How My “Big Mouth” Helped Me Achieve A Lifelong Dream by Rhonda Starnes

I’ve known that I wanted to be an author ever since I was in middle school, and over the years I’ve shared that dream with a lot of people. However, I didn’t start writing and actively seeking publication until seven years ago, after my children were grown and life had settled down a bit.

Even though I’d always been vocal about my dream, I only told a handful of people when I submitted my first manuscript to an editor. After all, if the editor hated my writing, I didn’t want everyone to know I failed. My husband, Mountain Man, wasn’t as hesitant to share, and he told several people that I was going to be published. I tried to tell him that getting a book published wasn’t as easy as he tried to make it sound, but that didn’t stop him from believing in my ability to write a book an editor would love. Mountain Man’s confidence spurred me on and soon I was telling everyone that I’d written a book. I was even sharing the information with my 7th and 8th grade students. Of course, telling them I’d written a book was a lot easier than having to tell them when I received the rejection. The editor liked my characters and said I did a good job conveying the emotion but my writing needed “a bit more work on structure and pacing.” All in all, it was a very kind rejection letter.

A year later, I participated in a pitch opportunity titled The Search for a Killer Voice that was hosted by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Like the previous time, I wasn’t planning to tell anyone. I had learned my lesson. There was no way I wanted anyone to know if I failed, again. Only, this ‘contest’ was being conducted in four rounds, and after I made it to the second round, I could not contain my excitement. So, I opened my big mouth and soon everyone knew I was writing another book. My students cheered me on and were almost as excited as I was when I made it all the way to the final round. Then I received a revision request, followed by another and eventually a rejection. For the next four years, I found myself in a similar cycle. I’d enter a contest, sharing that information with my students, only to eventually end up with a rejection.

You may be wondering why I would continue to share my writing journey with so many people, especially my students. That’s really very simple. After I had shared the first time, there was no taking it back. Whenever I saw a former student (whether it be at the grocery store or if they stopped by my classroom) they would always ask me if I had sold a book, yet. I knew that my response to these rejections would teach my current and former students how to handle their own setbacks in life. If I wanted them to work hard to achieve their dreams, I had to be willing to work hard, too, even if there were times that I really wanted to give up.

Honestly, knowing that they were watching to see if I would stick it out long enough to become published was a pretty good motivator for not giving up. And, it’s a good thing, too, because this past September (six years and four manuscripts later) I received the call I’d been waiting on. Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line wanted to publish my book.

My debut novel, Rocky Mountain Revenge, released this month.

Honestly, knowing that they were watching to see if I would stick it out long enough to become published was a pretty good motivator for not giving up.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVENGE 

To survive her deadly homecoming, she’ll need to trust a man from her past… Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

Buy Links:

Amazon - https://amzn.to/2Zgb4h7

Barnes & Nobel - https://bit.ly/3eLAyti

Walmart - https://bit.ly/3dK9skW

Target - https://bit.ly/3eGFTSH

Kobo - https://bit.ly/2VG39c9

Google - https://bit.ly/2BWWQd4

Apple - https://apple.co/2VFOVrA

Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.

www.rhondastarnes.com

https://www.facebook.com/RhondaStarnesAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/rhonda_starnes/

https://twitter.com/Rhonda_Starnes

No-No Naysayers Have You Down? Seek Out the Encouragers by Cynthia Herron

From the moment we’re born, encouragement takes root.

Mom and Dad cheer as we try and succeed at new things.

Friends motivate us with kind words and recognition.

Our influential sphere—confidantes and colleagues—inspire us to persevere and think beyond the comfortable.

During our life journey, as we mature, we realize the value of encouragement. It buoys us during life-stretching seasons. It strengthens our resolve and boosts our confidence.

It grows us in ways we don’t often recognize until we’re farther along on the path.

Perhaps, it’s this encouragement that shapes our next journey. Perhaps, it’s the sum of everything we’ve ever experienced and the realization that without the bad, we can’t fully appreciate the good.

We can’t inspire others in their journey unless we’ve struggled in our own. (I’ve shared my journeys here and here.)

And sometimes, we balk at the journey because, let’s be honest—the muck and mire part aren’t fun. The crud is real and it’s hard.

We may want to linger a while and absorb the emotion.

That’s okay.

For a time.

Then we move on.

