Tag: encouragement

Categories
Write for His Glory

Do You Live Your Message?

Yesterday I was pondering on the way to work – nothing specific, just talking to God and thinking. A very old song came to mind by Peter Scholtes, They’ll Know We Are Christians (listen here for a remake by Jars of Clay). It was written during the 1960’s Jesus movement so the musical style may be outdated but the lyrics are spot on for today’s culture.

Got me thinking about my writing, and my life, and are the two in sync (so to speak). Do I live – day in and day out – what I write about?

I write and share on Facebook Live things the Lord shows me – what He teaches me, how He changes me, and lessons I’ve learned. Like many of you, my writing and teaching comes directly from life experiences.

Soooooo….what about when I’m not in a teaching moment? What about when I am just out and about, woman on the streets? Or when I’m at home with my family?

Like when someone cuts me off in traffic, or drives 10 miles under the speed limit? Do I growl at them and make faces and say a few choice words in their direction?

What about work, how do I respond or react to gossip, or to badmouthing the boss, or to any sort of complaining and negative talk? Do I listen in and nod in agreement, or maybe even join in?

Oh, and yes, and when someone takes that last parking spot by pulling right in front of me? Do I honk the horn and show my best mad face?

Or waiting in long lines to check out, and maybe the sales clerk makes a mistake that makes my wait that much longer. Am I  impatient, self-righteous, and borderline rude?

And last but not least, how do I treat those closest to me, especially my husband, when they do something I don’t like?

I’m sure you can think of many times when people just push.your.buttons!

When they do, do they get light or darkness?

If someone met you anywhere in public, then saw you at church, would they be surprised to see you were a Christian? Will they know you’re a Christian by your love no matter where they may meet you? Do you live your message, day in and day out?

I remember hearing a famous speaker talk about trying to get the last table in a diner. She put her competitive shoes on and raced to the door, gloating as she reached it before the other person. Yes! (fist bump) She got her table!

Then someone in the restaurant recognized her, “Hey, aren’t you Polly Popular Speaker?” Heads turned toward her as her head bowed in shame at what they just witnessed.

I’ve been there. I’m not famous, but I’ve been in a snit, so to speak, and treated someone abruptly. Then I ran into them at church, or had them tell me they read my blog and enjoyed it. It’s very humbling, to say the least.

What about you? Would you embrace seeing someone at a conference or a book signing who remembered you from running into you somewhere else? Or would you have to jog your memory to see what they might remember about you?

[bctt tweet=”We can’t write for His glory unless we first *live* for His glory.” username=”@marygscro”]

You never know who may be watching you. But you know Who is always watching: your loving Creator who gifted you and created you to shine! Live for His glory and love others, and the message from your heart will reflect His glory.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV, emphasis mine)

 

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
Write for His Glory

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, God created the heavens and earth. And God saw that it was good.

Then He created animals and plants for the earth, and saw that they were good.

THEN He created a Man from the dust of the ground and breathed Life into him, and the man became a living being. God created the Man in His own image. Then because no suitable helper was found for the Man, God created a Woman from a rib of the Man – also in His own image.

And God saw that they were VERY good.

Since the beginning of time, God has been creating life. His creative powers know no boundaries. Out of nothing, God makes beauty, purpose, and goodness.

Do you ever drive down the road and marvel at the seemingly infinite variety of trees, grasses, and flowers?

Do you ever marvel at how, with basically the same anatomy (four legs, body, head, tail), so many distinct animals exist that you can name…let alone the ones you can’t name?

And people, wow! We all have the same features – eyes, nose, mouth, ears, body, arms, legs – yet we are uniquely recognizable among thousands of people.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day.

(Psalm 139:13-16, The Message)

Once upon a time, God created people – people who would be His people, and He would be their God. He loves His creation, all of it, especially the human beings He created in His own image, to reflect His glory. Oh, and the best part: when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside us.

Do you know what that means?

We have direct access to the creative power of the Creator of the Universe! Through us, God can create life-giving words, crafted into stories and songs and all kinds of media that will be read, listened to, and watched by whoever He determines needs those words exactly the way we write them. Our purpose is to create as the Holy Spirit leads, out of the passion God puts in our hearts.

Once upon a time, God created you. Don’t ever doubt that He created you exactly as “you”, intentionally and on purpose. Accept and love yourself, thankful for who He made you, and receive all He pours into you. Then pour out in your own way as only you can do, for His glory.

BIO

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
Write for His Glory

The Journey From “I Can’t” to “I Will”

The journey from “I can’t” to “I will” starts with brutal honesty.

“I can’t give up my coffee.”

“I can’t give up my bedtime snack.”

“I can’t ______________.”

These responses are often heard when someone is instructed to give up certain things so they can become more healthy. Sometimes it’s a doctor, sometimes a friend who has achieved success. Either way, the person starts out defeated by a belief that they are a victim to some unseen force that is stopping them from making the right choices.

I’ve often been like that toward God with my writing.

“I can’t write every day, I don’t have time.”

“I can’t follow a schedule, I’m too unstructured.”

“I can’t do this, I don’t know how and it’s too hard.”

It’s easy to say “I can’t” and take on that victim mindset. But what I’ve really said is…

“I won’t take something else out of my day to make time to write.”

“I won’t discipline myself.”

“I won’t pray, trust God, and step out in faith.”

Saying “I won’t” is rebellion, pure and simple. I am not a victim, I have the power to choose. Unless I see that, take ownership of my choices, and repent, I will remain a helpless victim and see little or no change in my writing life. God wants to give me His best, and by digging my heels in and refusing to obey I’m saying, “Not interested, don’t trust you, I want my way.”

Hmmmm, isn’t that where everything started back in the garden?

To move forward, we need to be brutally honest with ourselves and admit that whether we say “I won’t” or “I can’t”, the result – and the rebellion – is the same. [bctt tweet=”When we say “I can” and “I will”, we demonstrate our faith and trust in God. The doors He can then open for us are truly amazing!” username=”@marygscro”]

Is anything we can do on our own worth the cost of missing His will for our writing?

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service [for this ministry],    (1 Timothy 1:12, AMP)

Can we all make the journey from “I can’t” to “I will”?

Yes we can…if only we WILL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
WARFARE! Write for His Glory

Build Up, or Tear Down?

Ephesians 4:29, one of my life verses, says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Paraphrased, will my words build up, or tear down, those who are listening? Here are a few more verses that exhort us about the words we speak:

  • Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25)
  • Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. (James 4:11)
  • But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians 3:8)

In every one of these verses, we are not told to “think about it,” “pray about it,” or “get counsel about it.” We’re not told, “try to…”  We’re told, “do it!” Since God never tells us to do something we are not able to do by the power of His Holy Spirit, we must have the ability to control what we speak.

Another powerful passage about words is in James:

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

In God’s fine-tuning of my words, He showed me cursing isn’t always overt, loud, or angry. He revealed to me a series of questions I can ask myself about all I write, speak, and even think.

Is what I’m about to write or speak going to

  • build up, or tear down?
  • encourage, or discourage?
  • praise, or cut down?
  • bring laughter, but at someone else’s expense?
  • sound witty, or cutting?
  • promote unity, or breed strife?
  • make peace, or incite war?
  • make someone laugh, or hurt their feelings/mock them?
  • promote honor, or show disrespect?
  • foster trust, or spread gossip?

