Category: My Writing Journey

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My Writing Journey

Writing with Confidence

My first parenting book began as a work of fiction. It was a single dad story about a correctional officer who discovers a plot for his murder during an impending prison break. I planned to use the story in hopes that single fathers who read it would learn tips for parenting alone, all while being entertained.

Silly idea.

My attempt at fiction was not so much out of creativity, but fear. Fear that a self-help book would not fly unless I had a Ph.D. or other related credentials.

Of course, the novel kept hitting a brick wall because my motive was wrong. Anytime you sneak a lesson into a piece of entertainment, it’s going to show up in blinding neon lights. I knew something wasn’t right. The plot wasn’t believable—it felt forced and smacked of deceit.

At the advice of my literary friends and professionals, I abandoned my novel and dove into the first few chapters of what was then titled Help, I Think I’m Lost: How to Navigate Fatherhood After Divorce.

Once I decided to be truly authentic, I slowly gained confidence as an expert in the field of single parenting issues. Research and interviews caused the content to flow easily from my fingers.

With each new chapter completed, I’d take it to my critique group to have it polished. I talked to single dads, studied the topic, and added several interactive elements to the book. Finally, my non-fiction manuscript was organized enough to pitch to agents and publishing houses.

The Single Dad Detour: Directions for Fathering After Divorce released in February 2015 and became a work that is being utilized internationally to help dads all over the world. This humbles me and I’m so grateful for what God continues to do through the book.

Since then, I’ve expanded my audience to include traditional two-parent homes, writing dozens of articles and devotions on child-rearing from a Christian worldview. 

The lesson for me was obvious. I must move with confidence in the topic for which God calls me to write. None of us need hide behind one genre because we’re afraid of being labeled a fraud—we’re not. Let us step out and be genuine, watching God use us for his glory.

I’m not saying I’ll never try writing a novel again one day. Until then, I look forward to what God might do with my next project. Only time will tell. 

How about you? Have you struggled with insecurities in your genre?

As an award-winning author and international speaker, Tez Brooks writes on family issues, with his work appearing in Guideposts, The Upper Room, CBN.com, Clubhouse, and Focus on the Family. His editorials on Jesusfilm.org are read by over 20k each month. Tez’s book, The Single Dad Detour was winner for the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards. He and his wife have four children and live in Colorado Springs. You can learn more at TezBrooks.com

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My Writing Journey

Sometimes You Need a Story

My life is divided into before and after. I’m in the after now.

Eight years ago, this coming April, my world turned upside down. Eight years ago, this coming April, I began the slow journey back. I hadn’t written a book then. Since that time, I have finished penning three.

When I got sick, my daughter became frightened. Who wouldn’t be? It was the summer before her freshman year of high school, and she spent her vacation taking care of her mother who needed assistance walking and bathing. It didn’t matter what I told her, or how many reassurances were held out, she was terrified. All the soft gentle words and reassurances never made it past her fear wrapped worry.

Sometimes you need a story.

I wrote her a book about a girl who was afraid her mother would die and leave her alone. In the book, the mother does die. The girl is not left alone, however. She has family and unlikely heroes to depend on. I wrote my daughter a book to make her laugh and cry, but most of all to help her see she was not alone and it wasn’t up to her to save the world. I think maybe it was both comforting and uncomfortable for her to discover how much I understood her.

She’s not a character in a book, and she is not this character. But young girls everywhere get angry with their mothers, at times think they’ve been abandoned, and generally feel treated unfairly by life. They’re often surprised when they discover their mothers were once girls and understand all of these deeply held, secret feelings.

Among the pages of this made up place filled with pretend people my daughter finally understood what I was trying to tell her. She wasn’t alone.

Sometimes you need a story.

A funny thing happened. Out of the story, two more grew. Each of these novels stand alone, and while they don’t lean on each other, they do rub shoulders, exploring the lives of the various characters in the same fictional small Texas town.

It’s quite a surprise to find at the end of these eight years I have three complete novels. I’d freelanced in my former writing life, and even written a novella, which resides in the dark recesses of my computer files, but I’d never attempted a novel length work.

As my health improved and my responsibilities shifted, I had more time to write books. With each novel, I learned better and went back, refining and polishing. I hunted down critique partners and entered contests. I was quite pleased with the feedback I got. Now I’m ready to start querying agents.

