Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas dear readers, and Happy New Year!

This season, your Seriously Write hostesses are taking a little break from our regular weekday posts. (We learned our lesson last year. *grin*)

So, please feel free to browse our previous articles contributed by some fantastic writers just like you. You can find your favorite authors here (and if you don't, let us know, maybe we can work something out *wink*).

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, celebrating Christ's birth!

And we look forward to joining you again here in January, 2011. Happy New Year!

The One Question You Don’t Need to Ask by Mindy Starns Clark

Welcome to another Fortifying Friday—the day we invite guest authors to share their journeys to publication, and/or encouraging words to fortify us as we all continue on our own writing journeys. Today, Mindy Starns Clark is here to talk about a question that many of us have probably asked not only once, but many times. Soak in and enjoy Mindy’s inspiring words.

The One Question
You Don’t Need to Ask

There’s one question no aspiring Christian author should ever ask, yet I hear it all the time:

Does God really want me to be a writer?

I may not know you, but I know the answer: Yes. He does. If you have the burning desire to write, then yes, absolutely, God wants you to be a writer. How do I know? Because He’s the one who created you and placed that compulsion within you in the first place! If you possess a persistent, driving urge to write, then that settles it: Yes, God really wants you to be a writer.

I think what’s really at issue here isn’t the answer but the question. How often have you asked if God really wants you to be a writer when what you actually meant was something more like this:

Does God really want me to be a published writer?
Does God really want me to be a successful writer?
Does God really want me to be a paid writer?

Now we’re talking about a different matter, about our own, earthly ambitions coming to fruition and earning tangible results. Make no mistake, it’s perfectly fine to want to be published or successful or paid for writing. I’ve based career on it. Being published can be incredibly rewarding.

But it’s important to remember that being published is not the same as being a writer. As a Christian, especially, you need to understand the difference. Being published is simply a career path. Being a writer is actually a much broader term. You see, God gave you this compulsion for a reason: so you would write words that He could use to touch hearts and change lives. And that can happen whether you ever achieve your writing ambitions or not, often in ways that you won’t even know about, at least not this side of heaven.

For example:

• What if all you ever write is a column for your church newsletter? Well, perhaps that column will spark something in a reader and cause them to come to a service on Sunday, which in turn will lead them to rededicate their life to Christ.

• What if all you ever write are submission letters for works that never get accepted? Perhaps God is using the submission process to teach you patience and humility. Or maybe one of your proposals, though rejected, has caused someone in your critique group to rethink something in their life that’s coming between them and God.

• What if all you ever write is a little play for your daughter’s Sunday School class? Perhaps one of the actor’s lines includes a Bible reference that lodges in their memory and ends up staying with them for life and comforting them in a difficult time.

Or how about the ultimate of limited audiences:

• What if all you ever write are private journal entries that no one ever sees but you? Then perhaps God has been using the act of journaling as a way to touch your heart, to change your life.

See what I mean? If you’re compelled to write, God wants you writing. Learning. Honing your craft. Taking chances. Exploring ideas.

Most importantly, whether you ever end up getting published or not, He wants you to surrender all of your writing to Him—so that He can take your words exactly where He wants them to go.

Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of two nonfiction books and 12 novels, including her latest release, Secrets of Harmony Grove. A former stand-up comedian, Mindy is also a popular playwright and inspirational speaker. She lives with her husband and two daughters near Valley Forge, PA.

To learn more about Mindy and her books, please visit:
http://www.mindystarnsclark.com/
http://www.morefrommindy.com/
http://www.thehousethatcleansitself.com/
http://www.amishreader.com/

Victory!

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“Do your best, prepare for the worst—
then trust God to bring victory.” (Proverbs 21:31 The Message)

What a powerful message!

In just a few words, Proverbs 21:31 delivers a strong motto to live by, no matter what we’re tackling.

Do our best. We can’t do more than that, but we should at least do that much. That means when it comes to our writing—we write, rewrite, and then rewrite again as many times as necessary to create a piece that is as good as we can make it.