God showed me that each “or” in my list is cursing—bringing death with my words instead of speaking life. I can share two hours of awesome God stories with someone and invalidate it in a quick minute with careless cursing.

Whatever words we choose to speak are just that: our choice. The Bible leaves no room for debate about that—we can exercise our free will any way we choose, including what we speak.

I believe Paul’s exhortations also apply to all we write, including what we post on social media. Once we post, we have no control over who reads or shares our words. Our potential readers check us out on social media, and that’s how they get to know us. What they see will determine whether or not they want to read our books.

Would you be interested in a book about the amazing grace of God when you see judgmental comments about others on the author’s Facebook page?

Before you hit “enter” for a post on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media, ask yourself: “will my words build up, or tear down?” To release them or not is always your choice.

Choose wisely.

[bctt tweet=”Before you hit “enter” for a post on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media, ask yourself: “will my words build up, or tear down?” To release them or not is always your choice.” username=”@marygscro”]

Bio:

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
WARFARE! Write for His Glory

One Body, Many Parts by Mary G. Scro

Can you imagine what life would be like if you had 4 eyes but no nose or mouth? Or two hearts but no lungs?

Right, you’d not be able to survive.

That describes my writer’s journey. My passion is to write and speak – to share what God shows me. But hey, I can figure out all this other stuff, and “do it myself” so that it’s exactly what I want.

Continue reading “One Body, Many Parts by Mary G. Scro”
Categories
Support Writer Encouragement

Building Your Writing Muscles

I heard my seven-year-old grandson moaning on the mat below the climbing peg-board. I went to see if he needed help, but he quickly stood up. It was clear he was embarrassed that I’d seen him laid out on the cushion.

“Are you OK?”

“Yeah.”

But I could tell his heart hurt. He’d been struggling to climb higher on the challenging board his dad had erected in the garage. Try as Luke might, he couldn’t get past the first couple of holes that required a strong effort to insert the thick pegs and pull oneself a bit higher, one step at a time. To make matters worse, Luke’s brother of the same age scaled the height with ease.

Continue reading “Building Your Writing Muscles”
Categories
Create. Motivate. Inspire.

The Wonder of it All

The Light of the World. The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Chick-Fil-A Cow.

Believe it or not, the aforementioned have a common thread that should fill us with the wonder of it all. They are examples of great works of—wait for it—creativity.

The Light of the World (1851-1853) is a painting by William Holman Hunt depicting Jesus preparing to knock on a long-neglected door. The door with no outside handle was painted to illustrate the scripture of Revelation 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me”

C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia have thrilled children and adults for decades with magical descriptions of strange animals and beasts that talk. Children from the real world enter an enchanted land called Narnia, meet and pledge loyalty to a lion named Aslan, and together work to fight evil to restore the rightful heirs to the throne.

Then there’s the Chick-Fil-A Cow. In 1995, The Richards Group, an advertising agency based out of Dallas, Texas, put their heads together to come up with a slogan to help S. Truett Cathy sell a few chicken sandwiches. I don’t know exactly how it went down, but at some point, a mastermind said, “I know…let’s use a cow to sell chicken. And the cow can tell everyone to Eat Mor Chikin’.”

Brilliant.

I am fascinated by the creativity of others as they showcase the broad spectrum of vision and imagination in mankind. What makes someone look at a glob of paint and see Jesus raising a hand to knock on a door? Who gazes at a wardrobe and imagines children climbing in and discovering another world? And who, pray tell, ponders how to sell chicken and thinks of a cow?

It all comes down to the Person whose image we bear.

We have the desire to create because we are made in the image of the ultimate Creator—Jesus—the One who was with God in the beginning. The One who spoke all things into existence. The One who moves in us to act according to His will and gives us the desire to reflect His glory.

As writers, when we are driven to shape thoughts and ideas on paper, our hearts should thrill with what is happening. The Creator of all things is moving in us to accomplish His purposes. How affirming!

Over the next months, I pray that CREATE. MOTIVATE. INSPIRE. will be nourishment to your writer’s soul and that it will be a reminder of the Reason behind it all.

We are image-bearers.

May we bear it well.

[bctt tweet=”We are image-bearers. #inspiration #write” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”It all comes down to the Person whose image we bear. #write #writer” via=”no”]

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

Sometimes the Water Stops

If you are ministering through your writing, then I am certain that at some point in your ministry God has guided you to a certain task. More than likely you are like me — you wrestled with if you were hearing Him correctly. Next, you probably battled feeling worthy for the mission. Then you saw the reality of the difficulty of the task, and were ready to quit. The mountain seemed insurmountable. There was no way you could do it.

But still the Spirit continued to whisper on.

Still you felt called — instructed to move forward.

You had no idea how it would work out.

If you have followed this pattern of thought or better said — patter of freaking out! Then you are in good company. The company that the Book of Hebrews calls a “great cloud of witnesses.” Every follower of Christ before you and every Old Testament Saint faced the same dilemma.

My favorite account of this is found in the opening of the Book of Joshua. The Israelites stand on the banks of the Jordan River. The Promised Land is in view, and they are told to go take what was promised. God gives them specific instructions. The priests are to led the march. While carrying the Ark of the Covenant, they are to step into the swollen flood stage Jordan River. When they do, the water would stopped flowing, and like when the Red Sea was parted all of Israel would then be able to cross on dry land.

A strange plan.

Why not just stop the water first? Why not show the clear path to victory? For that matter why have Israel fight city to city to take the land, when God could have figuratively “nuked” Canaan and just handed it to His people?

Why God?

Why have us wade into the water before it parts?

Why have us feel as if we might drown with the heavy burden you have placed on us?

Pre-parted rivers would make following the Lord so much easier, right? Yet, He calls us into the swift waters with no apparent path to accomplishment. I’m sure you have been there or maybe you are on the edge of that step. Israel wandered for 40 years on the wrong side of the Jordan due to their fear to take the step of obedience.

Five years ago, I finally stepped into the water.

For years, I felt called to write, but I choose to wander in the wilderness of being uncommitted. Finally, I took the step. I took a week vacation to write a book. I finished the week with a chapter and a half with the realization writing a book was ridiculously difficult.

So, I’d quit and then restart. Quit and restart. Start a new project, quit, and restart the original book. I so wanted the water to part. After surrounding myself with accountability, I trudged on. No dry land though. I finally got enough done on the book to send to agents and publishers, again no path to victory — only rejection letters and silence. Then I went to a writer’s conference, and did the book pitch speed dating. Again silence.

Finally, the wind began to blow a bit. The breeze seemed as if it might turn back the tide. I signed with an agent. Then more silence. An empty email inbox is a lonely place, probably much like the desert surrounding Sinai.

Then came the book contract. Miracles do happen. Then came more work than I ever thought imaginable. Still the water surrounded me. I had stepped into the Jordan like those priests, but the water had not stopped.

But on April 4, 2017 the water stops and dry land appears.

Over twenty years of knowing I was called, but not taking a step. Then over five years in the water writing and learning.

But on April 4, 2017 Spiritual Prepper releases nationally.

I’m not sure if the Promised Land is on the other side. Maybe at least a royalty check or two, and more than that I hope for a few changed lives.

But I know this and want to share with you — that water you are called to step in, the water that appears scary, the water that seems only to rise — will one day stop.