I’m telling you this tale because, as with all of my stories, I want to encourage and bring hope to the reader. Because sometimes you need a story.

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.

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My Writing Journey

Newbie with Some Credit

Where am I in my writing journey, you ask? Well, I’m a little more than two years into what I’ve called “re-entering” the writing world after a nearly ten year hiatus. And I’m happy to say that while I’ve still got a long way to go before I meet my biggest personal goals, I’ve made a lot more progress than I initially thought possible in this short time period.

I’ve become comfortable with my blog and Facebook writer page, despite the almost paralyzing trepidation and confusion I felt when I first realized I needed to make these things a reality. I post and engage regularly with readers and writers from all over the country and different parts of the world, and found that I enjoy doing these things much more than I ever thought I would. I’m also pleasantly surprised at how blogging and posting regularly has helped me maintain discipline as a writer. My handful of followers can always be counted on to give me a boost of confidence when I need it most, or help me out when I have questions that only other writers seem to know the answers to.

Highlights in my day include those emails with lists of open calls for submissions. I click on them excitedly, wondering what writing opportunities await and drumming up ideas as I scroll through the links. Knowing that there is a market for subjects I’m writing about – from mental health to genre fiction — keeps me encouraged. The favorite posts on my Facebook feed are those from writer pages posting similar opportunities or encouraging writers of all experience levels to share their work or boast about their good news or accomplishments.

Now I’m at the point where I actually have a few publishing credits to brag about, and each acceptance email or kind word from a reader is validation that tells me I’m on the right path. I can finally say with confidence that yes, I am good at something. I can thank someone for a compliment without feeling guilty or embarrassed. I can tell others I’m a writer without feeling like an imposter.

But the best part about writing is the opportunity to encourage others. When I write about mental health, I think about myself back in the days when I was experiencing full blown depression or anxiety, and I hope I can bring comfort and light to someone who may be experiencing the same thing. And when I share my writing milestones, I hope I’m encouraging other writers too.

Stacy Alderman has recently had her writing published by Heart and Humanity, HrStryBlg.com, and Hometown Odyssey. She has completed two correspondence courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature and self-published two novels in 2016. You can find her on Facebook and WordPress at Quirky, Confused, & Curvy.
When Stacy’s not writing or reading, she’s probably watching Penguins hockey or (thinking about) traveling. She lives with her husband and fur kid near Pittsburgh, PA.

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My Writing Journey

God Said, “Write”

It is so very clever how God moves in us to get our attention to do something He wants us to do—or encourages us to take a step.

Several years ago I read a book that talked about honoring God by using the gifts He gave us—not to take our talents and dreams to our graves—that if we have a desire to write a book, pen a song, act, preach, teach, whatever, we should pursue it.

God grabbed my attention when I was talking about community activities with the owner of a newspaper.  Towards the end of our conversation our discussion moved to various columns in her newspaper.  I almost missed my (God-provided) clue or opportunity.  Pursing a column was not on my mind.  But God kept nudging me and I finally asked the owner if she would consider me submitting Christian based columns for the paper’s religion page.  She agreed and I wrote several years for her newspaper and another community newspaper.

God continued to confirm that not only was He reminding me that I can write, but writing is one thing He wants me to do.

When I questioned my right to write, I heard God through one of Rev. Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries radio programs.  That day Stanley preached that any Christian has the right, indeed the responsibility to talk about our relationship with Christ. No excuses, I concluded.  Yes, it’s important that I write to honor a talent God gave me and to spread His good Word.

Then God in his kindness used an amazing experience to further encourage me to write:  I was driving home from work and God placed in my mind the likeness of a black and white speckled composition notebook, which I had previously used for my writing for many years.

The confirmation came when I arrived home and on a pile of some papers and books, was one of those composition books.  I hadn’t seen this type notebook in my home in quite a while.  To see one laying there after God had placed the image in my mind only a few minutes earlier was amazing. My husband told me later he had unpacked some items and found the unused notebook.  Little did he know that placing that notebook in plain view was God-directed.

God still encourages me to write.  The opportunity to submit this article is one example.  I continue to write and to publish.  More on publishing next time.

