Persistence...Does It Payoff? by Dora Hiers

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Soon after we married, my husband and I began praying for different jobs so we could leave Florida. The constant ninety degree temperatures left me fatigued, and both of us longed for cooler climates. We prayed. And prayed. God told us no...for twenty years.

We'd walk in the evenings, sweat dripping down our necks and backs, sharing our dreams, and talking about where we might live. Sometimes when we felt particularly discouraged, when it didn't feel that God was listening to our prayers, He'd open up a door. An interview, just enough encouragement to keep us knocking on heaven's gate.

In 2007, God finally called us into our promised land, North Carolina, a land flowing with milk and hon...er, seasons. Where trees bud and leaves flutter softly to the ground in a gentle breeze. Where we could tug on sweaters and long pants, instead of the usual shorts and flip flops. Where we learned to appreciate snow and four-wheel drive.

What if we'd given up praying for our dream? Would God have given up on us? No. But He might not have blessed us so abundantly. He moved us smack into the middle of NASCAR country! Hubby thinks he's already in heaven!

Jesus shared the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, instructing us to "always pray and not give up" and that God wants to bring justice to His chosen ones, the ones who cry out to Him continually.

Many of us started writing with only our dreams. Years stretch into decades, and as we walk the path, sweat drips down our backs. We're fatigued, worn out from sending queries and proposals, and the constant rejections seem to be the only answer to our prayers.

What does God call us to do?

I believe He gave us our marching orders.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Don't give up. Cry out to Him continually.

What if your promised land is right around the next query letter?

What about you? 
Are you weary from the long journey?

Have you considered quitting? What, or who, has kept you going?

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Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death. Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?

Where one journey ends, another begins…

Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Treasurer for ACFW-Charlotte Chapter. Connect with her here on Seriously Write, her personal blog, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

My Journey to Publication by Karla Akins

Karla Akins

A couple weeks ago, Karla Akins shared her heartbreak over her son's arrest and encouraged us to weather the storms with her adapted poem, Write Anyway. Today, she's back sharing her journey to publication. Hope you enjoy! ~Dora

I’ve been writing since I held a piece of chalk in each hand.

As a young child I was ambidextrous until I gradually adopted my left hand as the one to hold my pencil. I have a bump on my middle finger where I used to grip the pen far too tight. I don’t think many people see those writing bumps on kids today. They come out of the womb typing.

I wrote reams of poetry in fifth grade. That same year I entered an essay contest and placed second in the county. (The boy who sat behind me won first.) In Junior High I wrote a poem and entered it in a radio show’s “Win a Tie for Your Dad” contest. I woke up one morning and heard my name and my poem. In high school I wrote a three-act musical and my drama teacher took all us corn-fed Kansas kids to NYC to perform it at a theater convention. I was sure I was headed for the big time.

God had other plans.

I met a handsome minister and got married. While my children were small I took the mail order Writing for Children and Teenagers course through the Institute of Children’s Literature and finished it. I wrote for anything that needed copy: organizational newsletters, magazines, church letters and local newspapers. Writing has always been as much a part of me as my crooked little toe. I wrote for bigger magazines and got rejection after rejection. But I’m a stubborn soul and believed that I was called to do this writing thing and refused to quit.

After my children were mostly grown, I participated in NaNoWriMo in 2003. After a year or two of participating in NaNoWriMo, I stumbled across a call for stories by a homeschool curriculum company. That led me to write several narrative biographies to be included in compilations. A few years after those were published, the publisher asked me to write a book about Canada.

Simultaneously I was introduced to some writers online, and learned about ACFW. I was also introduced to my current online critique group where my writing got a thorough working over. I learned more in one year of participating in the critique group than I did in all my years of writing combined. I can’t stress enough how important finding a critique group is!

I didn’t have to search far for an agent. One of our critique group members became an agent at Hartline Literary Agency where she was already working. Linda Glaz became my agent and sold my book to Pelican Book Group’s Harbourlight imprint. My current book, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots is due out tomorrow!

If I were going to give advice to new writers today, it is this: don’t quit. No matter how many years stand between you and publication, if you don’t quit, you will be published as long as you remain teachable and apply the things you’re taught.  

So tell me, how did you get started? I’d love to know!!