If God has called you then He will come through. And in the words of rock n’ roller Chris Daughtry, “Be careful what you wish for, ‘Cause you just might get it all.”

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

Tips for Surviving the 6 Seasons of a Writer’s Life

If you’ve been in the industry long enough then you probably know by now that the writer’s life is unpredictable, and your path will never look identical to that of another writer’s.

 

Writing is like no other profession. There doesn’t seem to be a typical day’s work because our daily work shifts as the seasons change.

 

Although there are surprises—both good and bad—along the path to publication, the writer’s life can be categorized into 6 seasons…

 

  1. Writing Season. 

 

Tips for survival:

 

Stock up on writing fuel! This may include chocolate, herbal tea, sunflower seeds, trail mix, coffee, etc. Also, when you’re deep into writing, it can often become easy to ignore the outside world. Yet if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle then it’s important to stay balanced. Prioritize your responsibilities. Join a writer’s group for feedback and fellowship. Keep God and family first. Make time for socialization and relaxation. Most importantly, seek God before every writing session and watch to see how the Holy Spirit helps you churn out those words.

 

  1. Submission Season.

 

Tips for survival:

 

Prepare yourself for rejection. Keep a strong backbone for criticism, and allow the criticism to make you into a better writer. Seek support from friends and family members when you start to have writing doubts and are tempted to give up. Write down your writing career vision and greatest dream on a post-it note and stick it on your desk. Keep a running list of encouragement you receive on your writing, whether it’s from those you love, members of your writer’s group, or a writing professional. Take this list out every time you feel beaten down by rejections and critiques.

 

  1. Waiting Season.

 

Tips for survival:

 

Prayer! Waiting seasons are the best opportunity to seek God’s will for your writing career, to ask Him to open the doors that need to be open and close the doors that need to be closed. Only He knows the paths you should take. Pray that others will be touched by your words and that you’ll have the patience to wait on His timing. Trust that He’s in control of your writing dream. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to start working on your next project!

 

  1. Celebration Season.

 

Tips for survival:

 

Of course, it’s not difficult to survive during a time of celebration! 😉 This is the high point of the writing career—when you receive a contract from an agent or publisher. Take advantage of it! When you reach this season, reward yourself for your hard work. You deserve it! Go to your favorite coffee shop or restaurant. Take time to relax and watch your favorite movie. Meanwhile, keep a good head on your shoulders by staying humble. Make sure God receives the glory He deserves for opening this door. Involve Him in on the process; He wants to celebrate with you, too!

 

  1. Editing Season.

 

Tips for survival:

 

It can be tough to overhaul your manuscript to meet the needs of an agent or publisher. However, it’s important to remember that they’re the professionals in this industry. They ultimately know what sells. During this editing process, keep the big picture in mind: Your book isn’t getting ruined during surgery; instead, it’s getting better and stronger. It’ll improve. During this process, detach your heart from the project—as hard as it might be—and try to view it under a critical eye. Sure, it might seem a bit messy during the surgery. But what surgery isn’t messy? It may seem like it’s been ripped to shreds, but rest assured, it will be put back together again. The end result will be worth the pain and torture, and ultimately the manuscript will look much better than it did before the procedure.

 

  1. Promotion Season.

 

Tips for survival: 

 

Keep a good head on your shoulders during the promotion. For many introverts, it might be hard to promote yourself. But keep in mind that it’s vital if you want to make a living from writing and if you want the book to sell. Remember: You aren’t promoting yourself; you’re promoting your product and the message you stand for. What is it that you stand for? How can you get others involved to help you share this same message? God gave you this message for a reason, and it can’t get into the hands of other people unless you promote! Yet promotion can often become draining, especially for us introverts. Make sure to carve out time to feed your creativity as well—whether that comes through brainstorming your next book, reading, working on a craft, going to an art museum, etc.

 

  1. Repeat!

 

Tips for survival: 

 

There is no destination in the writing journey. It’s a cycle of the above steps—so once you receive your dream-come-true, it’ll be time to dream another dream and create another goal (for example: “hit the best-seller list”) and so on.

 

The journey is exciting, though, don’t you think? The anticipation, the development of original idea to final product and then the dream-come-true stages that evolve. Even the difficult seasons—such as rejection and waiting—are worth it, because it’s through this process that we become pruned and prepared for what awaits us on the horizon.

 

Yet it’s during those peak moments of the writers’ life that makes all of those rough seasons worth it in the end.

 

[bctt tweet=”Tips for Surviving the 6 Seasons of a Writer’s Life #writerslife #amwriting @TessaEmilyHall” username=””]

 

What’s your favorite season of the writer’s life? What season are you currently in? What tips would you like to add?

Categories
Create. Motivate. Inspire.

On Writing: 5 Insights from C. S. Lewis

Need a bit of insight as you ready the pen or laptop today? Consider the following from one of the greatest writers of all time:

  1. “Take great pains to be clear. Remember that though you start by knowing what you mean, the reader doesn’t, and a single ill-chosen word may lead him to a total misunderstanding. In a story it is terribly easy just to forget that you have not told the reader something that he needs to know—the whole picture is so clear in your own mind that you forget that it isn’t the same in his.”
  2. “When you give up a bit of work don’t (unless it is hopelessly bad) throw it away. Put it in a drawer. It may come in useful later. Much of my best work, or what I think my best, is the re-writing of things begun and abandoned years earlier.”
  3. “Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.”
  4. “Don’t use adjectives which merely tell us how you want us to feel about the things you are describing. I mean, instead of telling us the thing is ‘terrible’ describe it so that we’ll be terrified. Don’t say it was ‘delightful’; make us say ‘delightful’ when we’ve read the description. You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers ‘Please, will you do my job for me.’”
  5. “We must not of course write anything that will flatter lust, pride or ambition. But we needn’t all write patently moral or theological work. Indeed, work whose Christianity is latent may do quite as much good and may reach some whom the more obvious religious work would scare away. The first business of a story is to be a good story. When Our Lord made a wheel in the carpenter shop, depend upon it: It was first and foremost a good wheel. Don’t try to ‘bring in’ specifically Christian bits: if God wants you to serve him in that way (He may not: there are different vocations) you will find it coming in of its own accord. If not, well—a good story which will give innocent pleasure is a good thing, just like cooking a good nourishing meal. . . . Any honest workmanship (whether making stories, shoes, or rabbit hutches) can be done to the glory of God.”

Who is your go-to author for inspiration?

Get inspired and keep writing!

[bctt tweet=”5 Writing Tips from C. S. Lewis @A3forMe #amwriting #writer” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Any honest workmanship (whether making stories, shoes, or rabbit hutches) can be done to the glory of God.” C.S. Lewis @A3forMe @lthomaswrites” via=”no”]

(1, 2) C. S. Lewis letter to a girl named Thomasine (December 14, 1959).

(3, 4) C. S. Lewis letter to Joan Lancaster (June 26, 1956).

(5) C. S. Lewis letter to Cynthia Donnelly (August 14, 1954).

More insight from Lewis: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2016/03/26/15-pieces-of-writing-advice-from-c-s-lewis/

Categories
History in the Making

Seeing His Words in Print Baffles Mark Twain

by Sandra Merville Hart

Mark Twain’s life was at a pivotal moment in the 1860s.