Prepare for the worst. If we prepare, we’re not surprised for any result that may disappoint. What’s the worst thing that can happen? A rejection? No publication? A bad review? Poor sales?

Trust God to bring the victory. We're never alone. That includes our writing career. God is in the trenches with us. He has a plan. He’s in control.

Trust him to bring the victory!

Dawn

Grammar-O

Grammar-O Wednesdays
with Ocieanna

Happy Wednesday, grammarians! Ready to test your mad grammar skills?

Each week I (Ocieanna) post a few sentences with grammar, punctuation, spelling, or other writing misdemeanors. Your job is to find the infraction and set it right. If you possess the courage, you’re welcome to post your corrections in the comments, or you may simply keep your grammar to yourself. Then next week, I’ll post the answers.

Have fun!

This week’s new batch:

1) With Christmas in ten-short days, I’ve been thinking about how they celebrated Christ’s birth in year’s past.

2) During World War 2, on the homefront, they had very little with which to create a fancy festivity.

3) While their men—on ships, in the battle fields, or far-away barracks—feasted on the best the military had to offer, which wasn’t much.

4) The folks at home used their ration tickets to buy a bit of sugar and meat, some even created makeshift turkey’s out of sausage!

5) Like the men who served in World War 2, we still have many brave soldiers who will be away from their families’ this Christmas.

Let’s remember to pray for them.


Remember, the point is to hunt out the blatantly illegal, not matters of preference or opinion.

Good luck and have fun!


Here are the corrected ones from last week:

1) I like to recognize the distinction between Advent Hymns, which talk about the coming of the Messiah, and Christmas Hymns, which celebrate his birth.
Correct: I like to recognize the distinction between Advent hymns, which talk about the coming of the Messiah, and Christmas hymns, which celebrate his birth.

2) Traditionally, church’s only sang Advent Hymns until Christmas Sunday when they rejoiced with Christmas Hymns.
Correct: Traditionally, churches only sang Advent hymns until Christmas Sunday when they rejoiced with Christmas hymns.

3) What’s your favorite hymns of the season? Here’s some of mine.
Correct: What are your favorite hymns of the season? Here are some of mine.

4) For Advent, I love O Come O Come Emmanuel. Such poignant Old Testament references!
Correct: For Advent, I love “O Come O Come Emmanuel”—such poignant Old Testament references!

5) My favorite Christmas hymn is What Child is This? The words draw me into the nativity scene, and the haunting melody.
Correct: My favorite Christmas hymn is “What Child is This?” The words draw me into the nativity scene, and the haunting melody appeals to me.


Well, how’d you do? Do you think you fixed all the sentences?

*Disclaimer: I’m by no means perfect at this. I use The Chicago Manual of Style and Webster’s Dictionary as my sources. The sentences to correct are fictitious.

Believe

Believe
Net's Notations Tuesdays
New Commitment Series

If I could find one, I’d put a scroll-work decoration above our fireplace which would read: Believe. And I may just leave it up all year. Believing is a theme in my life as a Christian.

I’ve been challenged in my writing life where believing is concerned. If I didn’t believe I’d make it as a writer, I’d have ditched the whole thing by now. If I didn’t believe in my God-given dreams, I’d have bailed out of this boat by now. Writers don’t tend to make a good hourly wage, ya know? *grin*

But I can’t help it. I love writing! From that first spark in junior high ‘til now, I’m committed.

‘Tis the season for believing. Here’s how we can apply the word believe to our writing:

Believe you’re going somewhere. God has you on your own individualized writing and publishing path. Don’t compare yourself to others, just trust His work as you move forward. And if there are days when all you can do is face forward in hope—do it!

Believe He’ll use you. God has a plan for you and your writing. If He’s called you to this, He means to use you. Follow Him. Wait on Him. Believe in His goodness through all the rejections and trials. There’s no greater joy than being used by God.

