Tag: fear

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Fear Factor

As I write this month’s post, I am waiting to hear back from agents and publishers to whom I sent book proposals. While I am playing the waiting game, I cannot help but notice how my writer friends post about how busy they are.

  ”A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” 

Thomas Mann

It seems there are three seasons in a writer’s life: writing, waiting, and all hands on deck busy. While waiting, we can write, build our platform, and follow up on proposals sent out. To be honest, I’ve procrastinated on writing and sending my follow-ups. In a way I felt safe not knowing, I didn’t want to have to face my writing fears.

  • Fear of rejection
  • Fear of being too overbearing and unprofessional
  • Fear of waiting

Living with a brain injury, I already have enough things I need to focus on daily. I pay close attention to my health for changes in my mental and physical health. Depression isn’t the only side effect of brain injuries.

Survivors also deal with an inability to focus or OCD tendencies, and physical limitations.  We also have irrational and uncontrollable emotions that can come from nowhere. To be transparent, I have to work on these things daily.

In addition to not being able to control my thoughts and emotions, my biggest fear is having a seizure and losing control of my body. Fortunately, I have learned what can trigger seizures for me and can avoid them to lower my seizure threshold. It has been over a decade since I had my last seizure, but the fear is still very real today as it was then. Fear can help us or hinder us.

Fear Factor

Fear is a common reality everyone must deal with at some point in life. But instead of avoiding fear, we can learn from it. Fear is an emotional or mental response to anything that may harm us.

Fear begins in the amygdala; this small organ in the center of your brain goes to work warning your nervous system.

“This leads to bodily changes that prepare us to be more efficient in dangerous situations: The brain becomes hyper-alert, pupils dilate, the bronchi dilate and breathing accelerates. Heart rate and blood pressure rise. Blood flow and stream of glucose to the skeletal muscles increase. Organs not vital in survival such as the gastrointestinal system slow down.”

Arash Javanbakht and Linda Saab, Smithsonian Magazine

So fear is our mind and body’s attempt to protect us, don’t be ashamed of having fears. We each have different triggers and must learn from them.

In school I had a friend who had a seizure while she was in the shower; I remember listening to her about how scared she was. She learned that she’d developed type I diabetes which caused her seizure.  She learned about managing her diabetes and hasn’t had any more seizures.

When we learn about what scares us, our fear can prepare us to take precautions to keep us safe. Life can be scary for us all at times regardless of being disabled or not. Writers also have fears since the writing life isn’t an easy career path. Below are some of the most common fears writers have:

  1. Fear of rejection
  2. Fear of not being good enough
  3. Fear of criticism
  4. Fear of Success
  5. Fear of inadequacy

What we can control is how we are going to deal with our fears. I could let my fear of seizures scare me to the point where I remain stationary and never drive or do anything productive.

Instead, I chose to learn more about brain injuries and seizures and then make the necessary changes in my life. I chose to be proactive, instead of reactive, to deal with my fears.

Deal with It

Fear can be dealt with in one of two ways, by avoiding it or attacking it. At the beginning of the pandemic, the popular cliché was, “Faith over fear,” the whole concept was confusing for me, why is faith necessary, if we don’t have any fears? Instead of dealing with fear many used faith as a means to avoid it. The absence of fear isn’t faith, it’s denial!

I learned from my neuropsychologist that it is better to deal with my fears than to deny them. Again, fear begins in the brain and it can raise our stress levels, neither of which is good for a person with a brain injury.

Instead, I learned to study and pay attention to the things that scare me, in the process making them less frightening, and learned how to appreciate the small victories. I can use my faith to help me handle and live with my fears, but not avoid them. That is not beneficial for me. Writers too can learn how to deal with the fears of the writing life. Below are a few tips from The Write Practice on how writers can overcome their fears of writing.

  • Do what scares you
  • Stop procrastinating
  • Learn from criticism
  • Embrace the fear of writing

I highly encourage you to go to The Write Practice and read the full list to help you deal with your writing fears. Remember it is healthy to have fears, as long as we learn how to deal with them productively.

