A Caterpillar's Heart

I remember how it felt when I was pregnant. The headaches, the nausea, the overwhelming exhaustion. Mostly, the stretching. Stretching physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, that my body still bears marks from. There were times when I was pregnant that all I wanted was an unlimited supply of very caffeinated Panera tea.

You know, when you're pregnant, everyone tells you, "Enjoy this time. Sleep while you can. Take advantage of your freedom." But you look down toward your feet and really can't remember the last time you could see your ankles.

If we've heard it once, we've heard it a million times. The wait in your writing life serves a purpose.

Yeah, yeah. We get it. But let's be honest... sometimes it's hard to hear when you're the one with the swollen ankles.

You know, I love caterpillars and butterflies. Until you raise and release them, you have no appreciation for how many things they must conquer. At least, I didn't. But for every hundred eggs a butterfly lays, only a handful will become butterflies. They face predators like birds, wasps, ants. They face pesticides and disease. And that's if their parents can find the right host plant. But the thing is, when you see a butterfly-- wow. There is magic in that flight.

But this post is not going to be another blog about how worth it all the work will be when you finally get that contract.

No, this post is something different.

This post is about finding beauty in the stage where you are, even if a different stage never comes.

Surely, there is beauty in the caterpillar no matter whether she eventually becomes a butterfly.

So, I want to encourage you today to see your writing as a sweet time of fellowship with God. Create just for the beauty of creating. Grow-- and let your story grow accordingly.

Publishing is like a marriage. It only amplifies what you already are and have. So don't fall prey to the false belief that a contract will be your peace. And if you already have a contract, don't fall prey to the false belief that life and writing were so much better before you made the commitment.

There is beauty, there is peace, there is ministry, there is art, and there is healing in every. single. stage of the journey.

So, fall in love with your story. Fall in love with your art. Fall in love with your God.

Then you will find beauty. Wings or not.

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Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

The In-Between

Have you ever stopped to think about how much time we spend waiting?

We wait for traffic, lines at the grocery store, and bedtime (#kiddingnotkidding). We wait for big things in life like the day we'll meet our spouse or get pregnant. We wait for God to answer our prayers, and we get it in our heads that He only answers when the waiting is over.

But what if we're missing the bigger picture? What if God has something beautiful for us IN the waiting?

I was in a bridal store today, looking for a formal dress, and I started thinking about what a fun season of life being engaged is. It's full of so much planning, anticipation, and excitement-- not unlike writing a story! And though being married is much greater than being engaged, there's something uniquely special about that season of a relationship, is there not?

One of my favorite Bethel songs, "Shepherd," has a line that says, "In the process, in the waiting, You're making melodies over me." Those words have really hit me lately as I've realized it's not DESPITE the waiting, or AFTER the waiting, but IN the waiting that God sings over us. If only we would stop rushing on toward the next goal long enough to hear that song! It's as if He is saying, "Take a moment away from life-- a moment of the in-between-- to simply be with Me."

What does God want to do with your in-between?

Maybe today, you're thinking if you could just get published, the waiting would finally end. But then comes waiting for book reviews, contest results, release days-- you name it! The waiting will always continue, though it will take different forms. 

We must learn to wait well.

I want to encourage you to find beauty in this season, whatever you're waiting on. Today's wait is unique to today. You'll never get another chance to sow into this particular season, so sow well! You'll be glad you did when you see the blooms.

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Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

Waiting for Publication

Today, I'm pulling a post from the archives to share with you because it's one of my favorites. As we enter this Spring, we often fall into a pattern of waiting for "summer" in so many ways. Maybe you're waiting on a contest entry, or maybe you finished NanoWrimo and can't wait to hear back from the agents or editors reviewing your book. No matter your situation, take heart and be of good courage-- God knows just where you are. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about how you're waiting in your own life!

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Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." 

Picture this.

There's an old man sitting on a park bench with $10, 000 cash in a bag and a signed, first edition copy of your favorite book in his hand. And maybe some donuts. He owns a publishing house, and he's ready to make you a great offer on your work in progress.

The catch? He'll only be sitting here five minutes. And once he's gone, that's it. He's gone for good.

What lengths would you go to to get to that man on time? Too early or too late, and you will have missed the opportunity. It seems obvious, doesn't it? We would do anything it took to get there at the right time.

And yet it hit me the other day that metaphorically speaking, this is exactly the situation we are in every day as writers. We have a story inside our hearts. We have faith in God's call upon our lives. The man is sitting on the bench, so to speak. So why do we struggle so much to believe it's all going to work out?

