Let God Use Your Trials to Make You a Better Writer

“The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.” -Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero's Journey

Have you had black moments in your own life? The question is pretty much rhetorical.

We can fiddle with degrees but the fact is we've all gone through hard things.

The big C word. Job loss. Miscarriage. Loss of a loved one. Nasty breakups. A myriad of health issues.

I could go on and on, our trials are varying, though heartbreak seems to speak a single language.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.-1 Peter 4:12

Peter says its not weird that we go through these things but God wants to use them to strengthen us. I believe he can use these times to make us a better writer.

How?

• God uses our words to preach the gospel to ourselves.

Paul Tripp, author, pastor and counselor, says: No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.

We are all talking to ourselves, but what are we saying?

The first novel I wrote my character struggled to find freedom from fear. I knew her struggles because anxiety is an area where I am still in process. As God speaks truth into my lies, light is shined on the darkness in my heart.

As I walked my heroine's road, I learned so much about myself. God glared a spotlight on my own soul, allowing me to see my need to see and tell myself truth.

As I told my character the truth about what it meant to walk in freedom from that fear, I was preaching the gospel to myself.

Anything that changes our soul will affect our writing life.

• God uses our trials to help us with our character's black moments. And in turn, as we walk through their black moments with them, we find the light in our own times of darkness.

What have your characters struggled with: depression, grief, loneliness, or anger?

Is your character angry at themselves? The world? God?

We've all experienced all of these emotions and faith struggles.

After a trial, redemption is found when we share our stories. After my father died, telling the story was healing. But it became the most life-giving when I was able to share the narrative with others who were grieving. When friends lost parents, it was a "me, too" story.

This empathetic tale-bearing was ultimately grace-filled for both parties.

What is the story you need to share? Sometimes God may call you to tell it in person, other times He may use it to heal another soul u
sing the written word.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”   -Brene Brown

Writing real and raw can be painful, but those ultimately will be the words that speak truth and life.

As we go through trials, instead of putting our guards up, we need to be vulnerable...both on the written page and in "real time."

Through these tests, we can understand the difficulties our characters endure.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”   -Brene Brown in DARING GREATLY

Are you willing to show up and be seen on the page?

Julia Reffner writes words of redemption in both the nonfiction and women's fiction genres. She is a writer and reviewer for LIBRARY JOURNAL magazine and a devotional writer at WONDERFULLY WOVEN. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two children, and three ragdoll cats.

Finish that Book!

A popular advice columnist on salon.com, Cary Tennis found himself stalled when it came to his literary projects. A glance around showed him he wasn't the only one. Many of his writer friends and colleagues seemed to need the same help in completing their own work. 

As a music critic, Cary had no problem finishing his short work on deadline, yet worked on the same novel fitfully over eighteen years. Co-writer Danielle Morton is a journalist who has written fifteen books as an uncredited ghost writer. Yet she also had a beloved writing project that went unfinished for two years in the background. She could never seem to complete the proposal. 

Within three months both authors were able to complete their projects. Since 2013, Cary has been teaching the FINISHING SCHOOL method. His class meets once a week for two hours. During this time writers "identify tasks related to their overall goal and map out specific times during the week to accomplish those tasks" (xi). They then paired up with partners who they would text as soon as they started to write so they would be accountable to someone for their commitment.

Do you have a project that's been sitting in a drawer that perhaps you need to revisit? Cary and Danelle address six emotional pitfalls that they believe keep most writers from finishing their work. They are: doubt, shame, yearning, fear, judgement, and arrogance. My favorite section was on doubt, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts as I was reading. 

Doubt: 

What writer who has been in process for more than five days hasn't struggled with doubt? Or as Cary calls it "Doubt Masquerading as Self-knowledge." By calling ourselves a terrible writer we are internalizing what cognitive therapists call global labeling or globalizing. He states that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, affecting our moods, feelings and eventually the quality of our work. 

What do I not want to feel?

Rejection can be a struggle in my life most when I am not pressing into who I am in Christ. 

What don't you want to feel? Uncertain whether you will ever be published? Doubt about whether your journey will look the way you expect? Do you struggle with a desire to be understood or appreciated in your writing? Is it the feelings that come up when you are waiting for a response from an editor or agent? The feelings during your writing process itself?

