Sharing A "Made Up" Story

When our son Mike (who is now 37 years old) was a young boy, I often “made up” stories to share with him at bedtime and/or nap time. Each story was different and often, was created at the last moment. As our son placed his head on the pillow for rest, I pulled the covers up for him and watched as he began to relax.

I’m not sure if Mike remembers any of the stories. That’s okay because I remember some of them. 

Words and Fabric Squares by author and quilter Jeanette-Marie Mirich

Jeanette-Marie Mirich

Does your creativity manifest itself in various artistic ways? Our guest today, Jeanette-Marie Mirich, is a quilter and author who enjoys piecing words together in her fiction. Read on! ~ Annette

We are uniquely made. Our creativity echoes the Master’s, so we each bring to the quilt of life expressions of what we sense in our world of minutia, deadlines, needs, and yearnings.

For me, writing begins in the mornings. I prefer light-filled rooms, quiet, and time with the Lord. Before breakfast I am in a comfortable chair, Bible and notebook in hand, reading through Scripture. I’ve taken Lynn Austin’s advice and have been reading through the Bible rather than a scattered approach of Psalms with books of Scripture. It suits me. I have a daily list of people and ministries to pray for. Scripture is the catalyst for my prayers.

As a kinesthetic learner, I grow by writing things into journals. My stories can wander from the path and need to be corralled. My fictional characters often tell me what comes next. Though I’m a pantster I do outline, aiming toward the ending, and keeping track of pacing as well as where the story needs to go off the rails with excitement.

A tapestry of thoughts is woven into a story. Threads of gold are the underlying truths that characters state or live out. Humor is embroidered through my novels. Laughter lifting hurting hearts and minds is good medicine. I apply the salve liberally. Pulled tightly, the warp and woof of all these elements stabilize and create something useful, comforting, and lasting.

We live in dark times that need illumination from a constant light source. It is my prayer that words fitly chosen will aim His light into the hidden places of the heart.

Writers’ conferences have challenged, encouraged, and enabled me to grow. I belong to Pacific Northwest Writers Association and Oregon Christian Writers.

Currently in my stack of things I’m reading are:

Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan.
The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
The Breakout Novelist by Donald Maass.
The Writers Workout by Christina Katz
How to Write Mysteries, edited by Sherry Ellis and Laurie Lamson
The Irresistible Novel by Jeff Gerke
Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons
Devotions for a Deeper Life by Oswald Chambers

Quilting is my second calling. I was doing fine with clearing out the fabric bins until I inherited my aunt’s and mother’s stashes of fabric. Piecing fabric together is tactile storytelling. For me the feel of silk against the skin is as delightful as a “Godiva chocolate” word. The kind of word you savor, roll around your tongue, and want to remember. I am conflicted. My father read Shakespeare at the dinner table. My mother signed me up for 4H. Create with color? Or use words to reveal something not held by hands?

Words come

Drop by drop

Into troubled hearts.

Distilled by grace,

Your balm of love

Heals sin darkened

souls.

How quilting and writing relate at Seriously Write blog today! @MarieMirich

~~~~~

Coming September 1

The Courtship of Harry's Wife

I shouldn't have made the promise when Harry was dying but . . . you know how it is. You want to please when the person you’ve always loved is hooked up to plastic tubing looking peaky.

Delilah Morgan, a woman of honor, is unable to ignore her promise to her husband, Harry, which leads to trouble, with a capital T. The beautiful, unassuming Delilah plans to mourn in private after Harry passed, but he had other ideas—specifically, leaving his wife in good hands and protected from the elite of their small Kentucky town. However, he neglects to include his wife in his plans.

Harry has selected local judge, Lyle Henderson, the heartthrob of most of the women in town, to court his widow. The judge acquiesces to Harry’s wishes until Henderson’s life spins into a maelstrom after the discovery of bodies in his long absent wife’s car. The police and FBI begin to suspect him of murdering his wife and her apparent lover.

Determined to clear the judge of murder, Delilah resolves to hunt down the true story. Their adventure nearly costs them their lives and leads them on what Delilah suspects is a wild-goose chase toward love. In reality, their wanderings reveal what sacrificial love can encompass.

