Trusting the Author of All Things by Jennifer Erin Valent

Welcome to Fortifying Friday, the day here at Seriously Write when guest authors share encouraging words and pieces of their personal journeys to publication. Dawn here. I’m excited to have Jennifer Erin Valent with us today. Her article, “Trusting the Author of All Things,” spoke to my heart. I have a feeling it will touch many of you, as well. Thanks, Jennifer.

Trusting the Author of All Things

by Jennifer Erin Valent

There are a lot of books out there about how to write and get published. If you’re a writer, you’ve probably got a stack of them on your desk. And while they can provide a ton of useful information on anything from composing query letters to executing strong manuscript formatting, there’s one thing you’ll never find on the shelf at Barnes and Noble… how to find and follow your specific path as a writer.

Each of us was created with individual personalities, ways of communicating, and abilities; and, all of that was put together by a Creator who knows exactly why He made us the way He did, why He placed us here, and what we’re meant to do while we inhabit this planet.

It’s easy, when we love writing as we do, to search for our niche rather than to pray for it. We become so actively involved in this business of writing that it’s difficult to keep our focus on why we’re pursuing it in the first place.

But just like anything, when we don’t focus on the important stuff, the little stuff gets blown all out of proportion and we begin to rely on ourselves for things we aren’t capable of. And that leads to burn-out.

And trust me, in the six or so years it took me to get my foot in the door of publishing, I had plenty of experience with being burnt out! There is nothing easy about becoming a writer. In fact, there’s nothing easy about staying a writer. There are endless disappointments, frustrations, rejections and doors slammed in the face. It’s part of the package.

But what kept me ticking (and still does!) was refocusing on why I was writing in the first place. I was led there, plain and simple. I didn’t grow up wanting to write. The desire came to me out of the blue in my twenties and pestered me until I had given up full-time work—and my own personal goals—to throw myself into an entirely new field, because I knew it was what the Lord was leading me to do.

What I can tell you from experience as an aspiring author is that each move I’ve made because I felt led by the Holy Spirit has developed into some form of progress in my career or personal growth. But the things I’ve pursued because I felt I should, or because someone else said I should, did nothing but waste time and energy and end in frustration.

So my encouragement to all of you who are trying to break through that publishing barrier is to take this journey and place it at the Lord’s feet. Ask Him to provide you with His vision each step of the way. Spend time in prayer, and when you don’t know for certain how to act, don’t. Just wait. “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25, NAS).

In a world where it seems your life is at the whim of faceless editors, harsh critics, and economic impact, remember that it’s not. Your life is in the hands of the One who breathed it into existence. What better place to go for guidance than the One who calls, directs, equips, and never breaks His promises?

Jennifer Erin Valent is the winner of the 2007 Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest and a 2010 Christy Award. A lifelong resident of the South, her surroundings help to color the scenes and characters she writes. She has spent the past 17 years working as a nanny and has dabbled in freelance, writing articles for various Christian women's magazines. She lives in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

To find out more about Jennifer

and her books, please visit

http://www.jennifervalent.com/
http://www.jennifervalent.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jennifer-Erin-Valent/61553893146
http://www.tyndale.com/Jennifer-Erin-Valent/bio

Goal Setting by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Happy New Year! This first Manuscript Monday of 2011, let's dive into goal setting with a very prolific writer, Kim Vogel Sawyer. We hope you're inspired to approach your own writing this year with renewed enthusiasm. Enjoy!

Goal Setting
by Kim Vogel Sawyer

God gave me the privilege of publication. Along with contracts comes little details, like deadlines. Because my deadlines tumble one on top of another at a rather rapid pace (I have a book due every four months), I don’t have a lot of wiggle time between those “turn it in NOW” dates. Consequently, I discipline myself to stick to a writing schedule.

Since my novels are supposed to be between 90 and 100K words (and I seem to always lean toward the longer edge of that range), and since I usually take a couple of weeks for research/character-building and a couple of weeks for editing, that leaves approximately twelve weeks for the actual writing. Bring on the daily goal chart!

Twelve weeks equates to 84 days. But I immediately subtract 12, because I don’t write on Sundays. It’s a personal thing. :o) That leaves 72 days. Then I cross off the 12 Saturdays. If I get in a pinch I might write on Saturday, but I really try to keep those open either for family, speaking events, or book signings. That brings me down to 60 days. 60 days to write 100K words! Are you panicking yet? Honestly, it’s doable. When you divide 100K by 60, you get roughly 1700 words needed each of those days to meet the deadline. I bump that number up to 2000, which is approximately eight pages. That doesn’t sound so overwhelming, does it?
So here’s my goal: an average of 10,000 words per week. I record my daily word count as well as a running total to keep track of where I am in the completion of the novel. If I fall behind one week due to outside commitments or appointments, I make it up the following week. Seeing that number climb toward the magic 100,000 words is very motivating.