"Real feelings make good writing." (9) Simple but so true. And comforting to think that even those icky feelings I have when I get contest results or a rejection can be used to grow my writing life. Instead of letting doubt short circuit our writing, the authors encourage us to use doubt as a springboard.

He encourages writing about why you feel this doubt. I did this, journaling two specific experiences and found it helpful. (I highly suggest it if you find doubt still plagues you at times). 

Do you ever struggle with I'll never get published thoughts? The authors suggest perspective.

First, anything can happen. This reminds me of a favorite childhood show, where Mr. Rogers told viewers just because we fear something doesn't mean it will happen. When I was a child, I struggled with the thought of losing a parent. By the same token, just because we fear not getting published, doesn't mean that is the end outcome. Surprise successes do happen.

Second, contemplate what if you don't get published? What will you do? How bad will you feel and what will it actually mean?

If you never get published traditionally does that mean your writing life is a failure? He talks about building small successes? Maybe you work at getting published in an anthology first, then in a literary journal...

I think wrestling with some of these questions is a good beginning to finishing that book sitting in your nightstand!

Has doubt been a struggle in your writing life? If so, what has helped?

**Thanks to Penguin for providing a copy of FINISHING SCHOOL for the purpose of a blog post.**

Julia Reffner is a writer, reviewer, blogger, and homeschool mama living in central Virginia.

Created for Love Stories

 

"...should I draw you the picture of my heart it would be what I hope
you would still love though it contained nothing new. The early
possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have
obtained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied."
-Abigail Adams to John

"I shall cork up all my kindness--yet the volatile essence may fly off
in my walk--you know not how much tenderness for you may escape in a
voluptuous sigh, should the air, as is often the case, give a
pleasurable movement to the sensations, that have been clustering
round my heart, as I read this morning--reminding myself, every now
and then, that the writer loved me."
-Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley to William Godwin

What was the first love letter you received?

I still carry fond memories of the notes written in black sharpie by
my mother on a folded napkin in my Strawberry Shortcake metal lunch
tin. The note and the accompanying homemade brownie or other goodie
brought a smile to my face even as I opened these notes with sly
abandon on my lap, sneaking a glance and hoping nobody would notice.
These were the years you didn't admit you had parents. When I would
stage whisper, "Mom, please get back in the car..." when my mother
waited for me outside our 8-seat Buick wagon. Mom used such classic
phrases as Love 4 U before twitter shortened the American attention
span for the written word.

I have a wooden jewelry box stacked with college-ruled notebook paper folded into quarters, relics penned from my husband during our university years. I take them out periodically and when I need a smile.

Yet in reality, every romance and every love letter is a shadow pointing us to the glory of the bridegroom and his love for the bride.

Everyone loves a wedding story, I think its in our DNA. After all, whether we are married or single we can rejoice as we prepare for the ceremony yet to come. I’m reminded of one of my favorite worship songs.

“You’re Beautiful” by Phil Wickham

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful

Story reminds us we are made for a different world. Just like the crest of the black moment in our favorite novel, it somehow leads to an HEA ending though its impossible for the reader to see in the moment. It is difficult to even see how the heroine could come through her latest trial, yet she somehow does. And sometimes it is difficult to believe we will get through the loss of a loved one, the unemployment or…fill-in-the-blanks…

The Psalms are full of tender moments between God and his people. Here’s one of my favorites.

“… If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you.”-Psalm 91:14-15

If you love me and truly know who I am. The maker of the universe woos us and wants our love. He wants us to know who he is. We all cry out to know and be known. We all want someone to know us inside and out and love us still. The best romances contain but a shadow of the unconditional love of our God.

The cry of our hearts is for intimacy, with man and with God. We know we are not meant to be alone. Whether single or married we seek out community.

I will rescue you and keep you safe.

Popular recent releases in CBA include K-9 rescue dogs, a military hero struggling with PTSD, and the sheriff of a small Western town just to name a few. Yet Jesus was the ultimate rescuer.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. -Matthew 9:36

When we were helpless in our sin, he came to rescue us. We were harassed by Satan, nothing we could do could save ourselves.

We love stories that dangle danger, yet in the end we long to sigh with relief as the heroine lives to see another day. We look for security in other relationships, in earthly things, in temporary circumstances…just as the heroine is lured by the same temptations. God uses story to show us how others have endured struggles and we find the hope that we can persist on in a life of faith.