~~~~~

Have bags will travel should be Jeanette-Marie’s life’s theme. She moved twenty-two times before settling into her first home. An Oregonian by birth, and as someone who graduated with a BS degree in education from Portland State University, Jeanette has swum in the Ligurian Sea, collected shells and sea glass along the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean oceans, Straits of Malacca, Gulf of Mexico, and the Andaman Sea. Her peripatetic lifestyle is courtesy of the US Air Force and her husband’s medical training. Passionate about needs in the third world after living in Thailand during her husband’s deployment, she has accompanied her husband on dozens of medical mission trips. Learn more at her website: www.jeanette-mariemirich.com

Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson

Edie Melson

Oh, friends, we're in for a treat today! Raise your hand if you've ever been burned out in your pursuit of your calling. Yeah, I see those hands in the back. (waving at you with my own raised hand) This fall, I learned about a book written by today's guest that has helped me find rest in the middle of the mayhem. Perhaps Edie Melson's advice will help you as well. Read on! ~ Annette

Soul Care for Writers

By Edie Melson

Those who write have opened themselves to specific stressors. We pull from what’s inside us to create a gift of words. Our specific goals and dreams are as varied at the words we use. But ultimately I believe we each fight this battle to bring forth words to make the world a better place. We are hope givers, joy bringers, and light shiners.

To do this though, we must have something to pull from. Writing is an exhausting endeavor and we cannot do it effectively when the well is dry. So we must constantly return to the One who understands us—and our craft—best.

God is the ultimate author, and it is His inheritance that we showcase when we put pen to paper. God planted a seed in each of us that bears the fruit of words. But this seed must be nurtured—shaded in the healing covering of His presence and watered by His spirit and His word.

It’s not always possible to stop in the middle of chaos and retreat to a place of peace. But we know from Jesus’ example that He often walked into chaos and brought peace. We carry His strength with us, so in the midst of deadlines, family struggles, even writer’s block we have that same inner core of peace inside of us. We just need to bring it to the forefront.

Tips for Soul Care When Chaos Threatens 

1.      Stop and Pray. I always pray before I begin writing—whether it’s an email, social media update, blog post or my current work in progress. In the spirit of transparency, you need to know that it took me way too long to develop this habit, but it makes all the difference. 

2.      Take a creative break. I know, deadlines are looming and it doesn’t feel like you’ve got thirty seconds to spare. But taking five minutes to reignite that creative flame may save you hours of work.

•  Free write using a writing prompt
• Download a coloring page and spend five minutes playing 
•  Write out a Bible verse on a piece of paper. Doodle around it and add color, underline words that speak to you.

3.      Take a walk. Not only will it get your blood pumping, it will get your creative blood pumping. When you return from your walk, take an extra couple of minutes and write down what you noticed on your walk. 

4.      Turn up the music. When I need creative inspiration, music is one way I get that. I may turn up praise music and sing along, or movie themes and do a little (very private) dancing. 

5.      Pull out your camera. I’m also a photographer and something magical happens when I take time to view life through the lens of my camera. It helps me remember to filter out and focus in on what’s important. It doesn’t matter if you have a big professional camera or are using your cell phone. The effect is the same. 

6.      Write in a different place. Go to a different spot in your house. Visit the library (if you like quiet) or a coffee shop.

There are many things that deplete our creative energy, both outward and inward. We must be responsible to take time to renew our reserves and reconnect with the One who called us to this endeavor. When I take time for soul care, I reconnect with God. It’s during these times of closeness, His Spirit floods mine with truth. It’s the truth of who I am and more importantly—Whose I am—that brings me relief.

Now it’s your turn. How do you nurture your writing soul? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Blessings,

Edie

~~~~~

Soul Care When You're Weary by Edie Melson

Soul Care When You're Weary

Our lives are busier each day, and the margin we have available for recovery and peace is shrinking. Edie Melson helps you find Soul Care solutions using devotions and prayers and opportunities for creative expression. She has learned that sensory involvement deepens our relationship with the Father and gives rest to our weary souls. She will teach you to tap into your creativity. Reconnect with God using your tactile creativity. Warning! This book may become dog-eared and stained. Draw in it. Experiment with your creative passions. Learn the healing power of play. Allow God’s power to flow through creativity. Soul Care When You’re Weary will become your heart treasure.