Deborah Tompkins Johnson is the author of How Did They Do That? – Career Highlights, Triumphs, and Challenges.  She also penned and markets the poem, Don’t Forget Your Umbrella, which espouses a God-given message encouraging us to hear and listen to the Holy Spirit.  For six years Deborah wrote columns for two community newspapers in the suburbs of Washington, D. C.  Those columns were titled Listening to God and In Search of Good Books.

Visit her at shepherdsvoiceministries.org

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My Writing Journey

My Definition of Success

All too often we’re shallow enough to think the prize is worth the journey. Really it’s the journey that’s the prize.

When I was little my dream fit in three words: publish a book.

I didn’t care about sales and didn’t even know about the Times list. All I wanted was to see my book on a store shelf.

Now I’ve written three books, signed with an agent, and I’m waiting to hear if and when my books will hit stores.

But the moment I signed an agent contract wasn’t the moment I found success.

Signing my first book deal won’t be that moment either.

There’s a misconception that success equals sales stats and how many digits are on an advance check. Those are extremely important. Publishing is a business after all! However, they aren’t how I define my success as a writer.

Wanting to see my book on a shelf is what started my journey, but I’ve found the journey is actually more important than whatever success I may find at the end.

In college writing was the last job I wanted because I believed I was way too extroverted for it. Thankfully, an author sat me down and explained the marketing and publicity side of writing and I realized writing isn’t just about writing.

I couldn’t be a writer if I didn’t live life to the fullest because writing is about sharing truth of experience.

It’s giving words to the feelings of others.

It’s a medium to use when one physical person has a message that needs to reach thousands and millions and billions of others. I write because I want to communicate to everyone and writing is one way to do that most effectively.

As I’ve progressed from a third grader penciling sentences on wide-rule paper to a post-graduate typing thousands of words on my Mac, I’ve learned writing isn’t about writing.

Writing is about communication.

I graduated college last December with a degree in Strategic Communications. I had no idea one year later I’d be signed with an agent and already hearing positive feedback from multiple publishing houses.

At heart, I’m a communicator. At heart, I just really love people. And at the core of what I do, the goal isn’t to just “get published” anymore.

The goal is to communicate truth – through living, through interpersonal interactions, through writing. That’s why success isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime book deal (however awesome that would be!).

Writing is so much more than words. Success is so much more than numbers.

Writing is a venue where words are necessary to communicate powerfully and effectively with the masses.

When I get my first book deal I’ll be thrilled, no question about that! But success isn’t signing my name on my piece of paper.

Success is the growth I’ll learn through the process of getting there.

Here’s to the journey!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Writer, working with brands to grow their audience reach. She studied Strategic Communications at Cornerstone University and focused on writing during her time there, completing two full-length manuscripts while a full-time student. Currently she trains under best-selling author Jerry Jenkins in his Your Novel Blueprint course and is actively seeking publication for two books.

Instagram: @sarahjrexford
Twitter: @sarahjrexford
Web: itssarahrexford.com

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My Writing Journey

I Never Meant to Become a Writer

Once upon a time I was a frazzled mom of toddlers paging through a parenting magazine in a brief moment of solitude.  I ran across an ad for a correspondence course on writing for children and decided it was just what I needed to keep the gray matter active in between repeat episodes of Wee Sing tapes and readings of Goodnight Moon.

I was not one of those people who had been writing stories since I was three. I never dreamed of becoming a writer when I grew up. My favorite subjects were math and science, not English. I enrolled in the writing class for fun. That was all it was—or so I thought.

Working on the assignments I discovered that writing  touched something in my soul. I have always loved reading and making up stories in my head. Now I was seeing stories come to life on the page. By the time the class was over, I was hooked.

I dabbled in writing for the next fifteen years. A script here, a humor article there. I started a novel, but never got very far. Life kept getting in the way.

Fortunately I listened to my instructor’s advice and eventually found some critique partners that prodded me to write and dragged me off to a local writers’ group. I observed. I learned. I worked up the courage to be vulnerable and allow strangers to read my work.

But …

I considered writing to be no more than a hobby, and I did not consider myself to be a real, honest-to-goodness writer.

Eventually my youngest went off to college—which meant the seemingly unending stream of excuses for not getting around to writing had disappeared (along with a laptop, dorm-sized bedding, crates of clothes, and three guitars.)

