Friends and Family by Sally Shupe

Who do you call on when you need something? Who understands you and supports you, who can you rely on? Who can tell by the look on your face what kind of day you’re having? Friends and family, right? It’s the same for our writing journey, or if we’re going through a rough patch, or trying to accomplish something that seems to be harder than we imagined or thought we could deal with. Friends and family are our backbone, our support system, our encouragers. It would be a very lonely journey without them, wouldn’t it?

There is a saying, there is safety in numbers. This is so true. When you have something to celebrate, it’s so much more exciting when you can share that with someone. If something happens that’s hard to handle, a disappointment, a let-down, a set-back, it’s easier to walk through if we can share that struggle with someone. For instance, if you receive harsh feedback from a writing contest judge, it’s easier to handle when you can talk about it with people who know your writing. If you’re trying to clean out your closet or organize your craft room or finish writing your first novel, you’ll be kept on track if you share your goals with someone. Then, if you struggle through the process or hit roadblocks, you have someone to commiserate with, someone to keep you accountable. But then when you do finish? You have someone ready to celebrate with you! The more the merrier.

Find a tribe of people. Reach out to people who write in the same genre as you do. Connect with people who like the same hobbies or who have the same interests. And keep in touch. You never know what someone may be going through, and your contact may be just what they need.

Is there someone who’s always been there for you? Has someone, or a group of someones, been in your corner and you didn’t know it till you looked up and saw them there? Give them a shout out below. For my writing journey, I have two people who call themselves my number one fans. My best friend Sandy and my son. Without them, I wouldn’t have continued writing once I started. I would have given up before I reached out and found writing friends and groups and special contacts (writing sisters!). Without them, I wouldn’t have completed stories, or continued learning the craft of writing to improve those stories, or continued writing new stories. Sandy and Cory, here’s to you. Thanks for your support, your prayers, being my first-readers, and most of all for your honest feedback.

When I heard the news that Seriously Write was ending, this was the first thing I thought of. Friends and family. I have so enjoyed my time here. But this isn’t the end. We are friends and family! We may not be able to keep socializing here, but we can connect in other ways. If you need encouragement, someone to cheer with you, someone to pray with you, reach out to me. We’re here for each other on this journey! I would enjoy hearing from you! 

 

When I heard the news that Seriously Write was ending, this was the first thing I thought of. Friends and family. I have so enjoyed my time here. But this isn’t the end. We are friends and family!

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

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

Let’s Talk Goals! by Sally Shupe

Can you believe it’s October already? This year has been a year for the books. Storm Sally came through our area and our temperatures dropped. It even frosted a couple of mornings. Since I love snow, of course this was bound to happen lol.

What goals did you set for this year? Start writing a book? Finish a book? Clean out a closet or give a room a makeover? Where do you stand in meeting your goals? Did you meet every one and you’re working ahead? Can’t remember what goals you set? Did your goals change as the year progressed? Wherever you stand, be thankful you’re standing! Setting goals, meeting goals, is not a competition. My goals won’t look like yours, and yours won’t look like mine. Goals are to help keep you on task. But the good thing about goals? They can be changed to meet your needs! Knocking those goals out? Set more. Life hit you hard? Dial back the goals to match. Sometimes just getting through the day is a win. That’s okay. Considering the year we’ve had, goals are made to be flexible.

Do you want to start a book, but can’t seem to find the time? While standing in line, or during commercials, or while on hold, jot down scenes, or snippets of dialogue. You’ve now started your book! Do you want to clean out a closet or room but are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? Start with one box, or one bag, or one corner. Just start. Once you see yourself making progress, it will spur you on to continue. Before you know it, you’ll have a chapter written, or a corner of the closet cleared out. I dare you to try it!

Let’s share! What worked for you this year? Which goals did you meet? Which ones were easy to get marked off your list? Which ones did you struggle with? Why were they harder to meet? Did you get that room cleaned out? Or try a new recipe? Discover an exercise program that’s working for you? Share in the comments and let’s encourage one another.

I struggled with writing, but I entered two contests. I also revamped my blog and invited authors and others to guest post with author spotlights, book reviews, and devotion and writing-related posts. I also wrote a snippet for a new story that I’m excited about. I also tried a couple of new recipes that turned out fantastic and are now a permanent go-to meal. I look forward to reading your comments and cheering you on!

My goals won’t look like yours, and yours won’t look like mine. Click to tweet it!

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

What's Your Vision by Sally Shupe

Encouragement comes in many forms. A smile from a stranger. An encouraging word at just the right time. A phone call from a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. An unexpected letter in the mail. During this time of distancing, aloneness, hiding behind a mask, encouragement may be hard to find. You can’t see smiles behind masks. It’s hard to talk behind a mask, so you may keep your conversations short. But, now more than ever, we need to encourage and lift up each other.