Believe He’ll reward you in time. Hours and hours and years and years at the computer keyboard. Loads of words. Pages of manuscripts. Piles of empty ink cartridges. He sees your sacrifices and calls you to persevere. He will reward you. Laboring for the Lord is never in vain.

Believe good things will happen. You will have your breakthrough. You will see your dreams come true if you don’t give up. Hang in there. God-given dreams buried in a heart sold out to God are powerful.

This Christmas season . . . Believe.

Gleanings from A Christmas Carol by Ocieanna Fleiss

Hey readers, it's Manuscript Monday. Today, Ocieanna, your hostess for Wednesdays, is here to share an article on incorporating the five senses into our writing. Welcome, Ocieanna, a couple days early.

Gleanings from A Christmas Carol
by Ocieanna Fleiss

We’re all familiar with the A Christmas Carol movies, but have you ever read Charles Dickens’ short classic? When I recently sat down with it, I realized how Dickens uses the five senses to key into our emotions in a powerful way. Let’s see what we can glean by exploring his work.

Oh, I See

Of course, sight is the sense we writers utilize most. Virtually every time we portray something, we begin with what it looks like—that’s why our visual descriptions must sparkle. Ever come across a sentence like this? “Mary sat on the couch.” Blah. It cries for more. We need to see the scuffed leather, to gaze into the eyes of the moose head on the wall. Here’s how Dickens does it.

The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a gothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds.

By his use of well-chosen adjectives and nouns—“ancient tower,” “gruff old bell,” “gothic window”—the church tower becomes real in our mind’s eye. Add the clouds, and we can almost feel it “peeping slyly” at us.
Note that Dickens doesn’t bog down his prose with the overused, “he saw, she noticed, etc.” He simply describes the church tower, and we know it’s Scrooge who sees it.

I Hear Ya

Holly sprigs and berries crackled in the lamp-heat of the windows.

Here Dickens emphasizes the “little noises” to craft a London Christmas Eve. It’s the often drowned-out sounds that strike our emotions unexpectedly, pulling us into the fabric of a story.

That Stinks!

Smell evokes memories and strong emotions like nothing else.

Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets; and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery.

Dickens uses smell as a secret weapon to whisk us to a London back alley. And what would transport us better than these rancid odors?

How Do You Feel?

When your protagonist sits at a table, do your readers feel its grainy oak surface? Does the vinyl chair stick to your character’s legs when she stands? Dickens masterfully chills us:

In the main street, at the corner of the court, some labourers were repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted a great fire in a brazier, round which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered: warming their hands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture.

The owner of one scant young nose, gnawed by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped down at Scrooge's keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol.

Did you feel the warmth of the fire on the “ragged men and boys” hands contrasting against the frigid night? Also, here I am in front of my cozy fireplace, enwrapped in an afghan, and yet seeing the “scant young nose” being gnawed by the “hungry cold” sent a chill through me, did you feel one too?

Not only does Dickens’ meticulous description of the cold bring us into the story, it symbolizes Scrooge’s icy heart. As the story progresses and Scrooge thaws, the settings grow warmer too.

Taste Good?

Taste is one of the most graphic senses. Dickens does it this way:

Cratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing hot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce. And Bob said he didn't believe there ever was such a goose cooked. Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness, were the themes of universal admiration. Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes.

Again Dickens shows (not tells) us a scene to arouse the senses. The warm gravy blended with the vigorously mashed potatoes oozes down our throats. And the incredible goose, along with the other perfected delicacies, tantalizes our hunger even more. The tastes in this scene also conjure the sense of love, family, and holiday cheer that makes this tale a beloved classic.

By using the five senses, Dickens allows us to travel right along with dear old Ebenezer. As we experience the story with him, our emotions are stirred—and we’re gifted with powerful tools to create our own classics.

~~~~~

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

The Second World War has stolen Rosalie's fiancé from her. But rather than wallow, Rosalie throws herself into her work at the Boeing plant in Victory Heights, shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy. A local reporter dubs her Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter, and her story lends inspiration to women across the country. While Rosalie's strong arms can bear the weight of this new responsibility, her heart cannot handle the intense feelings that begin to surface for Kenny, the handsome reporter. Fear of a second heartbreak is a powerful opponent - but will it claim victory over love?

