2020-The Year Anything is Possible by Sally Shupe

I’ve been thinking back over the year, and what’s happened, and have come to the conclusion, anything is possible this year! From the pandemic that shut everything down to murder hornets to a super storm named after me 😊 we’ve seen it all. It is so easy to get caught up in all the storms around us. But in the midst of the storms, the pandemic, the rough patches of our lives, God is still there. What we choose to do with our time, is our choice. What have you chosen to focus on this year?

At first, I was focused on figuring out how to work from home. I’ll admit, it took me a while to get adjusted. If you’ve got kids at home, home schooling was a big adjustment.

But the other day, I was in a Zoom meeting, and it changed my perspective. I had hope again, a change in focus. We had planned a trip to see our son and his wife. My colleague stated that except for COVID, we probably would not have planned as long a trip. She was so right! In normal times, I would have taken just enough time off to stay a few days and rush right back. I would not have slowed down or even thought about taking a little more time to enjoy my stay. That opened my eyes. What other things had changed or happened over the course of the year that I hadn’t really paid attention to?

Two events stick out in my mind. We had to put two of our pets to sleep over the summer-- Our 14-year-old Jack Russell, Pumpkin, and our 22-year-old cat, Sassy. But then I got to thinking. Since I was working from home, I was able to spend so much time with them. I still miss them so much, but I’m so thankful for the extra time I had with them. I’ve also been eating better. Since I’m at home, I’m able to prepare healthier lunches and snacks. I’ve been exercising more. Not having the commute back and forth gave me extra time. And let’s not forget having to learn Zoom and other computer programs! What are some things you’ve had to adjust to or struggled with?

How many of you attended virtual writing conferences? I got to attend three or four writing conferences, since they were being offered online. They were awesome and I learned so much. I submitted work to a couple of contests for the feedback. Thinking back over the year, I accomplished so much more than I thought I would or did.

What are some things that you’ve experienced over the past year that you’re thankful for? Did you make it through each day? Did you get that one room cleaned out? Did you start or finish a story? Did you submit a story or get published? Think on these things. Let’s not get mired down in the disappointments, the uncertainty. Let’s be thankful, rejoiceful, cheerful. Share a smile and a word of encouragement with the next person you meet. If you’ve struggled through this year and can’t believe it isn’t at least 2022 already, it’s okay. God hasn’t forsaken us. He gives us strength to face each day. If you’ve thrived during this time at home, that is great also. Let’s finish this year strong. What is one thing you’d like to accomplish before this year is over? Share below so we can encourage one another. Let’s make 2020 the year anything is possible. Reach for your dreams!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, has two grown kids-a daughter still at home and a son not-so nearby, and a whole bunch of pets: four dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She is an aspiring Christian author of small town contemporary inspirational romance, with two completed manuscripts and several more in progress.

When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students working on dissertation papers; a copy editor/content editor for several e-book publishing companies; performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews; is a member of ACFW; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally publishes weekly blog posts that can be found through her website: https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/, and she posts on the first Thursday of the month at https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com

Write What Readers Won’t See Coming by Mary A. Felkins

Writer's, how do we avoid creating situations that are entirely too coincidental or predictable, providing an easy way out for the characters? 

We don’t want our readers rolling their eyes with, “Yeah, I saw that coming.” Because then our book is closed in favor of another. 

I know authors who make good use of the supernatural invading the natural. Without bordering on ridiculous, I enjoy circumstances which clearly point to the intervening hand of God. 

In my debut, Call to Love, the hero (a law enforcement officer) received several text messages from his ex-wife that were legit. But he received a few mysterious texts from an unknown ID. . . Be compassionate, forgiving just as Christ forgave you. 

Hackles raised, the hero called his ex and fired away with, “Where do you get off preaching to me about forgiveness?”. But the thing was, she didn’t send them. Even investigations was unable to trace the source. 

Hmmm. Were they (as his ex boldy suggested) from God? Or was my hero suffering from work fatigue? 

I left this to the reader’s imagination. 

Writers, let’s harness the endless creativity available to us and utilize the courage to write what readers won’t see coming. When our stories become cozy, common and predictable, our own motivation to write the next scene withering in yawn, let’s toss in any number of obstacles our readers (and we?) won’t see coming. 

No one does this better than God. Hello, 2020? Who saw the pandemic coming? A world where a mask is required to enter a facility? One where we are no longer free to go and do as we please, our interaction with others separated by a screen? 

God, the sovereign Author, saw this coming. And, boy, hasn't it captured our attention?

Although I squirm over the conundrum brought on by the pandemic, what a brilliant plot twist! And on its heels...rioting, devastating fires, a heated political vote on the horizon that holds incredible weight to top off the year. 

Ah, the irony of 2020, a year where we expected to see things clearly and had a good handle on what might lie ahead. 

Personally, I welcomed this year with a very different set of expectations than what has unfolded. Maybe you did too? But I’m very engaged, turning the pages, as it were, to see where God will take us next. It’s created tension, made me want to know more, begging for a happily ever after. 

God has given us what we didn’t see coming and brought much good from it. And writers, this is the same reaction and result we want to offer our readers. 

Working in unpredictable elements that increase stakes for our characters doesn't have to look like a world-wide virus, fires and political division. A simple text from unknown source might work. 

But wherever you are in your story, take time to consider if you’re holding back and ask:

1) What is the worse thing that could happen? 

2) What’s the best thing that could happen? 

3) What might my reader never see coming? 

Then write that.

   

When our stories become cozy, common and predictable, our own motivation to write the next scene withering in yawn, let’s toss in any number of obstacles our readers won’t see coming. @MaryAFelkins #seriouslywrite

In 2020, God has given us what we didn’t see coming and brought much good from it. And writers, this is the same reaction and result we want to offer our readers. @MaryAFelkins #seriouslywrite

Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author, administrator for Seriously Write writer's blog, and contributor to Refresh, an on-line Bible study magazine. In 2015, she was awarded a bronze medal for her scene submission to My Book Therapy's Frazier contest. Her debut Call to Love (Pelican Book Group) is set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy. 

 

Raised in Houston, Texas (and forever a Lone Star girl), Mary and her husband Bruce moved to Hickory, North Carolina in 1997. They have four young adult children. She can be lured from her writer's cave if presented with a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms or to watch an episode of Fixer Upper. A surprise appearance by her teen idol, Donny Osmond, would also do the trick, although she’d likely pass out. If, upon introduction, she likes your first or last name, expect to see it show up in one of her novels. 

To receive Mary’s story-style devotions via email, along with quarterly author newsletter offering book-related giveaways, subscribe on her website: www.maryfelkins.com 

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