The Pastor's Wife Wears
Biker Boots
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Pastor’s wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls. 

Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she’s not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie’s ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed…and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth. 

Join Kirstie and her motorcycle “gang”—two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member—as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.

Karla Akins is a pastor's wife who rides her own motorcycle. She is the mother of four boys and one step-daughter, and grandmother of five. She lives in North Manchester with her husband who is the pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, her twin teenage boys with autism, mother-in-law with Alzheimer's and three rambunctious dogs. Karla and her husband have been in ministry together for 30 years. You can contact Karla for speaking engagements via her website at KarlaAkins.com.

God Said No by Vanessa Riley

Vanessa Riley

With beautiful prose, author Vanessa Riley shares words of encouragement with us today. Be blessed. 

~ Dawn

God Said No

I sit at my low window and draw the curtains open. Every handkerchief is tear-stained, and I seek a breeze to dry my face.

But the air is calm and still.

Alas, God has said no again.

The day is bright. The branches of the mighty oak framing my view revels in the shine and casts shadows upon my wrung hands. I should be outside with my oils and canvas, capturing the lilies on the pond, the thick greenery of the lawn. Yet, my artist’s soul is dour. My paints would be onyx or charcoal. I possess no light today.

With a dry spot on my wrist, I scrub my wet cheek. On my lap weighs the heavy letters of Your promises. I’ve no strength to open my Bible, or dump it from my skirts. I’m frozen in regret. What if I said…. What if….

Can any of Your words soothe my restlessness? I know You have plans for me, but what of mine?

Did You not know how much I craved the affection? It wasn’t a trifle to me.

Did You not care how I set my heart upon this dream?

Why let my mind to think, my soul to wish, if I am to be crushed when nothing comes to fruition?

Out on the lawn, a furry squirrel chases a rolling stone, no an acorn. As he seizes on the nut, it squeezes out of his paws and scatters to the pond’s edge. Undaunted, the animal makes a dash only to witness his prize tumble away. The acorn doesn’t float. It sinks, rippling the stagnant waters.

I am one with the varmint.

I turn away from the window. With a deep breath, I declare myself to be reasonable. I should chase a different nut and accept my lot, for You know what’s best.

But I am not so easily consoled. I wish to join the squirrel and reclaim the vision gone away, even in the murky depths.

My mind resounds with bitter memories, those times I forced my desires. Yet, in the wake of those disappointments, I still want my way now. I’ll admit to a poor track, missteps, but Abba, isn’t today different?

Oh, let me be Gideon. My fleece, my face, is still sodden with misery. Therefore, allow me to question Your hand.

Did my pleading for this cause, fall away like Abraham’s for Sodom? Was my dream truly so bad?

Can you not hear Habakkuk’s anguish in my voice? Have You forsaken me?

Is it so, Abba? Is it so?

The glazed glass rattles. A soft rush of air billows the gauzy muslin dressing the casement. Constant and steady this wind, this balm of Gilead, covers me. Hints of fragrant lilies and peppery heather fill my lungs, clearing my sniffles. I feel an embrace in my spirit. Thank You for not leaving me. I welcome this no.

Scratching noises.

A few feet away, my friend, the squirrel, has scampered up the oak and dances on a thick limb. His cheeks are pregnant, bulging twice the size of before. He's gathered other acorns. My brethren’s sorrow seems short-lived.

Chuckles gather in my throat. A glimmer of my joy has returned. Could it be Sarah’s laugh at impossibility? Yet, it is true. Abba, will You spin all my ashes to gold? I close my eyes and let the breeze stroke my countenance, tickle the beading of my collar.

Abba, my Father, my Provider, renew my heart to Your plans, Your ways. Amen.

________________________________________________

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I hope this helps when God says, “No.” Never doubt His plans for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11(KJV) For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Tweetables:

Alas, God has said no again. Click to tweet.

I know You have plans for me, but what of mine? Click to tweet.

Abba, my Father, my Provider, renew my heart to Your plans, Your ways. Amen. Click to tweet.

Madeline's Protector

If all young men leapt off a cliff, Madeline St. James wouldn’t care. Yet a chance meeting and a bullet wound change everything. She must trust that the Good Shepherd has led her to marry a dashing stranger, Lord Devonshire. Can they forge a true bond before the next disaster strikes?