One thing I’ve learned about remote working/flexible schedules/etc. is there’s no way to know what someone is going through or facing. If your conversations are over text or email, it’s hard to read tone and what’s not being said. Is your coworker having a hard time being stuck at home? Is your friend busy working and homeschooling?

How are they dealing with that? Now is the time to reach out and be an encouragement to others!

It’s been said writing is a lonely profession. Just you, your computer or pad and paper, and the words. Who says it has to be that way? Let’s band together and be an encourager. Let’s lift each other up. At work, it’s nice to hear someone from high up thank you for your work and dedication. It’s exhilarating to hear from a reader who really connected with your words. Let’s be intentional with our words of praise.

What’s your vision? Starting a book? Deep cleaning a room? Sticking with an exercise program? Share in the comments and let’s encourage each other! We are not alone. If you’re going through something, someone else is coming out of it. Who will you encourage?

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

It’s been said writing is a lonely profession. Just you, your computer or pad and paper, and the words. Who says it has to be that way?

Now is the time to reach out and be an encouragement to others!

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

Everybody Has a But by Sally Shupe

This past week I worked on transitioning to working from home, BUT it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. (I am so thankful I still have my job, but I miss my office-a whole lot more than I thought I would!) No more quiet office space. No more office. No more space. My office is now the side of the dining room table.

Have you come across any BUTS? I’d be rich, BUT. I’d run a marathon, BUT. I’d be a writer, BUT. What do those BUTS do to us? They discourage us; they hinder us; if we let them, they’ll determine our future before we even get started!

What BUT is holding you back? Can’t get that first paragraph going? Can’t finish the first draft? Why not? I’d start working on that paragraph, BUT? I’d finish the story I’m writing, BUT? But what? I’d clean my refrigerator, BUT? The first thing that pops in my mind is: I don’t know where to start. Let me help with that.

Pick up your sponge and cleaner. Pick up a pen and paper. Or log onto your computer, open a blank document, and put your fingers on the keyboard. Ready? Now go! Give yourself 5 minutes. 30 minutes. Whatever you want to start with. Just start. That’s all it takes. You’ll be amazed at the progress you make. You can have a clean refrigerator. You can have all the laundry washed and dried. Maybe not put away, but it can be clean lol. Until the next pile starts. But that’s okay. If just one load gets done, that’s one more than you had done. If you only get one paragraph written, that’s okay. You’re one paragraph closer to finishing your book. Just get started. If you run for 20 minutes, you’re on your way to running a marathon. Look at you go. Nothing can stop you now!

Everybody’s timeline is different. Don’t compare yourself to others. If it takes all day to get one thing done, that’s fine. You did it. Or got started. Because we all know as soon as you sit down to do something, something else will happen. Be kind to yourself. Decide what you want to accomplish, and go for it.

This week, let’s kick those BUTS to the curb. Let’s do this thing, whether it’s cleaning house, that one thing you don’t want to start, getting that first draft finished, entering that contest. We can do this. There are no more BUTS!

Share what your one thing is and let’s support each other in getting that one thing done! My one thing: Finishing this story I started. It’s about halfway done. Let’s get started!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids-a daughter still at home and a son nearby, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and three more in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

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 for Desert Breeze; a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and a PRO member of RWA; loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

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Sally:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallyshupewritings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SallyShupe1
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Email: sallyshupe1@gmail.com
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The more you get, the more you want by Sally Shupe

You know the feeling you get when you lose weight and then you want to lose more weight? Or, the more money you get, or the more bills you pay off, the more money you want, or the more bills you want to get paid? Or, the more miles you run, the more you want to run? (Oh, wait, is that one just me?) I’ve found the more you get, the more you want.

I’ve been trying to lose weight, like for a while now. I can’t find time to consistently run, what with cold weather, rain, snow, you name it. I don’t like running on a tread mill. I want to be outside, but there’s nowhere to run in my town. There are no sidewalks, school track, paved path, etc. However, I’ve been working consistently on watching what I eat. And you know what? I’ve lost a few pounds! Now, I want to lose more.

Consistency is key. No matter what you’re doing! If you run every day, it won’t be hard to get out there and run. Save money every day, it won’t be hard to save money. You’re working at it every day. Want to lose weight? Watch what you eat every day. Except those days you just have to have that tater skin and sour cream. (Oh, is that just me again?)

This is what I’ve discovered. A few add up. A few pounds add up to 10 pounds or more of weight loss. A few cents over time add up to dollars saved. A few miles add up to a 5K. A few words add up to paragraphs. See the connection? Lol. Most people can’t write a book in a day, just like you can’t jump off the couch and run a marathon. It takes dedication, consistency, building muscle.

You must dedicate time to write. If you don’t, anything and everything that comes around, will distract you and take you away from writing. If that load of laundry won’t stop calling your name, find a place outside of the home to write. (After you’ve made sure no one is held captive in the laundry. We want everyone to be safe!) Busy taking kids to practices? Use that time to write. Make meals ahead of time and use that cooking time to write. Get up a little early or stay up late and use that time to write.