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He was out of the States and in Nevada Territory where fortunes were made and lost while mining for silver. He ought to know; his part-ownership in a silver mine had made him a millionaire. Through the worst of misfortunes, Twain lost his interest in the mine after ten days.

What was next for him? He had held a variety of positions: grocery clerk, blacksmithing, bookseller’s clerk, drug store clerk, St. Louis and New Orleans pilot, a printer, private secretary, and silver mill miner. He felt that he had mastered none of these professions. What does one do after losing a million dollars?

[bctt tweet=”Mark Twain was at a pivotal moment. What does one do after losing a million dollars? #writing #inspiration” username=”@Sandra_M_Hart”]

He gave in to misery. He had written letters to Virginia’s Daily Territorial Enterprise, the territory’s main newspaper in earlier days; it always surprised him when the letters were published. It made him question the editors’ judgment. His high opinion of them declined because they couldn’t find something better than his literature to print.

A letter came from that same newspaper offering Twain a job as city editor even as he wondered what his future held. Though he had so recently been a millionaire, the job offer with a twenty-five-dollar salary seemed like a fortune. The offer thrilled him.

mark-twain-391112_960_720Then doubts set in. What did he know of editing? He felt unfit for the position. Yet refusing the job meant that he’d soon have to rely on the kindness of others for a meal, and that he had never done.

So necessity forced Twain into taking an editor’s job though he felt ill-equipped. He arrived in Virginia, Nevada Territory, dressed more as a miner than an editor in a blue woolen shirt, pantaloons stuffed into the top of his boots, slouch hat, and a “universal navy revolver slung to his belt.”

The chief editor, Mr. Goodman, took Twain under his wing and trained him to be a reporter. The young man had finally found something he excelled in.

As writers, many of us can relate to Twain’s doubts. A myriad of talented authors have come before us. What do we have to offer?

It is comforting to realize that a young man destined to become one of America’s best-loved authors began with humility. A seasoned and kindly editor taught him the trade; Twain’s talent took him the rest of the way.

What would have happened if Mark Twain hadn’t lost a million dollars? His words may have been lost to us. Such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Prince and the Pauper might never have been written.

When we ponder our failures, our rejected works, and lost opportunities, we should remember that situations change. We won’t always feel as we do today. God has the ability to put us in the right place at the right time with the right attitude.

Just like He did with Samuel Clemens, America’s beloved Mark Twain.

 

Sources

Twain, Mark. Roughing It, Penguin Books, 1981.

 

 

 

 

Categories
Child's Craft

Quit or Trust God?

I crossed paths with Satan, the other day. He was dressed in his original disguise, as a six-foot long, shiny, slithering black serpent. How do I know it was Satan? He induced fear in me. Fear is not of God.

I was running with my dog, at the White Water Center on one of the many beautiful trails when this slimy thing slithered up to the path. I screamed. Though I kept running and at a faster pace, every shiny tree root looked like a slithering slimy serpent. I ran in fear and realized it. I spoke out loud to God confessing my fear then asked Him how I was supposed to run and not fear about running across another snake.

“Did that snake hurt you?” God seemed to ask.

“No, he just scared me.”

“What were you scared of?”

“That he’d bite me or my dog.”

“Did it bite you?”

“No, but the next one might.”

“Will fear protect you from getting bitten by the next snake?”

“No, only You can protect me from that.”

“Then fear not, my child.”

I had three choices at that moment. I could quit, run in fear, or trust God.

Has Satan slithered into your writing life?

When I first began writing, I didn’t tell anyone I was writing a book. What if it never got accepted? What if people made fun of me for trying to be a writer. What if I quit, then they’d know that I’d quit or maybe they’d think I was trying to be something I’m not.

All of the above did happen and I survived it all. I’ve been rejected a gazillion times, I’ve been made fun of for trying to write and I quit temporarily. But it was all inconsequential. At least I tried.

What fear paralyzes you in your writing? Others are better? You’ll never get published, nobody will read your stuff, nobody will like your stuff? Friends, none of that is from God!

You have three choices. You can quit, write in fear, or trust God.

I read this recently, though I’m not sure where it came from:

“If God showed you all He had planned for you, it would boggle your mind. If you could see the doors that would open, the opportunities that will cross your path, and the people who will show up, you would be so amazed, excited and passionate, it would be easy to set your mind toward victory.

That is what faith is about. You’ve got to believe it before you see it. God’s favor is surrounding you like a shield. Every set back is set up for a comeback. Every bad break, every disappointment, every person who does you wrong is part of the plan to get you where you’re supposed to be.”

Are you gonna fear this? Or believe it?

You have three choices, but I’m here to say, Satan wins in two of those choices. Trust God. Keep the faith and keep writing! Don’t quit. Rebuke Satan. Resist that slimy devil. Rebuke the fear. Don’t stop! Give it another day, take a break, commit to the calling. Trust in God’s timing. You can do it! Let Him plan your course. Simply be obedient as you are indeed doing! You can do it!

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

5 Qualities Every Serious Writer Needs to Possess

The writing journey is not a smooth, easy ride. There will be setbacks, failures, doubts, and frustrations along the way to achieving your dream. Yet I believe that, with the right attitude and right approach, this journey can not only become bearable, but enjoyable for the aspiring author.

Here are five qualities every serious writer should possess before heading out on their journey:

           

            1. Humility

This is the single most important trait a writer should have. Why? Because it’s the foundation to all of the other qualities on this list. You can’t maintain the right attitude throughout your writing journey if you lack humility.

Writers need this trait for the following reasons . . .

  • So we can accept criticism and make our manuscript stronger
  • So we can understand that there will always be room to prove
  • So we can support other authors and give them the help they need in their own journey
  • So we can be an easy client for agents and editors to work with
  • So our head doesn’t swell when we receive positive feedback and reviews

            2.  Patience

One of the reasons why I wanted to begin my writing journey at 16-years-old was because I knew the publication process wouldn’t be quick. Every stage of the journey takes time — writing the manuscript, growing as a writer, building a platform, revision/editing, submission process, contract process, publication process, marketing, etc. And when there’s a dream that’s heavy on your heart, each stage seems much longer than it actually is.

The writing journey is just that: A journey. Although there are milestones along the way, I don’t truly believe the career novelist should have a “finish line”. Every milestone is an opportunity for celebration and a reminder that you’re closer to your Publication Dream. Aspiring authors especially need this trait so they don’t enter the journey with false expectations and give up when the process takes longer than they imagined.

            3. Generosity

Which writer do you believe leaves the best impression — the arrogant, haughty writer who is only in the business to achieve his/her own dreams? Or the writer who seeks to serve readers and fellow writers? The writing community is close-knit, and most of us are more than willing to share knowledge that we believe will help other writers. (This is why there are so many writing-related blog and books on the craft.) Don’t be that one writer who hoards their knowledge and seeks to gain help and info without ever giving back to the writing community. Most authors do not publish a book without the help of multiple other people (that’s why there are acknowledgements in the backs of books!). If you’ve reached where you are today because someone took the time to help you, don’t forget to return the favor — even if it’s not to the same person who helped you. What goes around will certainly come around!

            4. Selflessness

How can you be generous if you’re only focused on your own growth as a writer? Or how can you remain humble if your Ultimate Goal as an author has to do with “me, me, me”? It’s possible for the aspiring author to chase their dream (publication) and remain selfless in the process.