Its no accident that God gave us a love for story. A heart that craves after words, a soul that begs for intimacy that can only be fulfilled by our Heavenly Father.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.-Jeremiah 31:3

I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.-Hosea 11:4

***Speaking of love stories...everyone loves a good surprise! Cover reveal on Pepper Basham's blog for her upcoming release JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. Stop here...****

Julia Reffner

Kiss Frantic Goodbye: The Backwards Path to Increasing Creativity

A cuppa is a great start to a slow moment...

Word count goals. Deadlines. New Year’s writing resolutions. We put a lot of focus on productivity and that’s a good thing.

Don’t ditch those plans. But what if the answer to growing in your writing life this year is slow:

Doing less doesn’t mean lazy, even though sometimes it might feel that way.
Doing less doesn’t mean doing nothing, even though that might be nice sometimes.
Doing less doesn’t mean giving up on life, even though you probably feel that way right now before you even start this habit.
Doing less will actually make you more productive.
Doing less will add energy back into your days — not to mention many other positive emotions, too.
Doing less is a way of life, a practice and it begins right here, where you are right now.
(from Savoring Slow by Shawn Fink)

In 2016, my family and I faced a number of trials and struggles. Everything from financial difficulties to hospitalizations. My heart was raw and my jeans frayed at the knees, my voice hoarse from crying out to the Lord.

Something had to change. My stress levels hit an all-time high. The busyness of my everyday life combined with these trials brought me to near-collapse level. Like many I wore busy like a badge. Family, homeschool, church, ministry obligations, etc. It all came to a halt the second time my husband was hospitalized.

Frantic and I needed to break up. It was a long process and still continues in some ways. In the last few months I’ve found myself misunderstood by friends for whom busy was a way of life as I learned to say some hard no’s.

No to that small group that wasn’t benefiting my heart. No to that obligation that was good but not best. No to what was taking time away from my priorities.

After busy and I said our goodbyes, he would pop up daily to see if I was ready to give the relationship another shot. Was I always strong? No, but I had someone new in my life and he was changing me. I might join busy for an hour or two but I began to miss my new sweetheart, Slow.

As I started my day with Slow he changed my life, from the inside out. Instead of rushing through a half hour devotional I found myself waking up earlier and earlier without the alarm. Slow was growing my relationship with the Lord and I couldn’t get enough. With unrushed time at my father’s feet, Joy and Peace came to visit on a regular basis.

Slow and I took moonlit walks, had time to throw snowballs at my daughter even when there was work to be done, enjoyed the spotless appearance of freshly washed dishes, and pressed our faces on the dryer warm towels.

After Slow and I had been together for a while, I noticed something new. I was reading books for fun not just for review. When I read the news, I was fresh with ideas for a story.

Is Frantic frustrating you? Damaging your writing life and creativity? Frantic is a slave driver and you may find your productivity increased for a little while, but only at great cost to your health, mental well-being, and sanity!

Here are some ways to SLOW down and increase your creativity that are working for me:

1)      Come to him and find rest.

"'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'"-Matthew 11:28

Don’t rush your time with God! Are you tired in your writing life? Deadlines bogging you down? The publishing journey doesn’t look like you expected? His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He gives true rest.

Why do we work in our own strength, not bringing it all to his feet? Yes, he wants us to work hard but he is the one who gives us strength, creativity, and everything else we need for our writing journey.

How can we expect him to fill us with His words when we are not intaking His words? As we read his word and stop relying on our own strength in our writing life, He will bless our words.

2)    Prune your life in view of what matters.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”-1 John 2:17

What is the desire of your heart? Everything of this world will pass away. What are we valuing in our writing life?

To worship and glorify God, to serve my family are the first priorities of my life. Everything else comes below. To use the common analogy of the rocks, I don’t want to spend a majority of my time on sand or pebbles. Instead I want to put my big rocks into the jar first.

For me my writing is a way God calls me to worship and glorify him. But what writing activities fall under that purpose? That’s where I need to be prayerful. Not every opportunity is a blessing from the Lord as it could be a temptation pulling me away from the most important things in my life.

