Genealogy of Faith - A Life Story by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

The genealogy of my faith life begins, like most people, at the feet of my mom and dad. They raised me to embrace my faith, but make it an individual, personal matter. They didn’t spoon-feed me doctrine or theology. Instead, they led by example, showing me integrity, heart, service and love in all that they do. Nothing was forced on me; I was expected to decide upon and embrace spiritual matters on my own.

When I married, my husband became an integral part of my genealogy of faith. I’ve spent considerable time over the last few months re-reading precious letters and cards we’ve exchanged over the years, and from the very beginning, when we were dating and freshly landed in that romantic world of falling in love, one thing stood firm in our relationship. God. Trust in His plan and provision. Even in the darkest of times, we learned to lean on that faith and trust Him.

When I married Steve, I married into the most remarkable and wonderful family. I’m the baby of my family, and the only girl, so I was both thrilled and intimidated by the prospect of gaining a sister-in-law. Mary is the lone sister in Steve’s family, the middle-child in a family that claims six brothers. She’s my mentor, one of my very best friends. Long ago, we attended a Christian retreat in the stunning mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Our sister-in-law, Kathy accompanied, and from that moment on, we became sisters in the truest sense of the word, bound by passionate ministries (Kathy and her husband John are missionaries to Honduras, Mary conducts Spirit-led programs that feature Scripture, music and her gifts as an artist).

From there, the story continues. Steve and I have done our best to follow God’s lead when it comes to sharing that legacy with our children. Like our parents before us, and those we’ve enjoined during the course of our lives, we trust God. We preach with words, but we preach more with our lives and how we live out our faith and convictions. We know He has them in the palm of His hand, even when we question and doubt and watch them go through their own battles and anxieties.

We’re born with a fundamental and life-long need for God, but we need to be guided along that pathway by those who have walked it before us. I’m grateful for the way that truth has come to life for me as I move from one season of my life to the next. Who are your spiritual mentors? Who has guided you along the way toward embracing a life governed by faith? Take a moment to consider their impact.

And thank them.

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Thank your mentor!
Who inspires your journey of faith?

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Aiden Balfour has always craved stability, independence and security. He’s led a rocky life but always treasured his summers in Northern Michigan with his best summertime friend, Olivia Masters.

Olivia is dedicated to preserving the life she’s known and always treasured at her grandparent’s home high on a bluff overlooking the pristine waters of Avalon. With their blessing, she’s turned the expansive piece of property into a quaint, restful bed and breakfast.

But developers are circling—and they’re led by none other than Aiden Balfour.

Now an ambitious businessman, he’s determined to turn the lake into a tourist mecca. A successful business owner, Olivia is equally determined to stop him...no matter what his hold on her heart.

Can the innocent joy and love of their youth be reclaimed? Can Then…and now…ever be reconciled to a future overflowing with love, and hope?

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Then & Now is part of the Pure Amore imprint at Pelican Book Group. Pure Amore is a ‘book of the month’ subscription service featuring Christian romances centered on the concept of pre-marital purity and abstinence that doesn’t surrender one moment of the thrill to be found when two people fall in love. Check out Then & Now and the other wonderful Pure Amore titles at Pelican Book Group.

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Marianne Evans is a multi-award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction with over twenty titles to her credit. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Happily married and the mother of two, Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan who is active in a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

Connect with Marianne:

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon ~ Pinterest

Are You Allowing Yourself to Be Sharpened? by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli is one of my critique partners. While, like me, she's still waiting for that publishing contract, I have to say I've been reading her novels for over four years and her work is marvelous. Today, Heidi shares some wisdom she's picked up along the road she's traveling to publication. -- Sandy

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17

Heidi: I have a love/hate relationship with critiques, as I think many writers might. I need those critiques, can’t write without them, certainly can’t pass in anything worthy to an agent or editor without that second or third…or fourth pair of eyes. But as a new writer, critiques were my nemesis.

I remember walking up to a table for a critique appointment at the 2010 ACFW Conference. Behind the table, a well-known accomplished historical fiction writer. She’d read my first chapter, had ample time to realize that I was gifted, that nothing in my manuscript needed to be changed, that she must recommend me to her agent. Ummm…yeah, right. Didn’t go exactly as planned.

This author gave me wonderful advice that morning. Unfortunately, her suggestions didn’t make it past my pride. This piece of iron didn’t want to be sharpened. I wanted to stay dull and useless. All I heard was, You can’t write.

Failure.

Fast forward three years to another appointment, different place, different manuscript, and hopefully a lot of growth—both in my writing and in my heart. This time, when I waited for my appointment and critique, I did so with not quite so much naivety. My critiquer, an author whom I greatly respect, would no doubt tell me everything wasn’t perfect with those sweat-inducing first five pages. She would have suggestions. But this time, I would listen.