I advise re-evaluating the reason(s) you write and the Ultimate Goal for your writing journey. Is it to gain success and see your name in print? Or do you hope to offer stories that will provide entertainment for readers, shed light on a certain topic, minister to readers, etc.?

Again: The author who makes a lasting impression and gains the most popularity amongst readers is the one who not only writes great stories, but one who stays focused on others as well. This is the author who wants to connect with their readers. This is the author who will promote other books within their genre because in doing they’ll support their Ultimate Goal as an author: To introduce entertaining stories to readers.

            5. Self-confidence

(No, being selfless and having self-confidence is not an oxymoron!) I’ve noticed that, if a writer neglects to have confidence in their ability to write, they don’t get far in this journey. They’ll quit as soon as someone criticizes their work. If you truly want to reach publication, you’re going to have to start believing in yourself — and that will involve believing in your potential even if no one else does. Just because your writing isn’t perfect now doesn’t mean it can’t improve. And just because your story might have plot-holes doesn’t mean it’s too late to fix them. These are only obstacles to overcome, not Dead End signs. Every published author, I’m sure, has struggled with self-doubt at one point or another. But just because you don’t write in the same style as your favorite author doesn’t mean you can’t write.

Every writer has a unique style. Every writer has a unique calling for their publication journey. Focus on your own strengths, accomplishments, and purpose as a writer, and don’t allow yourself to compare yourself to others. Those writers have already been taken! Instead, be the best version of yourself that you can be. Keep growing in your craft, and write stories that you feel called to write and in the best way you know how.

Your future readers will some day thank you for not giving up!

[bctt tweet=”5 Qualities Every Serious Writer Needs to Possess #writerslife #amwriting @TessaEmilyHall” username=””]

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Which quality on this list is hardest for you to attain? Are there any you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments! 

Categories
Child's Craft

The E’s of Writing for Children

The E’s of writing for children does not equate with ease of writing for children, but includes elements to help your writing stand out.

I’ve researched children’s books and have found that most published children’s books fall into at least one of four categories, if not overlapping into several. So, it seems that as writers, we should write manuscripts that fall into at least one these same categories. I’ve made it simple so that all you have to remember is the letter E. All of these categories begin with that letter. So, children’s books should:

Entertain – These books should take children to other worlds, help them escape from their reality if only for a few moments, should enlighten their lives. These books bring enjoyment at some level, wonder, excitement, amusement. It doesn’t have to be a fantasy book to take children away. It just needs to quickly put them into a different setting, or make them laugh, help them to think differently, or at some level amuse them. There might not be any educational matter in these books but their highlight is that they simply entertain.

Educate – Books do not need to be scholarly books to educate. The best books educate children without the children realizing they are being educated. Can your books show the love of Jesus, the wonder of God, the downfall of boasting, ways to get healthy, to serve or to love through entertaining stories? Think of Dr. Seuss’ Yertle the Turtle, which focuses on the downfall of greed and Gertrude McFuzz which is a fabulous story for children about vanity. The Tooth Book which is a fun lesson in the importance of caring for your teeth. Can you find a way to extract a lesson from your story without the kids realizing their being taught?

Esteem – Who doesn’t like reading books to children that remind them that they are loved, they matter, there is a purpose for them, and that they are cherished? God Made You Just Right by Jill Roman Lord, focuses on how special and unique each child is. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney reminds a child how much they are loved by a parent. You Are Special by Max Lucado enforces that God cherishes each child. All of our children need to be reminded that they are special, loved and unique.

Encouragement – I love the book It’s Hard to be five, by Jamie Lee Curtis. This meets the kids where they are, helps them learn self-control and shows that it’s not easy with what they are going through but that they can make it through. Does your book help a child keep his chin up, hold on another day, promote helping others in need, to love more, to try again? There is certainly a need for more of these books.

Children’s books should also elicit an Emotion of some kind. Maybe an ‘aha’ moment. In another post, I mentioned this as the ‘gut’ factor. Is there a moment in your book that might take the reader’s breath away, bring back a memory, cause them to break out into laughter, gasp, say, “awww”, perhaps elicit a tear? This adds a tenderness, an unexpected surprise. This is an element that I would suggest should be evident in all children’s books.

There you have it. The E’s of writing children’s books. Good luck! And let me know below, any other categories I may have missed.

 

Categories
WARFARE!

Why is it So Hard to Rest?

Why is it so hard to rest? To take a break? To “do nothing”?

Years ago, I remember the Lord telling me to rest, stay in His Word, and take it easy. But that didn’t work out with my schedule, so I didn’t make the time.

The next week something happened that knocked me flat on my back. I was not prepared because I didn’t listen to the Lord. I got through the tough time, but it was a whole lot more difficult than it needed to be.

God knew I needed to be strengthened to be able to handle what was coming. Since then I’ve learned to trust Him a bit more, although rest is always difficult.

This time God asked me to put down my writing for a season and focus on my husband, family, prayer, health, and work…in that order.

But wait! My publisher is closing their doors, so if I “do nothing” my books will not be available. If I don’t write on my blog (which I haven’t for over 3 months anyway), what will my readers think?

As I sit here 100% sure I’ve heard God correctly, I ponder why it’s difficult to obey.

Maybe it’s because I fear losing followers. No, I don’t think so; when I write and share, God brings the people who need to read what I’ve written.

Maybe it’s because I’m uncertain about my calling. No, I know He called me to write and I know the joy it brings me. I am a writer.

Maybe it’s because too much of my perceived value to God is in my writing. As Joyce Meyer says, it’s in my “do” instead of my “who”.

Yes, I can easily fall into measuring my worth by the visible response I get to my writing. That’s part of it, but not all.

So why is it so hard to rest? Like with most other things, I think the main reason this or any other season of rest is difficult is because I don’t understand it. I am called to write, now I need to stop? I don’t know why, I don’t know for how long, and I don’t know what this new season will bring.

My ministry name is Life Is Not A Formula. I think God gave me that name to remind me that it’s futile to try and figure things out, especially where God may be leading, or why He commands this or that. He wants me to trust Him completely with everything day by day, and that includes my writing.

So how is rest related to warfare? If I don’t obey, I will be out of God’s will for my life, and that’s not a safe place to be; I become enemy bait for him to steal, kill, and destroy what God wants to do. My writing can only be fruitful if I am writing under God’s inspiration.

Most importantly, I miss out on intimacy with my Daddy when I try to go where He is not leading.

I’ve learned it’s not worth the risk.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2b     a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3b    a time to tear down and a time to build,

7b     a time to be silent and a time to speak,

                (Ecclesiastes 3, NIV)

rest

So I choose to accept and receive God’s season of rest from writing. I’ve already seen His hand of blessing in many ways over the past several weeks. Now that I’ve accepted it, I look forward with anticipation to what He’ll do in me and through me during this season of rest. It won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

And when He releases me to do so, I’ll write all about it!

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

Better Understand God’s Instruction — Try Triangulation

Labeled for reuse from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Waas.png

As a Christian writer in your life or in your writing it is not merely about what you want to say or do. You are an ambassador of Christ. You are a soldier in His command. Therefore, you should be seeking Him consistently, walking in the Spirit so that you know His instructions.

