Encouragement for Writers by June Foster

Whether we're beginning writers or multi-published, we all get discouraged. Sometimes it's tempting to say, "I quit." But, I hope this devotional offers a bit of insight and hope.

When I read passages from the Bible, I can't help but relate them to the task of writing. This morning Psalm 37: 4 jumped out at me.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

So as Christians and writers, we delight ourselves in the Lord daily. How can editing tough passages and receiving rejections from editors and agents be delightful?

First, I believe we should firmly understand our identity—who we are. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." 2Corinthians 5: 17. We are different creatures now with new purposes and motives. We don't write for our own glory but for His.

Next, we trust in God's leadership. He has the ability to accomplish his work in us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3: 5. Even if things aren't going like we think they should, trust that God is in control. Since I received another rejection letter today, I can speak with certainty and first hand experience.

So, now that means God will give me the desire of my heart. Right? Yes, definitely. Whether it's publication of a novel or another use of our writing talents, God will accomplish His purpose for us and we can delight in that. Then someday, we'll hear those words: "Well done my good and faithful servant."

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Dear Lord, help me to trust in Your perfect plan for me through my writing. You instilled the desire within my heart so I can be confident You have a purpose for my work. Amen.

How can editing tough passages and receiving rejections from editors and agents be delightful? via @vjifoster #SeriouslyWrite #devotion #amwriting

~~~~~~

Frances Matthew Hall is obedient to family tradition: all firstborn sons will serve as a priest. Now Matt officiates at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. But when on Easter Sunday, he notices a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away, he must fight against his attraction to her or leave the priesthood and alienate his entire family.

Mary Louise Graham is a middle school teacher and devout catholic. Yet no amount of service to the community can ease the heavy load of guilt she carries. God can never forgive her unspeakable mistake. But when Father Matt tells her about a forgiving God through His son Jesus Christ, she's free. Only thing, the Godly priest now means more to her than he should.

Can two people find their way to each other amidst insurmountable obstacles? 

Dreams Deferred is inspired by the author's great grandfather and great grandmother's story.

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next contemporary romance or romantic suspense. June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. To date June has seen publication of 19 novels and 1 devotional. Find June at junefoster.com.

Have Fun With Research by June Foster

Is gathering the facts to make your writing shine tedious or fun? Author June Foster talks about how she's learned to keep the fun in her novel research. -- Sandy 

June: I confess, my research requirements are minor compared to authors who write historical fiction. At an ACFW conference a couple of years ago, I attended a class taught by Tracie Peterson. The best-selling, award winning author writes historical novels set in a previous century. Her husband spends hours exploring information for each and every story.

Since I write contemporary romance set right here in the US, I don't need a lot of knowledge about present day culture such as clothing and hair styles, cars, movies and entertainment, types of food, or other components of American society.

The setting or where the story takes place must reflect the actual location. My novels are set in the Pacific Northwest and northern California and one in Alabama. Though the towns are fictional, I still have to be consistent with the location, climate, the dialects, the type of food people eat and so forth. In other words, I wouldn't have my Washington state characters talking with southern accents and eating grits and biscuits unless they recently moved from Arkansas or Alabama.

My stories reflect specific issues people face in today's world: anger, self worth, obesity, abortion, homosexuality, and many more. My Christian characters confront these challenges through the power of God and His word. For example, the hero in my current WIP is homeless so this is a topic I've had to thoroughly explore. I had the opportunity to visit an amazing Christian homeless shelter in Birmingham, AL and interview the chaplain in charge. A treasure trove of information. So, for each novel, I research the topic before placing my characters there.

When to do research? Back to my homeless character. I went online before I began the book to learn about the different kinds of shelters, why people go homeless, what to expect at a shelter, the dangers of living on the streets, etc. However, I found as I wrote my chapters that other questions arose so I switched from the internet to the story and back again as needed.

Research isn't tedious like writing a paper for a college class. At least not in my opinion. I'm so involved with my characters and their lives that it's fascinating and rewarding to learn about them and stay authentic. One advantage of doing research—I learn about a variety of subjects I never would've thought about before. I now know more about how a NICU works, adoption procedures in Washington state, wildlife management in Alabama, the workings of the ER and the duties of an interior designer. Research. Have fun with it.

What is the most fun you've had researching for a story? Have you ever let research scare you into not writing a story?

~~~~~

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Ryan's Father is available from WhiteFire Publishing. Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and The Almond Tree Series, For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, and What God Knew are available from Amazon.com. Misty Hollow and A New Family are published by Helping Hands Press and available at Amazon. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. Find June online at www.junefoster.com.

June Foster's Journey to Publication

June Foster

Anytime and anywhere, God may use anyone or anything to direct our path. Her daughter’s simple remark spurred author June Foster to begin her journey to publication. She shares her story today. Enjoy! 

~ Dawn

June Foster's Journey to Publication

For seven or eight years I had a story incubating in my mind. I even visualized the scenes and the characters. You may not think that so unusual, but I've never had an interest in writing—much less a romance. End time prophesies intrigued me. I read every single one of The Left Behind Series.

All this retired school teacher wanted to do was travel in an RV with her husband doing all the touristy things. But God had a different plan. In November of 2009, I told my daughter about the story. She made a remark which was the spark the Lord used. "Why don't you write it, Mom?"

I went home that day and knew my life had changed forever. I got a new Toshiba laptop, a Sprint air card, and a printer. My husband and I set out on our latest RV adventure on January 1, 2010. My dear spouse took the couch out of the RV and replaced it with a writing table and file cabinets. I purchased every "how to" book I could get my hands on, and joined ACFW and Scribes.

I think at first, my husband scratched his head and figured I was going through a "phase," a post-midlife crisis. But when I continued to pound the keys of my computer, he became convinced. And supportive. He helps me considerably with facts, details and even plot ideas.

Now less than four years later, the Lord has blessed me with publication of five of my eight novels. The first one, the story that lurked for so long, is not published yet. But I'm praying for God's open doors.

What have I learned? That when our gracious Lord wants something accomplished, He'll do it. I'm so thankful for the assurance that God does intervene in our lives. And when He wants to take us in the opposite direction from the way we were going, He gives us the grace to do it. He is sovereign.

Tweetables:

Author June Foster knew her life had changed forever. Click to tweet.

When our gracious Lord wants something accomplished, He'll do it. Click to tweet.

When God wants to take us in the opposite direction, He gives us the grace to do it. Click to tweet.

Give Us This Day

Give Us  This Day

Jess Colton gave his life to the Lord but failed to surrender an old habit. Fueled by alcohol, he spent the night with a former girlfriend, ignoring his Christian principles. Convicted of his wrong doing, he quit drinking but discovered another addiction. Now he can't manage his life as his weight soars and diabetes threatens to claim him. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison declares her love.

Holly Harrison lived to please herself. But everything changed when a deadly motorcycle accident altered her life forever. Nowhere else to turn, she looked to God for answers. Now, she's convinced no man would want her. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with the handsome Jess Colton, seeing past his bulk to the godly, tender man within. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses hope of a future with him.

Can Holly overcome her fear of Jess discovering her handicap? Will Jess find control over his eating and his life? Only God can provide the answers.

June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June's book, Ryan's Father, will be available from WhiteFire Publishing January 2014. For All Eternity, Red and the Wolf, and Misty Hollow, God willing, will be published in the near future. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.

Connect with June by visiting:

http://junefoster.blogspot.com

http://junefoster-2.blogspot.com

http://infinitecharacters.com