We operate with such a limited perspective. Remember the kaleidoscopes you played with as a kid? When we look at just this one moment in our lives, it's like we're viewing the world through a kaleidoscope. We color the limited landscape in all different ways with just a turn of our hands. The thing is, God's got so much more planned. He has a purpose for your whole life. He sees it all.



Have you ever looked at a book you've written and felt anxiety about it? Maybe you feel that way now. I think most writers operate with a certain level of worry existent all the time. Is my book going to be good enough? Will I ever find the right agent? How long before a publishing house buys it? And then, what about the reviews that roll in?

But these worries come because we allow ourselves to get out of sync with God's timing. We believe in His promises, but we try to get ahead or behind the pace He's set. Doing so causes all sorts of trouble for whatever season we're facing in our writing lives.

Imagine yourself running with a crowd of people. Yes, I know that for some of you, the image of yourself running is difficult to picture, as, if you're anything like me, it hasn't happened since high school. But bear with me here. The race starts, and you all start running together. Before long, you fall into a rhythm. Some people rush ahead of you, and others fall behind. Some are running right alongside you and help you find your own groove. (We call these critique partners, and they rock.)

Before long, you become very observant of everyone else. Those in front of you are getting all these opportunities, and those behind are learning from your mistakes.

How much easier is it to look at everyone around us rather than to see the opportunities right in front of ourselves?

The thing is, God has equipped you with a particular pace, and operating outside of that is going to throw you off. If you rush ahead, you're going to get tired, and if you lag behind, you're going to miss the opportunities He's set in your path.

I want to encourage you today that God knows right where you are in this season of your life and your writing journey, and He has you there for a reason. Resist the urge to look ahead or behind. Instead, look around. You don't want to miss the opportunities He has placed before you because, like the man on the park bench, once those are gone, they're gone for good.

We can avoid so many of the things we worry about if we just press on. If we stop telling God we need to be faster, or things need to slow down. Forcing something that's the wrong timing will never make the timing right.

And when the timing's right, we will have peace in that. Imagine what would've happened had you never gone to the place you met your spouse, had you never met your best friend, had you never decided to write. A few moments, a few choices different, and your life wouldn't have been the same.

So whether you're waiting to hear from an agent, a publishing house, or even to hear God's next step for your life, be of good heart. God has not forgotten you or let go of His plans for your life. He is holding them, carefully tending to them, as He has been doing all along. Every day, every moment, is just another step toward the next chapter of His plan.

Your moment will come.

Are you waiting for something in your own life? What is God teaching you through this time?

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Ashley Clark writes romance comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. She now has a Christmas story called "The Christmas Thief" published with Guideposts. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

Pursuit for Publication? God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer, and A Giveaway!

We all know that this road to publication is difficult.
And I have learned the hard way that no matter how much I pray, how much I believe in my work, or believe that God will answer my prayers the way I want Him to, the outcome really does not depend on what I do.

Priscilla Shirer

If you read my post last week, you'll know that I am going through a time of stepping back, re-centering my heart on God and not my own desires or pursuits. So, when I was given the chance to review Priscilla Shirer's book, God Is Able, I must say that I went into it with a bit of hesitation. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read anything besides God's Scriptures. After all, I wanted this time to be one of  focus only on God...nobody's opinion of Him, nor temptation that might come in a self-help type book to apply the mantra that if I did this...then I could get God to do so and so...

With a guarded heart, I began to read God is Able. And after just the introduction, I felt my walls break down and my heart receive God's truth pouring out from this small book in the most God-focused way. Priscilla's style is simple yet wise, and gripping with vivid analogies. Her examples are down-to-earth with glimpses of God's handiwork in ordinary, day-to-day living. Instead of outlining ways to satiate my desire in a self-help fashion, she dug deep into Scripture, took me by the shoulders like a loving friend, and turned me away from my circumstance and toward God and ALL HIS ABILITY to use my circumstance for so much more than I would hope.

The book's entire structure is based on significant points made in Paul's doxology in Ephesians 3:20, 21. I've color-coded the subject of each of the phrases dedicated to entire chapters in the book:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
With exploration of original language, historical context, and true life situations, Priscilla presents the fullness of these words that do nothing less than glorify God, elaborate on His love for us, and humble us before His perfect will. The book reminds us to push our circumstance aside in comparison to grounding our faith in the God who goes "exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think". 

