Five Things Writers Forget First – Part 5 – by Angela Breidenbach

Welcome to another Writer’s Journey Wednesday! (Dawn here) Thanks for joining us as Angela Breidenbach completes her fabulous series, “Five Things Writers Forget First.”

During March,
On Writer’s Journey Wednesdays,
Angie has been sharing:

Part 1: I’m Using My Brain, Right?
Part 2: Mental Integrity
Part 3: Emotional Stability
Part 4: Spiritual Sense
Part 5: Courage & Confidence

Five Things Writers Forget First
Ways to write better, faster, and stronger

Part 5
Confident Writer

After years of trying, I hadn’t achieved anything. I had to get educated. But at my age? I’d been raising kids and working to feed them while other women went to college and blossomed into their true calling. My calling felt foreign and unknown after ignoring it for so long.

I made the decision to go to a writer’s meeting. At the door, my resolve almost melted. I didn’t want to be embarrassed among people who knew the craft when I knew nothing. Desire overcame fear when I asked myself, “Would I be happy to die never trying?” I pictured myself in old age, looking back, eyes wrenched with regret. The fear of failure lessened in the face of the regret. The goal outweighed the fear.

I needed a holistic view of my career as a part of my future. I slammed right into failure. I couldn’t do a thing because the project I’d set for myself was humongous. I saw only the mass and not the pieces. Ocean liners change direction one degree at a time. Why did I think I needed to flip from one thing to the next without preparation and patience?

The words holistic life hit me full force. I can’t separate who I am from my family, friends, job, etc. without losing part of me. POP! The fireworks blazed. I had to stop making it just about the schedule and be about creating a fulfilled lifestyle. This fulfillment had to incorporate real life to be sustainable. I learned about my likes, dislikes, sleep cycles, and biorhythms for optimum productivity.

In business, problems get solved when you work the chain of command backwards. If a disaster occurs, start at the disaster and trace back through to where the problem began. Holes in communication or the breakdown in the procedures are more visible. It’s a great practice for goal setting too as both the big overview and the small details appear.

Work from the farthest date and note deadlines in reverse to create steady and consistent schedule with each goal. The final weekly planning calendar has something toward every goal and review of a month-at-a-glance daily assures it happens. Remember we’re working on a holistic, fulfilled life. Confidence is not natural. It’s built one degree at a time. Every small success is a leap into confidence.

Five things to take away from this article:

1. Be willing to change.
2. Change must be a holistic or failure boom-a-rangs back to the old ways.
3. Change one degree (thing) at a time for long term success.
4. Be consistent by breaking down goals into small steps and regularly scheduling them.
5. Talk publicly about plans and goals. People asking about progress creates accountability.

How will you put consistency into your goals and dreams?
How will consistency create confidence for you?

Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, author of Creative Cooking for Colitis, works with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer (2009-2011) and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

Angela’s cookbook, Creative Cooking for Colitis, is being released Easter weekend as an e-cookbook. You have a chance to win a free copy by visiting her new blog, http://colitiscooking.blogspot.com/

Confidence Coach & Purposeful Living Educator
Come uncover your gems of wisdom at http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/
Personal growth = Powerful living!

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:
http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/
http://www.angelabreidenbach.com/
http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/
http://colitiscooking.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach
http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach
http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays each week.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angiebreidenbach
http://www.christianwomenaffiliate.com

Virtues of March: Humility

Virtues of March: Humility
Author's Character Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Sometimes I'm tempted to list a passel of scriptures and leave it at that. Do you know what happens behind the "screen" over here as I bring up these virtues? (Like when I recently discussed patience? Remember that dog we talked about? 'nuff said.) *grin*

But, humility is key in regards to a Christian author's character. So, let's dig in.

Jesus gives us an example by demonstrating humility Himself.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
(Phil. 2:3-8, NLT)

Humility lets you be yourself—a marvelous, one-of-a-kind creation of God.

Humility insists you walk out your calling and use your gifts, without apology and without pride.

Humility boldly represents God, knowing rightly our position: we are God's ambassadors in the world.

Humility has nothing to prove.

Humility doesn't strive for attention or compliments.

Humility is content to work behind the scenes and never be noticed.

Humility looks to God for acceptance and approval. He’s the Audience of One.

Humility partners with peace and rest.

Humility protects us from the fall pride brings.

Humility receives compliments graciously because humility embraces truth without impure motives.

Now, let’s consider humility’s antonym: pride.

Here’s a verse that can help keep our minds from skipping merrily after vain thoughts:

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

We’ll stave off vain imaginations by remembering we need God’s grace as writers—both to write well (craft study still required) and for open doors. Thankfully, God ties humility and grace together with a promise:

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

After studying this today, I could use that grace God's speaking of. How about you? Let's be intentional about this one. It's all part of cooperating as God's works on His authors' characters.

Flawed Plotting: the Secrets of National Treasure by Susan May Warren

Happy Manuscript Monday everyone. Susan's back with some craft focus on how characterization affects plotting. Please welcome her back to Seriously Write as she continues her fantastic series.

Craft Tips and Techniques from Today’s Blockbusters Series
Flawed Plotting: The Secrets of National Treasure
by Susan May Warren

When you’re plotting a book, think about the character flaws . . .

When I plot a book, I always start with a hero’s greatest dreams and greatest fears. Getting to the bottom of what my character dreads the most is a great way to develop the ultimate black moment.

But it’s not the only way. What if, in fact, you started with a character’s greatest FLAWS…and wrapped the black moment and the entire plot around your Character’s foibles? This is exactly the kind of plotting technique used in one of my favorite series of movies – National Treasure. And most specifically, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.

Benjamin Gates. National Hero. Treasure Hunter, Historian and adventurer. He’s a guy with a long family history, and a firm belief in the secrets of our country. But Benjamin has a few flaws.

First, he has an overabundance of family honor. It’s a classic case of “Pride goeth before the fall.” Not saying that a person shouldn’t have pride in one’s family, but Ben’s so convinced of his family’s honor that he’s certain his great grandfather could never have planned the assassination of President Lincoln. This family pride conspires to drive him into proving the innocence of his family name. Like he says to his father, “We’re crazy, but we’re not liars.”

But Ben is also convinced that his always right, and believes that no one can solve the case but him. This flaw, at the onset of the movie, has driven his girlfriend crazy and caused him to be kicked out of the house. Of course, he needs her security pass to examine some evidence, so he breaks into her house. And then, when caught, he convinces her to let him examine the diary page that convicted his great grandfather of plotting the assassination, because of course, he can’t trust her (or anyone) to do it but himself. Because, they might miss a vital clue.

Of course, he’s….right.

Which leads to a further flaw used to plot the story. Benjamin Gates is highly suspicious of everything – which means he’s not going to settle for the obvious. He believes in the myths and the conspiracy theories which drive him to probe deeper into every mystery, and it’s this flaw that uncovers the cipher on the back of the diary page which leads to the next clue.