Faced with this sudden shift in my reality, I decided it was time to get serious about my writing. I finished the manuscript I’d been puttering around with for years. Sent if off for professional feedback (yikes!), returned to the drawing board, and completely rewrote it. Since then I’ve completed a third and am working on a fourth.

Somewhere along the journey, I began calling myself a writer.

At first I felt like a pretender. Sure I was writing, but did that make me a writer? Doubt would creep in. Then I would hear the same encouraging message from the lips or keyboard of yet another writing professional:

If you write then you are a writer.

Even me, the math-nerd engineering major who never dreamed of writing.

Nowadays I am proud to call myself a writer. Because I have worked long and hard to hone my craft. Because I know how lonely and scary the road to becoming a serious writer can be. But mostly because I am surrounded by so many talented authors who are intentional about nurturing the love of writing in others. Like me.

I am a writer. Is it time you started calling yourself one, too?

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz

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My Writing Journey

Lessons I Learned Along the Way

The fact I started writing a full-length novel as full-time student might seem a little scary, and you’d be right – I did have to combat some fears.

What if it’s not good? What if my characters are lame? What if I can’t keep up the rigorous writing schedule? And my biggest one: What if I can’t finish? Here are some tips that helped me go from blank page to completed manuscript.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded Individuals

Maybe you don’t have a professional mentor or community. That’s OK. I started on YouTube. No kidding.

I didn’t have a writing community. A good majority of my friends were pursuing teaching degrees or business majors and could only try to relate to the creative side of my life.

Instead of ducking out I searched YouTube and watched hundreds of interviews of different creatives on their craft. Even if you have to start small, start learning from others. You’ll be thankful later!

Lesson I Learned:

You don’t have to have a physical community to be inspired by others. Use what you have in the season you’re in.

Don’t Get Discouraged By Feedback

Throughout the writing/editing process I asked different people to read portions of my book. One reader became so invested in the story she said if something bad happened to a certain character she was going to give up on the book. Needless to say I freaked out.

I spent the majority of my night wondering what in the world to do. What I had written was going to devastate my reader, but it worked best for the story. Thankfully my writing mentor told me to stick with my original intensions. Encouraged, I stayed true to the story. Trust your gut. You’re the writer, after all!

Lesson I Learned:
Stay true to what you set out to do and work hard to complete it, even when you occasionally get feedback you weren’t expecting.  

Work For, Don’t Worry For, the Future

I started out afraid I wouldn’t finish my book on time, then I wrote that last sentence at 4:48pm on a sunny Thursday and defeated that fear with accomplishment. But then I started worrying the book wouldn’t get picked up by a publishing company.

Instead of worrying about a book deal, I started writing a book proposal and reading up on what a good one looks like. I started networking. I met with the VP of Marketing at a big publishing house and asked his advice. I hardcore edited my entire book – 4 times!

Lesson I Learned: 

Show yourself some integrity and finish what you’ve started, no matter how scared you are to keep the promise you originally made.

The future will always come, but you get to decide how you meet it: ill-equipped and embarrassed, or prepared and ready for success. Whatever your goal is, keep working toward it. You never know what one day will bring. All those days piled up are what make the mountain of success at the end!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Writer, working with brands to grow their audience reach. She studied Strategic Communications at Cornerstone University and focused on writing during her time there, completing two full-length manuscripts while a full-time student. Currently she trains under best-selling author Jerry Jenkins in his Your Novel Blueprint course, is planning a speaking tour, and actively seeking publication for two books.

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My Writing Journey

Am I Good Enough?

Talented. Well-intended affirmation sculpted my ego into a thin glass spine. Unaware of how fragile my assurance would soon prove, I ventured into the world of writing conferences. I could invite publishers to join my team of encouragers.

Let’s just say things didn’t go as I had expected. Publishers didn’t coddle me with praise-padded enthusiasm. My misplaced confidence took several critical blows.

Ego properly shattered, I limped to my room. Crawled into a fetal position. Bawled. I no longer believed in myself. I doubted the talent with which others had defined me.

After a snot-streaked, prayerful cry, the Lord stood me back up. Reminded me to follow the call. I resolved to continue writing, keep trying to pursue the work God set before me.

But, the question had etched itself as a skipping album in my mind. Its haunting words would play over and over in my head for years to come.

Am I good enough?