You must be consistent in your writing. If you write on a schedule, whether that’s every day or a couple times a week or on weekends, you’ll find your writing time is more productive. You’ll remember where you left off in your story and won’t be spending a big junk of your time trying to figure out where you were, or rather where your characters were. Consistency will make writing become a habit. Every week plan ahead when you will write, and then stick to it. But give yourself grace when life happens and writing does get put on the back burner. Sometimes there are things that we must take care of.

Consistency and writing on a schedule build muscle. Just like running consistently builds muscle, so does writing. Writing consistently builds muscle to protect your writing time and increases your word output, so you have more to measure. When you lose weight, you add up how many pounds you’ve lost. When you save money, you count how much money you have. When you run miles, you add up how many you’ve run. When you write consistently and on a schedule, you will have a book to show for it! I dare you to try. Keep me posted on how you do. I’ll be cheering for you!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and others in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

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 for Desert Breeze (now closed); a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

When It’s Time to Let Go by Sally Shupe

We know it’s hard to let go. Hard to let go of how we do things, because we’ve always done them that way. Or, hard to let go of those few extra pounds we’re always trying to lose. Or, hard to go in one direction when we’ve gone so far in another direction. As I write this, I am learning to let go of my son. He got engaged over Christmas and is leaving home to move to Florida. 10 ½ hours away. We’re packing up today and driving down with him and his fiancé in the morning. But, by letting go of him, I get something in return. A soon to be daughter in law! And a chance to see a state I haven’t been to before. One that is much warmer than it is where I am right now, as an extra incentive. As I thought about this, writing came to mind.

Do you have a story that is just not quite working? Are the characters being more obstinate than usual? Not talking to you, or the scene is not working out? Have you received feedback that goes against what you thought your story would be? Maybe it needs to be let go. Could the story take place in the city instead of the country? Could the hero be a surfer instead of a snowboarder? (Someone had asked my son if he was trading in his snowboard for a surfboard. He said no, in case you’re interested lol.) Could it become a suspense instead of a sweet romance? Or maybe your editor or agent has requested changes. Do you find it hard to follow their directions and let certain aspects of your story go? How do you handle letting go of a story that you’ve worked so hard on?

Just as it’s hard for me letting my baby boy go, it’s just as hard to let a story go. One that we’ve worked on for a long time. We’ve gotten close to the characters. Watched the characters, and the story, grow from an idea, to chapters, to maybe even a completed story. But do you know what you get when you let certain things go? A better story! One that resonates with more people. One that is stronger.

Step back from your story and see it from all angles. Could your story benefit from letting go? Only you know the answer to this question. It may end up looking drastically different. It may take lots more work to get it where it needs to be. But we’re writers. Writing is what we do. Once you’ve looked it over, studied the feedback from editors, agents, or beta readers, dissect the story and see if what they’ve suggested makes sense. If it does, your story just may benefit from letting go!

Are you struggling with letting certain aspects of your story go? Or, have you had to let a story go? Please share how you handled it so we can all learn, and know we’re not alone. We can encourage one another along this journey.

How do you handle letting go of a story that you’ve worked so hard on? @SallyShupe1 #amwriting #writetip #seriouslywrite

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and others in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

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 for Desert Breeze (now closed); a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

Celebrate! by Sally Shupe

Happy December! The month of celebration. I thought about what I’d set out to accomplish over the year. In some areas, I accomplished everything I set out to do. In other areas, I fell short. But you know what? Overall, I am happy with how this year turned out. My writing has grown, I’ve made new friends, I’ve got some great new ideas for more stories for next year. I’m excited!

Don’t focus on what didn’t get accomplished this year, and why you couldn’t get those items marked off your list. Didn’t get that remodel done? Didn’t find that great new job? Didn’t get that one last box emptied? Or maybe you didn’t get that book written, or finish the outline for your next book. Instead, focus on what you did accomplish. Look at your completed tasks. Did you get an outline typed up, flesh out characters for a book, enter a contest, get feedback? Did you find a critique partner? Celebrate the little things you did get done! Reward yourself for continually working toward your goal.

So. What are you celebrating? Every step forward is a step to be celebrated. Didn’t completely follow that diet plan? Celebrate that you’re more active now than you used to be, or that you’re eating more vegetables than you used to. Don’t focus on the negative, on the things you didn’t get done, the obstacles that you couldn’t control. Did life get in the way of you accomplishing your goals? Look at what you did get done during that time. Sometimes just showing up takes everything you’ve got. Celebrate that! Celebrate all the little things that make life special to you. A sweet smile, an unexpected visitor or card, writing an extra 500 words, a new idea for your next book. A snowstorm-or maybe that’s just me lol.

While you’re celebrating the season, and the reason for the season, pull out all the little and big things you’ve accomplished this year, and celebrate those things. Merry Christmas!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and others in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

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 for Desert Breeze (now closed); a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia; and loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.