We go to those bright spots that prompt joy—the ones that cause hope to surge.

Whatever your bright spot—writing, gardening, crafting or creating—here are five thoughts to consider during your journey.

I promise you’ll feel better.

1. Why Positive People Have More Fun – Have you met “Jackie”? Here’s why I ask.

2. How to Stay Motivated Despite Chronic Complainers – No-No Nellies will zap your energy. Healthy ways to disengage now.

3. Trapped By Doubt? Ditch It! – Sometimes, you’ll fail. Relax. You’ll move past it.

4. Ditch Doubt, Define Your Destiny – Reboot your mindset and reshape your thinking. Why your life depends on it.

5.Don’t Be Daunted by Dream-Crushers – Kick agendas to the curb. Reframe your focus.

Bonus: Why Joy Matters – Happiness isn’t a given. Truth beyond the crud.

Now, a little story for you.

When I was in grade school, I dreaded the possibility of one day having a specific teacher. Even as a child, I recognized his teaching style as iron-fisted and unyielding.

“Mr. Downer” (not his real name, of course) was tall, dark, and anything BUT handsome. His brooding countenance didn’t lend itself to attractiveness. He never had a kind word for the students and he rarely smiled. To complete the picture, Mr. Downer’s thick, bushy eyebrows beelined across his lower forehead making him seem perpetually frustrated.

The day I found out he was to be my teacher for the next school year, I promptly threw up. I wondered how I’d ever survive.

Already, I sensed he didn’t like me. Mr. Downer detested anything fun. Laughter, smiles, questions, creativity. You name it.

Still, just like my favorite heroine, Pollyanna, I pulled out my “glad card” and determined to be glad for at least three reasons:

• It could always be worse. I didn’t see how, but that’s the line I’d always heard adults use.

• Maybe Mr. Downer wasn’t such a grumpy soul after all. I bet I could cheer him up. And maybe, just maybe, a pig would fly.

• Perhaps, Mr. Downer was a great teacher. And one can put up with a lot if there’s motivation to learn. Good grades = grade advancement and a new teacher the following year.

I’ll never forget the morning I whispered to my neighbor…and got caught.

I was actually answering my classmate’s question, but of course, I was the one Mr. Downer heard.

Yikes.

Immediately, he summoned me to the front of the classroom.

“Recite the ABCs for us.”

Oh no.

I was in fifth grade. I knew Mr. Downer’s tactic, but I didn’t fully understand the term yet. I understood the emotion though. Humiliation.

“Um…oh…kaaay.”

I proceeded to rattle off the alphabet to the horror of all my classmates and to the smug satisfaction of Mr. Downer. AND, worse, he made me do it a second time.

“Slower.”

My stomach hurt. My knees knocked. The room swirled around me.

Mr. Downer gloated.

It was the longest 47 seconds of my life. To this day, I’ll never, ever forget it.

This experience shaped my life’s journey.

It didn’t define it, but it gave me perspective.

I resolved to encourage.

From that day forward, I would never, ever intentionally make anyone feel the way Mr. Downer had made me feel.

Only meanies use heavy-handedness. Only meanies force, coerce, manipulate, or maneuver.

Only meanies bully or belittle.

Encouragers, on the other hand, demonstrate integrity and compassion. They’re confident, not cocky.

Encouragers serve others. They gently guide and correct with the right motivation. They’re deliberate, but not in dehumanizing, devaluing kinds of ways.

Encouragers may make tough decisions for valid reasons, not to inflate their own egos, but to propel others forward toward a mutual God-sized mission.

Today, as you navigate your journey, think about your life calling. Look to those folks you admire and ask yourself why.

What is it about him or her that sets them apart?

Are they on a collision course with ego or a trajectory path to truth? (You know, truth for the sake of what’s right. Not what’s convenient or the next best thing.)

Evaluate a person’s character, his track record, and what he has to offer.

Encouragers don’t manufacture respect.

They own it without force. Creative angling isn’t necessary.

They’ve earned it.

Your takeaway?

Allow others to encourage you. Forego the drama. Forget theatrics.

As you soak up the sunshine, revel in it. Remember it.

Tuck all the “feels” down deep in your heart.

Trust your journey.

Share it.

***

How has someone encouraged you during your journey?

How can we motivate others who need a pick-me-up?

Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Her Hope Discovered, her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink. 