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Ernest Hemmingway

 I have learned to deal with many fears by living with a disability for over 25 years. Every writer will have to face their unique fears at some point. I want to close by encouraging you to leave a comment for this post about some of your writing fears and how you have overcome them in your life. Hopefully, this will help others deal with their fear factors!

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Building Your Creative Space

Concept 7: Dealing with fear

Building your creative space

“We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.”

Rochefoucauld 

You have every reason to be afraid. In fact, if you’re not scared, you’re probably nuts. Some would say that being monumentally skewed is helpful to becoming a successful writer. But for those of us burdened with sanity, we must learn how to deal with our fears.

You would think that after a while this whole fear thing might fade into the background. Maybe for some people this happens, but for myself, and other writers, the struggle is real.

When I started work on the first book in my current series, Miramar Bay, I had three very real bugaboos staring me in the face—like returning to the childhood era of waking up knowing there was a monster under my bed. Only in this case, I knew the monsters were real, because I made them.

Monster One

I was writing for a new publisher. And a new editor, whom I liked. A lot. And I really, really wanted to impress her.

Monster Two

I had a secret hope that this new story would frame the direction of my writing for years to come, possibly the rest of my career. Which meant I had to get it right. 

Monster Three  

I was writing a new story. Fear doesn’t vanish because I’ve written a book before. Nor does it matter much that currently I’m writing the fifth book in this series. I’ve just learned Publishers Weekly and Coming Home magazines are both doing articles on the fourth book, due for release in April–and the initial reviews are great. Okay, this helps. But now Monster Three is even bigger, because I need to make book five better than previous books.

Monster Four

I’m co-authoring a new suspense series, with a great young author and, on the script side, working with a new film agent.

Monster Five

The UK Covid crisis has added its own set of monsters. Its impact on both publishing and the film-production world cannot be overstated.

Then last week I heard this story. Actually, I’d heard it long before, and forgotten it. This time, the hearing was a true gift.

One of my absolute favorite actors is Laurence Olivier, whose ability to lose himself in a role was so great I often found myself becoming lost with him. The power he had to ensnare and captivate has remained an inspiration and challenge to me throughout my career. 

Olivier often suffered from such intense bouts of terror, he was bodily forced on stage. He once confessed to being afraid for five years. This was at the height of his worldwide fame. Beloved by millions around the globe, yet so terrified of standing in front of a camera he would beg, plead, and fight not to perform.

Fear and doubt plagues us all, even successful people. As long as you aspire to grow, do better, aim higher, these barriers remain a part of your creative life. In my experience, fighting them is almost as futile as pretending they don’t exist. 

What should an author do?

Doubt, fear, and tension are very much a part of you and the creative process. A vital part.

It might help to build a segment of your creative world where these elements are granted space and are accepted, then you can use them, allow them to push you beyond your comfort zone. Grow. Question. Develop. Become the best author possible.

How I both distill and utilize these energies.

My top creative period is the early morning. I will explore exactly what this means in another concept. For now, I want to talk about the rest of the day.

When a free ten minutes (or less) appears, I sketch. I carry a pad with me everywhere.  Supermarket.  Walks.  Even when I go for my bike rides or to the gym. The aim is to explore.  Free thinking. No holds barred. I write whatever comes to me. And gradually the next scene unfolds.

I give all the monsters free reign. What if I change this?  Do away with that. Worry over not making this segment fit. Action that doesn’t hold enough tension. All these things. Over and over and over.

Two amazing results come from granting space to doubt and fear.

First, the next morning I approach my writing desk, and the fragments spin together. Tight, concise, powerful.  Over and over and over.  Day after day.

Second, my productivity soars. I began applying this process twelve years ago, and since then my creative drive has accelerated.

What does this mean? 

In the past twelve months I have written two full-length novels and half a new Christmas novella, a feature-film screenplay, a season-one streaming series overview, a new pilot episode, and two magazine articles.