~~~~~

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, fellow creatives, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” Her latest book, Soul Care When You’re Weary is available online and in bookstores. Soul Care for Writers will debut in May 2019.

Her blog for writers, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month and has been named to the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Websites for Writers. She’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and Soul Care Creative Conference. She’s on the board of directors for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. She’s also a regular columnist for Just18Summers.com and PuttingOnTheNew.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Creativity in His Image by Linda W. Yezak

My favorite Bible study guide so far is Beth Moore's The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or, as I call it, Encountering God. This study is about the One True God revealed in His many titles that illustrate His attributes, characteristics, and personality. Beth's comments on page 28 of the study guide caught my attention and imagination:

Man's vast creativity and capability to spin a tale or unveil a mystery is just another part of how humans are created in the image of God. He is the master storyteller, weaving a thousand story lines together over the course of 66 books and many centuries.

As a writer, this just made my day. It confirmed my belief that creating worlds and people is Godlike—just as Godlike as healing the sick, judging the accused, ruling the nation. Just as Godlike as loving the unloved and unloveable, having mercy, understanding the misunderstood.

We have these abilities because God has these abilities to a degree far higher than we can possibly imagine. Doctors know about the human body only a miniscule portion of what the Creator of that body knows, but God shared His knowledge with them in order that they may heal others. Righteous judges can make righteous judgments based upon the wisdom the wisest Judge provides them. And so on throughout my examples: We can do what we do because He does it. He does in purity and perfection what we, in our humanness, tend to pervert, but still, we obtain our ability to do it at all because we are made in His image.

We can create and write and bring people to laughter or tears, joy or shame, because He gave us a tiny part of the creativity He possesses. Because we are made in His image, we are able to do to a minute degree what He does in an infinite degree.

We are not gods and we certainly aren't anywhere near God, but because we are created in His image, we have His qualities in us. Just think about it—the Creator/Possessor of Heaven and Earth gave His creative abilities to us.

Be encouraged in the knowledge that you were created in His image.