~~~~~

Ocieanna Fleiss has cowritten two novels with Tricia Goyer—both for Summerside press. The most recent, Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington, released July, 2010. Ocieanna has also written several articles for national publications and a bi-monthy column for Northwest Christian Writers Association. Homeschool mom of four little ones, she, along with her husband, stay busy at her home in the Seattle area.

My Journey to Publication by Lorna Seilstad

This Fortifying Friday, author Lorna Seilstad is here to share her journey to publication. I know you’re going to enjoy her story and the encouragement it brings! Welcome, Lorna!

My Journey to Publication

I’ve said before that Moses and I have a lot in common. About three years ago, I realized that God wanted me to take the passion He’d placed within me for writing onto a new level. I’d been writing fan fiction on a wonderful site for several years, but I felt a tug that it was time to work toward publication.

When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he made excuses. When I felt God calling me, I pulled a Moses and spouted off a long list of excuses. God, in his infinite patience, removed each one.

“What if no one wants to read what I’ve written?” I asked.

“You’ve still obeyed me.”

“I can’t go to the conference alone.”

“I’ll send a friend to go with you.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You won’t have to say a thing. Just write.”

Finally, I had to come to a point where I didn’t care if I never became a published author, I was going to write because that was what God wanted me to do. I developed a new mantra of “God’s words. God’s will. God’s timing.”

God should have just said, “Hold on! I’m going to take you on the ride of your life.”

In April of 2008, I joined American Christian Fiction Writers. I read everything I could, participated in online classes, and read through archives. In September, at my first ACFW conference, I met with Andrea Doering, Revell’s senior acquisitions editor, at my editor meeting, and introduced myself, praying she didn’t see my legs shaking. Then, the worst thing happened. I forgot every word of my pitch.

Blank. Empty. Gone.

I remembered reading that Myra Johnson said she often handed her one sheet to the editor and sat quietly while they read it. After all, she said, they were used to making decisions on what they read. That’s exactly what I did.

When Andrea finished the one sheet, she asked me a few questions and then asked to see my chapters. I again sat silently while she read two of the three chapters. Thank goodness she laughed at the right places. I knew I was in trouble if she didn’t.

She then set it down, complimented me on my fresh voice, and asked me to send a full manuscript to her.

I just tried to not fall out of my chair.

I sent her the full manuscript a few months later. She then asked if I could come up with two more book ideas so she could present the idea as a series. I wrote two more book synopses in two weeks. Within the month, I had a three-book contract with Revell and the agent of my dreams, Wendy Lawton.

I’m so glad that God didn’t accept my excuses any better than He did those of Moses. God had a plan for me, but fear almost kept me from realizing it. If you’re on the publishing path, don’t let fear hold you back. Remember. “God’s words. God’s will. God’s timing.”




Lorna Seilstad has called Iowa home her whole life. She received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After her first child was born, she quit teaching and became a professional wiper. "I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby's bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote." Today, she writes historical fiction with a generous dash of humor, and lives in Iowa with her husband and three children—ages18, 16, and 11.

To find out more about Lorna and her work, please visit:
http://www.lornaseilstad.com/
http://www.inkspirationalmessages.com/
(10 writer blog)

Gifts to Share

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12: 6-8 NIV)


God has given each of us “gifts” to share. I think it’s not only good—it’s important to realize what those gifts are. We may have skills in certain areas, and still not be “gifted.”

For instance … I enjoy editing, critiquing, and sharing knowledge pertaining to writing. I’ve written devotions for years. But I don’t consider myself a teacher. I exhibit some leadership skills when I organize various meetings or social functions. However, because I’m an introvert, I don’t consider myself a leader. I like to help people, but there are large numbers of people who know how to serve better than I.