This process works. The energy contained within your doubts and fears is explosive. If you break free of the need to fight against them, but embrace them and grow.

Try This:

  • Name your monsters.
  • If it helps, go buy some stuffed animals, line them up, and name them.
  • Accept that they are, in a strange way, your allies. Because, if you let them, they can be the voices that spur you on to great and courageous deeds.

Davis Bunn’s novels have sold in excess of eight million copies in twenty-four languages. The sequel, entitled Rare Earth, won Davis his fourth Christy Award for Excellence in Fiction in 2013. In 2014 Davis was granted the Lifetime Achievement award by the Christy board of judges. His recent title Trial Run  has been named Best Book of The Year by Suspense Magazine. His most recent series, Miramar Bay, haw been acquired for world-wide condensation-books by Readers Digest. Currently Davis serves as Writer-In-Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.  

Watch an excerpt from his new book The Cottage on Lighthouse Lane here.

Learn about his new home at Blenheim Castle here.

Categories
Devotions for Writers

Has Fear Stopped You From Writing?

devotions

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span (That is, about 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters).

1 Samuel 17:4 NIV

A giant sized man named Goliath taunted Israel’s army for forty days. His bullying tactics got worse by the hour, as he heaped insults on their abilities, their manhood and their God. It was so bad, warriors trembled in their sandals and the king hid in his tent. They were dismayed, terrified, and paralyzed by fear.

In a way, I can relate. I run from the blank page, hide from looming deadlines, and feel paralyzed by the word count. I worry others will not connect with my thought process, and the bully editor in my head taunts my feeble pecks at the keyboard. Who will come to my aid?

Fortunately, Goliath’s story has a protagonist named David. Goliath is the villain who messed with the wrong shepherd boy and found out self-sufficiency is no match for relying on God’s power. David came confidently in God’s strength, proclaiming God’s presence and fighting for God’s honor. (See 1 Samuel 17:45-47)

When I rely on my own ideas for inspiration, I miss the power of a God-sized illustration and deplete my self-sufficiency. But when I seek the Lord’s direction, even the smallest stone (words) can pack a punch and bring home my point.

How about you? Are you trying to write an article your own way? You also have a protagonist who comes to your aid. When you ask God for wisdom, the Holy Spirit helps you turn that page into prose. He comes to your rescue! (James 1:5)

Exercise:

Look up the following verses and journal your prayer asking the Lord for the words you need. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s! (1 Samuel 17:47)

A Prayer for Today

Lord, enable us to write with great boldness today. Acts 4:29
Equip us with good words for our projects. Hebrews 13:20-21
Shake us out of our sleepwalking to travel in Your splendor. Acts 4:31
Make us bold and courageous! Psalm 138:3
Confirm Your message of grace by enabling us to write for You. Acts 14:3
Grant words that we may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19

We love You, Lord!

Amen.

Share your prayer in the comments!

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Procrastination Disguised as Learning

Years ago, I heard someone say, “Start by doing what you already know to do instead of worrying about everything you don’t know about the Bible.” Most of us know we should love others and love God, and if we started doing those two things, we’d be a long way towards being a good disciple of Jesus.

Procrastination or Preparation?

This principle can also be applied to writing. I love learning, and I’m so thankful for all of the trainings, blogs, podcasts and videos about the writing process. How to get published, how to build platform, how to develop characters—videos and trainings abound on the internet. But I came to the point a few months ago where I needed to just stop. I had filled stacks of notebooks with great ideas about writing, but I wasn’t writing or building platform or doing much of anything besides studying about how to do it all.

Use What You Already Have

As a family, we spent several years living in Mozambique, Africa. The Mozambicans were great about using what they already had—even what we would consider garbage—to make necessities as well as art or recreational equipment.