Have you had a special experience when it was driven home to you that what you created was God-inspired, that He pretty much used your fingers to type the story?

~~~~~~~

Though we don't do giveaways on Seriously Write, Linda wanted you to know she's running a special giveaway during her blog tour for Ride to the Altar. When you comment on any of the blogs in her tour, your name goes into a (figurative) cowboy hat in a drawing for the items in the photo: "a signed print version of the series, a 16-ounce Christian cowboy mug, a horseshoe picture frame, a Ph. 4:13 stretch bracelet, a cute set of magnetic page markers, and a Texas Rubiks cube." Tomorrow (7/26), she'll be visiting with Linda Glaz. 

Linda W. Yezak lives with her husband and their funky feline, PB, in a forest in deep East Texas, where tall tales abound and exaggeration is an art form. She has a deep and abiding love for her Lord, her family, and salted caramel. And coffee—with a caramel creamer. Author of award-winning books and short stories, she didn't begin writing professionally until she turned fifty. Taking on a new career every half century is a good thing.

Website: http://lindawyezak.com

Newsletter: http://dld.bz/CoffeewithLinda

Facebook: Author Page

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lyezak/

Twitter: @LindaYezak

Amazon Page: http://dld.bz/LWYAmazonPage

Goodreads: Linda W Yezak

I Don’t Have Time to Write by Angela Arndt

Smartphone games

I see you. You’re nodding and saying, “See? Someone finally understands. I’ve got to take the kids to school, go to work, pick them up in the afternoon, help with homework, cook dinner, wash dishes, put them to bed, then fall into bed myself. I’m so glad someone finally understands.”

Ahem. Wrong. You know there’s a story rattling around in your head. But writing is not a one-of-these-days concept. Someday will never come.

But you do have bits and pieces of time you can use so you can start writing today. How? Here are a few suggestions to help you find time:
Time-Wasters
Instead of playing Candy Crush, Solitaire, or Words with Friends, (you knew I'd start here) jot down a few ideas in an email and send it to yourself with the subject line: WIP. (Just using the acronym for “work-in-progress” feels writerly, doesn’t it?)

Time-Theft
On-hold with the insurance company, Department of Motor Vehicles, or doctor’s office? Close your eyes and imagine your opening scene: your hero or heroine in an action scene that will leave your readers wanting more. 
Jot down a few notes: what did you see, smell, touch, feel or even taste? After you hang-up, quickly use your phone’s voice recorder app to describe the scene in detail. Then, save the audio file to your WIP file. 

Bonus: use Apple Dictation and Google Docs Voice Typing to save time (they will transcribe as you dictate).

Taking Back More Time
Designate one spiral-bound notebook for your WIP notes and take it everywhere: from the doctor’s office, back to the exam room. If you’re blessed with “flying thumbs,” then open the text app on your phone and write away. There at least two multi-published authors who have written their ENTIRE BOOK on their phones. Honestly.

Someone forgot their notebook.

Dream Download
Speaking of having a notebook with you at all times, here’s another tip: keep it by your bed. Why?

 A professor I had (a Rhodes Scholar) said our brains continue to wrestle with our problems while we sleep. Have you ever woken up at 3 a.m. with a great idea? That’s your brain’s background processes at work. 

Use the light from your smartphone or a small book light to jot down the highlights of the dream in your notebook so you can read it in the morning. Or if you can talk without slurring or waking your spouse, use your speech-to-text app.

Bonus
Keep all those WIP emails in one place by setting up smart folders and filters in your email program. Use Share command to save voice memos to that folder.

Excuses, Excuses!
Waiting for the perfect time to sit for hours at a time in your local coffee shop is an excuse. Instead, grab every moment you can and write, write, write!

Next week I’ll talk about specific apps and programs that can help you take back time.

Where have you found time to write? What’s keeping you from writing the next Great American Novel?

About the Author

Angela Arndt

 Angela Arndt is Jesus-follower and God-lover. She loves to write women’s fiction with a thread of romance and tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their own “back roads” to find their joy in the Lord.


She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.


She's also team-member of Seriously Write. Click here for more posts by Angie. By the way, she'd love for you to join her on her website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. 

Writing Motivators by Glenn Haggerty

Motivation—I think that once you have the writing—storytelling bug, you have to write. Sure there are times I am discouraged, frustrated, and stonewalled. But once the pain wears off, all it takes is a little inspiration and . . .

10 Writing Motivators for Me

1. Reading books that I really like by other authors—Andrew Klavan has had a big impact on me—but there are so many great books out there, I’d leave too many out if I started listing them all!

2. A good night’s sleep.

3. Exercise. I often get some great ideas and insights as I ride my stationary bike.

4. A quiet, comfortable place to let your imagination roam.

5. Turn the phone off, and file the to-do lists for the day.

6. Great coffee is a must, strong and dark roast but with cream and sugar. Our Keurig makes a fast fix, but if I’m desperate, a shot of espresso and hot chocolate in a cup of skim milk will stimulate my creativity or power me through writer’s fatigue.

7. The majesty of creation. A starry night, a quiet forest, waves lapping on the shore and an endless horizon. A trip to the Arboretum, and if they are accessible, mountains, deserts, rivers and streams.

8. Prayer. Definitely.

9. A blank writing pad, or in my case, a blank word document in which to noodle, doodle and brainstorm.

10. And for me, Bible study. This impels me toward God’s perspective and helps me see others from His point of view. I also get excited about the unseen world that we encounter through faith.

I love those creative moments where you are in the character’s head and flying through a scene. I also like cleaning up the creative mess and honing the story into something you like. Don’t you?

Do you have any motivational tips to add to Glenn's?