I’m a listener, encourager, and counselor.

How does this pertain to writing?

There are a multitude of things we can do to help our fellow-wordsmiths besides explaining active versus passive writing.

If you’re a servant, perhaps you could promote authors by writing book reviews, posting author interviews on your blog, or talking to your local librarians. If you’re a member of a local writers group or chapter, you could help set up for meetings or even provide refreshments.

If you’re a teacher, look for opportunities to lead workshops at your library or local conferences. Offer to mentor a young writer.

If you’re a prayer warrior, join the e-mail prayer loops that various writers’ organizations (like ACFW) provide. Offer to pray for writers who are going through a rough time. Pray in general for your favorite authors—for their writing, ministry, and families.

If you’re an encourager, try to be aware of writers needing a little support. They may be friends, critique partners, writers you know through e-mail loops, or even those you “befriend” on Facebook.

One gift isn’t more important than the other.
But all are important.

What gifts do you have to share?

Dawn

Grammar-O

Grammar-O Wednesdays
with Ocieanna

Happy Wednesday, grammarians! Ready to test your mad grammar skills?

Each week I (Ocieanna) post a few sentences with grammar, punctuation, spelling, or other writing misdemeanors. Your job is to find the infraction and set it right. If you possess the courage, you’re welcome to post your corrections in the comments, or you may simply keep your grammar to yourself. Then next week, I’ll post the answers.

Have fun!

This week’s new batch:

1) I like to recognize the distinction between Advent Hymns, which talk about the coming of the Messiah, and Christmas Hymns, which celebrate his birth.

2) Traditionally, church’s only sang Advent hymns until Christmas Sunday when they rejoiced with Christmas hymns.

3) What’s your favorite hymns of the season? Here’s some of mine.

4) For Advent, I love O Come O Come Emmanuel. Such poignant Old Testament references!

5) My favorite Christmas hymn is What Child is This? The words draw me into the nativity scene, and the haunting melody.

Remember, the point is to hunt out the blatantly illegal, not matters of preference or opinion.

Good luck and have fun!


Here are the corrected ones from last week:

1) Yesterday me and my husband celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.
Correct: Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our nineteenth wedding anniversary.
Tip: According to Chicago Manuel of Style, numbers from one to ninety-nine are spelled out.

2) I think we compliment eachother well.
Correct: I think we complement each other well.

3) I pondered the seasons of our life together, relishing the memories.
Correct: Relishing the memories, I pondered the seasons of our life together.
Note: There’s a misplaced modifier. It’s unclear whether relishing the memories modifies “I” or “the seasons of our life together.”

4) The carefree pre-kid years seem a distant memory. Vacations. Interesting jobs. Late-night jaunts to coffee shops with friends and especially alone time.
Correct: The carefree, pre-kid years, filled with vacations, interesting jobs, late-night jaunts to coffee shops with friends, and especially alone time, seem a distant memory.

5) And then we had kids—everything else is literally a blur.
Correct: And then we had kids—everything else is a blur.
Tip: Be careful with “literally.” It means what it says. If everything was literally a blur, I’d need to get my eyes checked. :-D


Well, how’d you do? Do you think you fixed all the sentences?

*Disclaimer: I’m by no means perfect at this. I use The Chicago Manual of Style and Webster’s Dictionary as my sources. The sentences to correct are fictitious.

Commit Your Writing to God

Commit Your Writing to God
New Commitments Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Hey readers, Annette here. My husband and I attended a wedding in mid-November. Ahh… commitment. Here at Seriously Write, we’re winding down our series on new commitments. This week let’s discuss committing (or recommitting) our writing to God.

When you started out (how long ago was that now? *grin*), you probably responded joyfully to the call to write and easily, heartily committed your writing life to God. Then, as you waited to meet with your dream agent at a conference you recommitted. (Stress’ll do that do you.) Then, as you waited to hear back from that submission you sent in, you fasted, prayed, and re-recommitted. (I know I’m not the only one.) Well, whether you’re now working on your dream project with your dream team or not, it may be time to recommit your writing to God.