See the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2OnXfFNwps

 

 

Even as she pursued engineering degrees, Vanessa Riley's love of 19th century history yielded a hunger to take as many Western Civilization credits as possible (two classes shy of a minor). Vanessa adores Regency times with its conflicts between Church and State, the clash of the classes, and the sweeping romances. Her mission is to have the world fall in love with powerful Regency heroes and heroines who battle for peace with a flintlock and a prayer. Vanessa writes from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey or Cinnamon Spice.

To learn more, please visit these sites:

http://christianregency.com   

http://InfiniteCharacters.com

Tips for Your Journey to Publication by Janet Dean

Janet Dean

 The journey for any writer is ongoing. There are always new challenges and ways to grow and improve. Today, author Janet Dean shares tips and encouragement for all of us on the road to publication and beyond. 

~ Dawn

Tips for Your Journey to Publication

I love Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. In her book, she tells about her brother waiting until the night before a report on birds was due, totally overwhelmed by the task. Her father put an arm around his son’s shoulder and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.” Isn’t that wonderful advice? Start with a word, a sentence and before you know it, you’ll have a paragraph, then a chapter. As Stephen King said “You can’t revise a blank page.” In other words, plant yourself in the chair and write.

Anne Lamont says, “Almost all good writing starts with terrible first efforts.” I find that advice comforting. It takes a lot of pressure off and allows me to write junk. She continues on, saying, “…the bottom line is if you want to write, you get to, but you probably won’t get very far if you don’t start trying to get over your perfectionism.” This wise woman gives us permission to get words on the page, no matter how ugly. We can clean it up later, which means in the rough draft we can write fast with more emotion and less restraint. So shoo that internal editor off your shoulder.

A few years back a non-writing friend asked me how long I’d been writing and I told her ten years. She said, “You’ve been in school for ten years.” The comment startled me, but I realized she was right. Even when we’re published, writers are in school, learning and growing our talent. Upon occasion we must reinvent ourselves when genres tank, editors leave and lines close.

For those still waiting for the call, use the time to prepare. Write. Purchase your domain name and get a web site. Start a blog. Connect on social media sites. It’s not always good to skip a grade in school and it’s not always best to sell before we’re ready to handle that career. Our youth pastor referred to this waiting as having patience in the waiting room. Some waiting rooms are tough places—waiting to conceive a baby, waiting for the return of health, waiting for a wayward child to get his life together…waiting for The Call.

If you’re waiting, you may feel like you’re wearing one of those pointed dunce caps as you traipse across reams of rejections. Write on your mental chalkboard: I won’t take these personally. If you don’t give up, good things will happen. As a friend said in an email, “…and sometimes, in between the darkest clouds, sunshine will pour down unexpectedly upon your upturned face and the world will turn shiny and bright.”

That’s hope. May the sun shine on each of you!

~ Janet

The Bride Wore Spurs

The Bride Wore Spurs

To keep the Texas ranch she loves, Hannah Parrish will wed a man she doesn't. Cowpokes won't take orders from a young, single female. But while her exasperating neighbor Matt Walker jokes about her being a mere debutante, Hannah is a rancher to the core. Just like Matt.

"Will you marry me?" It's a question widowed Matt never intended to ask again. Now spirited Hannah is asking him for a marriage of convenience! Yet whether she's birthing a calf or caring for a young orphan, the tomboy next door is becoming the partner Matt always hoped for. Now he must convince her the greatest strength comes in trusting your heart to another—and your future to God.…

Janet Dean grew up in a family who cherished the past and had a strong creative streak. Her father recounted fascinating stories, like his father before him. The tales they told instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to write. She married Dale, her college sweetheart, and taught first grade before leaving to rear two daughters, but Janet never lost interest in American history and the accounts of strong men and women of faith who built this country. With her daughters grown, she eagerly turned to Inspirational historical romance. Today Janet spins stories for Love Inspired Historical. Four of her six published novels are set in Indiana. When she isn’t writing, Janet stamps greeting cards, plays golf and is never without a book to read. The Deans love to travel and spend time with their family.

Visit Janet at her website: www.janetdean.net and blog: www.janetdean.blogspot.com  and group blog: www.seekerville.blogspot.com