TipfulTuesday- Eleanor Roosevelt

#TipfulTuesday 

Today's famous quote by Eleanor Roosevelt seems really appropriate for writers.

In the course of submitting our work, we receive comments that deflate our inspiration, what we feel is a harsh critique, maybe a rejection letter, or a 1-2 star Amazon review.

These words, No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,  bring us back to our calling. They remind us to stand strong and be courageous, do not tremble or be afraid, for truly the Lord our God is with us. Joshua 1:9

So, Writers, take a deep breath, and create story. 

~Mary Vee

Lead Photo by Mary Vee

Mary Vee -  Mary Vee - Rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking top Mary’s list of ways to enjoy a day. She was homeless for a time, earned her MA in Counseling, and married an Air Force vet.  Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her King.

Visit Mary at her website, blog, and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter

Standing Alone

I couldn’t help but be moved by the image of the boy standing alone at the flagpole that showed up in my newsfeed this week. If you haven’t read the story, I encourage you to do so. It was quite touching and was an instant hit of sunshine in the sometimes cold, dreary landscape social media has become.

But there, in an American flag t-shirt embellished with a cross, a gangly young man stood his ground solo at his school’s See-you-at-the-pole gathering. His prayer slamming me between the eyes…  

“God, as people drive by, let them wonder, let their hearts be pricked.”

Right then I was reminded of the power of our actions. As a writer, I tend to view myself as a “words” girl. And as a Christian and a mother, I do my best to speak words that are edifying, even when my opinions or my impatience beg I unleash sentiments far more cathartic for the occasion. I pray my actions speak when my words are absent, but very seldom do I find myself standing alone. Simply standing and letting words that would fall on deaf ears be replaced by positing myself for all to see.

Here I am, Lord. Use me.

I often hide behind social acceptability. My comfort zone is seldom stretched in the real world. The words from my laptop might be bold, but how often do I shut up enough to let God speak through me in my everyday interactions?

In the article, the mother of the boy went on to say …

My son says at first, he thought he would simply pray until someone else came along. 

Eventually, he realized no one else was coming. Then, the cry of his heart changed. 

He asked that God would do something with his standing alone.

I was sharing the story with my five-year-old son, explaining how much courage that took to not only stand up for God while other’s looked on, but to do so without support.

Peer pressure affects people of all ages. My kindergartner is learning firsthand what seems cool and what draws attention he may not want. Even as an adult, it’s impossible to avoid social pressures and expectations, especially when tensions are strung so high and tempers so unexpectedly volatile.

My five-year-old admitted that standing alone would have been hard. Scary. Yet he also acknowledged that if the boy had “chickened out” we wouldn’t have heard his story. He wouldn’t have inspired so many people. He didn’t have to say anything. He stood for Jesus. 

Simply stood.

It made me realize how quickly we disqualify ourselves. Maybe we’re not well versed or particularly talented. Maybe we have virtually no platform or feel too small to make waves. Let me tell you something... No one is under-qualified to make a difference. In fact, the Bible is full of examples of seemingly inadequate individuals being called and promoted for His glory. 

I profess to be a believer but I often get slammed for peeling back the layer of politeness in my stories and exposing the gritty reality we live in. My honesty can be jarring, and I won’t apologize for integrating a view of God’s perfect grace in an imperfect world. But this young boy’s story stopped me enough to think about myself outside my identity as a words girl. Are there times when I could be better heard if I stopped speaking and instead chose to just stand in the truth?

Now, I’m not saying God can’t or isn’t using our words. He is and He does. Mightily. But I am up to taking a new challenge, of standing, even when it’s hard. Even when it’s unpopular. Even if I’m the only one bowing my head to pray. And I’m empowered and excited to find more opportunities to make my stand.

Something to chew on: Words are powerful. Undeniably so. But they say actions speak louder. Is there an instance in your life where this proved true? And have you ever had to take a stand for your faith?

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Amy Leigh Simpson writes romantic mysteries with honesty and humor, sweetness and spice, and gritty reality covered by grace. When she’s not stealing moments at naptime to squeeze out a few more adventures in storyland, she’s chasing around two tow-headed miscreants (Ahem)—boys, playing dress up with one sweet princess baby, and being the very blessed wife to the coolest, most swoon-worthy man alive. Amy is a Midwestern-girl, a singer, blogger, runner, coffee-addict, and foodie. Her Sports Medicine degree is wasted patching up daily boo boo’s, but whatever is left usually finds its way onto the page with fluttering hearts, blood and guts, and scars that lead to happily ever after.

Check out her NEW romantic mystery novel FROM WINTER'S ASHES! Available NOW!

The Gift of Writing

I received a gift recently. It was small, simple, in fact it was only a card. And even though it was a store bought card, it had a timely message directed uniquely to me.