Benjamin Gates is also under the delusion that he can figure out a way to accomplish just about anything. Like break into the Queens’ Office in Buckingham Palace, or the Oval Office in the White house.

And eventually kidnap the president of the United States.

“Of course someone is after the treasure – it’s the axiom of treasure hunting.” (Thank you Riley, that was my point exactly). All these flaws work together to embroil his family and friends in the search for truth, and they end up, yes, discovering the City of Gold, but at nearly the cost of their lives. The flaws all converge into a final, fatal flaw – a belief that the ends justify the means. That it’s okay to risk life and limb and reputation and love for pride and family honor. And, well, money. The dark moment of truth: it’s not worth it if everyone you love dies, is it?

When you’re plotting a book, think about the character flaws. What kind of issues does your character deal with, and how can they lead him from one bad (or good?) action to the next? How can they converge to bring about the dark moment, and hopefully, an epiphany?

Thankfully, Gates is learning. Like, realizing that he can’t always assume he’s right. And that his stubbornness can lead to disaster. And hopefully, (but probably not, because we need a National Treasure 3) that the ends DON’T justify the means.

Of course, despite his flaws, Gates, has one character strength that balances out all his flaws, all his foibles. A noble belief that truth will win the day, and lead to the treasure.

Yeah, me too.

Susan May Warren is the founder of My Book Therapy, a boutique fiction editing service for writers, and runs A Writer’s Blog. See her Web site to learn more about her award-winning fiction.

Audience of One by Ronie Kendig

Welcome to another Fortifying Friday at Seriously Write. (Dawn here.) This is the day we invite authors to share their success stories or words of encouragement. Today our guest author is Ronie Kendig. I was moved to re-evaluate my own life by her words, and I have a feeling that you will be, too. Enjoy!

Audience of One

Our world defines success by the most toys won. Or for writers: the size of an advance. How easy it is to struggle with our identities as writers, weighing our success against that of others. Yearning for more, bigger, better. But each time that lure of success calls out, God brings me back to a life-transforming principle: The Audience of One.

That term is thrown around a lot in Christian circles. Write for an Audience of One. Sing for an Audience of One. Edit for an Audience of One.

Yeah, yeah. I get it.

No, actually, I didn’t. Not the way I should. The concept is not about earthly success, which is where I’d pinned the value of that phrase. Not in terms of getting that first (or second, third . . . ), thinking, “I’m writing so the book will get published and reach people.”

A valiant, noble motive.

But what about God?

“Yep, I’m writing so He can touch their hearts.”

Yeah? What else?

“Huh? What do you mean, what else? Isn’t writing so the hurting can find healing a just cause? Writing so others can find God? Isn’t that what it’s all about?”

Niggling in the back of my brain told me it wasn’t the “main” point. For months I tossed the question around, until finally late one night, God opened my eyes through Jim Rubart’s brilliant book, Rooms. Jim writes, “God does not give us our gifts so that we can find meaning in success or power, but for the sheer pleasure of seeing His child use that gift.”

The greatest gift is not the contract or success (although they’re both very nice), but the true prize is the gift itself.

When my husband and I bought new bikes for the boys, they were elated! Helmets on, the twins rode for hours as I watched, grinning and finding joy in the fact that my boys loved riding their bikes.

Did they ride through mountains in France, competing against world-renown cyclists?

Ha. I’m lucky we didn’t need a paramedic.

But I was soaring with pride. My boys were riding the bikes I gave them.
So it is with our Heavenly Father. When you write, He soars! He grins and laughs. Can you see Him? He’s up there laughing, “Look! She’s writing—using the gift I gave her!” That’s part of His glory, His joy.

That freed me to write without worry, to think of God sitting in an easy chair, smiling and watching as I write. Finding this freedom isn’t easy but it is possible. First, accept God gave you the gift. If you’re mired in self-doubt, cast off those doubts. Trust what He gave. Then, embrace His gift and freedom. And lastly—thrill in this gift. Yes, write and be used by God, but remember the gift giver. You didn’t “deserve” it, and you can’t “earn” it. He gave it freely. Embrace it freely!

Ronie Kendig has a BS in Psychology and is a wife, mother of four, and avid writer. Her novels include Dead Reckoning (March 2010, Abingdon Press) and Nightshade (July 2010, Barbour Publishing), Book#1 in The Discarded Heroes series. She speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Ronie can be found at http://www.roniekendig.com/.


Website: http://www.roniekendig.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ronie.kendig
Twitter: roniekendig
Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/roniekendig

Love One Another

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
(John 13:34 NIV)

A family member is getting married and asked if I would help pick out appropriate Bible verses to be read during the ceremony. So, I began pouring through scriptures for anything that had to do with marriage . . . and typed up verse after verse about loving and honoring others.

Love. Powerful word.

As God’s people, we're called to love one another, as Christ has loved us. That means our Lord desires us to respect, honor . . . and love other writers.

But do we always?

I write both nonfiction and fiction, and I enjoy reading a variety of genres. But that’s me. Not everyone likes a smorgasbord.

I’ve seen nonfiction authors look down on people who write fiction. After all, how could anyone deliver a spiritual message through something only imagined? In return, fiction writers have been smug in the knowledge that at least they have an imagination.

Fiction writers have argued over how to handle violence in a thriller, suspense, or mystery. And romance authors have defended their stance on including—or eliminating—sexual tension in their novels. For some, there are books that contain too much fluff to be taken seriously. Others would point out their belief that Christian books for Christian readers shouldn’t contain anything that isn’t considered wholesome.

I hate confrontation. But I love a good debate. There’s a difference. In a debate, people respect and listen to other opinions. Once the debate is finished, hopefully both parties walk away feeling heard and a bit enlightened.

I think God desires the same in our Christian community of writers. I think it’s healthy to debate – but confrontation isn’t very productive. There is a reason God gave us different styles and levels of comfort in what we present in our work. He has a purpose for it – and that’s to reach people who have different interests and comfort levels in what they read.

We’re not called to judge. But we are required to honor, support, and lift up our fellow writers . . .

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV).


Dawn

Five Things Writers Forget First – Part 4 – by Angela Breidenbach

Welcome to another Writer’s Journey Wednesday! (Dawn here) I hope you’ve been able to join us this month for Angela Breidenbach’s series, “Five Things Writers Forget First.” I’ve appreciated her heart and vulnerability in sharing how God has worked in her life. Each week she’s brought personal stories many of us could relate to from our own experiences. Today, enjoy “God Weaves Our Dreams.”


During March, on
Writer’s Journey Wednesdays,
Angie is sharing:




Part 1: I’m Using My Brain, Right?
Part 2: Mental Integrity
Part 3: Emotional Stability
Part 4: Spiritual Sense
Part 5: Courage & Confidence

Five Things Writers Forget First
Ways to write better, faster, and stronger

Part 4
Spiritual Sense

God Weaves Our Dreams

For five years I've wanted to fulfill my calling and use the gifts I felt God had given me. Last year, I said it again. It was burning in my gut!