I have no doubt that you are doing this, but being certain we are understanding the Spirit’s guidance is not always that easy. We can hear His voice. We can know that voice as we read in John 10. This is not so much a science, but is  an art. It is something that is developed over time. Hearing God’s voice and being certain it is something you can continue to do better.

One way you could do this better is through triangulation.

I highly doubt you have heard this term in a sermon, but maybe you have heard it in an overly technical explanation about your cell phone or a GPS.

I grew up fishing on a local lake. One side of that lake was wide-open with no apparent landmarks on the surface, but underneath there were some serious honey-holes. The trick became finding those spots again after catching fish there the trip before. So to help find those spots we would locate a landmark on the shore. For example, we might chose to line up with the old concrete plant’s smokestack.

The issue would be the smokestack might put us close to the fishing hole, but not exactly. We could be in a three hundred yard circle of the key spot that was no bigger than a bucket. If we added another landmark then we would get closer. So maybe the smokestack on the east and the fourth buoy in the south. Those landmarks would get us close, but still not exactly where we wanted to be, but three landmarks put us exactly where we needed to be. The smokestack on the east, the fourth buoy in the south, and the boat ramp to the west — and we would find that exact spot. The three points of reference created a triangle.

Now days we don’t work so hard. The honey-hole is marked in our GPS and we can go right to it. The reason the GPS works so well is not because a signal from one satellite is locating us, but there are signals from at least three. The GPS uses the same principle of triangulation.

So now back to us hearing God’s voice. How many points of reference are you using to determine His instructions to you?

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, through His Word, through circumstances, and through other believers. All though through each source of His voice we can know all we need to know, it can be easy to misinterpret. But if we are consistently allowing multiple avenues in which for His voice to speak into our lives, when they line up we can be certain we are hearing clearly.

Each day as I have my “quiet time” with the Lord I don’t rely on just one avenue, but I try to allow for triangulation. I have a prayer journal in which I write my morning prayer and I write down what I feel the Spirit may be speaking to me. I also list circumstances that I believe may be important in determining His Will. So that is the point of reference of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

During my morning quiet time I read a portion of Scripture. This is a point of reference from His Word. I also try to find a reading plan that someone else has designed that way each day’s reading is objective. If left to me to pick passages I am going to consistently go to Jeremiah 29:11 and dream of that next book contract.

I also do one or two devotional type study books. This I refer to as my teacher point of reference. I am letting God use a teacher to speak into my life. I try to do two such books at a time. I like to have one that is more inspirational and then one that is more doctrine focused. I say a fun one and a boring one.

You may say all this is over kill, but by having usually four avenues for God to speak into my life if they all line up in some way then I feel with certainty I am hearing correctly.  Now they don’t always line up, but when they do — triangulation works and I better understand God’s instruction.

 

Categories
Child's Craft Uncategorized

Writing is like crossing the streets of India

I traveled to Hyderabad, India recently and we had one day of sightseeing and shopping in the city. This city had streets like no other in the USA. Though two lanes of traffic were designated, at least four lanes of traffic ensued, in all directions. If there was a light signal, it was merely a suggestion, but one that was never followed. In intersections, four lanes of traffic moved in all directions at one time: cars veered left at the same time vehicles charged forward, all the time while people and wild dogs attempted to cross the street, which we did.

A group of five of us women headed to a salwar store late one evening so we’d look beautiful for the upcoming Republic Day ceremony. Usha, a native, escorted us. We were merely two street crossings away from the beautiful salwars. She instructed us to hold one hand up, grab hold of the person next to us and follow her across. Well, cars flew by in all directions as she held her hand up and stepped into the oncoming traffic. The others followed. I did not. Cars weren’t stopping! Usha looked back and saw me standing on the side, “Jill, you have to cross with us!” I couldn’t move, so they returned for me.

“But the rickshaws are flying by.” I replied. “They aren’t stopping.”

“They aren’t going to stop,” She answered sternly. “Just follow me.”

I grabbed hold of a friend as I held up my hand and we boldly strode into the crazy peril. I held my breath as cars flew around us. When I thought we were securely across, I let out my breath and released hold of my friend only to have a motor scooter whirl a left turn directly in front of me. I screamed in startlement as he laughed mockingly at me. I was scolded once again for letting my guard down too early. Too early? We’d made it to the side walk. Didn’t matter.

One more street to cross. Usha grabbed my arm and instructed me to stay with her. I threw up my hand, allowed her to escort me through the zooming rickshaws, motor scooters, dogs and cars till we arrived safely to the storefront of the clothing store.

Later I realized this is just like writing!

God convicts us with an idea to write. We either agree to write it or we don’t. When we agree, we throw up our hand in a commitment to write, grab hold of him and charge forward. All the while, Satan is shooting his blazing arrows at us: Arrows of discouragement, of accusations, of comparisons. “Who do you think you are writing this?” “You’re not qualified.” “Look at all the others getting published. You’re not like them.” Oh, Satan is just like those rickshaws, motor scooters and vehicles threatening to take us down, but we must hold onto the one who knows the way. Satan may laugh and sneer but we must allow God to grab hold of us and lead us safely to the other side. We must believe that the One who convicts us to write a story will empower us to see it through.

We had a great time shopping. Some women purchased several beautiful salwars, and others purchased just one. I, however, did not find any that fit me or that I could make work on me. And isn’t that just like writing, as well? Some stories will make it to publication, some will not. Some are meant to be shared with others close to us, or to strengthen our relationship and trust in God or for our own personal growth. We just have to be obedient and let Him direct the outcomes.

Don’t hesitate to jump in with an idea He has planted in your heart. If I had stayed on the sidewalk and never crossed over, I’d have missed the whole experience. Jump in with both feet, make the commitment and hold onto God. Those fiery arrows will fall on the ground around you and miss you completely if you cling to the One who knows the way.

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

You Already Have a Writing Team

Like me you are probably trying to build a support team for your writing — a reading group, a critique group, editors, an agent, an IT person who will come to the rescue in the middle of the night for free, publishers, publicists, etc. But you already have a writing team. A team that is easily forgotten.

The other day I contacted a guy to hire to help me do communications for a ministry I am involved in. I emailed him that I was looking for a Felicity from the CW’s Arrow and a Cisco from CW’s Flash. Like you, possibly, he didn’t have a clue what I was talking about, but lucky his wife watched the two television shows. Arrow is a television show based off the DC Comics character Green Arrow. Green Arrow is a crime fighting vigilante who wears a green hood and uses a bow. Flash is a television show based off the DC Comics character Flash who after being hit by lightning gains supernatural speed which he uses to do good in his city.

The two shows have caught my attention. For one, I was a comic book nerd back in the day, but secondly, it has given an interesting take about other people in the lives of these superheroes. Both characters have a team that helps them. Green Arrow has Diggle who helps with intelligence and crime fighting, and he has Felicity who is a computer guru. The Flash has Joe who is a detective, Caitlyn who is a scientific genius, and Cisco who is a technology guru. In every episode it is evident that the superheroes can’t accomplish their missions alone.

The shows go beyond the immediate “official” team and shows how the hero’s mission affects so many others lives. There are those who know the hero’s true identity and struggle to carry that burden. Then there are the family members and love ones who do not know the identity, but still feel the effects of the hero’s double life.

