reluctance, or half-hearted commitment—missing their true potential while chasing trends.

This class cuts through the hype to reveal what actually works for writers at any stage of their careers. Sign up now.

Craft Chat: Anna North (Babes Only)

Anna North, author of Outlawed and the forthcoming Bog Queen, will join us via Zoom for a members only craft chat. We host craft chats with authors, editors, and agents every few months to give members an in-depth look at the industry and a chance to ask their burning questions about writing process, publication process, and more. This event is FREE for Babes Who Write members. Not a member? Join us! Sign up here for the Craft Chat.

Submission Opportunities:

1. HerStry: Open Submissions

2. Sonora Review: Open Submissions

3. The Kenyon Review: Open Submissions

4. New England Review: Open Submissions

5. The Idaho Review: Open Submissions

6. Interstellar Flight Magazine: Open Submissions

7. Strange Pilgrims: Open Submissions

8. The Yale Review: Open Submissions

9. Ploughshares: Open Submissions

10. AGNI: Open Submissions

Did you know you can support HerStry by purchasing books? Use our affiliate link at bookshop.org.

Like what you read on HerStry? Donate to help us stay sustainable.