As I filter my life through my priorities I find it is easier to let go of busy. Some of the things we find most stressful may be something we are NOT called to do. It may be a good thing but not our best so we need to seek the Lord. There is little more stressful than doing something in my own strength and little more peaceful than walking in His.

For me this meant letting go of a club and a ministry. Both of these were good things, but pulling me away from the best.

3)    Give it all to Him.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7

What makes you anxious in your writing life? Do you worry about the market growth? Wonder if there’s a place for your story? Afraid you won’t get published traditionally, at least on your timetable?

God cares about all the little details of our writing life. ALL. Pray about all these things.

One of my favorite places in my city to savor God's beauty

Keep in mind that a SLOW publishing journey may be giving you time to savor the process. Just as our children grow up in a blink, we should be making the most of these moments of our writing life instead of letting them pass away. When we wish for a new stage for our child we are missing the small pleasures along the way. LOVE the whole journey.

4)    Creativity is built in the quiet moments, as we focus in on his world.

“He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” -Psalm 46:10

Enjoy his creation in the people and nature around you. Spend time smelling the fresh bread rising in your oven and enjoying cambric tea in your violet mug.

When we write we are told to engage all five senses in our scenes. Well, this is good advice for savoring and enjoying life. As we engage in life with all our senses, our writing will flow from the richness in our life.

In the slow, quiet moments of our life we find our creativity fueled as we sit at his feet, savor the everyday blessings of our senses, and find the joy in the world our Savior has created.



How do you savor slow in your writing life?

Julia Reffner is a child of God, wife, mom, and lover of words. She enjoys writing both fiction and nonfiction and makes her home in central Virginia with three sweet ragdolls.

Friday FIVE with Teresa Tysinger!!!

Woot!!! Friday has come!!! With bronchitis and ear infections for my clan, I'm SO looking forward to the rest of a weekend and some latte!!!

How about you? Any weekend plans? What are your writing goals for the weekend? I just finished some edits this afternoon. And hoping to dig into Jodi Picoult's latest novel.

Thrilled to have Teresa Tysinger on the blog! She is a woman who wears many hats: contemporary Christian romance writer, graphic designer, and communications specialist...and more! She loves the Blue Ridge mountains (now that I live down south I TOTALLY get it! They are SO breathtaking) and happy endings!
 
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH TERESA TYSINGER:

1) Is there a song that you just love right now, Teresa?

I recently saw Johnnyswim, my favorite band, in concert. I have totally fallen in love with "Georgica Pond," the title track on their newest album. Their songs are hauntingly beautiful and inspiring and leave you feeling affected -- much like a good book. This particular one stays on repeat. 

(LOVE this one. Here's a link: Johnnyswim's "Georgica Pond") 

2) Do you have a best marketing tip for writers?

I thought about this answer a lot. As a director of communications and marketing for a church, I'm tempted to throw out a lot of tips about consistent branding, frequency and variety of posts, and so on. But when it comes down to it, especially with Christian readers and authors where there is a real sense of community, I think my best marketing tip would be to be real. Make it easy for your readers to relate to you. It's OK to post about your tough day, funny things your kids said, how you burned dinner while chasing the dog around the house with muddy feet, and even how you're finding writing hard at the moment. Us humans have a core need for connection. Don't be afraid to offer that to your readers. They'll stick around as your friends long after your books are done.

(I SO appreciate this great advice! I do love authors that share real parts of their lives with the social media world)

3) Favorite fall food?

Oh my gosh, there are so many. But, I have to say my mom's pumpkin pie that we usually only have at Thanksgiving. Funny story about that pie. When I got married, I asked my mom if I could finally have the recipe for her famous pumpkin pie. She giggled, leaned in, and whispered, "It's on the back of the can of Libby's Pureed Pumpkin. Don't tell anyone!" We're still laughing nearly 15 years later.

(This one reminds me of my husband, because when we got married he told me I had to ask for his dad's pork chop recipe. It was a pork chop, with a can of mushroom soup, cooked in the crockpot. I don't let him live that one down. But seriously, Libby's is some good stuff!)

5) Do you have a favorite writing ritual?

As a mom with a full-time job outside of the home and a husband who works mostly nights and weekends, I take my writing time whenever I can get it. That means there's not much room for ritual. However, whenever I sit down I start by rereading what I wrote in the last sitting. Helps me refocus.I also have to have background noise...music is my preference, but I often go to coffee shops so the chitter chatter is nice, too.