For years, I strove to extinguish my doubt by improving my skill. I went to many workshops, conferences, and writing retreats. I learned a wealth of new craft insights and enjoyed priceless fellowship with other struggling writers.

Yet self-doubt and temptation to give up dogged my heels. I strove harder to emulate the techniques of successful writers. With each new level of training, I merely realized how much more I had yet to learn.

Then, I heard best-selling authors admit they’d heard the question, too.

One day, I cried out to the Lord, “I’m not good enough!”

You’re right. I’m glad you realized that. He responded. But I AM.

Now, I place little faith in fleeting matters of talent and success. Why settle for them? I’m intimately connected to the most creative source in the universe. He’s not merely adequate. He trumps all insufficiency, owns the patents on our gifts, eliminates the very concept of failure.

I still hear the question sometimes. The enemy isn’t the creative one. He re-uses his original strategies. Pride. Discouragement. The temptation to believe fulfilling God’s purpose depends on whether I’m any good.

Scripture confirms none of us are any good. “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12). Thank God we don’t have to stake our confidence in ourselves.

The Lord encourages us to offer him our best. He calls us to serve him with excellence. If called to write, we should attend conferences and hone our craft. When doubts arise, we must stake our faith in something greater than our own effort, however. The Lord alone holds the right to define us and to determine our calling.

Author, speaker, licensed counselor, and life coach, Tina Yeager has won over twenty-two writing awards. She publishes Inkspirations Online, a writers’ devotional, and mentors five chapters of Word Weavers International. To book her as a speaker, coach, or manuscript therapist, check out divineencouragement.com or tyeagerwrites.com.

Tina adores embracing new friends, so feel free to offer hugs to her avatars at Facebook , Twitter , Instagram tina.yeager.9, LinkedIn , Goodreads, and Pinterest

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My Writing Journey

Thanks, Tony Robbins

“Janine?” Where are you?”

I don’t know why my husband asked me that. He knew where to find me– in front of the computer, squirting eye drops in my blurry eyes.

Yep, I’d spent another all-nighter spiffing up my manuscript. After twenty-two years, a renowned publisher had asked to see the whole thing. As I pounded the keyboard, giving Answered Prayer a final twice-over, I wondered how many nights I could go without sleep. (It was four, minus a couple two-hour naps.)

My writing journey started in the summer of 1996. I had purchased a set of “Personal Power” cassettes from Tony Robbins. At the ripe-old age of thirty-eight, it was time to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. For thirty days, I walked the high school track and let Tony’s voice seep into my head:

“The past does not equal your future.”

and

“Decide today who you will become, what you will give, and how you will live.”

I got the message. I wanted to become a writer. And not the kind who pens killer grocery lists on the back of the electric bill.

I went back to college, took a couple of computer and creative writing classes, and began my writing journey.

I wish I could say my first book was good. Calling it bad is a compliment. I still cringe when I think about it. If you’re a writer, you understand why. Your first book, though a labor of love, is fraught with newbie errors: POV changes mid-paragraph, a plot so crooked it rivals a dog’s back leg, and characters so boring they put themselves to sleep.

But it was my start…

With the love of God and 19th-century westerns deep in my soul, I began the second book. And for the past twenty years Cassandra Jane Pickett and her ruggedly handsome (of course) love-interest, Matt Atkins, have visited agents and publishers, in hopes someone would see their worth and give them a shot. (Well, yes. I revamped and edited their story so many times, it barely resembles its auspicious beginning).

But I’m happy to say their dreams, and mine, have not been in vain. The editorial director at Kensington Publishing is reviewing Answered Prayer even as I write this article.

As I wait by my computer with bated breath (Eww!), I hold hope Answered Prayer will see the publishing light of day.

Hmm… Tony Robbins was right. The future can look brighter every day.

Janine Mick Wills is a former pastor’s wife with a B.A. in Christian Ministry. She received The Grace Way Bible Society Award from Ambassador Baptist College for high academics and Christian character. She has used her training to help women grow in the grace and knowledge of God (Titus 2:3-5). To this end, she created a page on Facebook  called Growing in Grace by Janine Mick Wills. Janine has published articles in many magazines, including NovelAdvice, an online site that gives advice to aspiring novelists. She was also a columnist and freelance reporter for The Tomahawk (Mountain City, TN).