For example, with the help of his Mozambican friend, my 12-year-old son Kirk unraveled a length of nylon rope into many short strands. The two of them spent hours tying them together end to end for a kite string. Then they used a plastic grocery bag over two sticks tied together in a cross shape for the kite and scraps of rope for the tail. Believe it or not—it flew sky high. As we drove around during the windy season, we dodged dozens of kids flying plastic bag kites.

When we visited the city, we sometimes went to the open-air market to see the arts and crafts. We marveled at carvings and paintings and handmade sculptures, and again, they used whatever could be found. Some artists created tiny bicycles out of bits of wire they collected. The ingenuity of the Mozambicans struck me as wonderful.

Loaves and Fishes

This reminds me of the story of the five loaves and two fishes in Matthew 14:13-21. The people were hungry, and the disciples only found five loaves and two fishes. Jesus instructed them to work with the supplies they found on hand. Then Jesus gave thanks, broke the loaves and passed out the bread. In the end, everyone ate and was satisfied. They even had leftovers.I wonder if we could follow this pattern as we think about writing. We need to make the most of what we have. Perhaps we can offer our writing time to God, give thanks and trust him to provide.

Focus on the Important

With our faith and with our writing, it’s great to learn, but putting it into practice is the important part. Even with platform building, I kept learning what to do and how, but I finally had to grit my teeth and make those videos, instead of taking another course on how-to. I’m not suggesting we should stop learning—never! And I’m not throwing away my stacks of notebooks. I’m challenging you, writers, to take out the notes, and write the characters according to what you’ve learned or make the video before you do one more training. Use what you already have. Act upon what you already know.

Jesus Offers Living Water

Jesus gave this invitation: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive” (John 7:37-39a, NIV).

We can ask the author of life for living water, and He will give us inspiration for our writing. Ask yourself this question: Am I procrastinating by watching another training video, or am I going to put the information into practice immediately?

Jump In

Sometimes, jumping in is the only thing to do. Stephen King says it this way: “Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up.”

In 1996, Susan E. Brooks moved to Mozambique, Africa, with her family where she taught art and English at an international high school and started journaling about her adventures. Her stories of struggles and victories in Mozambique are now published on her blog in a series entitled “Mozambican Odyssey.” She has since lived in Portugal, Ghana, and Cyprus, as well as in her home state of Kentucky, USA.

Meanwhile, nine grandchildren have come along, and she is inspired to write and illustrate a children’s book for each of them. Susan has self-published four children’s books and she writes a regular column for patheos.com.

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Writing in These Evil Days

(Author Note: I posted this blog over two years ago, yet the message is perhaps even more relevant today)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5: 15-20

Being careful how we live in the evil days. So what does this have to do with encouragement for writers, you might ask? I would answer, “Everything.”

There is not a day goes by when the news is not inciting pain in our hearts as we hear of more unrest, murders, and other terrible “deeds of darkness.” It is enough to cause even the strongest Christian to tremble and become consumed with anxiety and depression. Yet these days of evil do not take God by surprise. Instead, He has given us a means by which we can fight the enemy that seeks to consume our minds with fear. It is called speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It is singing and making music in our hearts and giving thanks to God our Father—not for the evil days but for our hope in Jesus Christ.

Is this our natural, human response to frightening news that toys with our minds 24/7? Of course not. It is a decision that we make.

It takes a conscious choice to turn off the constant news and put on Christian music  that will uplift our spirit. I find that, even if I’m working and barely paying attention to the music in the background, the message of the music is making an impact. In the quiet moments, I find the words of the songs playing through my mind and uplifting me, shifting my focus from this world to the heavenly realm.

As writers for the Lord, we need to be aware that we “struggle not against flesh and blood…but against the powers of this dark world.” (Ephesians 6:12) The battleground is our mind. If we are frozen by fear, we become ineffective at spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Don’t let the evil one control the input. Take back control over what you allow into your minds and hearts. “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that recently released: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com

Categories
Guest Posts

The Biggest Writer’s Block?

I was recently asked in an author interview what was the one bit of advice I think is most important that I would give other potential authors? I said without hesitating, “keep believing in yourself.”