Something else that keeps me motivated is finding an accountability partner—someone who asks on a daily basis, “How’d the writing go today?” Or even just posting my count on Facebook gives me an accountability. If I reach my goal—i.e., turn in the book on time!—I reward myself and my husband (because he has to leave me alone and let me write!) with a dinner out.

Basically, setting goals gives me a tangible something to work toward. It insures I’ll be pleasing my publisher by sticking to their schedule for the book, and it lets me have a life outside of my office, too. Because when I meet my daily word count, I know I’ve completed my task for the day and can go see the grandkiddos or visit a friend or take my mom to lunch or just play with my cats. So meeting the goal has its rewards.

Writing takes discipline, and establishing and meeting goals is a big part of that. Blessings to you as you write for Him!

~~~~~

Kim's latest book, Courting Miss Amsel, released January 1, 2011.

Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

~~~~~

A former elementary school teacher who loves "C" words like children, cats, and chocolate, Kim Vogel Sawyer has become one of the most beloved authors writing for the inspirational market today. Drawn to her gentle stories and connecting with the spiritual truths in them, readers continue to fall in love with Kim’s novels. Kim and her husband are empty-nesters who make their home on the beautiful plains of central Kansas, the setting for many of her books.

To Soar Like an Eagle

Thursdays - Dawn's Devotions for Writers

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

How are you doing this week? Are you making it through with a smile on your face? Or are you feeling a bit bogged down?

You may have just returned from the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference a few days ago and are still trying to get your bearings after a wonderful, but crazy four or five days. There’s unpacking, laundry, mail to go through, (not to mention all the e-mail accumulated in your box while you were absent) and the kids and/or spouse may be tugging on you for attention. Let’s not forget how tired you may feel after all the adrenaline rushes and nights with little sleep that conferences provide. Add in the pull to get requested submissions sent off to editors and agents.

Or you may be trying to balance the day job, the kid’s extra-curricular activities, housework, volunteer responsibilities, and—oh, yes, you can’t ignore the characters in your manuscript screaming at you to move them along in their story.

I didn't attend the ACFW conference this year. Instead, I flew to another state to attend my niece’s wedding. Family traveled to the Midwest from both coasts. The event was amazing and she was a stunning bride. But it was definitely a whirlwind weekend. We arrived home happy and blessed by the trip, but also exhausted. I began tackling all that needed to be accomplished this week when all I really wanted to do was curl up in bed with a good book and not talk to anyone for several days. Not a chance.

Friends, who are also writers, are going through some major challenges concerning health issues, finances, and various struggles with family members. Those things can wear a person out.

Sometimes writing can be tiring because it is “work.” But because we love it—because it’s our passion—it can also be invigorating. Energizing. It’s all the other stuff that we feel we need to deal with before or after we write that drains us.

What do you do when you’re stressed? Tired? Fighting for time?

I reach for another cup of strong coffee. Sugar in any form. A glass of wine.

I sometimes forget that what I could be doing—should be doing—is going to the Lord for my strength.

Why don’t I go directly to Him??? Is it easier to grab chocolate than to sit for a moment and ask my Lord for the strength—the energy—I need? I don’t know about you, but I’d like to run and not grow weary . . . And soar on wings like eagles? That sounds pretty good!

Of course God isn’t hanging around waiting for us to request an energy boost. But I believe He does care about our well-being. That includes trying to meet our responsibilities and desires regarding our families and jobs—while still fulfilling the passion and calling He’s instilled within our hearts.

Next time you feel burdened by all that needs to be done, ask God to renew your strength.

And have a great week!

Dawn

Just Keep Trying Suzanne Woods Fisher

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher joined us on May 12 for our Writer’s Journey Wednesday to talk about the importance of paying attention to the world around us. This Fortifying Friday she returns to Seriously Write to encourage writers with her story. Welcome Suzanne!

Just Keep Trying

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV).

Simon gave up too easily. He had been fishing hard all night long with only a few measly fish to show for it. He and his partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, went back to shore, tired and discouraged, pulled in their nets, and started to pack up the tools of their trade for another day.

Surrounded by a crowd of people, Jesus had been standing by the lake and noticed the boats. He asked Simon if he could teach from the boat. To appease Him,Simon put the boat out into the water a little distance from the shore so Jesus could have a little breathing room for His lessons.