I went to Seattle on a financial management business meeting with my husband and son and wrote myself out of our business! The story is so much longer, but I prayed and prayed. And that is the important part, because I couldn't see the outcome. I had no idea how it would happen.

God asked me to give him my paycheck, all of it. I was so scared that I battled God for months. Recurring thoughts about needing that paycheck for groceries went nose to nose against trust. When I finally verbalized it, accepted it, and gave it over...he brought along what he had in store for me. I'm still pinching myself! As I thank God, sometimes he brings to mind the steps it took and I marvel at how I didn't see it back then or along the way.

I couldn't recognize something as mundane as a paycheck was actually a part of God's miracle weaving. I'm stunned at God's creativity in even using teensy incidents. Sometimes decisions that I kicked myself for because, at the time they seemed so smart, but later cost money I didn't have. I'd regret the decision, and then God turned it back around to have been totally necessary to His result. It felt like a tilt-a-whirl, often dizzy with confusion. Why wasn't it happening? Why was I making such wrong choices? Like I was going round and round and not getting anywhere but to Nausea Worry Land.

What I am doing now is a culmination of dozens of seemingly disconnected experiences, those I thought were wrong or off track, God wove together so tightly I would not be able to do this without each strand, each fine thread.

I want to encourage all of you to keep praying for your dreams, keep moving into your decisions, and keep on planning because He knows what He's doing with all that weaving even if we don't. Remember it took five years to get me here and I was often in the dark, thinking I was lost. What I found was God had simply turned off the theater lights in order to show the special feature.

With Creative Cooking for Colitis coming out in the next few weeks, several freelance projects coming through, and wonderful speaking engagements I understand that each one had a completely unrelated pre-requisite. Had I not gone through those difficult learning times, I wouldn’t have the expertise I need now to live my dream of writing and speaking.

Trust that God has a plan for everything in your life. Won’t it be amazing to see how the various pieces weave together?

Courage isn't from having courage—it's from doing in the face of fear because it needs to be done.



Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer (2009-2011) and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author, writing freelance and inspirational nonfiction. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:

http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/
http://www.angelabreidenbach.com/
http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/
http://colitiscooking.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach
http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach
http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays each week.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angiebreidenbach
http://www.christianwomenaffiliate.com/

Virtues of March: Self-Control

Virtues of March: Self-Control
Author's Character Series
Net's Notation Tuesdays

One of the greatest truths I’ve ever learned as a Christian is that God helps us live for God. I spent a lot of my young life striving to live for God and failing miserably. I didn’t know I could ask for His help. I wanted to prove myself to Him, to show my love for Him, but no one can live for God without God’s help.

Grace. When we ask God for help to live a godly life, He gives us grace. And the Holy Spirit enables us to live for Him. He enables us to defy our natural tendencies toward sin.

How does self-control relate with writing? One word: Discipline.

BIC – behind in chair. If you’re going to consistently log word counts, you have to sit at your computer and type. Kind of obvious, but this principal requires discipline to carry it out.

Goals—set word count goals, and submission goals (i.e. for queries and articles, etc.)

Planning—prayerfully decide where you’re going and what steps are needed to get there, then discipline yourself to achieve your goals.

No excuses!

Part of self-control is not letting yourself “off the hook” from your commitments, your goals and/or your plans. Perseverance is required to push through all the obstacles.

Would you say your level of self-discipline is strong? If not, or if you feel it could be stronger, ask God for His grace. Then, listen. He’ll give directions which we must follow if we’re going to succeed. Those directives will likely go against our natural tendencies, but if we obey, we’ll see results.

The more you practice self-control, the more you’ll succeed, and like a competitor in a race, you’ll see the fruit of your training pay off with success.

Self-control/discipline is a sign of a mature author’s character.

Jump In, But Follow the Rules by Susan May Warren

Are you enjoying Susan's series as much as we are? She's back this Manuscript Monday with another great article, pulling from movies to help us writers with our books. Welcome back, Susie!

Craft Tips and Techniques from Today’s Blockbusters Series
Jump In, But Follow the Rules
by Susan May Warren

When the readers/viewers understand the rules of the world, regardless of how far-fetched...

A Review of Jumper

I admit it; I went to see the movie Jumper because I have four teenagers, three of whom are boys. Because the special effects captured every boy’s wildest dream of being able to transport himself wherever his whims carried him and the hero was Hayden Christopher (that was for the teen daughter), I thought we’d have a winner.

Aside from the morally questionable, unsympathetic hero, David, who uses his brilliant superpowers not for good, (i.e., saving Katrina victims), but rather to seduce women, steal money, and live a life of debauchery every mother would cringe at, the story itself, which I as a writer can’t get past, drove me crazy with its messiness.

Somewhere in the mess was story structure. Good Guy (or is he Bad Guy?) David (Christopher),is chased through the world by Bad Guy (or is he Good Guy?) Paladin Roland (played by Samuel L. Jackson). We know David’s motivation has to be to stay alive and to win the girl’s heart (played by Rachel Bilson), after all, it is a teen movie. But he too easily wins her affections, so it can’t be a romance. And then there’s that mystery about his mother, and why she abandoned him at age five…

But those aren’t the biggest issues. I could probably sit back, numb myself with some popcorn and a giant soda if it weren’t for that fact that, well …I was confused.

Regardless of where the story takes place—in the streets of historical London, or Tatooine, the forest of Middle Earth, or the dark alleys of Gotham, we need to know the rules of the world in which our hero lives. Constructing Story World is about details, and making the fictional world breathe. But when constructing such a world, if it’s an unfamiliar world, the reader/viewer needs to know what can and can’t happen. Can trees talk? Can they walk? Which trees? (If you read Tolkien, you know the difference). What can destroy the Death Star and why? (Thank you, George) When the readers/viewers understand the rules of the world, regardless of how far-fetched, they can move inside it and lose themselves in the fictional dream.

What are these rules?

Let’s take a closer look at Jumper.

David gets his magical powers to jump when he’s about fifteen, when his life is threatened. He’s drowning. And suddenly, he’s not. He’s in a library. Why the library? What triggered the jump?

Great questions, and we’re at the edge of our seats waiting for answer that never comes. Rule #1: Tell us how and why the hero got his magic powers. Even if in “real world” –and the hero is a world-renowned sculptor, tell us where he studies and how he achieved his talent. Just a little clarity will help us believe.

After a little honing of these mysterious skills, David becomes a playboy with seemingly no consequences to his actions. This mother was actually a little relieved when Paladin Roland (Jackson) showed up with his Discipliner, the Mother of all Tazers. Which brings us to Rule #2: What are the hero’s limitations? His weaknesses? What foils him? Every hero has to have a weakness, a glitch in his abilities. The Terrifying Tazer helps, and later we discover that electricity binds David, but some hint of this at the beginning would have helped resolve the panic.