I know from teaching college students how to write their first book that the number one roadblock that stands in their way is the doubt that they can actually write a book that’s worthy of people reading it. They start and don’t finish. Or they finish and never publish it. Or worse yet, they never get started at all, even though they have lots of great stories to tell.

I am editing two books now as part of my book coaching business. For both writers, it is their very first manuscript. The first (let’s call him Joe) is writing a book about his wife who has Alzheimer’s and his journey as her caregiver. It started out more as a non-fiction “how to” book giving advice to people suffering the early stages of the disease and to their family members who care for them, interspersed with anecdotes and stories about his and his wife’s experiences. I read a first draft and told Joe he really should re-write it as a memoir…he had so many moving experiences to share to which I am sure many people can relate—and it is a moving story that even those with no experience with Alzheimer’s would love to read for its messages of hope, faith and love.

Hesitantly he is heeding my advice but feels unsure whether he is a “good enough writer” to actually pull it off. “I know I’m not a good writer for this sort of material,” he said. “Writing it like a memoir or a novel puts me at a great disadvantage with good writers, and also with readers who are used to reading what good writers write.” But the thing is (and I told him this), he IS a good writer, he just needs guidance. He needs to quit comparing himself to others (a lesson I’ve had to learn over and over.) He just needs to cast doubt aside and believe.

The second writer (let’s call him Dave) has had doubts about whether his book is “worthy” of getting published from the start. I have tried to assure him along the way that it definitely is. I read an initial draft, gave him an editor’s report to guide him to re-write it (like I did with Joe) and now he has sent a finished manuscript for editing and proofing. It is a book about how to practice biblical principles in business matters… a very practical guide from which everyone can benefit in my opinion. And yet, Dave is still unsure whether he really should be publishing it, even while it’s in the editing stages.

In one of my college courses a writer (ironically name Faith) broke down crying at one point. I had been encouraging the class to come up with a writing “plan” (ie., a place and time or schedule to write) but told them it was completely up to them, there were no rules. Faith said she was crying with relief…that she always thought she wasn’t a “real” writer if she didn’t write every day but couldn’t because (like many) she has a day job. She was literally crying with relief!

I have known, and you probably have too, how these writers feel when facing the blank page (or computer screen). But if your dream, desire and motivation are all in line with God’s, I believe you can’t fail. Sure, you will probably need help and you will face obstacles along the way…but half the battle is believing in yourself, and the other half is relying on God, knowing since He put the dream on your heart in the first place, He will help you fulfill it, putting the right people and opportunities in your path.

Yes, only you can do the work…but only you can be the one to give up! So, don’t give into fear (False Evidence Appearing Real). Just do it…or in this case, write it!

Michele Chynoweth is the award-winning author of The Faithful One, The Peace Maker and The Runaway Prophet, contemporary suspense/romance novels based on Old Testament stories in the Bible that get across God’s messages to today’s readers through edgy, fast-paced fiction. Michele is also an inspirational speaker, college instructor on book writing, publishing and marketing, and book coach/editor who helps writers become successful authors. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she and her husband have a blended family of five children.

Social Media/Website Links:
Website: michelechynoweth.com
Blog: michelechynoweth1.wordpress.com
Facebook Author Page: ModernDayBibleStories
Twitter: AuthorMichele
You Tube: MicheleChynoweth

Categories
Write for His Glory

No Matter What

This month we celebrate Father’s Day.

What an awesome time to reflect on our amazing Heavenly Father and all He has made possible for us. Be encouraged by the words of Jesus, Paul, and Peter (verses are from the Amplified Bible translation).

16 For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He[even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]  (John 14:27)

3 Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, 4 just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].  (Ephesians 1:3-6)

1 Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,
To those [elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].
3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. (1 Peter 1:1-5)

No matter what challenges you face…

No matter what experiences you’ve had with your earthly father…

No matter what hurts you’ve suffered in the past…

No matter how many sins you’ve committed…

[bctt tweet=”No matter what…. …your Heavenly Father is there for you, reaching out to you with open arms of love. ” username=”@marygscro”] God’s promises are true, His love for you is limitless, His mercies never fail but are new every morning. His peace is yours for the asking through His son Jesus Christ.