“Cindy” has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA. 

She is a 2020 Selah Award (Double) Finalist, a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her work is represented by WordServe Literary.

Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.

Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home. She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.


For love, fun, and encouragement ~

Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS

His Love Revealed, Welcome to Ruby, Book 2

Mountain Brook Ink, November 2020

Her Hope Discovered, Welcome to Ruby, Book 1

Mountain Brook Ink, December 2018

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The Best Chocolate Comes From Côte d'Ivoire by Peter Leavell

We want more from ourselves.

I mash the remote to watch someone make chocolate cake with chocolate chunks, chocolate frosting, and chocolate candles.

I’m on the couch and reach for the Peanut M&Ms on the coffee table. I drop the remote. Argh. I lean over and pick it up and set it on the armrest. Thankfully, I didn’t have to drop the raised footrest.

I refocus on the food connoisseur, who is taking the time to choose chocolate either from Ecuador or Côte d'Ivoire. I admire the stock snapshots. The cook makes his decision.

When it comes to flour, Europe is worried about Brexit, so their grain may be stressed. Russia is currently outproducing the U.S. in grain exportation, but the cold war is heating up again, so best not buy Russian flour. U.S. flour is the staple, but the chef is feeling like a change. He goes with flour made from Canadian wheat. We’ll see.

He never changes where he procures the eggs. The Buff Orpington chicken gets moody during the summer and longs for human connections, so the farmers bathe, massage, and council every chicken in hopes it lays the highest quality eggs. The hens have a great 401k, four weeks paid vacation, and double chicken-feed-and-a-half for two eggs.

Non-GMO, pesticide free, classical music playing during harvest of rapeseed produces the highest quality canola oil.

Mixed together and lovingly poured in a handmade Chinese stoneware dish, he bakes it in an equally handmade kiln to evenly heat.

There’s an admiration party at the end, when they light the chocolate candle which turns out to be ten-minute-long fireworks show.

I admire the cook’s dedication. The unrelenting focus on perfection and quality. If I was a chef, I would give it that much effort.

But no. I’m a writer.

I slog through another draft. I ignore a section that could be heightened with more research. I don’t rewrite the section that needs it. And the first page is fine as it is.

Meanwhile, somewhere, a mediocre chef turns on the TV and watches a show about the time it takes to write a book, admiring the effort of the author who recreates scenes at locations to get everything right, and rewrites three drafts, and the chef thinks if she were a writer, she’d put that much effort in.

Writers, here’s your permission. Go all in with your writing. You already admire the people who are obsessed. That admiration means it is inside you.

You admire greatness. That means you have greatness waiting inside of you!

Now, go be fanatical.

Cooks can be fanatics, writers can too! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

The Best Chocolate Comes From the Ivory Coast! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

You admire greatness. That means you have greatness waiting inside of you! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. A novelist, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com

Need a Kick in the Motivation? By Marianne Evans

I don't know about you, friends, but in my little slice of the world, life is moving at Mach 3 and I'm just hanging on for the ride. Between work life, writing life, family life, I get to feeling drained at times. Are any of you battling the time monster?

Those are the moments when I count on my faith, my family, my friends, to lift me up. So, with that in mind, I hope you'll allow me the privilege of, hopefully, giving you a shot in the inspiration. 

I pray you enjoy the following, and discover a few moments of joy and uplifting hope!

To start...….

Are you moving a mountain in your life right now? Is the season before you draining and full of an uphill exertion? Maybe there's purpose? An end result that isn't quite visible yet? …

I'm a 50-something, and, at work and in my writing life I sometimes wonder: Am I still "valuable?" Are my goals and objectives, my words and efforts, still important to building God's kingdom? When I feel doubt, I force myself to acknowledge the following:

It's often said worrying about tomorrow steals the joy you can find today. 

That in mind, I thought these words were so on-point (and I certainly need to take them to heart!! How about you?)

OH....YEAH. The power of perseverance. There have been (and, at times, ARE) times I come so close to quitting on the things I love. Is the same true for you? Do you feel knocked down?

KEEP. GETTING. UP.

Another powerful message of affirmation and being an overcomer.

C'mon now...you can DO it!!!!

And, when things don't go to plan....?

Tweak that crown on your head, stare into the mirror and remember...you belong to GOD!!

In conclusion, here's the most important piece of encouragement

I can offer you today...