So poor David is chased around the world and meets another Jumper who knows this evil Paladin well. We begin to care a little bit (frankly, Roland is a bit terrifying), but we’re left wondering . . . why? So what if David is a playboy. And a thief. He’s not a serial killer. He’s not going to destroy the space-time continuum or the fabric of the earth (although he does some structural damage every time he lands). Why does Roland want to kill him? (I don’t buy the, “No one but God should have this power” bit; after all, Roland is trying to, uh, kill David. Another ideally, God-only power. Can anyone say, “Hypocrisy”?) Rule #3 is: ’Splain, please. What’s the big deal? Draw us a picture of what could happen if you don’t take out the Death Star, or if you don’t kill David. We want a glimpse at the dark future so we can get behind the, uh Good Guys? (See, I told you I’m confused).

These are not hard rules: How? What? Why? They frame the story for us, allowing us play freely on the playground of the imagination. They keep us from jumping out of our seats and running out for more popcorn. (And maybe the movie next door.) Supposedly these questions will be answered in the sequel.

Yeah, let me know if they do.

Susan May Warren is the founder of My Book Therapy, a boutique fiction editing service for writers, and runs A Writer’s Blog. See her Web site to learn more about her award-winning fiction.

My Journey to Publication by Candace Calvert

This Fortifying Friday please welcome author Candace Calvert as she shares her journey to publication. (Dawn here) What a wonderful story of God’s hand moving and fulfilling His plan for this writer. It gave me chills! In a good way!
Enjoy . . .

My Journey to Publication

When people ask, “How did you get started with writing?” I’m tempted to offer the cotton-candy answer, sweet, fluffy, melt-on-my-tongue: I was a child with a well-worn library card, an adolescent filling countless diaries with felt-pen scrawl—little hearts dotting the i’s—and English essay assignments always made my heart go pitter-pat. But my journey to publication was jumpstarted by a close brush with death.

God blessed me with a quirky wit, buoyant optimism, and a contagious sense of fun--but I didn’t come to know Him until after the ugly Triple Whammy that turned my life into bad country song. A painful and unexpected divorce followed by the merciless Northern California floods of 1997, and then an equestrian accident that left me with fractured ribs, a bleeding lung, broken back, neck fractures and a spinal cord injury. The neurosurgeon said that I was millimeters from the same fate as my long time hero, Christopher Reeve.

I was suddenly helpless and facing my worst fear: loss of control. I’d given lip service to the notion of “Let Go and Let God,” but I’d kept a tight grip on the reins of my life, trusting no one but myself. Until a loving God yanked those reins from my hands and dropped me down into the dirt, to give me a better perspective. He had plans for me. In the months of rehabilitation, God healed both my body and my spirit. I learned that He was the true source of my strength.

The story of my accident and recovery became my first published work, “By Accident,” an inspirational essay in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul. When this collection of 101 stories hit the New York Times list, I felt like “almost one percent of a best-selling author.” I was hooked! I’d like to tell you that I started writing inspirational fiction immediately, but my first completed novels were sassy, comic mainstream mysteries. Fun, a good learning experience, and stories that attracted both top-notch literary agent and a publisher.

Still, I began to feel a strong, insistent call to go deeper with my writing, and an idea started to nudge. I’d long been disappointed with (very popular) TV medical shows that offered all the adrenalin-pounding action, but virtually no elements of faith. As a nurse, I’d seen countless prayers sent heavenward from patients, family members—and hospital staff. I decided it was time that, “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.” My Mercy Hospital series was born: Critical Care, Disaster Status and (coming in Sept. 2010) Code Triage.

My Tyndale House publicist says that I write medical “hope opera,”—I love that. And when people ask how I got started in writing, I tell them the truth:

“It was by accident”-- according to God’s perfect plan.

"For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11 NIV)



Former ER nurse Candace Calvert gives readers a chance to “scrub in” on the exciting world of emergency medicine. Her new Mercy Hospital series for Tyndale House offers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding action, tender romance, humor, suspense--and an encouraging prescription for hope. Think “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.”

Candace Calvert Links
Web site: http://www.candacecalvert.com/
Blog RX Hope: http://candacecalvert.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CandaceCalvert
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Be Confident in Christ

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“. . . because God has said,
‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’
So we say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

Over-the- top confidence that comes across as arrogance is not very attractive. We might not even want to associate with the person who exhibits cockiness. It’s intimidating, unsettling, and just plain doesn’t feel good.

While we need to control our egos, we also need to be careful that we don’t go to the other extreme out of fear that we have nothing to offer.

Have you ever said or thought the following?

“I’ll never be as good as . . .”

"My manuscript stinks!"

“Will anyone even want to read this?”

“What if the next book bombs?”

“Who am I trying to fool? I can’t write!”

"I give up. I can't do this!"

Those lines are a bit humorous, if you really think about them. But reality is . . . if we haven’t said those exact words, we’ve probably at least thought something similar.

Satan would love to bring fear into your life and steal your confidence. Don’t let him! Don’t let insecurities and past failures threaten your confidence. God is with you. He’s on your side. And He will never leave you!

God created you for great things. And He gave you the passion and desire to write. That means something! But you will only see the fulfillment of His plan if you place your trust in Him.

God is able – even when you’re not. Be confident in Christ!

Be confident in what He can do through you.

And even despite you. ;-D

Dawn

Five Things Writers Forget First – Part 3 – by Angela Breidenbach

This Writer’s Journey Wednesday, please welcome back Angela Breidenbach as she shares Part 3 in her series “Five Things Writers Forget First.” Enjoy!

During March, On Writer’s
Journey Wednesdays,
Angie shares:
Part 1: I’m using my brain, right?
Part 2: Mental Integrity
Part 3: Emotional Stability
Part 4: Spiritual Sense
Part 5: Courage & Confidence

Five Things Writers Forget First
Ways to write better, faster, and stronger

Part 3
Emotional Stability: Wrangling the Overwhelm

Do you feel all alone in trying to figure out how to manage all the commitments? Outside demands take a toll on inside contentedness especially when they interfere with out goals.

Too often we let circumstances begin to control not only our day, but also our reactions and emotions. Tension and anger build up. Confusion takes over. We can’t see how to organize or delegate. We start to drown. Depression sets in and we feel helpless, overwhelmed. So we push harder, with less effectiveness, completely out of control.

One real way to protect our emotional health is to do only what is uniquely suited for you and delegate what can be done by someone else. It takes planning. Planning takes a few minutes of time. Time becomes a tool instead of a drill sergeant.

Stop. Stop right where you are and pray! Breathe in deeply. Exhale out all your worries. Breathe in God’s presence. Exhale out the frenetic to-do list. Breathe in God’s list. Exhale out your fear of forgetting.

Total time spent: sixty seconds. Really? We don’t have time to pray?

Next, sit and write a new to-do list with God in the lead. It doesn’t matter if it’s handwritten or on a computer. What’s important is writing fresh out of prayer. Your mind is on things above. Isn’t the goal to live out our purpose?

It’s too easy to feel every item is a must. An excellent focus is to find what can be delegated first. Friends are an excellent resource to point out those items. Talk through the list with good friends who will ask hard questions, point out what needs releasing.