Won’t you ask today?

 

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
Uncategorized

“Tooth” Be Told

Insights into Going to the Dentist
(This week my husband lost a crown while eating a piece of licorice—that in itself is probably worth a post of its own—so now he begins the whole process of getting it replaced. His dilemma reminded me of my own experience several years back.  Here’s a piece on what I leanrned.)
 This morning I’m having the first step done in repairing my cracked tooth. To be very honest, I’m not excited about sitting in the dentist chair for an hour and a half. I’m really quite anxious. I lost some sleep over it last night. I’m just not a big fan of pain and even less of a fan of the unknown. In the parlance of the day: I’m a wuss.

As I wrote the preceding paragraph, I ran my tongue over the broken tooth. I cracked this tooth on April 1, nearly three months ago. Actually, I think the tooth had been cracked for six years and the piece just finally gave way. In spring of 2004 I had a cavity replaced and from that point until three months ago I had pain on that side of my mouth whenever I chewed. I think that dentist cracked the tooth when she replaced the filling and I believe that because once that piece gave way, I’ve had no pain on that side and I have no trouble biting or chewing there.

Another thing I became aware of as I ran my tongue over the tooth that is now half gone is that I’ve gotten used to this new shape of my tooth. So, if there’s no pain and I’m used to the odd shape and feel, why go through all the pain to “fix” it? Pondering that made me realize that I do that with a lot of things in my life. I accept less than perfect to avoid the pain of correction. I put up with the difficult rather than addressing the problem and avoiding the conflict. I’m so used to what’s missing it seems natural.

I know that the obvious answer is to take care of this tooth now and avoid larger issues later. Life is that way. Putting off or ignoring what needs to be done doesn’t make sense. In the Bible, James even says that to know what we should do and not do it is sin. So the sin of omission isn’t just about our dealings with others, it’s also how we deal with ourselves, our bodies. Maybe Fram (the auto parts distributors) had the right idea with their motto: Pay me now, or pay me later.

So I will sit in the dentist’s chair for an hour and a half today and again three weeks later. Hopefully, I will save the tooth and avert further problems in the future. I think I’m worth that. Perhaps that’s actually been the real missing piece. It is time to get that fixed.

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
Writer Encouragement

What’s Your Perspective?

Elaine Marie Cooper

With six simple words, a writer friend completely changed my perspective: “You have had a great year.”

A great year? I almost balked. Yes, it was so great that I had an infection that destroyed some of the bone in my leg, underwent two surgeries to repair the damage, spent six weeks in daily IV antibiotic infusions, spent days and weeks fighting anxiety, depression, and pain, and had to cancel three trips—one a much-anticipated book tour for my latest release. I fretted over numerous bills and an inability to work for weeks at a time. Great year?

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But then I paused. What was she seeing that I was not? I began to reflect on my year

I watched with joy as my younger son married his precious wife. I was able to spend my grandchildren’s birthday with them before I discovered I needed surgery. I had two books release (one a re-release) and now look forward to the re-release of the third and final book in a trilogy. I obtained an agent. I grew closer with my social media friends as well as friends at church with whom I shared my struggles. When not on pain meds, I was able to write more deeply. I accomplished edits on three books. I had the elders at my church pray for me before my last surgery and I came through amazingly well. I graduated from physical therapy in less than a month.

In short…I not just survived…I thrived. With God’s help and the prayers of His people, it truly has been a great year.

So what about your year so far? Has it been all “gloom and doom” as I was viewing the events of this past year? Are you doing as I was and focusing on the negative?

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Are you a writer who sees all of your inadequacies and perceived failures in the last year? Or have you tried to focus on your writing successes, however small you may think they are?

