Quotes and Stuff by LoRee Peery

So many superb writers appear on Seriously Write that at some point, any “tips” I might be prone to share have surely appeared here already. A major phrase that sticks in my mind is “you know you’re a writer if you can’t not write.”

Over the years, since joining RWA, taking classes, and attending conferences and retreats, I filled countless notebooks with writing articles and how-tos that I’ve recently purged, though I prefer reading on paper over screen. I thought I’d share some of the quotes I ran across.

• “Start writing, no matter what. The water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~ Louis L’Amour

• “No writing is a waste of time. With every sentence you write, you have learned something.” ~ Brenda Ueland

• “Writing is conversation from God through you to your readers.” ~ Oscar H. Greene

• “A writer is only accountable to God.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

• “If you’re a writer and you don’t show up for work, you miss the poem.” ~ Ted Kooser

• “The necessity to write springs from some conflict that cannot be resolved.” ~ Edna O’Brien

• “I write when the fear of not writing overcomes my fear of writing.” ~ Unknown

• “I will write every day because I love to, not because I have to.” ~ Unknown

• “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~ Unknown

• “There is no perfect time to write. There's only NOW!” ~ Unknown

• “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein

• “You have to protect your writing time. You have to protect it to the death.” ~ William Goldman

• “Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” ~ Anton Chekhov

• “A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~ Thomas Mann

• “Age is a good thing. Life experience will only make your writing better.” ~ C.J. Carmichael

• “I dwell in possibility.” ~ Emily Dickinson

• “When asked, ‘How do you write?’ I invariably answer, ‘one word at a time.’” ~ Stephen King

• “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” ~ Agatha Christie

• “Never, EVER give up. Not ever. Not EVER. Ever EVER!” ~ Mary Janice Davidson

• “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~ Jack London

• “There is no such thing as wasted writing.” ~ Monica Wood, The Pocket Muse

I’ll add one of my pet peeves. I clench my teeth each time I read that a character is nauseous. “A person is nauseated, due to a nauseous feeling, caused by nausea.” ~ LoRee Peery

And in closing, I cling to this. “If God calls, He equips.” ~ Unknown

Also in closing, keep your appointment with keyboard and screen. Social media can wait until the day’s new words are down.

If you have a quote or phrase that’s never left you, I’d like to hear it.

Do you have a favorite writing quote? Let's hear it! via @LoreePeery #SeriouslyWrite

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Nebraska country girl LoRee Peery writes fiction that hopefully appeals to adult readers who enjoy stories written from a Christian perspective, focusing on the romance. These include novels and novellas for women and men in the Contemporary, Romance, Historical, Time Travel, and Mystery/Suspense categories. She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. Her Frivolities Series and the book based on her father’s unsolved homicide, Touches of Time, are available on Amazon. She is who she is by the grace of God: Christian, country girl, wife, mother, grandmother and great-, sister, friend, and author. Connect with LoRee through these links:

www.loreepeery.com

https://twitter.com/LoreePeery

https://www.facebook.com/LoReePeery

Find her publications at Pelican http://tinyurl.com/kwz9enk

And Amazon https://www.amazon.com/LoRee-Peery/e/B004UAGL2W/ref

Talia Ashby is a perfectionistic data analyst who, on occasion, sees her “fat” self when she looks in the mirror. As a svelte former obese girl, she reunites with her secret teen crush, now a pastor in the church she attends.

Cooper Valiant is dazzled upon meeting a high school friend he doesn’t immediately recognize due to her drastic weight loss. Since his sister had an eating disorder, he’d often felt empathy toward Talia as classmates teased and bullied her. In his pastorate position, he asks her to help girls in the youth group come to grips with body-image.

While working with the girls, Talia's recollections of youthful hurts stir up past insecurities. She must reassess her spiritual journey, and what bothers her in the present.

Added to the mix are her reawakened emotions toward the man who once came to her rescue. Will their joint journey include a personal relationship?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086J2QDQF?ref

Getting Started: Tips From the Greats by Sandra Ardoin

We all have what we believe are award-winning ideas, those ambitions to write something others will find stupendous and page turning.

But sometimes our plans are bigger than our know-how or, let’s face it, our courage. Maybe we’ve let our fears of failure keep us from getting those first words on the page.

So while you consider how you’ll occupy those upcoming poolside hours or sent-the-kids-to-camp-I’m-free days, here’s a little nudge from some of the greats to get you started on your path to writing success.

If you want your writing published, you have to understand that it is a job. Set regular hours and treat it as if you're actually getting paid for what you do. 😉 By the way, who in their right mind argues with Stephen King? **shivers** 

Don't wait for the right time to begin your story because there will be no right time, only procrastination and "I want to"s. Go on. Get moving. 

You'll never lack for ideas, so choose the one that excites you the most and stick with it. Don't be tempted by all the shiny new ideas that come calling before you've written "The End."

It's amazing how often I've written something off the top of my head and later found it to be incredibly useful to my plot. To me that's God writing my story. For Ray Bradbury's "intuition," I would substitute God.

Follow that Peter Rabbit trail and enjoy the journey!

What writing quote gives you inspiration?

A little nudge from some of the greats to get you started on your path to writing success. via @SandraArdoin #SeriouslyWrite #amwriting

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A Love Most Worthy

She didn’t know which was colder, an Arctic winter or her new husband’s heart.

Hallie Russell believes life should be lived to the fullest. For that reason, she sails to the gold

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rush town of Nome, Alaska to take her cousin’s place as the mail-order bride of a respected shopkeeper. But when her aloof husband’s wedding-night announcement rocks her plans for their marriage, Hallie sees her desire for a family to call her own vanish as quickly as the dreams of hopeful miners.

Tragedy led Rance Preston to repent of his rowdy ways and open a general store for the miners in Nome. He’s content in his bachelorhood, but his two orphaned nephews deserve a proper and serious-minded mother. Duped once by a vivacious female, he’s determined to never again let his heart overrule his head…until the high spirits of his new bride threaten his resolve.

When a misunderstanding comes to light, will they allow the gale force winds of insecurity to destroy what they each need most?

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As an author of heartwarming and award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

As a gift for her newsletter subscribers, Sandra wrote a short story to accompany A Love Most Worthy—a “prelude.” It provides some insight into Hallie’s story, something those who read only the novella won’t receive. Join the Love and Faith in Fiction community and keep up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials and giveaways.

Let the Fireworks Begin! by Sandra Ardoin

We love the Fourth of July in the United States. It’s a day to celebrate our country's beginnings, but it’s also a day when we express that celebration through family gatherings, picnics, boating on lakes, parades, and FIREWORKS! From the sizzle of sparklers to the whistle and boom of the big guys, we love these beautiful symbols of our joy. Sometimes, we can only stare with a sense of awe and utter a quiet "Ooh!".

Isn't it like that on those occasions when we’re writing and the words are flowing almost independent of our need to think about them? FIREWORKS on paper and on the screen!

Today I thought I’d share some encouraging writing quotes…like special fireworks to inspire writers. I hope they set off a big BOOM! in your writing life. 

Nothing will happen until you make it happen.

Don't let the fear of criticism prevent you from sharing the gift God has given you.

Dig deep and make the reader feel.

Edit. Tighten. Edit some more. 

Keep that power on high until you've written "The End!"

So go on! Light those word sparks and let them explode from your fingers.

What is the most inspiring writing quote you have read?

(Quotes gathered on Goodreads; photos found on Canva)

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Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. She’s the author of the heartwarming novella, The Yuletide Angel and the award-winning novel, A Reluctant Melody. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Subscribe to receive updates and specials. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and BookBub.

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