“Without good advice, everything goes wrong—It takes careful planning for things to go right.” Proverbs 15:22 CEV

Scared to release? Ask yourself, “Am I stealing someone else’s blessing by doing this by myself?” Your friends will probably know who should be doing that task, may be better suited to it, and may feel useless because you’ve been doing what they should. Isn’t it a bit arrogant to feel we must do it all and thereby steal someone else’s sweet spot? I don’t want to answer to that sin when standing in front of God’s throne.

Sometimes we forget that we are not in this all alone. The point is to view your list from a different perspective. Focus on delegation rather than being the only one to complete all the tasks. Then work those that only you can do. Work toward your life purpose every day.
1. Pray
2. Make the List
3. Star Delegate items
4. Talk it over with good friends
5. Choose Important tasks for that day only (tomorrow has enough worry)
6. Check your list and make sure it includes your life goals every day
7. Start the first item on the list
8. Physically mark the list when you finish
9. Send up a prayer of gratitude for each completed task
10. Celebrate each completed task

Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. Full Spirit Magazine’s president, Angela also teaches online classes in personal growth and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer (2009-2011) and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author, writing freelance and inspirational non-fiction. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

Purposeful Living Educator & Coach.
Come uncover your gems of wisdom at http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/

Personal growth = Powerful living!

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:
http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/

http://www.fullspiritmagazine.com/
http://www.angelabreidenbach.com/

http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach

http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach
http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays each week.

Virtues of March: Kindness

Virtues of March: Kindness
Author's Character Series
Net's Notation Tuesdays

Who is the kindest person you know?

Merriam Webster dictionary online describes this virtue as “of a sympathetic or helpful nature.” One definition is “mindful of other people.”

Does kindness come naturally to you? I’m naturally sympathetic, but kindness has to be intentional in my life.

As Christians, our example of kindness is found in Jesus. He reaches out for the widow’s hand in comfort. He heals the leper because mercy (a closely related virtue) motivates Him to move.

What motivates you to move?

One night as I sat before my computer considering this journey as a writer, fear snuck up on me. This was years ago (not that fear doesn’t lurk even now), and I believe I was considering entering a short-story contest. Either way, there I sat, knowing my calling. Knowing I had something to offer, but fearing failure. Fearing the future.

I flipped from Web site to Web site, considering other authors’ novels. What if I didn’t measure up? What if I succeeded?!

That’s about the point I remember feeling Jesus step up behind me and it was as if He put His arms around me. I felt His presence. I felt His assurance, His benediction, even. He covered me with peace and affirmation. Kindness. Because right at that moment in my writing life, I didn’t have to be Jerry Jenkins or Karen Kingsbury. I never have to be those awesome authors. I just have to be me. And I have time to get to the potential God has placed in me.

And so do you.

But there He was, comforting me in my fret. Just when I needed it. What a gift of kindness.

I smiled. I teared up. I thanked Him. And I pressed on and entered that contest.

Sometimes I turn to people for kindness in the midst of the dark forest of fret. Fellow critique partners, family, writing buds. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But I want to turn to God first. I want to soak up His kindness, letting it penetrate those pockets of fear until fear is overwhelmed by affirmation, and I find peace again.

Kindness is rare in our world. Competition and fast-paced lifestyles relegate it to a low priority. But when you show kindness, you are showing your Christlike character.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

27 Tears, er . . . Dresses by Susan May Warren

Please welcome back award-winning author Susan May Warren, to share another installment of her series this month.

Craft Tips and Techniques from Today’s Blockbusters
27 Tears, er . . . Dresses
by Susan May Warren

Instead of one of dress, there’s a flock of look-alike dresses, all fitting (painfully) differently on each attendant . . .

What we can learn from 27 Dresses?

The problem with bridesmaids dresses is that they’re overcute. Especially the ones from the ’80s—you know what I’m talking about. Go to your closet, way in the back where you hid them and take a close look. Puffy sleeves, dropped waists, mermaid curves with one-shoulder straps. And the colors—peach, turquoise, metallic blue. Yes, there wasn’t one woman in the audience of the movie 27 Dresses who didn’t wince just a little when Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigle) opened her overstuffed closet and dragged out her monstrosities.

We vowed, right there in the theater, to run home and take a match to our own closets full of bygone trophies. But the very element that made this movie’s premise sympathetic and even endearing is also the reason this movie doesn’t work. Why it is . . . in a word . . . overcute.

Or, in another word: Sappy.

I really wanted 27 Dresses to be sweetly romantic. I love Katherine Heigl and James Marsden, who plays hero Kevin Doyle. The truth is, it’s not their fault the movie is syrupy, to the point of eye-rolling sappiness.

No, I blame the dresses.

Think about it. A bridesmaid dress is made to accentuate the bride’s dress. But instead of one of them, there’s a flock of look-alike dresses, all fitting (painfully) differently on each attendant. It’s overkill of theme and color. It is, in writer’s terms, overwriting. Overwriting is simply saying the same thing over and over, in different ways, with different words, using different angles . . . you get the picture. Sort of like wedding photos.

27 Dresses is cute and might have worked if it weren’t for the long, “preachy” scene where Jane’s sister, who up until this point not only has been a materialistic ditz, but also hasn’t earned our respect at all, delivers what is supposed to be sage wisdom to our beloved Jane about letting go of things. But Jane already knows this. She’s let go of the man she loves, her hopes and dreams, and even her decency. We get it—she has to live her own life. We don’t need it spelled out for us. First key to staying out of the Sap: Don’t preach it to us.

Remember the day when you looked at the V-necked lime green bridesmaid dress you were to wear, knowing that in it you would look like pasty dough-girl or an anemic whelp? Mine was a burgundy


scooped-back dress that made me look like I’d undergone surgery only hours before. Most of us said, “Okay, I’ll wear it.” The rest of us kept our mouths shut. Because that is what good bridesmaid do. And this is what the movie does.

In a leap that fit the movie plot but not the character, Jane decimates her sister’s rehearsal dinner. Why? Because the formula demanded it. She (like us) could have said, “Hey, I won’t wear that! I would look horrible in that.” Sappy movies don’t listen to the characters, they make them wear the dresses, because it follows the rules. Key two to staying out of the Sap: Stay true to your character.

Finally, have you ever stood, dressed for show, with the bride at the altar, knowing that she and the groom didn’t belong together? That despite his current pledges you were pretty sure he had made a pass at one of the guests the night before at the rehearsal dinner? Or worse, that the bride didn’t love the groom like she did her high school sweetheart, and was headed for disappointment? We want to wave them off, scream, “They don’t belong together!” But because they look so good in their white and black, we smile and hold the flowers.

Why exactly were Jane and Kevin right for each other? Yes, he was a romantic at heart, and she made him see that, but what did he do for her? He mocked her and zeroed in on her issues. Does that show he would care for her? That he would look beyond those issues and love her anyway? And what does knowing him do for her? Just because they were the only two single people in the cast does not mean they belong together. Just because they fit into the dress and the tuxedo doesn’t mean they should be the bride and groom. Final hint to staying out of the Sap: Give the hero and heroine a reason to belong together.