(I'm impressed by all that you do! I like writing in coffeeshops too but settle for sleeping children.)

6) Can you share your newsletter with us?

Happy to! So far, my monthly newsletter has provided tid-bits about me, writing updates, book reviews, links to new releases, etc. Starting November 1, however, I am thrilled that the newsletter will also launch the first short story in a series of short stories exclusive to subscribers. Readers are offered a warm welcome into the cozy campus of Blue Ridge University with monthly short stories set at the fictional school in the mountains of North Carolina. These short, inspirational stories about the professors, faculty, students, and townspeople will leave you rooting for true love and sighing with satisfaction. This month's debut short story is "After All These Years." You'll meet Maggie -- an author distracted by a crush years in the making. Everyone is invited to subscribe for free at http://teresatysinger.com/newsletter.

(Readers be sure to stop by and check it out! It sounds wonderful! The NC mountains are so beautiful!)

 Find Teresa on:

Facebook - Teresa Tysinger, Author

Web - www.teresatysinger.com

Pinterest - @TeresaTysinger

Twitter - @TMTysinger

LINKS: 

Did you catch this week's installments on the Alley:

I wrote a post on how being present blesses your writing life Tuesday.  

Thursday, Krista Phillips was your host pondering the important question of what we're writing for.   

Debbi Giusti has a great post on how to find freedom from fear in your writing journey on Seekerville 

.

Alley cats around the web:

I didn't know about Google Keep, until Laurie featured it on her blog. It looks like a great way to capture lists, which is something I'm kinda addicted to. 

Books as art? Check out Karen's blog for styling tips!

Since Teresa's been talkin' about the Blue Ridge, check out Pepper's post on mountain dialect.

The need for creating and community on Angie's blog. 

Allowing God into our story: good stuff from Cara Putman.

Mary Vee shares creative journeys of authors on her blog. And don't forget to check out her great pics of Italy.

 

The Gift of Presence for Writers

I've been reading several books and listening to a podcast in the past few weeks about a topic that's been changing my writing life.

Presence. No, I’m not talking about how many people follow you on Twitter or how many comments are posted on your last blog entry.

One of my favorite childhood heroines, Ramona Quimby was told something puzzling by her teacher on her first day of Kindergarten.

“Sit here for the present.” Her teacher tells her as she points to the front row seat.

Ramona is eager to do as she’s told. What five year old doesn’t enjoy receiving a gift?

When she sits through a day of school and no present is forthcoming, Ramona is crestfallen.

After class a tearful Ramona listens to her beloved instructor who explains the meaning of present. Now. The teacher may make changes in the seating plan later, but Ramona should sit where she’s told.

Yet, Ramona was right, wasn’t she?

The present is a gift. How often do we lose sight of that, both in our writing and in our day-to-day life?

Many creatives share the same ritual according to DAILY RITUALS by Mason Currey, a walk each day. Milton paced back and forth in his beautiful gardens. Perhaps he caught a glimpse of the beauty of heaven as he writes about in paradise lost within the simple flowers. Charles Dickens sauntered through London for hours on end. If you’ve read anything by this prolific author you know he had a knack for capturing the everyday lives of people and illustrating the daily ills of the time. Flaubert took an outside stroll with his family. Kafka, Freud, Tchaikovsky and others also spent time in the outdoors.

The other twenty some hours of the day influence our writing life just as much as the block of time spent at a keyboard.

Sleeping. Without these hours all creativity suffers. Many of the creatives took naps daily. I know when I don’t get enough sleep my clear thinking and ability to catch my own errors suffers. The amount of sleep needed may vary but over time there is a benefit to knowing your own best rhythm. I found a wonderful sleep tracking app which calculates my best wake-up time and I have felt so much more refreshed in the morning as a result. I am accomplishing more in my writing and in my life.

Time with Jesus. If we’re not filled to overflowing with the Living Water how can we pour out Spirit filled words that will bless others. First I must find the rest in repentance in my life. It is hard to find dead quiet with children at home but it’s so needed. These are the first moments I spend in writing, journaling what God is showing me and writing out heartsongs to my beloved Papa.