Now maybe it is self-serving to attempt to connect my writing to a superhero, but I need all the encouragement I can get. No seriously, our writing ministries are important. Like the Arrow and the Flash we are trying to change the world, and we aren’t doing it alone. [bctt tweet=”You can’t accomplish your writing mission alone — it takes a team.”]

If you have written for any period of time then you have a good team that works hard to let you “save the world.” I imagine you have a team like me. I have my wife who has for years given up her husband’s one day off and her only day to have a break from being mom to allow me to write. She has agreed to invest money into editing, critiques, contests, and writers conferences all the while knowing my promise that we would eventually make it back was a lie. Then there are my daughters who sacrifice their Daddy time and play without him even though he is just a closed door and headphones away. Then there is my congregation that has not received their pastor’s full attention so that he could write. There are my parents who know they are in trouble when they get older because their writer son is going to be busy spending 2,000 hours on a manuscript that will never see daylight and not be able to help them, and he sure is not going to have any money. They are a team player willing to offer my family a place to live if turns to that. Then my poor in-laws who know I can’t provide what their daughter deserves because I spend too much time watching stupid YouTube videos and reading “Where are the WWE Stars Now?” — uh, I mean writing. Then there are my fishing and hunting buddies who have to go alone because I’m hanging out in my office drawing ligers.

Again if you have written for any period of time you too have a team like me. Remember them. You can’t do it alone, but you already have a writing team.

 

 

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Writers Being Thankful

I am writing this blog on the eve of Thanksgiving. Thinking about this holiday causes me to consider the fact that we only designate one day a year to ponder gratitude. Yet the Bible encourages us to “be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)

So while I know this post will run in the midst of Christmas season, I’m going to claim a day of thankfulness and encourage writers to think about the many people who bless and enrich our lives.

Here are just a few of the folks for whom we can be grateful:

 

  • Critique groups who offer helpful advice.
  • Authors who write better than we do. They inspire us to excel and do better.
  • Spouses who don’t mind eating take-out food when we’re in the midst of editing.
  • That friend or relative who believes we are the best writer they’ve ever read. We know it’s not true, but we appreciate their love and support anyway!
  • Editors who catch all those mistakes that we know are there but we just can’t see. They have our backs.
  • That more experienced author friend who takes us under their wing and helps us become a better writer.
  • The acquisitions editor who says, “Please send me that book proposal.”
  • The fellow writer’s conference attendee who sees you sitting alone at lunch and says, “Can I sit with you?”
  • That author who takes the time to read and review your book, even though you know they are too busy.
  • Your family and friends who will always love you, even if you never become a best-selling author.

 

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So in this Christmas season of remembering the birth of our Savior, let’s remember that the Child born in the manger came to save us and be a blessing to us. Let us, in turn, be a blessing to others. Be an encourager to a fellow writer.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Merry Christmas!

 

Green typewriter image courtesy of Just2Shutter via freedigitalphotos.net

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

Accomplish This One Daily Writing Task

As a Christian writer I imagine you are like me and are driven with an overwhelming conviction and fire to accomplish the task the Lord has placed on your heart. With each moment I find to write I attack it like a mad scientist. I zone in and try to shut out everything else as I give myself to that project. I will be absolutely heaven-bent to complete the mission I have been given.

Obedience to the Spirit is a good thing, right?  We should bust our butts for the glory of God by attacking that project, but beyond whatever that project may be there is one thing we must accomplish first.

As a pastor I feel like there is not enough time in the day or a enough of myself to go around. Something is always going to get left undone, at least that is my experience. I have tried everything I can think of to get in all the study, preparation, administration, discipleship, evangelism, pastoral care, visits, counseling, funerals, weddings, vision casting, leader training, community involvement, denomination involvement, writing etc. No matter how well I follow the tips of John Maxwell or Stephen Covey I end up letting myself and others down.

This January I decided there was one thing I was going to make sure I accomplished daily. No matter what the fall-out would be or what piled up undone — each day I was going to spend adequate time with the Lord. I was going to read in His Word and pray over everything. I was going to let the Holy Spirit guide my to-do list.

I wish I can tell you that by making that decision I have gone on to accomplish more than I ever imagined each day.  I have at times, but not every day. There are things that still fall through the cracks, but I at least I know that what I do is not in my own strength rather it is in God’s strength.

As a Christian writer our tasks may seem just as impossible. There is so much that we feel called to write — so many ideas, opportunities, and revisions. It always takes longer than we plan. And everything else in life seeks to steal our writing time.

We stay in a constant squeeze.

But with all you have on your plate, with all that God has called you to write, with all the doors He is opening for you there is one thing you must accomplish first every day. Even if you’re writing goes undone. Even if you don’t accomplish all that you want to accomplish. Accomplish this one daily writing task — spend time with the Lord. Pray. Walk in the Spirit.

[bctt tweet=”Write in the Spirit.”]

Mark Batterson wrote in his Draw the Circle devotional book, “If you establish a prayer routine, your life will be anything but routine. You will go to places, do things, and meet people you have no business going to, doing, or meeting. You don’t need to seek opportunity. All you have to do is seek God. And if you seek God, opportunity will seek you.”

In an all-time bestselling book, another writer the disciple Matthew wrote and quoted Jesus saying, “seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Categories
Touching Soul and Spirit

The Transformational Power of a Willing Heart

I write with one desire—the transformation of lives. I believe God has equipped me over the years through various life experiences, coupled with a deep love of Scripture, to pen words of encouragement and exhortation to hurting people. God has given me a compassion for the suffering who hunger to taste the love Jesus freely offers. The love of Christ is a catalyst for transformation.

To fulfill that calling, I must have a willing heart. What’s a willing heart? I’ve been asking that same question for several weeks as a pastor and a church planter. Eagle’s Wing Church is just four years old, and I am preparing my people for a move into a new community with new challenges. But to succeed we will need a willing heart toward God in whatever he calls us to do.

You may wonder what a willing heart has to do with anything—especially writing. I would say everything. To be a successful writer you need a steady supply of powerful words, and powerful words have their source in God alone. When my heart is yielded and willing, God pours his words through the filter of my mind and a few stick and make it onto paper. Those words, which originated in God’s mind, have the capacity to change lives—if I have a willing heart. A willing heart is a heart that freely desires to go above and beyond what is required. Above and beyond always brings transformation.

Over the past few weeks, God has shown me three elements that are essential in developing a willing heart. I want to share them with you so that your words and your life find power and transformation.

A willing heart requires total surrender. I call this the gift of self. God wants all of you. He doesn’t need you, but he desires you. He won’t force you to wave a white flag, but if you do, amazing things will happen. Perception, reaction, actions, and attitudes will be transformed. You will hunger for more and God will not disappoint. When we seek God with all of our heart we will always find him.

Categories
WARFARE!

Mine the Gold from a Negative Review

Have you ever received a negative review of your writing? You know, the kind that makes you want to crawl under a rock and never write another word?

I have, and it hurts. It didn’t matter that I also received several good reviews, nope, it didn’t matter at all. I focused on the negative words and allowed them to affect my mood and actions – I beat myself up for days or weeks. The key is to mine the gold from a negative review, and then move on.

Mine the Gold

That’s where the problem comes in: it’s hard to “move on”, much easier to wallow in the condemnation pit. Yes, it’s a choice, and it all comes back to what I believe to be true about God (He called me to write), myself (I am gifted but not perfect), and others (people have different opinions). Here’s what I learned from my experiences…and I’m still learning how to walk this way.