Of course I was immediately drawn to this gift. I held it for a time in my hand, looked at the front, back, and inside then set it in a prominent place in my writing nook, the corner of the house belonging to me.

Even today, during my work break when I am writing this post, I thought of the gift carefully written in such a way to touch a heart in need.

God gave me a gift for writing. It needs a few more bows, ribbons, perhaps packaging. He has given me the supplies to finish off the gift. Each time I study the art of writing or write a work I am adding these touches to the gift. Each time someone reads my work and is touched, I have shared the gift with them and brought a smile to God's loving face.

At times I take the gift and hoard it.

I choose to waste freetime set aside for writing or learning the craft.  This is not referring to important family time or other important tasks, but true time set aside for writing. At times like this, I have set the gift God gave me in the back corner of a closet where it is dark, dusty, and ignored.

Other times I work hard to write a work then get lazy or arrogant, convinced that the first draft was great work. I become offended when crits offer little praise. I use "something shiny" as my excuse and toddle off to a different work, ignoring the one God prompted me to do at that time.

And other times I work diligently on my ms, listening to crits, judges, and friends editing and polishing the work to be pleasing to God, but then heed the words of a few who say this work is not of today, no one would read it, no publishing company would want it. I lower my head and allow sadness to fill my heart and snuff my drive. The work is set aside.

I have often heard the words: to be a writer you must be strong, have steel skin, Mt. Everest tenacity, a Fisher Price heart (unbreakable), and a wild passion.

All these are true.

Sometimes God sends a kindred spirit to rekindle these in us.

May we here at the Writer's Alley offer you the spark to start, complete, polish, and/or submit your work today so that you may offer your gift to others.

How can we pray for you today?
(if you prefer you can email us your prayer request-our email address is in the upper right corner of this page.)
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Photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

This blog post is by Mary Vee
Mary lives in Montana with her husband and loves to hear from her three college kids. She writes Christian young adult fiction (pirate tales, missionary and Bible adventure stories).

Come Step into Someone Else's World with Mary's writing

To learn more about Mary, visit her blog http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/

Confidence and Courage

I'm a complex person. Aren't you?

Set me in front of a group of third graders and watch me regale vast knowledge in their language.

Tempt, much less encourage me to enter a writing contest and watch me fizzle into nothing. "I can't. It's not good enough. Look at the competition. Who am I?"

Have you seen the chatter on FB, Yahoo writing groups, and blogs across the United States announcing:

The Genesis is coming!  The Genesis is coming!

The dream of a lifetime sat in my computer. 

Two weeks ago I sent encouraging notes to all who heralded they'd pressed the mighty send button and whisked their baby through cyberspace to the gates of Genesis. 


"What courage. Well done."  


In my heart I had, and still have, such respect for those brave souls.  And then I thought: someday, someday that will be me. I can't wait.

Last week a treasured friend sent me her first chapter to critique. She had put a few finishing touches on her work and wanted a fresh opinion before sending it off to the infamous Genesis land.  I read her practically perfect-sure-to-win work, sat in awe for a few moments then emailed: "You better send this one in, for sure"

        --along with a question....
                                 "Ummmm--would you read my first chapter? 
                                                         It's OK if you say 'no'. 
                                                                                         Honest. 
                                If you have the time, could you--would you--do you think it might--possibly--sorta be good enough to think about sending to Genesis--say a year from now?"

A day later she, emailed super fab suggestions. Each one a golden treasure to improve my story.  I couldn't bring myself to open the attachment, though. It had to have been splattered with corrections, suggestion, ideas, etc. Perhaps one or two words passed inspection. Gack!

I walked away from my computer and frumped to bed seeking to soothe my anxiety with someone else's well-written, published book.

At 5:00 am the next morning, my heart, mind, and fingers had been drawn from the clutches of my warm blankets, to my computer. God basically had a talk with me. "Open the attachment. Learn from what she said."  So I did--slowly. 


To my amazement, there was little red!?!  And many of the tracking notes had words of encouragement: "Good word" and "This works".

Granted my quite less than perfect chapter had many improvements and corrections noted as well, but the encouraging words she shared durng her precious free time meant the world to me. 

I sent her a thank you. To my surprise she responded later that evening:  I think you should enter the Genesis. 

This year? Really? But the due date is moments away! March 4. That's Friday! No! Dare I?

Choosing to take the risk, I scrambled to make the corrections she suggested, rewrote the whole chapter, burned the midnight oil to write a synopsis-

and

             pushed

                                 send.

I did! 
I push SEND Tuesday, March 1 at 7:15 pm Mountain Time.

Have you? 

If not Genesis then what about a different contest?  Maybe you need the courage to finish your WIP, send it to a publisher, find an editor, or start a new work. You can do this. We, here at the Alley, are your cheerleaders, an ear, and your supporter.  

What will you leap out and do--starting today?

Joshua 1: 9  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”



Photo Thanks to http://pixdaus.com