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My Writing Journey

The Wavering Writer

Doubts assailed me as I stood on the mountain anticipating my first Christian writers conference. Fear tainted my excitement, and I wondered if coming was a mistake.

Was this God’s plan or just my idea? I’ve dreamed of this venture for years. Friends deem my efforts as publication-worthy, but will an agent agree?

Writing for God. Wow, what a blessing! But did He choose me for this kingdom work? Surely not. I’m a fair judge of writing and mine is okay—well, maybe good—but not excellent.

With thoughts swirling, I recalled some self-talk and prayer that had occurred after I’d accepted what I believed to be God’s call to write. Shortly after I began to study and practice the craft, I read articles authored by friends and silently declared, That’s it. I won’t do it! Their writing is great, but mine isn’t. God certainly didn’t call me to write.

The Lord interrupted my internal tirade and asked, “Jeannie, are you willing to write with the gift I gave you even if it doesn’t appear as profound as someone else’s?”

His question dissolved me into a puddle of tears and I cried, Yes, Lord, I will. I offer this gift back to You.

As God reminded me of that encounter in prayer, my paralysis on the mountain turned into grateful obedience.

During the two years following that first conference, I contracted to write devotions for two compilations, contributed to a Selah award finalist, started writing for Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and published a poem. What amazing blessings and confirmation for this wavering writer!

Last year, when Beebe and Katy Kauffman envisioned the Bible study compilation, Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character, I shunned fear, trusted God, and joined the team as a new Bible study writer. Then, this past spring, I established what I call “my fledgling blog” to try my wings at encouraging readers. With each opportunity, God helps me grow as a Christian and a writer.

Doubts still sneak in, but when they do, a heavenly shoulder tap reminds me of God’s call. Recently, after reading a friend’s blog post, those doubts resurfaced.  

Dena’s post has a great format and clear focus. Mine, not so much. Maybe I shouldn’t even . . . Wait. Stop! I’m comparing again and finding myself lacking.

Father, transform me into the writer You want me to become. I pray, “Teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8b NASB).

Praying and reading Scripture redirect my thoughts to God’s plan and produce peace and assurance. I’m thankful God walks with me through “Doubt Valley” and sets my feet on the mountain of His grace while teaching me to serve Him through writing. God doesn’t always call people who are experts, but He continues to prepare those He calls.

Do self-talk and doubts hinder your writing? If so, what gets you back on track?

Jeannie Waters adores family time and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs. She teaches English as a Second Language part-time and leads an English/Bible study. Jeannie writes for Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and she contributed to these compilations: Breaking the Chains and Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character (Lighthouse Bible Studies), as well as Just Breathe and Let the Earth Rejoice (Worthy). Visit her at jeanniewaters.com or @jeanniewaters44 on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

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My Writing Journey

Writing Like a “Tommy”

My writer’s journey began at age eight when I felt compelled to write a story about a turtle. For reasons that escape me today, I chose not to ask my mother, a voracious reader, how to spell “turtle.” I decided instead to research the correct spelling on my own. This was long before Google. In those days, massive tomes, brimming with facts, gave us answers.

My family owned a dictionary, but did I reach for it? Of course not. I was eight. I turned instead to a more familiar informational source: a coloring book that featured a turtle on one of the pages. As I recall, he stood upright on his hind legs (as cartoon turtles are wont to do) with a dreamy look on his face and a multi-layered sandwich in one “hand.” The caption that accompanied the illustration mentioned his lunch. It also included a word that began with the letter “T.”

To my eight-year-old mind, that T-word had to be “turtle.” What else could it represent? A turtle holding a sandwich stood prominently on the page, and “sandwich” starts with the letter “S.” With that information in hand, I penned my story. The author of the coloring book, however, played a cruel trick on me. The actual caption read, “Tommy enjoys his big sandwich.” That’s right. The first story I ever wrote was about a “tommy.” (What is a “tommy” you might ask? All I can say is it looks suspiciously like a cartoon turtle.) When my mistake was brought to my attention I felt mortified. A lesser author might have given it up and gone outside to play. I couldn’t. I had another reason for writing. I needed to feel I had some control over my life.

I grew up, as many of us have, with an alcoholic father. Dad also came from a generation that believed if the man provided for his family with a roof, clothes and food, he had done his job. Nothing more was required. Research today disagrees.