~~~~~~

Glenn writes inspiring adventures with an edge. No matter how dark the day, finding hope to pursue the prize is the core of all his novels and studies. He is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), a graduate of Vision Loss Resources and Bethel Seminary, the father of six and grandfather of seven. Glenn likes tandem biking, kayaking, and daydreaming and lives in Minneapolis with his wife. He is also an award-winning author with short stories published in Splickety, Havok, Cadet Quest and Partners. Chase, the third book in his Intense series was released on April 1, 2018.

You can visit him at http://www.glennhaggerty.com  and reach him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GlennHaggertyAuthor, and on Twitter, @grhaggertyjr

Chase, Intense Book 3

Drugs infiltrate Tyler Higgins’ middle school turning ordinary kids into brain dead druggies. When his friend is infected, Tyler decides to cut the small town drug flow by ratting out the dealer before it’s too late.

Shadowing drug runners is risky business. A bow-hunter has already disappeared, and Tyler’s true adversary remains veiled. Soon everything goes sideways, but he doggedly follows the twisting trails, risking his friendships and his own neck. But he isn’t sure who he can trust, or if he can rescue anyone—including himself.

You can pick up your copy of Chase, Intense Book 3 here https://books2read.com/u/3yZOW6

And click here to get Escape, the first book in the Intense Series for FREE!  http://www.glennhaggerty.com/my-books/escape/

Kidspiration by Pepper Basham

I’m a mom before I’m a writer. It’s one of my favorite things to be. And I KNOW God has a sense of humor because he gave me five fun, crazy, challenging, and imaginative kiddos who’ve rocked my world in the best possible way. My oldest is 19 and my youngest is 10 – three boys and two girls.

It’s amazing how much these kids have direct inspiration on my life as a writer for several different reasons.

1. They teach me about ‘life’ which translates into my stories – Living life with a bunch of people who have different personalities, interests, and ways of seeing the world creates amazing opportunities for different discussions and perspectives. I hope that comes out in my stories. I like variety in characters and concepts, even if all of my books are romances. My kids have grown me as a person and a Christian, and I hope readers benefit from that in my stories.

2. They help me write kid-stuff – I LOVE to add kids into my books, in fact a few of my characters have been directly inspired by my kids. I think kids can add levity and depth to stories in a very different way than an all-adult cast can do. Getting to experience that in real-life certainly impacts the way I write about it in fiction.

3. They keep my imagination active – Oh boy, do they!! I’ve engaged in front-yard sword-battles, Nerf gun attacks, fantasy-world dress-up, new gaming opportunities (Go Mario, Zelda, and Minecraft). In my upcoming novel, I even allude to a very fun Nintendo game. With my oldest son (19 years old), I get to talk about character development and story creation because he’s a writer too. My 15-year-old daughter loves to talk books and movies with me. My 17-year-old son and I discuss various gaming story world – and all of those discussion push my imagination into motion in different ways. It’s so much fun!!

4. They’re invested in my writing journey too – My kids pray with me before I submit a proposal to publishers. Isn’t that SWEET? They also ask me about my imaginary people in my imaginary worlds. And they’re fantastic cheerleaders. My 15-year-old daughter has been my ‘assistant’ to all of my local book signings and has even traveled with me to conferences before because she loves joining me in this journey. It’s been super fun to introduce her to my writing buddies 😊

As a side note – I’m doubly inspired because I work with kids in my “day job” as a speech-language pathologist. In my current WIP, I’m including a character who has a repaired cleft lip and palate, and I hope to continue to be inspired by these amazing kids that I serve to incorporate them into my future stories.

I can’t imagine being on this journey without the support of my kids…and am grateful for the purposeful and ‘accidental’ inspiration they provide to help me create believable, fun, and creative characters 😊

Who do you take along on your writing journey?

~~~~~~

 

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes novels inspired by her love for history and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her Penned in Time series has garnered recognition in the INSPYs, Grace Awards, and the ACFW Carol Awards. Her contemporary romance novel, A Twist of Faith, received 4-stars from Romantic Times, and most recently, her newest release, The Thorn Healer, received a Top Pick from RT with 4 ½ stars. Her newest contemporary romance, Just the Way You Are, released in April 2017. You can connect with Pepper over at her group blog, The Writer’s Alley, her website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.