One of the greatest points that met me right where I was at on this pursuit of publication is:

"But whether or not God CHOOSES to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability. Whether or not He Will do it is His business. But believing that He CAN--that's our business." pg 62.

Do you truly believe that God is able in your present circumstance? Do you truly believe that He wants to go beyond what we ask or think, and are you ready to surrender completely to Him no matter the outcome? It is hard to think that this waiting game might end without publication, but if I remain grounded in my faith, it is NOT because God can't do it, it is because He chooses not to, AND, He has something in the works that will be above and beyond what I could even imagine--with or without a contract. How exciting...and freeing! As Priscilla says on pg 140,

"...ultimately, our lives are all and completely about Him. 
We exist today for His fame...For His praise and His glory."

The outcome of this pursuit, this writing for Him, really only means something if He's "gettin' Him some glory when He acts on our behalf." pg 140.

So why in the world do I get so antsy? It's about time to stop giving into my fleshy want (which will never be satisfied with earthly things), and start surrendering to the Spirit's nudging (which will always lead to God and true satisfaction). Embracing ALL God has for me, isn't really about what's for me, but ALL about what He wills to bring Him the glory. And who am I to tell God what that may be? I can ask, and pray, but trust that He knows the best way to answer.

Priscilla's tiny red book drew me to God's loving arms with security and peace in the wait. I close the book, craving more time with Priscilla. Her voice is conversational and down-to-earth, and her heart reflects God's truth. If you are struggling with publication, or perhaps something more pressing in your life, God is Able will draw you close to God and to a faith beyond all circumstance, with a mind and heart set on nobody's glory but His!

I could list a whole book full of quotes from God Is Able, but instead, why don't you leave a comment and get entered in a drawing for the book to read them for yourself?? Also, tell me which section of the doxology appeals to you most in your present circumstance?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

The View from the Sky-- Learning How to Wait Expectantly

This year, my ACFW conference experience did not go as expected.

You may have seen me like this:




Or with my handy crutch:





I actually don't have any pictures of my black boot because my friends knew better than to take any full-length shots! But you can use your own imagination. We're talking shin-length, black padding, lots of velcro. Much better than a cast. Much more disappointing than regular shoes.

I tried to make the best of my broken foot. Really, I did. I hobbled around to workshops and appointments, and my sweet Alley Cat friends got me ice and pushed me around in that wheelchair any time we went outside the hotel. I smiled a lot and tried to pretend everything was normal.

But let's face it. You can only ignore a broken bone--any kind of brokenness, really--for so long.

After a day or two, the fatigue began to catch up with me. I felt tired, worn-down, and weary. I just wanted the whole typical conference experience. I wanted to walk up to my editor appointments like a normal person, and to sashay down to Starbucks afterwards with a spring in my step. Not an ill-balanced hobble.

This general fatigue began to affect my usual fighting attitude. I generally take challenges head-on. But brokenness began to get the best of me, and doubts crept in. Did I pitch my novel with enough clarity? Did I inspire enough enthusiasm? Did I leave an impression with those I came into contact with, aside from being known as the broken-foot girl?

The problem with all these questions is they're I-centered.

Have you ever noticed that brokenness has a way of zapping our strength? That it blatantly attacks the promises of God in our lives? It tells us if we keep reaching toward our dreams, we may end up even more broken. Before long, we start considering whether we've really got what it takes to get all the way to our dreams. But the thing is, we don't have it in us.

We can not accomplish the will of God in our lives, the dreams He has given us, on our own accord. They're too big. Too full of beauty. That's the whole point. So it's no wonder we get tired trying.

What if the point of this whole writing gig isn't doing it well enough, but being the person God desires us to become? What if He isn't asking for results, but for intimacy with us?

Now, flash forward a few days to my trip home. I had this brief moment in the airplane when I looked out the window, and felt a stab of panic about being stuck in the air. I'm not usually one to get super nervous on airplanes, but for some reason, the idea of being stuck inside of one made me so uneasy. I wanted out. I wanted to get where I was going.

Are you feeling panic about your writing, like you may be "stuck in the air," so to speak? Let me encourage you that just like airplane travel, you're not actually stuck at all. Just because you're not "there" yet does not mean you're not making progress. Sometimes the landscape below is just difficult to discern. But God has your journey mapped out, and He knows where you're going next.

You are in transit. You may not be there yet, but you are on the way. You're a little closer now than you were yesterday. And that's something to get excited about.