Afterwards, in a touching sign of lavish generosity, Jesus asked Simon to “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Imagine what went through Simon’s mind: Look, Jesus, the fish, if there are any to be found, aren’t biting today. I just cleaned and stored my nets and tools for another day. I’ll have to start all over again. Still, Simon liked this Jesus fellow and decided to oblige him. “Because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).

You can guess the rest of the story. The nets were so full that they had to call in another boat and then the boats were so full of slippery, gasping fish that they both began to sink!

What if Simon had refused Jesus’ offer? What if he had decided to keep his tools locked up and out of sight? Stored safely away, waiting for a better day to fish? What if Simon had limited Jesus?

Recently, I had an experience like Simon’s. I had written an article that I felt was well-edited and full of impact, but it was rejected by all of the magazines for which I usually wrote. Discouraged, I thought of one more venue to try. An unlikely candidate, too. In fact, not only was it a prestigious magazine, but they did almost everything in-house,rarely accepting freelance work.

As I stood at the mailbox, opening the lid to insert the envelope, I ran an objection past the Lord one more time. “God, do you realize that this magazine is probably going to reject the article like all of the others?” And yet, I felt His prompting to keep trying. Just keep at it. With a thud, I heard the envelope slip down and land at the bottom of the mail container.

One week later, the editor contacted me with an enthusiastic acceptance. He made very few changes in the article and had already scheduled it for publication. Better still, a working relationship developed between us that has resulted in more accepted submissions. My boat felt full to the point of sinking!


Prayer: Today, Lord, I give You my leaky boat, my discouraged frame of mind, my bum luck at fishing. You ask me to get out my unused nets, unspool them, and put out into deep water. Why would You ask that? I was just out there. I came back with empty nets and a dose of discouragement. But You asked, and by faith, I will try again. Forgive me for quitting too soon, for limiting You. Lord, sometimes I just need to try again. Today, by faith, I need to remember to look to You to fill my nets. Amen.

Reflection

Can you think of a time recently when you gave up too easily? What did you learn from that experience?

What did it teach you about God? What do you think God wants you to expect from Him?

“Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NAS).




Suzanne Woods Fisher lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and was a free-lancer writer for magazines while her children were growing up. She published her first novel, Copper Star, with a small press. That book won three literary awards and caught the eye of a literary agent, Joyce Hart. Joyce knew that Suzanne had a family connection to the Plain People (Suzanne’s grandfather was raised Plain) and introduced her to an editor at Revell Books. Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World was the result of that new publishing relationship. It is a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book of the Year Award. ‘Lancaster County Secrets,’ a fiction series about the Old Order Amish, soon followed Amish Peace. The Choice, the first in the series, was a CBD, CBA and ECPA bestseller, and was the Crossings’ Book Club Main Selection. Suzanne has contracts with Revell for eight more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction. She is also the host of “Amish Wisdom” on toginet.com, a weekly radio program featuring guests who are connected to living a simple life.

To learn more, or to connect with Suzanne:

Web site: http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/
Facebook: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Twitter: suzannewfisher
E-mail: Suzanne@suzannewoodsfisher.com

How to Chase Away the Writer’s Blues by Christy Barritt

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker. This Writer’s Journey Wednesday, she’s here to share tips on what to do when feeling discouraged.

How to Chase Away the Writer's Blues

Seasons of discouragement come and go for every author. But sometimes when it hits, it hits hard. Numerous authors have walked — or attempted to walk — away from writing as self doubt begins to plague them, burying itself in their self-confidence and assurances.

When you begin to feel discouraged, here are a few important things to remember:

* Rejections don’t mean you’re not good. Rejections happen to all of us. They're unavoidable and don't mean we're bad writers. They mean your story didn't fit a need or didn't meet an editor's preference.

* Know that publishing isn’t instantaneous. Some writers spend ten plus years working on developing their craft before they're ever published. Be patient. Dreams rarely come true overnight and neither does being published.

* Write and then write some more. The best way to learn how to write is by writing and reading. This helps us develop our skills. Someone once said writers have the longest apprenticeship of any profession. I don't know if that's true, but it does take time to become a good writer.

* Become a sponge. Join writers groups, take workshops or college courses on improving your craft. Soak up everything you can and continue to learn.

* Give yourself a break. Sometimes the best thing one can do is step back from writing and take a breather. This will give us a clear head and oftentimes a renewed inspiration.

* Seek God’s approval. Pray that God will remove or strengthen your desire according to His will. If He has other, bigger and better plans for your life, then ask Him to show you those and give you the strength to pursue other mediums.

* Don’t entertain negative thoughts. They will fester and grow. Deal with them and move on.

* If you can walk away from writing, then you should. This is the most difficult piece of advice but it’s true. If writing is something you’d feel good about leaving and not returning to, then you should. Writers have a passion for their work — a call. If writing is truly your passion, you won't be able to walk away.