I really wanted to like this movie. I certainly loved the premise. And, I still love Katherine and James. In fact, I’m going to give them another chance . . . as long as no dresses are in the movie.

Susan May Warren is the founder of My Book Therapy, a boutique fiction editing service for writers, and runs A Writer’s Blog. See her Web site to learn more about her award-winning fiction.

My Success Story Suprise by Marianne Evans

Attention-grabbing cover, isn't it? Last year, White Rose Publishing offered a contest for writers to have their story published. The novel would have this cover and title, a predetermined synopsis with key elements, and a deadline for submission of the full. I toyed with entering, but didn't feel I had time. Since the contest has concluded, and I've followed the results, I've made a new friend. (I still tear up reading her story below.) Marianne Evans graciously agreed to share her story with us here on Seriously Write. Please welcome her this Fortifying Friday and may her testimony encourage you today!

My Success Story Surprise!
by Marianne Evans

There I was, noodling on the Net, when along came an astounding e-mail.

Wait - let me hit reverse, and catch you up on the moment when I became a member of the White Rose Publishing family and say I’m delighted to make your acquaintance here at Seriously Write!

My son and his wife were home for Christmas. My daughter had also just arrived home for break. The entire family was in the kitchen, making sugar cookies for Christmas Eve festivities to come. That’s when my son asked, "Mom, while Mary's at the store, can you show me the top you got her for Christmas? I may have gotten her the same thing.”

The blouse was already wrapped, but I had ordered it on line, so I had a confirmation e-mail and photograph. Busy as we were, why did everyone follow me to the computer? Because something big was brewing, and God knows exactly what He's doing.

I paged through e-mail. As I hunted down the confirmation, I saw a new message that made my heart pound. The sender was Nicola Martinez, Editor in Chief of White Rose Publishing. The subject line: Hearts Crossing Contest Entry.

I passed it by. I found the picture of the top, discovered duplication wasn’t an issue, then logged off. Here's my justification: Days away from welcoming fourteen people to my home, I didn't want to find out I had lost the Hearts Crossing writing contest sponsored by White Rose. I was happy and content. I didn't want anything to interfere with that fact. When you don't "know" there's always hope, right?

The contest meant a great deal to me. I've wanted to join the Christian inspirational genre for a long time, and this contest was a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Still, I was realistic enough to realize victory was a long shot. Many talented people were vying for the grand prize - a book contract.

When I turned from the computer, I caught my husband's eye and had to come clean. "I think the verdict is in on Hearts Crossing."

Unfailingly supportive he said, "Well, come on! Open it up! Let's find out!"

I was somewhat less enthusiastic. I explained all the reasons why avoidance seemed best. His answer to that somewhat psychotic behavior? "Marianne, if you win, we're all here around you. If you've lost, we're all here around you. It’s meant to be.”

He's so smart.

I reopened e-mail. I clicked on the message from Nicola. As it opened, Steve quipped, "It'll probably say Congratulations . . ."

First word of the e-mail? "Congratulations . . ."

I burst into tears. Steve and the kids cheered. I found myself blessed by an incredible moment, one I got to share with those I love so much, and who have supported me through the inevitable rejections and sad times that also come along frequently in the publishing world.

Hearts Crossing is available now, and I’m so proud of it! Thanks for letting me share my excitement – and blessings!

Here's the blurb on Heart's Crossing:

“How do you feel about God, Collin?”
“I don’t.”

Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.

Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

Marianne Evans loves to tell a good story. In fact, she’s been enthusiastic about writing ever since she could string sentences together. She’s seen a number of her books published. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers. Her second contemporary romance, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim in The Oakland Press. Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – a contest winning novella entitled Hearts Crossing. Her fifth release will be a December 2010 release, a Christmas-themed novella, With This Kiss, offered at The Wild Rose Press. A resident of suburban Detroit, she’s happily married with two kids. An active member of Romance Writers of America, she’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter most notably as treasurer and two terms as president. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network. Purchase Hearts Crossing here.

Look for Small Miracles

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 NIV)

Do you look for and recognize the miracles in your life?

Specifically the ones that relate to your writing career?

I’m not talking about BIG miracles. Like getting a ten book contract with Tyndale without having to submit a synopsis. Although that would be HUGE, it hasn’t happened for me yet.

I’m referring to the happenings that people might suggest as being coincidental. Or just a product of your persistence and hard work. But can easily be recognized as God’s hand moving in your life.

I have a split personality. I’m a planner. When hosting a holiday celebration, I’ll plan the menu, decorations, and invitations for weeks. But I’m also an activator. If there’s something I want done, I’ll dig in and get things moving – and will at times go to great lengths to see something through.

So I can sometimes lose sight of the fact that I don’t have to do it all myself. That I’m not in control. God is. And although I can’t always see it, I need to trust that He’s working on my behalf.

I was reminded of that fact this past week.

I recently began working as a freelance editor. When I became aware that a Christian therapist was looking for someone to edit her book, I contacted her and expressed interest. I explained why the subject of the book was especially intriguing to me. We seemed to hit off and I believed there was a chance she’d want to work with me. After not hearing from her for a week, I followed up with an e-mail. She responded that she’d pretty much decided to hire someone she already knew, but that she would continue to pray about it. I told her I would continue, as well.

After several more weeks went by, I believed she’d hired the other editor. But this week, I received an e-mail stating that during her prayer time, she’d been convinced that before she officially hired the other person, she needed to contact me again. After more conversation, the end result was that she hired me. It feels like a God connection for both of us.

I explain it as a small miracle and God’s hand moving, even though I wasn't aware of what He was accomplishing . . .

Some of you are aware that Annette and I live only ten minutes apart. But we don't attend the same church, our children are at different stages in their lives, and we don’t hang out in the same social circles. We would never have met if we hadn’t found connection through ACFW (The American Christian Fiction Writers).

I cannot begin to explain in a few paragraphs what God has provided through this friendship. I have a critique partner, a cheerleader for my career, a prayer partner, and a friend who understands the same drive I feel to write and grow in my craft. I could not remain as motivated as I am without her.

To me, the fact that we found each other six years ago is a small miracle. A sign that God is looking out for us and will provide what we need – when we need it.

God is also there – behind the scenes – getting things in place for you. Have faith and look for the miracles in your own life.

Dawn

Five Things Writers Forget First – Part 2 – by Angela Breidenbach

Please welcome back Angela Breidenbach as she shares Part 2 in her series “Five Things Writers Forget First.” Enjoy!

During March, on
Writer’s Journey Wednesdays,
Angie will share:

Part 1: I’m using my brain, right?
Part 2: Mental Integrity
Part 3: Emotional Stability
Part 4: Spiritual Sense
Part 5: Courage & Confidence

Five Things Writers Forget First
Ways to write better, faster,

and stronger

Part 2
Mental Integrity

Holy cow! I can’t remember anything today! What’s wrong with me?