Here are some areas where this applies:

Recommitting our writing lives – the call to write affects every part of our lives. Can I hear an amen? For better or worse, we’re like Jane Austen was depicted in the movie Jane. She’s meeting her potential mother-in-law and is suddenly inspired. She steps away from the others, plunks down and commences to scribble. The mother-in-law wannabe is appalled. “What is she doing?”

“Writing.”

“Can anything be done about it?!”

Indeed. Nope. Sorry. Had to chuckle at that line because that’s exactly how it is. You know it, too, don’t you? So, as we’re pursuing God and His calling for our lives, we’ll need His help to balance everything. If things have shifted or slipped, perhaps it’s time to recommit your writing life to Him.

Recommitting the written words – I recall a few instances where I was writing along and certain scenarios popped into my mind which didn’t pass through my filter. We should definitely include trouble in our stories (for you fiction writers), but I don’t believe we should include troublesome material—like scenarios that do not glorify God (or will not, eventually); words which do not honor Him; or a spirit which doesn’t glorify Him. Of course, this is subjective. So here’s how you know: seek God in humility and let Him guide you. Commit your written words to Him.

Recommitting our writing goals – we can set all the goals we want, but if God’s not in them, we’ll run up against a wall again and again. Commit your writing goals to God. Pray over them. Partner with God to set them and then trust Him to help you make them. He wants you to succeed!

This list challenges me. How about you? But the holidays are a great time to take stock and recommit, don’t you think? That way, come the new year, you’re ready to dive right in with all the courage and joy that comes in knowing God is in the middle of your writing life.

Title Tips by Linda Kozar

Ever have a hard time coming up with a title? This Manuscript Monday, Linda Kozar is here to share her tips for nailing down the perfect one. Enjoy!

TIPS FROM THE TITLE QUEEN
By Linda P. Kozar © 2010

Kings and Queens have them. So do politicians. Men and women in the military salute those who have them. Your boss has one, and maybe you do too. Whether you sit on a throne or a tractor, titles are important. And the same is true of book titles. A good title should attract an editor’s eye the same way it would attract a reader’s. If an editor likes your title, it is more likely they will look at your proposal with an open mind and an attitude of expectation. They will want to like your work. A good title also tells a publishing house a lot about your creativity. It’s up to you to keep their interest beyond that uber title with a dazzling story to match it.

A good title is like a good opening and should:

Attract the reader’s attention, be memorable, appropriate to the content, be interesting or evocative, represent your work, be identifiable with your brand and most importantly, be exciting!

A good title can:

Be a popular expression or a play on words, come from an existing work, be a person’s name. reflect your setting, be possessive, put forth an association of ideas, represent an event or activity, repeat a memorable line from a story, have rhythm, be simple.

Suggestions to “Work” Your Title:

1. Pray and ask God to give you title ideas!
2. What is the book’s genre?
3. Add “ing”: “Chasing Rainbows”
4. Keep the title short and sweet.
5. Make it descriptive –The Great Gatsby was originally called “Trimalchio in West Egg”
6. Ask yourself, “if someone is typing keywords in a search engine, what other things
would come up next to mine?” Babes With A Beatitude—Devotions For Smart, Savvy
Women of Faith
7. Be open to changing your title if the publisher wants you to—don’t lose a sale by being
stubborn
8. Describe the book briefly—a title is a little window into the world of your story
9. Reduce your story to the lowest common denominator and that could be your title
10. Look into your heart—you’re the writer!
11. Ask advice from a close friend or critique partner who has read the manuscript
12. Use metaphors and similes “Quiet As A Whisper”
13. Find a phrase that jumps out “Soylent Green is people!”
14. Is there one character that stands out? Try that character’s name.
15. Write down a long list and rearrange the words. Cross some off.
16. Run your titles by other writers, friends, family—anyone who can be objective.

~~~~

Linda Kozar is the co-author of Babes With A Beatitude—Devotions For Smart, Savvy Women of Faith (Howard/Simon & Schuster) and author of Misfortune Cookies(2008), Just Desserts (2011) (Barbour Publishing). She received the ACFW Mentor of the Year Award in 2007, and four previous writing awards, is founder/president of Writers On The Storm, a local ACFW chapter. In 2003, she co-founded, co-directed and later served as Southwest Texas Director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband Michael, married 22 years, have two lovely daughters, Katie and Lauren and a Rat Terrier princess named Patches.

Member of: RWA (Romance Writers of American), WHRWA (West Houston Romance Writers of America), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), Writers On The Storm, The Woodlands, Texas Chapter of ACFW, Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild, Toastmasters (Area 56) The Woodlands, Texas