If there is one thing I’ve learned first hand this year as I’ve watched so many friends deal with so many struggles, we all have something—days we’d rather forget, pain that may or may not heal, disappointments that leave a void in our hearts. Yet if that is all we focus on, then we are missing the full story—the part that God wants us to dwell upon.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

The God of peace has been with me. That deems it a great year.

Anxiety/ Fear sign courtesy of Stuart Miles, via freedigitalphotos.net

Peace card courtesy of digitalart, via freedigitalphotos.net

Categories
Pleasant Rosebud - Romantic Suspense

HIKER IN THE HOOD (Thomas Garet series)

Thomas Garet sat on the plain grass under a pine tree by the road and untied his shoe laces. Time to reconsider his move, and make a plan.

The May sun burned his forehead, but he’d been used to these harsh twists in the weather closer to summer. Earlier it had been so cold, he’d donned his hoodie when he walked out of Mrs. Covender’s basement accommodation to see to his daily chores.

“I won’t be back,” he’d told the septuagenarian when he handed over the keys to the small studio room he rented from her later on.

The old woman’s niece walked in as he headed out, and his head spun. Who? He lingered at the entrance.

“Lacy baby,” Mrs. Covender cooed. “You never say when you’re stopping by.”

“Aunt Ann, I called. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten,” the young woman said.

“You did? Oh, is today the 15th?”

“Yes, it is. And I’m not staying longer than two cups of coffee.” Lacy’s noisy kisses on her aunt’s cheeks sent a strange sensation down Thomas’s loins.

“Dear Thomas, do throw the trash before you leave, dear.” The landlady raised her best voice.

“Who is he?” Thomas heard Lacy say before he closed the door. And then, “Aunt Ann! You can’t take in strangers all the time! What if he’s a psycho or something?”

Who cared? He did look psychotic. He’d not shaved in four days, and his anger burned hot through his cold blue eyes.

About half an hour later, a white sedan drove past and stopped just a few meters ahead. Thomas looked at it and shook his head subconsciously. He wasn’t leaving yet. Lacy was right. Mrs. Covender shouldn’t take in strangers anyhow, and he hoped when he got his act together and his heart rate normal, he would go back and take her basement again.

In the three months of his stay, he’d paid part of his rent with manual labor. He cut her lawn, did her laundry, threw her trash, and sometimes, much to his amusement, did her nails.

The driver of the car pressed the horn tentatively. Thomas waved. When the horn went off a little longer, he paid attention.

A head full of brown curly hair sprung into his view, and his stomach tightened.

Lacy?

He got to his feet and walked over to her. “Ma’am?”

She cleared her throat. She had the most remarkable grey eyes. “Are you going my way?”

If she warned her aunt not to house strangers, she shouldn’t pick hikers either.

“Depends,” he mumbled. He knew only one other woman who had those same grey eyes, and that woman wasn’t mixed.

“I’m heading toward Baltimore.”

City girl. He hated all of them. “I’ll stop—” He had no clue where he’d stop. “Before you enter the city.”

“I live in Elicott City. So I won’t get to Baltimore, actually.”

“Oh.”

“So? Where are you headed at?”

He got into the car. “Nowhere actually. I’ll find a job, stay a bit and then move on.” He was talking too much. “What did your aunt say about me?”

She pulled back on to the road. “That you do more than your due around the house.” She shrugged. “She hated to see you go.”

“If you lived in Union Bridge with her, I might stay.”

Now, that was more than necessary. Her silence proved it too. He was drawn to her. He knew why but couldn’t bring himself to admit it. She was Mrs. Covender’s niece, the one the old lady spoke about often. He never imagined what she looked like, never cared.

The rest of the drive was in strained quiet. This was one of the reasons he moved around a lot. He couldn’t develop or maintain relationships.

His heart pounded. You have to know about this girl, the sane voice in his head admonished. She was beautiful, and young, and wore no ring.

Those were not the reasons for his conflict. If he wanted any girl, he could have gotten. He didn’t want any girl anymore.