Have you ever had a day like that? A month? Oh yes, I’ve had a winter like that. One thing after another piled on as if I’d been in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. My credit card erred pulling two payments and fritzing out my finances for weeks. I lost track of how many phone calls and bank visits it took to correct it. My horse’s death from a slip on ice into a shallow pond, my cat’s lung cancer and subsequent death, my own illness and injury from trying to help the horse . . .

Almost each day I woke up, another stress filled incident occurred for over six weeks. Not simple worries, drawn out hurting and grieving, complicated issues needing lengthy follow up. I lost track of my schedule. I’d only be interrupted to handle the next emergency! I couldn’t seem to get life back in synch.

My writing screeched to a halt. No memory of the ideas I’d wanted to put on the page. Perfect! Now add writer’s block to the long list.

I’m a certified Stephen Minister, certified life coach, and it took weeks for me to recognize my sense of despair. Writer’s block? What I really had was emotional trauma and a need for mental self-care.

I pulled out my journal and began to shovel the avalanche, the writing only God will see. The waterfall of words like a sudden thaw hit those Swiss Alps. Pages flowed into the river of thoughts between God and me. Not formal prayer, mind you, just words from my soul to His. No, I didn’t have writer’s block! I’d let circumstances become bigger than God. I began to feel hope if I would take my worries to God, He would help me through them. I needed to lean on God’s strength instead of my own.

He gently led me to wisdom. I start with prayer before I even open my eyes. I pray for clarity, memory, and for God to control my to-do list. I clear my mind of ownership and ask for God’s leadership. Mornings that start with handing over “my” problems, are much more productive days. It’s a mystery to me why the Holy Spirit works this way, but who am I to tell God to do it differently?

He’s led me to productivity beyond my capability. I’ve been stunned with the results of starting my day differently. Am I completely successful? Oh no. I consider it mental conditioning. New habits must be practiced until they become second skin, like muscle memory in athletes. We run this race for the ultimate goal. I’m waking up in prayer and reaching for the Bible on my nightstand without conscious thought. I have a sense of purpose directly related to those prayers and mental focus that’s measurable.

I’ve tested it, you know. I race around to get something done quickly end up losing time. Specific dates I didn’t give my mental state over to God for His leadership and direction, I can pinpoint them on the calendar. I felt overwhelmed and unproductive. It’s amazing, this connection of mental well being to prayer and relationship with the Lord. It’s the best mental conditioning to lessen stress and build mental productivity.

Are you feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, and maybe even have writer’s block?

In what ways have you built mental conditioning?


Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. Full Spirit Magazine’s president, Angela also teaches online classes in personal growth and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer (2009-2011) and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author, writing freelance and inspirational non-fiction. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

Purposeful Living Educator & Coach.
Come uncover your gems of wisdom at http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/
Personal growth = Powerful living!

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:
http://www.mygemofwisdom.com/
http://www.fullspiritmagazine.com/
http://www.angelabreidenbach.com/
http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach
http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach
http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com/ on Wednesdays each week.

Virtues of March: Patience

Virtues of March: Patience
Author's Character Series
Net's Notation Tuesdays

Okay, show of hands: Who cringes just a little (or more than a little) when the word patience comes up in terms of our character as Christians? Me! (My hands goes up.) I see those hands.

They say you shouldn’t pray for patience because then the trials come, but I have some news for you: you get tried either way. Case in point, I don’t remember praying for patience before my first daughter was born so long ago, but guess what? Prayer for that virtue to manifest in my life or not, lessons in patience began in earnest before she was even born.

So, since it’s unavoidable, let’s discuss patience shall we?

How well do you handle waiting, or disappointment, or irritants? I brought this up last week, but as I’m writing this, we’ve had our new dog for about a week. Busy little guy. Chews on socks, doesn’t always follow commands, barks at family members. In short, tries my patience. It’s like having a perpetual two year old.

Just when you think you have patience mastered, something comes along and upsets that belief.

Patience is directly tied to hope. And hope helps us bear trials patiently.

And not only this, but we glory in afflictions also, knowing that afflictions work out patience,
and patience works out experience, and experience works out hope. And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

As with so many fruits of the Spirit, we have to cooperate to see this virtue take root in our lives. I think one of the reasons this is so tough is because we think we have rights. Or we think we can control everything in our lives, then something comes along which we cannot, and we are thrown.

So, we have to remember:

~God’s in control.

~He’s working.

~He’s good and His deeds are always good.

~He is motivated by love.

~ A lack of patience is bondage, and it doesn’t glorify Him.

When others see patience in our character they know: 1) here’s a mature believer, 2) here’s someone who trusts God, 3) God must be real.

They are drawn to Him.

Patience is a work only God can do in us. This is isn’t the same thing as self-control, which we will cover later this month. This is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, shaping our characters, helping us be more like Jesus.

Okay, now that I’ve typed all that, it’s time to go pray for God’s grace in this area of my own life. Good news (I think): we'll get plenty of practice on this one!

Patience—a virtuous part of the author’s character.

And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,
and into the patience of Christ. (2 Thess 3:5)

PS I Love You and the Art of Flashbacks by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren has returned this Manuscript Monday with the second installment of her craft series. Welcome, Susan!

Craft Tips and Techniques from Today’s Blockbusters Series
P.S. I Love You and the Art of Flashbacks
by Susan May Warren

Plant clues to the past to raise your reader’s curiosity...

P.S.: I really, really love you!

P.S. I Love You and the Art of Flashbacks.

Gerard Butler as Irish pub-singing Gerry. The incredibly talented Hilary Swank as uptight American tourist Holly. A few precious moments with charming Denny, er Jeffery Dean Morgan, aka Denny, my favorite heart transplant patient from Grey’s Anatomy. What’s not to love? And I did love P.S. I Love You. Love, love, loved it. Cried my eyes out. My favorite line was “Let’s just go barefoot,”—a brilliant use of resonant metaphor in dialogue.

Aside from the many wonderful themes written into this screenplay, the movie also can eloquently teach us about effective use of flashbacks. Let’s take a look at how the screenwriter weaves in the backstory through flashbacks to draw out our emotions.

First, in the long prologue scene, the screenwriter gives us the clues that form the backbone of Gerry and Holly’s past, and provides a checklist of the backstory scenes we’ll need to experience to fully understand the story. It’s embedded smoothly in their “fight” scene: 1) Gerry was an Irish singer (now out of his element), 2) Holly and Gerry got married quickly (something that made her mother angry), and 3) Holly has to have life planned out. (Ultimately, these elements also raise the driving story question: Will Holly be able to get past her grief of losing her first brilliant love to find love again?) First principle of revealing backstory: Plant clues to the past to raise your reader’s curiosity (and provide some backstory elements to search for).

The first wonderful flashback scene is the hilarious karaoke moment when Holly breaks her nose. But that scene is essential for the reader to understand the impact Gerry had on her life. Through it, we see that only he could coax her out of her controlling personality. (It also plays into the epiphany moment, when she realizes that he saw in her more than she ever did). The second principle to revealing backstory: Focus on one specific essential moment. There may have been a thousand moments when Gerry made her think/act outside her tight personality. But this one stood out in stark, painful relief. And by focusing on one event instead of piling many together, we see the power he has in her life.