~~~~~

"Just Desserts," Barbour Publishing, 2011.

When Lovita Mae Horton wins a trip for two to attend a cooking school in Paris, she invites her best friend Sue Jan Pritchard along. Their joy is short-lived however, when they find out the trip is to Paris, Texas! Sue Jan has family there—Aunt Lila and Cousin Pouncey, but discovers her eccentric Cousin Pouncey has just passed away. When Sue’s Jan’s unique antique platinum engagement ring goes missing, they suspect she lost it when saying her last goodbyes. With her wedding only a few months away, Lovita, Sue Jan and Aunt Lila decide to unearth the ring on their own, but instead dig up the dirt on an international ring of art thieves intent on brushing them off for good.

Why Do We Write? by Bonnie Leon

Welcome to another Fortifying Friday at Seriously Write. This is the day we invite guest authors to share their journeys to publication, as well as encouraging words for writers.

Have you ever been asked, “Why do you write?” If so, did you have an answer? Author Bonnie Leon is here today to talk about that very question.

Why Do We Write?

When we signed our first contract, held our first book or took part in our first booksigning it was pure joy. However, over time, the adventure became a job and we wonder what happened to the wonder.

Creating characters and plotting story lines is great fun, but crafting a book is hard work. There are days when I’d rather do almost anything than plant my derriere in a chair and write. But deadlines and revisions wrestle me back to work. If I lose sight of the privilege I sometimes question whether I ought to do something else with my life. I’m sure God shakes His head at my fickleness, and with grace the Holy Spirit leads me to the truth. On one such occasion He reminded me of the apostle Paul.

Paul was an educated, respected man of status and power. But an encounter with God changed his life forever. He became a servant of the living God. While imprisoned his thoughts were with believers who needed guidance and encouragement, and though in chains he praised the Lord.

In I Corinthians 4: 10- 13 Paul wrote, “Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed. Even now we go hungry and thirsty and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us.” Verse sixteen says, “So I urge you to imitate me.”

Paul described a life of deprivation and affliction. Why would we imitate him? There is only one reason—to display the glory of God—not to make a name for ourselves or to earn a six figure paycheck.

One year after preparing our taxes our CPA asked, “Why do you do this?” I’m sure I appeared foolish to him. Some people who know how hard I work for modest wages shake their heads in mocking disbelief.

Though most writers make less than minimum wage, we’re not going hungry or without clothing, but we do live with tight budgets. Yet we persist. There are places in the world where writers give up their lives or spend them in prison because they’ve written the truth. I can attest to the weariness. Some work days don’t end until the wee hours of the morning. As to curses—I’ve had a few, and all my writing friends have had darts thrown their way as well.

So, why do we persevere? I can speak only for myself. God asked me to write, and I serve Him. But it’s not all drudgery. There are days when words flow onto the page like liquid gold and it is pure joy. When readers write to tell me how my words have uplifted them I feel divinely blessed.

Isaiah tells us, “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Dear writing friends, persevere. The rewards are more than we can imagine or hope for. And it has been said, “The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness.”

Be faithful. It is a privilege to uplift Christ and to glorify God.