“I’ll stop here,” he said before the thought formed in his heart. He combed through his dark blonde shoulder-length shaggy hair.

“Why?”

She slowed down though. They were in a beautiful semi-rural community called West Friendship. The houses looked huge and far between but it was the sign post of the Elementary school that drew Thomas.

He frowned. “Why? Because I’m stopping here.”

She pulled the car over to the shoulder. “You didn’t want to stop here.”

“I do now. Thanks for the ride.” He opened the car and rushed out of it. He slammed the door after him.

His shoe laces dangled and he remembered what he’d been about before Lacy stopped for him. He’d walked away from the house. Never hoping to see her again.

She drove off without a word.

Thomas watched her go. For eight years he’d roamed the states and counties around his former home in New York. Slowly, he’d drifted farther off, and been in the State of Maryland for almost three years. The longest he had stayed in any state since Molly was brutally killed in a senseless drunk-driving accident, taking their unborn daughter with her.

Not once had he second-guessed his decision to sell everything he’d built with Molly and become destitute. Till now.

Why did Lacy look so much like Molly? Everything was the same, except Molly was full Caucasian and Lacy was mixed.

Thomas Garet dropped on his butt and wept for the first time in eight years.

 

Image: https://pixabay.com/en/shoe-laces-leather-hiking-974564/

 

Author bio:

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer and movie producer. She has a university degree in Economics, and is a Craftsman of Christian Writers’ Guild. She lives with her family in Pretoria, South Africa.

Blog: www.sinmisolao.wordpress.com

Twitter: @sinmisolaog

 

Categories
Write Justified

Look Back to Move Ahead

A few days before the deadline for this blog I had some time to begin thinking about the next year and the goals I would set for myself as a writer in 2016. Naturally, I looked at the goals I’d set for 2015 as a starting point. True confessions, here. I didn’t do great at achieving the goals I’d set for myself last year.

Oh, I can rationalize that personally last year held more drama and transition than I could have foreseen. Job loss and a major move count for something, don’t they? Who wouldn’t have abandoned some goals in the face of that kind of upheaval.

Yet, honesty compels me to acknowledge that one of the primary reasons I didn’t meet more of my goals is fear. I know I’m not alone as a writer in struggling with fear. I’ve read enough other writers’ blogs and published authors to know that all of us who aspire to put ourselves out there in print for the world to see cringe at the prospect of being misunderstood, ridiculed, or both. It’s much easier for me to wield an editor’s pen than to submit my own prose to others probing, critical eyes.

I could continue to berate myself for not blogging regularly, not attempting to submit more articles for publication, or not joining the professional editor’s group I’ve considered joining for three years, but still haven’t invested the funds. It may be more helpful, however, to recall the small steps I’ve taken in the last year:

  • I took the Goodreads Book Challenge and set a modest goal of reading 15 books in 2015. By early summer I had reached that number. By year’s end I’d read more than 30.
  • Included in those 30 reads of 2015 are a few that took me outside my usual nonfiction genre of history, biography-memoir, spirituality. I dipped a toe into horror with Stephen King’s The Shining and magic realism with Eowyn Ivey’s The Snow Child. Though reading outside my usual interests wasn’t a goal I’d specifically set for myself, I claim it as a small step of progress in expanding my awareness of what constitutes good writing—an essential element in being a good writer.
  • Connecting with other writers was at the top of my list when making the adjustment to our new home. I’m grateful to have found A3 this year, as well as a local chapter of Word Weavers, a Christian critique group.  The friendship and sounding board these writers provide are a sweet blessing on my journey.
  • I submitted two pieces for publication in 2015; one was accepted. That’s an acceptance rate I can live with. The challenge in the year ahead is to be a bit more productive than that.

[bctt tweet=”Setting goals is essential to realizing our hopes and aspirations.”] Michael Hyatt says they are a prerequisite to happiness and offers five principles for goal setting. To these I would add, [bctt tweet=”…celebrate small accomplishments. For small successes are a great antidote to fear.”]