The second flashback scene takes place in Ireland at a pub. We don’t understand the significance of the pub nor the rather strange reaction Holly has when hunky hero Billy Gallagher (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) begins to sing. Holly rushes out, leaving us to


wonder why—something we’ll discover later. Note that in revealing backstory, the screenwriter doesn’t trek all the way back to the beginning and build it chronologically, but rather unwinds the past starting at the most recent events. The key isn’t the sequence, instead it’s the significance. In the first flashback, Jerry liberates the inner “free” gal locked inside this rather tight real estate agent. It is a hint that there is more to her than we see and raises questions about how these two got together. The second flashback only raises more questions: What is it about this song and this pub that haunts her? Third principle to building backstory: Don’t reveal the backstory in one dump. Use it to raise more questions about the plot, even if you have to do it out of chronological order.

The final flashback clip is long, and finally we see how Gerry and Holly met, the girl she was when he first fell in love with her, and the significance of the pub scene. We see how he swept her off her feet, and likewise, what she was to him. More than anyone, Gerry believed in Holly and her vision, unclear as it was to her at the moment. Understanding this moment when they met, the girl she was, and Gerry’s goal to help her see that again is essential to give resonance to the ending and Holly’s final step in the journey. Fourth principle to revealing backstory: Give the final reveal of the backstory significance to the epiphany. This moment has to do more than build character; it has to reveal some truth vital to the story.

I was a sopping mess while watching the final flashback scene. I then rewound back to the pub scene, over and over, and . . . well, it’s a good thing I have TiVo. Then I rewatched the move. Again. And again. Like reading a good book over again, now that I knew the ending, the scenes became richer, evoking more emotions, and bringing the themes to life.

Flashbacks can be used effectively: Plant Clues, Focus on the most important moments, Raise More Questions, and finally Reveal Truth that add significance to the epiphany. These are the principles for creating backstory that is relevant, essential, and emotionally powerful. And P.S. . . . see the movie—you’ll love it!

Susan May Warren is the founder of My Book Therapy, a boutique fiction editing service for writers, and runs A Writer’s Blog. See her Web site to learn more about her award-winning fiction.

My Journey to Publication by Beth Wiseman

Please welcome author Beth Wiseman to Seriously Write as she shares her journey to publication this Fortifying Friday. I was touched and encouraged by her story. I have a feeling you will be, too. Thanks for sharing your heart with us, Beth.

My Journey to Publication

Most writers who stay in the game for any length of time can paper their walls with rejection notices. I am no exception. In the early days, I thought that just having a great story was enough. It wasn’t until I really started to pursue the craft of writing that things began to change. However, it still seems like it takes all the elements in the Universe to come together and be blessed by God before we actually ‘sell’. What I learned is – things happen in God’s timeframe, not ours.

In late 2007, I spent a month at the hospital with my son, who was fifteen at the time. Cory is doing great now, but at the time, we weren’t sure what was going to happen. When you think your child might die, you pray in a different way. It’s a desperate plea to God, and I offered up everything I could possibly think of in return for my son’s life. I know that’s not how God works, but I was a broken woman. Included in my list of things I offered up was, “I don’t care if I ever get a book published.” It sounds silly now, but in addition to offering myself and everything else I could think of, that was included too. I feel certain that on that night, with my son very sick in ICU, God looked down on me and said, “Now you are ready to work for me.”

To make a long story fit into this blog space, let’s just say—I believe in miracles. My son is a healthy, happy eighteen-year-old and a full time college student, even though he had to get his GED because he missed so much school. He made a full recovery from multiple conditions that no doctor could explain. I saw the tumor in his adrenaline gland, but when it just went away, the medical team said, “We don’t know why these things happen sometimes. Medicine is not an exact science.” I know exactly why it happened. The power of prayer.

In the midst of everything that was going on, my agent and I stopped talking about books and potential book deals. Instead she prayed for my son, and we became friends. When my son was on the mend, she asked me how I felt about writing Christian fiction. I had been targeting the secular market. From the time that I typed the first page of book #1 in the Daughters of the Promise series—Plain Perfect—I knew that I’d found my calling. My agent sold the series to Thomas Nelson from just the first three chapters of Plain Perfect, and only a paragraph for each of the other two books to be included in the series. She sold it in two weeks.

If my books help one person find their way to true peace, which I believe only comes from a one-on-one relationship with God…then I’ve done my job for Him. Hopefully, God will continue to bless me with stories to tell.

Plain Paradise is book #4 in the Daughters of the Promise series. It releases next week, and is available for pre-order anywhere that books are sold.

Beth Wiseman is the bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise series—Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, and Plain Promise. She has also contributed to two novella collections—An Amish Christmas and An Amish Gathering. All of her books have earned spots on both the CBA and ECPA Bestseller lists. Beth is contracted with Thomas Nelson Publishers for ten full-length novels and three novellas, which will carry her into the year 2013. She lives in Texas with her husband, youngest son, two cats, and two dogs.

You can find out more about Beth and her work at:

http://www.bethwiseman.com/
http://blog.bethwiseman.net/
http://www.amishhearts.com/
http://www.amishliving.com/

A Beloved Blessing

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face
shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His
countenance upon you and give you peace." (Num. 6: 24-26 NKJV)

Growing up, I heard this blessing spoken by the pastor at the end of every church service. Even as a child, there was something about the words that felt special.

I no longer attend traditional services, opting for contemporary worship and music. Hearing this blessing is probably the one thing I miss . . .

Why? How could so few words make me feel so wrapped up in God’s love?

The Lord bless you . . .
All good things come from God. But this means more than physical blessings, the ability to pay our bills – or getting awesome book contracts. It includes being in relationship with Him in order to not to feel spiritual hunger or thirst.

. . . and keep you:
The idea of "keep you" is divine protection - spiritual protection. He keeps us safe. As Christian writers it’s not uncommon to experience “attacks” in our lives that hinder us from writing and fulfilling our purpose. There are forces in the world who will do everything they can to stop us from sharing the good news of God’s love and healing presence.

the Lord make His face shine upon you
Imagine it. Doesn’t that bring the image of warmth and caring? Awareness of God's presence brings comfort to the faithful.

and be gracious to you
Our God is merciful and compassionate. He desires to forgive us when we mess up. And we will mess up!

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you
This means . . . may the Lord look upon you with approval. We want the Lord to be pleased with how we’re using our talents, opportunities, and lives.

. . . and give you peace.
In this crazy, hectic, stressful world, who doesn’t want and need assurance and peace. Jesus can give the kind of peace that passes all understanding.

Having this blessing said over me gives me a sense of comfort, warmth, and peace. I’ve also discovered that by slightly changing the words, I can also say them as a prayer.

The Lord bless me and keep me: the Lord make His face shine upon me and be gracious to me; the Lord lift up His countenance upon me and give me peace.

Amen!

Dawn