Safeguarding your JOY

 

Some of you have may heard that I’ve been celebrating a personal victory this past week. After four years of writing and pursuing publication I’m getting my moment in the sun. I’ve signed a publishing agreement with WildBlue Press and will be releasing my first of three books this fall! A romantic mystery about grace and second chances called Beauty for Ashes.

After a long road of building friendships, refining my craft, dodging countless rejections, and growing in my passion for story here is it! The CALL. I should be on top of the world, right?

Well, of course I was/am thrilled to be realizing my dream but how many of you know that the world doesn’t exactly freeze in that moment. And that glow you are basking in can dim pretty quickly when say, the sewer drain backs up in your basement, the air conditioner peters out on the hottest day of the year, and the service light illuminates from your dashboard all in the same day… the day after you announced that long awaited triumph. Pfft! The NERVE! Those everyday disasters have absolutely no respect for your big moment! And it sure doesn’t take long for the crap (sometimes literally) to start piling up and little by little, robbing you of your joy.

But the thing I’ve come to realize as a mother constantly navigating the minefield of life is this…

JOY is NOT CIRCUMSTANTIAL.

Do you remember that little jingle we all sang in Sunday School? “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart! I’ve got the…”

We might not have realized it then but that song was preparing us for the truth about joy. Where it’s found. And where it isn’t. Joy isn’t found on our sleeves. Not in that gorgeous new outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. It’s not found skin deep either. It can’t be nicked away by everyday wear and tear. Bills and stress and the daily grind. (Though that can certainly make us weary.) It’s not even bone deep, only broken under the right angle and pressure. The pain that lances here often lingering and debilitating.

It’s deeper, protected by muscle and tissue, skin and bone, the cage of your ribs like a vault safeguarding your heart. And even there, at the source, it’s nested deep down.

Right there where your Savior resides.

Am I excited that God is going to use my words and give them a stage? Absolutely! Is my joy contingent upon it? Is it contingent upon my success? Not a chance. Because lasting joy is only found in communion with the Giver of your dreams. Not because of what he can do for you, but because of who he is.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Everything else, friends, is just frosting. Now, since I have a notorious sweet tooth, sit down and have some cake with me. Tell me, what are you celebrating in your life?

 

Happy Friday!

<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 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

 

Amy Leigh Simpson is the completely exhausted stay-at-home mama to the two wild-child, tow-headed toddler boys, one pretty little princess baby, and the incredibly blessed wife of her hunky hubby.

She writes Romantic Suspense chalked full of grace that is equally inspiring, nail-biting, and hilarious. And a little saucy! Okay fine, a lot saucy. :) She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and now uses her Sports Medicine degree to patch up daily boo-boos. Her greatest ambitions are to create stories that inspire hope, raise up her children to be mighty warriors for Christ, invent an all-dessert diet that works, and make up for years of sleep deprivation. 

She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, Inc.

 

Surviving The Labor of Writing

Most of you know that two months ago, I had a beautiful baby boy. While pregnant, my husband and I took childbirth classes that came in handy when the time rolled around to have my baby. The whole experience of labor made me realize there are a lot of similarities between having a real baby and a fictional one! So today, let's talk about how to survive (and cope with) the labor of writing.

It's no secret that CBA is in changing times, and scoring a publishing deal can be a challenge for a first time author. But that doesn't mean we should despair, for God has called us to such a time as this (Esther 4:14). What can we do when the pains of the process come along?

• Surrender control. One of the first things you learn in childbirth class is that you can't control the process, so rather than tensing up in an attempt to take over, you have to just let things roll. The same is true for the publication journey. You can try everything in your power to make things happen a certain way, but at the end of the day, you have to surrender to the process and roll with the punches, so to speak. If you can learn how to do that well, flexibility will give you a long career in the industry.
• Breathe. This one speaks for itself. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and relax.
• Let go of preconceived notions of what you think your publishing life will look like. Otherwise, you're bound for disappointment. If you're attempting a natural childbirth, you'll learn to visualize your ideal birth and shoot for that, but not expect it. I think the same is true for writing. You should set goals and work toward them; otherwise, you'll never make progress. But don't expect everything to go exactly according to plan, or else you'll have a hard time adjusting when it doesn't. 
• Keep the end goal in mind. When you're having a baby, everyone will tell you it's pain with a purpose. Let me just say, when you're in the middle of a contraction, you don't really care if it's pain with a purpose. ;) But truly, if you keep the end goal in mind, it's much easier to keep each setback in perspective. Your baby--your story--will eventually get there. Each disappointment brings lessons that take you closer to your goals.
• When you do finally get that contract, rejoice! It's so easy to get caught up in a new set of expectations and deadlines that you forget the big picture... you sold your story! Don't let the exhaustion of the process keep you from the magic of that moment.