Learn to enjoy where you are in this journey. When we recognize the beauty all around us--the beautiful heights of the sky we're flying through--we can look to the future with expectancy.

If we're always hanging our hearts on achievement, we will never feel satisfied. But if we allow hope to fill our expectations, we can enjoy each step of the journey as we recognize the beauty of our moments.

Though this conference experience was different for me, and though I came away with a foot that was still broken, I learned something very important, and that is this: God is comfortable with our brokenness. He really doesn't mind. See, He can work through it, even when we feel like we're at the end of our rope. So if you are feeling tired today, or your heart is weary, don't try to keep going on your own strength. Instead, give it to Him. Allow Him to take the responsibility of making His promises happen. You were never created to carry such a heavy burden yourself.

Have you ever found yourself weary or discouraged about your writing journey? How do you fin beauty in the journey and wait expectantly for the promises of God to come to pass?

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Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

Waiting on God with an Impatient Heart

I first posted this blog in July 2012, but felt today was an appropriate time for a reminder about God's grace for waiting (as well as impatient) hearts. He is always faithful. He is always good. Whatever you are waiting for, take heart: our God is good.

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Picture this.

There's an old man sitting on a park bench with $10, 000 cash in a bag and a signed, first edition copy of your favorite book in his hand. And maybe some donuts. He owns a publishing house, and he's ready to make you a great offer on your work in progress.

The catch? He'll only be sitting here five minutes. And once he's gone, that's it. He's gone for good.

What lengths would you go to to get to that man on time? Too early or too late, and you will have missed the opportunity. It seems obvious, doesn't it? We would do anything it took to get there at the right time.

And yet it hit me the other day that metaphorically speaking, this is exactly the situation we are in every day as writers. We have a story inside our hearts. We have faith in God's call upon our lives. The man is sitting on the bench, so to speak. So why do we struggle so much to believe it's all going to work out?

We operate with such a limited perspective. Remember the kaleidoscopes you played with as a kid? When we look at just this one moment in our lives, it's like we're viewing the world through a kaleidoscope. We color the limited landscape in all different ways with just a turn of our hands. The thing is, God's got so much more planned. He has a purpose for your whole life. He sees it all.

Source: Uploaded by user via Joanka on Pinterest

Have you ever looked at a book you've written and felt anxiety about it? Maybe you feel that way now. I think most writers operate with a certain level of worry existent all the time. Is my book going to be good enough? Will I ever find the right agent? How long before a publishing house buys it? And then, what about the reviews that roll in?

But these worries come because we allow ourselves to get out of sync with God's timing. We believe in His promises, but we try to get ahead or behind the pace He's set. Doing so causes all sorts of trouble for whatever season we're facing in our writing lives.

Imagine yourself running with a crowd of people. Yes, I know that for some of you, the image of yourself running is difficult to picture, as, if you're anything like me, it hasn't happened since high school. But bear with me here. The race starts, and you all start running together. Before long, you fall into a rhythm. Some people rush ahead of you, and others fall behind. Some are running right alongside you and help you find your own groove. (We call these critique partners, and they rock.)

Before long, you become very observant of everyone else. Those in front of you are getting all these opportunities, and those behind are learning from your mistakes.

How much easier is it to look at everyone around us rather than to see the opportunities right in front of ourselves?

The thing is, God has equipped you with a particular pace, and operating outside of that is going to throw you off. If you rush ahead, you're going to get tired, and if you lag behind, you're going to miss the opportunities He's set in your path.

I want to encourage you today that God knows right where you are in this season of your life and your writing journey, and He has you there for a reason. Resist the urge to look ahead or behind. Instead, look around. You don't want to miss the opportunities He has placed before you because, like the man on the park bench, once those are gone, they're gone for good.

We can avoid so many of the things we worry about if we just press on. If we stop telling God we need to be faster, or things need to slow down. Forcing something that's the wrong timing will never make the timing right.

And when the timing's right, we will have peace in that. Imagine what would've happened had you never gone to the place you met your spouse, had you never met your best friend, had you never decided to write. A few moments, a few choices different, and your life wouldn't have been the same.

So whether you're waiting to hear from an agent, a publishing house, or even to hear God's next step for your life, be of good heart. God has not forgotten you or let go of His plans for your life. He is holding them, carefully tending to them, as He has been doing all along. Every day, every moment, is just another step toward the next chapter of His plan.

Your moment will come.

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." 


Can you think of a time in your life where you waited and you're glad you did?

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Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.