* Get the opinion of someone valued and trusted. If you’re truly questioning if writing is what you should be doing and if you have any talent at it, then find someone who knows English and writing and get their opinion. Plead for honesty. Sometimes, we’re met to write for ourselves and other times, we’re met to write for others. Talking to someone trusted might help you find out which category you fall into.

* Press on toward the prize. Remember, it’s God who sustains you. Let Him hold you up and carry you through.

To find out more about Christy and her work, please visit her Web site.


Christy Barritt’s newest book, Suspicious Minds (Kregel, 2008) is a lighthearted mystery about a sassy crime-scene cleaner who likes to stick her nose into police business. The book won the inspiration category for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery. The first book in the series was Hazardous Duty, a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year contest. She’s also the co-author of Changed: True Stories of Finding God in Christian Music (Standard, 2005). She’s married to Scott, a teacher and funny man extraordinaire. They have one son, 2 dogs, and a houseplant named Martha. When Christy’s not writing, she enjoys having coffee with friends, taking crazy road trips that usually involve no maps and flipping coins, and making her three-year-old giggle.

Dinged Up, But Not Done In! by Sharlene MacLaren

It's Fortifying Friday and today we welcome guest author, Sharlen MacLaren. Sit back . . . enjoy . . . and soak in her words of encouragment.

Dinged Up, But Not Done In!

I like to think of myself as a collectable teacup, once a perfect, brand new design, but now chipped and a bit dinged up in places, but still quite functional – and really, not that bad looking – from afar, that is. Get too close and you’re bound to see a number of spots and imperfections that even a boatload of the most expensive makeup won’t cover! I am God’s creation and no matter my age or stage, He still has plans for me. I may be full of flaws, but God sees straight through them to the willing vessel that I am and somehow sees fit to use me. And the same rings true for all of you, my precious readers.

At 52, I was beginning to think of myself as a rather worthless teacup. Unsettling things had come along to interrupt my easy-flowing life, putting chips and cracks in my once appealing, practical, nifty, nearly flawless teacup. Children leaving the nest, my lifelong career as a teacher ending, my beloved mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the loss of an adored family pet, unwarranted, and irrational fears leading to an emotional and physical breakdown all played major roles in damaging my teacup—almost to the point of rendering it useless.

Until I opened my ears and heart to hear the gentlest, stillest, softest whisper: “I am in the mending business, and if you will give Me your broken, chipped, and flawed life, (that nearly shattered teacup), I will put it back together and use you for My glory.”

Did you know God’s Word speaks volumes when you read it with a fully surrendered heart? Like a famished child I began to consume it, allowing it to wash over me like a cleansing, soothing fountain. About that same time, the Lord started speaking to me about trying my hand at writing fiction. What? I hadn’t dabbled in fiction writing since filling up spiral notebooks with silly teenage romances way back in high school! How could a 50s something woman begin a brand new career in writing? Well, I am here to tell you that where God is concerned age has NO borders, NO bearing, and NO boundary. The only thing that matters to Him is that in response to His invitation to follow His lead, you take His hand and say, “I’m coming, Lord.”

Your imperfections don’t matter to Him; he can mold you into the person He wants you to be. Your inabilities are insignificant to Him; He can equip you with all that you need to fulfill His mission. Your lack of confidence is inconsequential; He will supply you with His confidence and His knowledge.

Stay the course, my precious friends. If you feel like a cracked, chipped, worthless teacup, you’re in a good place. Truly! Remember, God is in the repairing business and is always up for a challenge!

Shar MacLaren, award-winning author
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com/
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com/
http://www.shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren

Biography for Sharlene MacLaren

After 31 years of teaching second and fourth grades, Shar decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" and it's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, and inspiring adventure. One thing she knows for certain—God dropped a seed of passion for writing in her heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. She signed on with Whitaker House in early 2006 and in January of ‘07 released Through Every Storm, a general fiction title that finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year. On the wings of that came her beloved, bestselling Little Hickman Creek Series and more recently The Daughters of Jacob Kane, another 3-book, historical set. Shar won the “Road to Romance” Reviewers’ Choice Award and earned a third place standing in the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest in 2008 and 2009. Shar has done numerous countrywide book-signings, television and radio appearances, and countless interviews. She has been married to the love of her life for almost 34 years, has two wonderful daughters and two handsome sons-in-law. The joys of her life, however, are her adorable grandchildren. Besides her involvement in music at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church, Shar has been a speaker for the local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE, USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the international APPLES OF GOLD program, and attends two bi-weekly Bible studies. She and her darling husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with Dakota, their loveable collie, and Mocha, their lazy fat cat.