I’m learning there’s no room for pride in my writing life (and certainly not in any of my life!)—not if I want to improve, not if I want to humble myself and my work to others and offer it up to the Lord as a worthy sacrifice. Others have been on this road much longer than me. To glean from their knowledge and wisdom is an important step in my own writing career. If I allow myself to be sharpened—and even endure that temporary pain to my pride—then I’m confident I will improve and one day be useful, bearing fruit for God’s kingdom through my writing.

Who has been instrumental in sharpening you as a writer?

~~~

Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and pursues the craft of writing by rising before dawn—the only time her house is quiet.

A Tribute to a Mentor by Sandra Robbins

I recently told a friend that writing can be a very lonely profession. An author spends the day alone in an office as he/she struggles to translate the story in the head into words that will catch the interest of readers and keep them turning the pages. Before we know it, we may feel isolated and question if we’re really cut out for this kind of work. That’s why we all need someone—a mentor who understands our doubts, our fears, and our hopes because they’ve walked that path before.

To my way of thinking there are two types of mentors: the professional one and the personal one. The professional mentor is usually a colleague who understands the writing life and what it takes to get a book published. They offer constructive criticism on areas that need improvement and advice on making the right choices that will impact the writer’s professional future.

The personal one may never have had a desire to write one sentence, but they possess characteristics that make a person want to become the best they can be. They are people who are well-respected and who care about those around them. They offer support and are always available to listen. The word that comes to mind is cheerleader. They are the entire cheerleader squad rolled into one individual who stands on the sideline and chants for their mentee to make that goal.

Although I’ve had both types in my life, the most important one was my mother who never stopped being my cheerleader. She encouraged me to step out on faith and write my first book even though I had a full time job as a school principal. When it was published, she rejoiced more than I did and took my characters to her heart. One piece of advice she gave me many times was a quote one of her teachers wrote on her report card when she was a girl: Hitch your wagon to a star, and you’ll go far. She knew that I could achieve my goals if I put my trust in God and let Him lead me. And she was right. God opened doors for me that I could never have done for myself.

July 31st is her birthday, but I won’t be celebrating it with her this year. She passed away on May 9th after a long illness. At her funeral I wasn’t surprised at the stories told to me by friends and family of how she’d helped and encouraged them in their lives. She had written her eulogy in the inspiration and support she’d given others throughout her life.

So I offer this tribute to her today. I pray that I can be an encouragement to someone like she was to so many, because I want the joy she received from giving to others. But what about you? There’s someone out there waiting for you to become their mentor. I pray you find each other soon.

Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town where she grew up. Until a few years ago she was working as an elementary school principal, but God opened the door for her to become a full-time writer. Her books have been finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Contest for excellence in mystery writing, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Holt Medallion, and the ACFW Carol Award. Since Sandra is a Southerner by birth, she enjoys setting her historical romance and romantic suspense books in both the past and present-day South. Her latest book Angel of the Cove releases August 1 from Harvest House Publishers. To find out more about Sandra and her books go to http://sandrarobbins.net or send her an email at sandra@sandrarobbins.net

In the first book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, Angel of the Cove, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins weaves a tale of love, loss, and God's faithfulness in every circumstance.

Anna Prentiss has never wanted to be anything but a nurse. Before she can start school in New York, however, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city.

But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, or the community and friendships she finds there. And she certainly wasn't prepared for Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, or the feelings he arouses in her. Has God's plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?

Giving Back Series, Part Three: Mentoring

Mentoring
Giving Back Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Over the years, I’ve witnessed a lot of selfless giving within the Christian writing community. Authors like Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Brandilyn Collins, Colleen Reece and so many others who mentor writers with sincere hopes of their pupil’s success. Then, when one of these “students” signs a contract or publishes an article, the mentor cheers from the sidelines, genuinely pleased with the breakthrough.

It takes a servant’s heart to mentor someone and a lot of grace to wish someone well in their writing, as you strive for success as well. Hmm… a servant’s heart, and grace. Reminds me of God and His character.

Mentoring was His idea. In the Bible, He directs people who are farther along in their journey as Christians or life to mentor those who are less far along.

It’s natural (and wise) for writers to be recipients for a long time—years, in fact. We sit as students, learning, growing, receiving, taking lessons in.

But then the time comes when we recognize we have something to give. There are writers coming up behind us who haven’t learned about deep POV, in-depth character sketches, subtexts, marketing, or platform. We have something to offer, and not just in teaching. Encouragement too. You can reassure someone else as they learn to wait for responses from editors or agents. You can nudge them to begin new projects, help them brainstorm plots, critique their work. I've been very grateful for the mentors God has brought into my life.

Mentoring relationships often just happen. Circumstance and timing align and viola! You have yourself a mentor or a mentee. You don’t have to force it. Just be willing, should God nudge you in that direction.

I saw a great quote on Facebook recently from worshiper Darrell Evans, who graciously permitted me to share it with you: “Ministry is always about serving someone else’s destiny.” Mentoring is a form of ministry, another great way to give back.

Do you have a mentor? How has he/she blessed your writing life?