My two siblings and I chose different ways of coping with our dysfunctional family. My older sister withdrew. My younger brother acted out. I, the middle child, yearned. I yearned to be cherished by a father. I yearned to find order out of chaos.

The Greatest Father of all found me, heard and answered my prayer in the most subtle of ways. He whispered into my child’s ear, “Write.” So I did.

As the years passed I kept at my craft. Loving father/daughter relationships became a common theme in my writing. My middle grade novel, I Almost Love You, Eddie Clegg, published by Peachtree Publishers, features a thirteen-year-old protagonist who develops a father/daughter relationship with her stepfather. Currently, I’m working on a novella for an adult audience with an unorthodox father/daughter relationship between unrelated characters that help each other overcome separate traumas.

When I needed a loving father, the one from above gave me the gift of creativity. It is my hope to honor His name with future writing endeavors.

Aud Supplee is a dialog-loving writer and avid reader. Life, laughter and love give her writing inspiration. She enjoys running slides at her church, horses, jogging and yoga. While conquering a fear of horses, she wrote about the Power of W.H.O.A. (Widen your comfort zone; Harness your inner strength; Open up to new opportunities; Achieve your dreams). You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. Her website is under reconstruction and a blog is forthcoming.

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My Writing Journey

Still Scribbling

I loved books before I could read and scribbled thoughts before I could write. Throughout my childhood, crayons, pens, and pencils provided some of my favorite entertainment.

My senior year in high school, the local newspaper published a Christmas story I wrote as a class assignment. I thought little more about publication until after college graduation. One of my professors suggested I send writing samples to a church bulletin service. Lifeway published those articles, but my attention soon shifted to work, family, and church obligations. Although I wrote for each of those, I published nothing else until 2005.

Once again I wrote for church bulletins. In addition, I tweaked and submitted monologues and poems I had shared in church services, backyard Bible clubs, and mission trips. Those appeared in several program books.

Online resources, books on writing, bookstores, and the work of other writers became my go-to for training. Although my publications list grew, writing remained nothing more than a hobby.

One day I ran across an advertisement for the 2008 Kentucky Christian Writers Conference (KCWC). I walked into that conference with fear and trepidation. I knew I didn’t belong with real writers. However, I decided to listen and learn. What a game changer.

Along with encouragement, information, and lasting friendships, I discovered the definition of a writer: A writer is a person who writes. That’s it, plain and simple.

I was a writer.

That conference also taught me to expect rejections – lots of rejections. However, as I honed my craft, I could also expect a growing number of acceptance letters.

The more I wrote, the more I loved to write. Some people stick with one genre. I remain all over the board. From children’s work to senior adults, drama to devotions, magazine and newspaper articles to planning guides, Bible studies, and poetry, I love it all. I do prefer nonfiction over fiction.

My scribbling has been accepted more than 800 times by 40-plus publications. I write mostly for the Christian market, such as The Upper Room, The Secret Place, Missions Mosaic, Clubhouse, Seek, devozine, The Christian Communicator, and The Lookout. Secular publications include Chicken Soup for the Soul, Country, Kentucky Monthly, and Kentucky Living. I also write radio drama for Christ to the World Ministries and am a contributing author to several anthologies. My poetry has received first prize awards twice from the Kentucky State Poetry Society.

The first time an editor initiated contact to request my services, I did a happy dance. When a publisher offered a book contract on dramas I originally submitted for a multi-author compilation, I happy danced again. Although I’m working on a few book proposals, I loved becoming an accidental author with Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More!

An international student’s request for a new slang expression and its definition every day led to my blog, Words, Wit, and Wisdom: Life Lessons from English Expressions. It helps people with a non-English background understand the meaning of unusual English expressions. It also offers a brief respite for people who share my love for word play. Everyone who subscribes to my blog receives a free copy of my “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt” with the first email. Many of those “Words of Hope” grew out of our family’s “Days that Hurt” in recent years.

I can’t imagine life without writing, and I thank God for this incredible privilege,

“Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 142:8 NIV)

 

Diana Derringer’s adventures as a social worker, adjunct professor, youth Sunday school teacher, and friendship family for international university students supply a constant flow of writing ideas. She enjoys traveling with her husband, singing in her church choir, and taking long walks in the country. Visit her at dianaderringer.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

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My Writing Journey

My Writing Journey

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