Your turn! What strategies do you use to cope with the pains and setbacks of the writing process?

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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.

When the Inspiration Dries Up: Writing Quotes

Sometimes as writers we need fresh inspiration. Sitting down to the keyboard one more time seems like so much drudgery. So we stare at the ceiling. We kick cabinets. We yell that we need something to happen.

On the days like that, here are a few writing quotes that might just inspire you in  your search for fresh wells of creativity.

Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors - it's how you combine them that sets you apart.

Wolfgang Puck

Writing means sharing. It's part of the human condition to want to share things - thoughts, ideas, opinions.

Paulo Coelho

I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.

Anna Quindlen

Learn as much by writing as by reading.

Lord Acton

I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done.

Steven Wright

What are you favorite writing quotes? I'd love to read them!

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Cara Putman

An award-winning author of twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

No Compromise...Drawing Lines in Your Fiction

Change is always abuzz in the Christian book industry. Lately, we've heard of the closing of Abingdon's fiction line. For great insight on that issue, see Steve Laube's blog post "Christian Fiction is Not Dead." 

It seems like another in a long line of merges and closures that have been shaking the industry up in new ways these past few years.

News items such as the legalization of same-sex marriage and the continued allegations against those in the church for adultery and even financial scandal can leave the Christian bewildered and discouraged.

In the last few months Lifeway Christian stores have made some decisions that have led to mixed public opinion. Buyer Rachel McRae says in a recent blog post, they must guard their bookshelves. What is seen in the Christian bookstore should be separate from what is seen in a secular retailer. (Check out "What's Really Going on in Christian Fiction?").

I recognize not all readers may agree with me, but I personally applaud Lifeway for what they have done, they are drawing a line in the sand. Even Christian fiction is beginning to become an anything goes culture where black and white have become gray.

Whatever your line in the sand is, you need to have one. You need to prepare it before you are published, the moment you start writing. Because compromise builds. Its a slow fade as a popular Christian song implies.

As writers we need to be SET APART, because that is what we are called to be as believers.

What does that mean for you?

One well-known nonfiction author halted his contract with a major Christian publisher and has no regrets. What are you willing to give up to live your convictions? We must be able to give it ALL up!

But it could be smaller, often the largest temptations to compromise can be little ones that build.

What are you willing to change in your story? Where is your line in the sand? What stand will you take in your career?

Will you publish with a company that also creates (pornography, erotica, etc)? Maybe you ARE called to the secular market. All the same you will need to create an individual line that says I won't go any further. I won't add this word or scene that's not pleasing to God.

In a world where moral relativity and "anything goes" mentality run rampant, you must prayerfully consider where you will stand.

Peter knew who he served:  But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." -Acts 5:29, ESV

Spirit-filled Peter knew who he believed and the power of who he believed in and was willing to go as far as to die a martyr's death to obey God in the face of vast opposition.

Many Israelite babies were saved because of the faithful midwives who obeyed God rather than the ruling powers: But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.-Exodus 1:17

Who will we follow in our writing careers, what's right in God's eyes or man's eyes?

Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."-Daniel 6:13

I did an extensive study on Daniel this year and he's definitely a favorite of mine. I am inspired by his faithfulness. He continued to pray and worship God daily in spite of the pagan customs of the world around him and was even willing to risk death. He faces many fiery trials but keeps himself cleansed and spotless from the world with God's help.

With God's Spirit and His word we can remain faithful in a fallen world. We can help our brothers and sisters stand strong by supporting their writing decisions as they follow His spirit and by praying that we all remain unhindered in our witness for Christ.

Julia is a writer and reviewer for Library Journal magazine and a blogger for Wonderfully Woven. She is also a member and volunteer for ACFW. Central Virginia is home to Julia, her husband Chris, two children and three crazy cats.