Bonnie Leon dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, and the Northern Lights series. She also stays busy teaching women’s Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women’s gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

To find out more about Bonnie and her books, please visit:
http://www.bonnieleon.com/

No Shrinking!

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what he has promised … I take no pleasure in the
one who shrinks back.” (Hebrews 10:35-36, 39 NIV)

Are you confident that God called you to write?

You must be. Otherwise, why spend time and energy pouring your thoughts, imagination, and emotions on paper or the computer screen? Why risk sharing your work with other people? Especially those who might tell you it could be better?

Why spend funds on “how to” books, conferences, or freelance editors? Why spend hours reading books on craft or attending critique groups? Why submit your writing to publishers, only to receive one rejection letter after another?

When we’re “called” to write, we can do nothing less than put our heart, mind, and soul into our work. Even when we’ve experienced disappointment, we dive back in.

There are times when we may feel discouraged. We may wonder if we’re ever going to get it right. But look at what Hebrews 10:35-36 says. Don’t throw away your confidence. God in his timing will reward you. We don’t know what that “reward” will look like, but God does.

On the other hand, God does not take pleasure in those who become lazy. Those who refuse to follow their calling, or retreat because obstacles block the path.

He’s given each one of us a purpose. (That includes the place writing has in our lives.) Don’t give up when the way becomes challenging, demanding, or just plain more difficult than you expected.

If it helps—whenever you feel discouraged, think of this as your personal cheer. *wink*

No shrinking! (clap, clap) Persevere!

Okay, maybe that’s going a bit overboard. *grin*

Follow your calling with confidence!
You will be richly rewarded.

Dawn

Grammar-O

Grammar-O Wednesdays
with Ocieanna

Happy Wednesday, grammarians! Ready to test your mad grammar skills?

I hope your Thanksgiving was resplendent with prayers of gratitude for the many blessings we’ve been given. And I hope you ate lots of turkey too.

Okay, the suspense is over! Have you been wondering what the answers to the sentences from two weeks ago are? I took a break last week, but I’m back!

If you’re new, here’s the way Grammar-O works: Each week (except for last week!) I post a few sentences with grammar, punctuation, spelling, or other writing misdemeanors. Your job is to find the infraction and set it right. If you possess the courage, you’re welcome to post your corrections in the comments, or you may simply keep your grammar to yourself. Then next week, I’ll post the answers.

Have fun!

This week’s new batch:

1) Yesterday me and my husband celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.

2) I think we compliment eachother well.

3) I pondered the seasons of our life together, relishing the memories.

4) The carefree pre-kid years seem a distant memory. Vacations. Interesting jobs. Late-night jaunts to coffee shops with friends and especially alone time.

5) And then kids—everything else is literally a blur.


Remember, the point is to hunt out the blatantly illegal, not matters of preference or opinion.

Good luck and have fun!


The corrected ones from last week:

1) A great aspect about homeschooling are all the things I get to learn.
Correct: A great aspect about homeschooling is all the things I get to learn.

2) We’re studying Earth Science this weak-rocks, manely.
Correct: We’re studying earth science this week—rocks mainly.

3) Some rocks, called igneous were formed from hot lava, and some, called sedimentary came from sediments building up in layers.
Correct: Some rocks, called igneous, were formed from hot lava, and some, called sedimentary, came from sediments building up in layers.

4) I enjoy learning but I must admit, my kids enthusiasm thrills me most.
Correct: I enjoy learning, but I must admit, my kids’ enthusiasm thrills me most.

5) The other day my six-year-old boy said he wished he had a t-shirt with the 4 main layer’s of the earth on it. Now, thats pretty cool.
Correct: The other day my six-year-old boy said he wished he had a t-shirt with the four main layers of the earth on it. Now, that’s pretty cool.

Well, how’d you do? Did you fix all the sentences?

*Disclaimer: I’m by no means perfect at this. I use The Chicago Manual of Style and Webster’s Dictionary as my sources.