Through the eyes of children. Good writing shows people the wonder of a new world. Children give us new eyes. Whether at church or at home, children live life engaged and encourage us to do the same. When I watch my children I notice they take joy in tasting a warm chocolate chip cookie, in jumping on a trampoline, and so many other activities that I’ve often allowed to be mundane.

Being fully present with those in my life, appreciating the world around me. Eating warm bread with homemade butter. Crunching in the fall leaves. Smelling a woodburning stove and delighting in tales told around it. Singing to your children. Kissing your spouse. These are the moments, lived well, that make for a beautiful writing life. Spend your nonwriting hours engaged and reap the benefits. When we drink from the richness of life it will overflow into our writing life creating a rich bounty that will encourage others.

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men. -Colossians 3:23

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.-Colossians 3:17

The Little Word That Destroys Your Writing Life

There was a little word in my life.

A little word that could. Literally.

You see when I spoke this word I could do all sorts of things. Make others smile. Convince myself I could handle one more task without collapsing of exhaustion. And I did...for a while.

That word was "yes" and it destroyed my writing life, caused exhaustion levels so high I was susceptible to every flu and common cold that passed through my town. That word kept me up at night trying to fulfill my obligations, whether it was completing more Bible studies, helping with a task nobody else had volunteered for, or sometimes I lay awake already overwhelmed with the thought of tomorrow.

One of my favorite childhood books was called The Little Engine That Could. In the story a trailing train needs to get up a gargantuan mountain. This train is filled with all sorts of wonderful things: playthings for little girls and boys and red-cheeked apples as well as lollipops.

My life was filled with all these wonderful things, too. Homeschooling, Bible studies, the wonderful co-op my children are involved in, our family-style community group at church, discipleship groups, prayer groups...so many good things.

So many good things that when I sat down with a piece of paper to write up a schedule I discovered the day didn't hold enough hours for all the things I had said yes to. Yet there were some things that never showed up on my schedule.

Things I forgot to say yes to. Walks in the park. Unhurried field trips, just for fun, not to learn anything. Painting with my husband. Drinking coffee on the patio with good friends. Just being with Jesus without an agenda and enjoying the quiet so I might hear him speak more.

And moreover, saying yes was the path to destruction of my creativity. Thoughts and ideas are birthed out of a quiet heart, one that has been still before God and allowed him to inspire. A quiet mind, one that is not racing with the busyness and rush of the day. Only a clear mind that lives in the silence can be filled with the noise of God's words. Even a still body, well-rested to be able to sit at the computer and brainstorm or to take a long walk and find beauty in nature that spurs on depth of thought.

Every yes I said to something was saying no to something else.

Engine after engine said no to pulling that train up the mountain. Some were too busy, others too important. It was the unassuming red engine that said yes. The engine doubted and questioned whether he could do it but in the end attempted the task with a brave front giving himself a pep talk as he went along. The boys, girls and toys shout in joyful glee, lauding the train by letting him know that all the other children will be happy with him.

Effort, diligence and being willing to do hard things are some of the tasks lauded by this book and well they should be. Discipline is essential to the work of life...and the work of a writer.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. -Colossians 3:23

Work heartily. Its the second part as for the Lord and not for men that can be problematic as well. Why am I writing? For men's approval? We would say no but when we obsess over the wording of a rejection note. What about the times when we struggle (albeit secretly) with competition? How about the times when we are afraid to admit we need help in some aspect of our writing?

The reader breathes a sigh of relief when the tiny engine successfully reaches the top of the hill, distributing the toys to the elated children and triumphant, rolls back down it preaching a self-confident mantra. I think I can, becomes I thought I could. Confidence rules the day in this book.

Only we aren't called to be self-confident, only Christ-confident.

⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:-Philippians 1:6

Confident that he is working in our lives. Our salvation is only through him and he is continually working in and through us.

Sometimes in our own confidence, a yes can be a no to Christ's power. Its when I admit I can't do anything in my own strength that I am yielded for him to fill me more fully. Sometimes when I say yes I am thinking I can do more. Pile it on. I can handle one more task, until my back collapses with the burden. But I can do nothing in and of myself. 
  
Instead of people pleasing I need to bathe my yeses in prayer, growing in diligence in studying the word of God. If he has called me to write, I can be sure he will give me the wisdom to find the time to complete the task, whether its a book or an article. 