3 Questions for a Teachable Writer

on freedigitalphotos.net by stockimages

Are you a teachable writer?

Something I have learned on this road to publication, is there are more opportunities to learn than to prove your stuff is untouchable.

  My first reaction to criticism used to be...(see photo;)).

But now? 

I feel the sting, drop my shoulders in defeat, and then take a few deep breaths.

My reaction has become...

on freedigitalphotos.net by stockimages

Hmmm...I need to listen, think, and maybe apply. 

Three questions I ask myself:

1. Does this advice compromise my voice? 

If I have established my style, then I need to apply advice as best as I can with out forfeiting my voice. I must weave the advice with my voice in mind to take my writing to the next level in my own unique way.

2. Does this advice compromise my craft? 

Most contest judges and critiquers are still learning (um, do we ever stop learning??). So I must be able to discern what is good advice on craft and what is sub-par. (This means that I need to be well-read on craft). When a critique pushes me to better my craft, then I should try and apply it.

3. Does this advice compromise my purpose for writing this story? 

Sometimes, a crit just misses the mark on what the whole vision and purpose of the story, BUT, if I've laid it out clearly, then they shouldn't miss it. If the advice does dismiss my story's purpose...then maybe there's something that needs to be changed on my end to clear it up.  If the advice seems to line up with my purpose and offers a way to make that purpose clearly-defined or stronger...then, it's time to apply!

After receiving feedback, I remind myself that this whole process is about getting my purposeful story out to the potential hearts that are meant to read it. Without compromising my voice, my craft, or my purpose, criticism is welcome to make my story shine bright and clear.

Have you had good advice? Bad advice? What have you been willing to compromise to make your story better?
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Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written five Historical Romance novels, has a Historical underway, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie also spends her time designing one-sheets and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check out her author page at www.facebook.com/dicken.angie, her personal blog at angiedicken.blogspot.com and connect at:

Twitter: @angiedicken
Pinterest: pinterest.com/agdicken

Writing your Soul Out

When I saw this, I had to post it. There are so many times when I look back at my manuscripts and see my soul painted on the pages. Have you experienced the same? 

Have a great Sunday! --Angie

Seen on 'The Writer's Circle"

You're A Writer

You’re a writer.

It’s in your DNA.

How you answer every professional occupation question. Maybe something like: “I’m a receptionist, mom, nurse, librarian…but I moonlight as a writer.”

Calling ourselves a “writer” is never far from our vocabulary and we usually wear the title with pride. 

Unless you’re experiencing a day when you want to kick this expensive, but oh-so-therapeutic (depending on the day) habit to the curb.

You can’t stop being a writer anymore than you can stop breathing.

Even when you put your writing aside, you see the world differently—through the eyes of someone who knows story inside and out.

But the truth is, being a writer isn’t for everyone.

It’s hard work.

Tough, blood-letting, tear-inducing, hard work. You’ll suffer sleep deprivation, friends misunderstanding your devotion, and struggles with fake people that insist on arguing back.

But I don’t need to tell you know this. Because there is 100% of a chance that if you’re reading this, you already know what I’m talking about.

So why do you write? Why do you put words on lined paper or a blank screen? Why do you invest in writer’s conferences, how-to books, and editorial work?

We all know it won’t pencil out financially in the end.

We don’t just do it because we’re in love with words. If that were the only case, we’d just stay home in our PJ’s and write in our evenings and weekends.

We do it because we’re following in our Savior’s footsteps. The greatest Man who has ever walked this earth and ever will walk this earth told story to communicate His point. He wove his words together to use story to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the thick-in-the-head (and let’s be honest, that’s all of us.)

When we tell a story, no matter how good or bad it is, we’re stepping closer to our Savior in a different way. That’s not to say we’re more special, important or spiritual than anyone else. (Heavens, no! Someone slap me if I ever go that far.)

But we have an opportunity to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the poor in spirit with the words of a story like our Savior did.

So partner with Him in that story-weaving process. Partner with Him to tell those around you why these words are so important to you.

And remember that truth on the days when the words are tight. The flow is blocked and the joy is gone.

Then go read one of Jesus’ parables and remind yourself why you call yourself a storyteller. 

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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She is a country girl now living in a metropolis of Denver, Colorado, employed as an administrative assistant at Wordserve Literary.