  1. Negative words aimed at us are going to hurt. Let them hurt. It’s OK. It’s human. Have a good cry, punch a wall, talk to a trusted friend. Then when the emotions have subsided…
  2. Look for nuggets of truth in what was said – take the words to God and ask what He has for you. None of are beyond needing correction, or improving our work. Also remember that what the enemy intends for harm, God intends for good. Once you’ve mined for truth…
  3. Thank God for their review. Maybe God will lead you to thank them, too. Either way, going through the experience is a gift God can use to make you stronger in Him and better at what He’s called you to write. Don’t forget to…
  4. Bless the one who spoke / wrote the negative words, out loud. The spoken word is powerful. Believe the best about them, bless them, and ask the Lord how you can pray for them. Keep on praying until you feel released to stop, which is usually when the emotions of the event are gone. Finally…
  5. Expect negative reviews – not everyone will like your writing. Plus you have a message of hope to get out and an enemy who wants to discourage you at every turn. What better way than to try and shift your focus away from God and what He’s called you to do.

Like a miner, sometimes you have to blast through a whole lot of rock to get to the diamonds and gold. Ask God for help, and choose to do things His way: forgive, bless, be thankful.

[bctt tweet=”Take the time to mine the gold from a negative review. Then move on. #almostanauthor #amwriting “]

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Listening to Writing Mentors

Writers who listen are writers who learn. If we’re so busy pitching our ideas and promoting our writing agenda, we’ll turn into writers without a clue. And likely, writers without a contract for publication.

Years ago, I was a nursing student and one of my classes was entitled “Therapeutic Conversation.”

The title sounded ridiculous but it was anything but that. It taught me how to really listen to what a patient says, as well as observe their body language and facial expressions. The class coached us in how to rephrase what the person said back to them to be certain we understood their meaning. It forced us to listen, rather than speak all the time.

The biggest thing I learned from that class was how much I talk. That was humbling. I like hearing what I have to say, it seems. But I quickly was educated in the importance of really listening to my patients so I could be a better caregiver of their needs.

I also realized that this can carry over into every area of my life to improve communication with family and friends. It can also carry over into communication with other writers and editors, publishers and agents.

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Often I hear other writers express concern for what they will say at writer’s conferences, especially if it’s there first conference. If they ask me for advice, I encourage them to keep their introductions simple, their words few and their ears OPEN.

It seems we live in a society of talkers. National news interviews and reality TV shows are flooded with talk—and plenty of it. People are talking over people, expressing their thoughts and ideas without a concern for what the other person is trying to say. It gets downright annoying and you come away thinking, did anything get resolved? Did anyone learn anything?

That’s how I perceive some writers I’ve observed who attend sessions with potential mentors—editors and more experienced writers. These fledgling writers talk much, listen little—and already have all the answers. Or so they think.

The way to a potential relationship with an editor or publisher is to listen and learn. Ask questions but hear the answers. In this world of chatter, it can be hard to focus. But for the serious writer seeking publication, wisdom is in the words of the more experienced. I’d encourage some therapeutic listening.

[bctt tweet=”Fledgling writers talk much, listen little #writers #writetips” via=”no”]

Typewriter image courtesy of Thaikrit through FreeDigitalPhotos.com

Image of woman courtesy of Stock Images through FreeDigitalPhotos.com

 

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

Writers are Bad to the Bone

Photo by Pierre Lognoul permitted for reuse.

If you have flown then I imagine you know the feeling. You sit down in your assigned seat and the seat next to you is empty. You then look forward at the stream of passengers working their way to you. Immediately you access their size and hygiene, then you look deep into their eyes. Somehow five to seven rows before yours their eyes will give them away. In my case I see their eyes saying “oh no I have to sit by him.”

A few weeks ago I was in that situation, I saw one of the biggest men I have ever seen and hoped he was not assigned seat 17B. His eyes told me he was.

So next to me sits this mountain of a man. Tall, bowed up, covered in tattoos. Tattoos that said this guy was bad to the bone.

He easily engaged in conversation, as a pastor I can’t let my seat neighbor sit in silence. The conversation immediately went to where he was headed. He was going to a dangerous part of the Middle East to drill for oil. When I suggested that sounded dangerous, he told me about his last job in the jungle where armed guards protected him around the clock. He said it was common to hear of a national being slaughtered by a bush knife. Then to top the machete murders he shared about his time in the Special Forces.

It was somewhere in his second Iraq tour when I began to panic. Knowing he would soon ask where I was headed. In light of his manly stories I dreaded saying I was headed to a writer’s conference. I knew my story would conjure up the intense dangers of paper cuts so I thought about making up something more exciting.

He did ask, and even as I sheepishly told him where I was headed — I knew he couldn’t hang in my world. Because writers are “B-B-B-B-Bad”.

My kids will have a bumper sticker that says, [bctt tweet=”“My Dad can beat up your Dad, because my Dad is an author.””]

Writing is hard work.

When I began working on my first book, I took a week’s vacation. I planned to finish my book in six days 5:30 am until Starbucks closed. At 9:41 pm on the fourth day while finally beginning chapter two, I said to myself, “Writing is ridiculous.” So I Googled “encouragement for authors”, and I found an article that spoke truth into me. In a different phrase not suitable for a column entitled The Ministry of Writing, it said, “Authors are bad to the bone.” It continued, “Regardless if a book gets published if someone finishes a book they are one of the Baddest (Butt) people in the world.”

I smiled and got back to work.

That was two years ago. Those two chapters would get revised over thirty times. Then they were thrown in the thrash when agents encouraged me to go in another direction, which I gladly did because [bctt tweet=”I am a writer and I am BAD TO THE BONE.”]

Categories
A Word in Season

Words for the Weary

We can share life-changing words to weary people.

I love it when God packs a whole sermon into one Bible verse.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The LORD God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear as the learned” (Is. 50:4).

What a word for writers.

God wants us to be learners. We keep growing, reading, and learning. If our well runs dry for long, we won’t have anointed words to share with others.

God gives us words to share with weary people. It’s amazing how one word from the right source can change our lives. My shelves are filled with books and magazines that God used at specific points in my life to speak life into me. The Lord knows how to connect the right word with the right person at the needed time.

As we write, we ask God to use our words to encourage weary people – people who need a word from God through our pen.

God wakens us in the morning. Here is a tremendous verse of why DSCN4765God wants us to start the day with Him. Beginning the day in praise, in Scripture meditation, and in prayer, we position ourselves to fix our eyes on God. Sometimes we are the weary ones who need a word from the Lord to encourage us. We start our day with Him, knowing that having words to share with others begins by allowing His Word to soak into our hearts and minds.

God wants us to be listeners before we are writers.  We are to “hear as the learned” or “listen like one being taught.” God wants us to develop listening ears. The Holy Spirit walks through life with us. Pay attention to that voice inside. He may give you ideas for future projects, promptings on where to submit your work, or ways to encourage other readers and writers. As we allow God to teach and train us through the winding pathways of life, we grow in our understanding and ability to have words to share with others.

He gives us words in season to share with fellow pilgrims. Let’s stay on the journey together.

[bctt tweet=”God gives us words to share with weary people. #words #writer” via=”no”]