I've begun reading a book I'm enjoying called The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. The author says:

The decisions you make determine the schedule you keep. The schedule you keep, determines the life you live. And how you live your life determines how you spend your soul. 

What decisions are you allowing your schedule to make for you? How can you be intentional instead? 

I wish I was writing from a place of arrival, living the priorities I set continues to be a challenge for me. But as I am prayerful and intentional I find I am learning to say no to those things that don't fit into my life at this stage. 

 Julia is a New York transplant living in central Virginia with her husband, two children, and three ragdolls. You can find her writing at Wonderfully Woven and Library Journal.

Friday on the Writer's Alley-Cats and Pals Braggin' on God's Blessings

2016 ACFW was the conference I did't think I needed to attend this year. Talk about attitude. I confess, I was wrong. Completely and totally wrong. I'm so glad God knew what was best for me.

This was the gathering of 3-D friends. You know, the people you met on FB, have chatted with for hours, have seen their picture and were convinced you'd recognize in a crowd until they appeared one foot shorter than you expected. 

Meghan Gorecki

We heard their laugh rather than read LOL. We saw their smile complete with dimples rather than an emoji :).  We saw their aching heart, their bubbly spirit, their hopes and dreams and found them more vibrant than we thought. These 3D friends...are gems created by God.


So, my husband asked me what I liked most about the conference. How did I love it? (instead of like it) let me count the ways.... 

Ted Dekker

*Ted Dekker's key note messages. I must have talked about a half hour about Ted's strategy for writing from the heart. Hubby politely nodded not understanding what on earth I was talking about. I also told my sister, and my daughter, each had the same deer in the headlight response. That's okay. I understood.
*Allen Arnold's continuing education class--equally stirring. Dig deep into your soul. That is when the story will truly come to life. 
*Erin Healy's How to Think Like Your Editor. Powerful. Packed with tons of information helping writers understand the editing process and how we can edit our manuscripts.
*The Don't Lie to Me class taught by a forensic artist wowed me. These tips, facts, clues were not just for mystery writers. Every genre benefited from knowing how to accurate portray a character who is not telling the truth. Much more than body language. 

And these were only the tip of a magnificent iceberg conference. God blessed above and beyond what any attendee expected. 

Notable News: 

Krista's book, A Side of Love, is on sale for ninety-nine cents through Sunday. Click here.

FANTASTIC NEWS: Pepper was a Carol award finalist for her debut book: The Thorn Bearer. Click here. Pepper also says, "I had two editors request two manuscripts each and made some great contacts with Tyndale editors. I was reviewed by Romantic Times." We are also not surprised that she was swamped with raves about her books!!

Pepper and Mary

Mary received a request for a full manuscript and full proposal from an editor from Revell.

Casey and Sue (Mom)

Casey, director of the Carol Awards, presented the winners. Her mom, Sue Herringshaw was able to attend the Gala.  Casey says, "I survived." We knew you would. :)

Amy, Krista, Mary, Julia

Julia says, "I was able to connect with two women who had been mentors to me and get some new story ideas." I happen to also know that Julia interviewed a few VIPs for an article. Way to go Julia!

Matt and Nate came along to support Ashley.

Ashley says, " I had a full request from my dream publisher and a partial from another!! I am just so thankful for the time spent in community and encouragement among some of the dearest people in my life." Sounds like triple goodness, Ashley!!

Jessica Patch and Laurie Tomlinson

Laurie had a great time connecting. She signed a contract earlier this year. We are so excited about her new book! 

Angie's fabulous news was already shared!!!  CONTRACT!!

Amy and Krista

Amy claimed to be a lurker at the conference in her post yesterday. I beg to differ. She touched so many lives. Networked with writers. Shared her experiences. Laughed. And cheered for winners at the gala. To me, she gave a lot.

Ashley, Sarah Ladd, Courtney Walsh, and Cara

  
Cara whisked around, helping first timers and most likely a thousand other jobs during the conference. She is a multi-published author.

Now it's your turn! 

You didn't have to attend the conference to receive a blessing from God!

Let's do this! Share your blessing in the comment section.

Time to brag on what God did for us!

Let's fill the page with His blessings!!