With hugs, love, and many blessings to you, friends - until next month!

~~~~~

Sometimes, the hardest path to walk is the one that leads you home.

After college, Phillip Fisher shook the dust of Antioch, Indiana from his dress shoes and took off for Indianapolis. For the eldest of the three Fisher men, a business career promised stability and a fruitful future...until unemployment and exhausted resources force him back home.

He returns to Antioch to find his father's declining health, a family farm in disrepair, and heavy doses of resentment from his brother Aaron.

A repentant Phillip pays regular visits to Sundae Afternoon, the sweets and sundry shop run by Mila Thomas. Sundae Afternoon and the Thomas Grocery Market are staples of Antioch, just like the Fisher farm. A less than steady peace exists between the families, but Phillip always intrigued Mila. She admires his attempts to break free; at the same time, his return speaks of a noble, caring man.

But what happens once the farm is restored? What happens when Phillip is called back to Indianapolis? Mila’s roots are firmly grounded, and Phillip might leave all over again. Is returning home and the discovery of an extraordinary love, enough to bring them together forever?

~~~~~

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.”

Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. 

Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.

Motivation in Writing and Life by Terri Reed

As writers, we all have different reasons for doing what we do. Today, author Terri Reed provides insight into what keeps her creating. -- Sandy

Terri: Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something. Motivation is a buzzword in the writing world. Our characters must be motivated to act. If the characters are going through the story acting without proper motivation, the characters become unbelievable and unsympathetic.

Dwight Swain in his book Techniques of the Selling Writer says a story is a succession of Motivation-Reaction-Action units.

Motivating stimulus comes from outside the focal character, she then reacts (internally/emotionally) and then acts (physical action or speech). This chain forms a link to create a pattern that moves the story forward.

This same pattern can be played out in our real lives. Every action we take is motivated by something that causes a reaction that then prompts us to act.

This seems like such a simple concept in theory. The temperature drops, my body feels cold, I turn up the heat.

But what motivates the creative person? Why does a painter paint? A baker bake? A writer write?

I can’t speak to the painter or the baker because I am neither. But I can talk about my motivations for writing. Each author comes to the task of writing with different motivations. It’s important to know what motivates you as a writer. To then use that motivation to keep writing.

As a child making up stories that I told only to myself was a way of coping with the chaos surrounding me. Stories were safe because they came from within me. I could control what happened in the stories I told myself. I wasn’t alone in the stories and I felt powerful, much different than I felt in the real world. I should tell you I wasn’t physically abused or neglected as a child. But there was chaos just the same. My parents fought. I was alone in my room most of the time to escape the fighting. I was picked on at school for the way I looked. I don’t tell you this for sympathy but to show the motivating factors from outside myself that I reacted to by withdrawing into isolation. The only action I felt safe with was to create stories for myself. Then I started journaling on the advice of my church group counselor who most likely saw my pain. Journaling was a huge outlet for me for many years. I poured out my angst on to the pages of many diaries.

But the stories in my head never left. Characters would swim to the surface wanting to be let out. In junior high and high school my English teachers encouraged my writing. In college I took a creative writing class and the professor’s encouragement to pursue writing dug deep into me and wouldn’t let go. But I didn’t have the self-confidence to try. It wasn’t until I was in my late twenties that I found the courage to pursue this dream of being a writer.

At first I was motivated by the need to be creative. I needed an outlet for the ideas and characters in my head. Then I wrote to prove I could do it. I wanted to accomplish something that I didn’t feel I could do.

Now, having written many books over many years, I’ve realized my motivations are more complicated. I write to work out issues in my life. I write to help support my family. I write because if I stop I fear I’ll disappear. I write for the joy of the journey which is hard work but so rewarding when I finish a story. And I keep writing to have an impact on others--this motivation came later as I began receiving reader mail where the readers were touched, encouraged and their faith strengthened by a story.

What motivates you as a writer? 

~~~~~~

Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher’s Weekly top 25, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 100 and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in RWA’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, ACFW’s The Carol Award contest. Contact Terri @ www.terrireed.com or P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97224

New Year, New Goals

What writing goals do you have this year? Hey everyone, Annette here. Following Dee Bright's awesome post on Monday about setting goals, have you had a chance to write any down? I tend to compartmentalize, which I’ll explain in a moment. But I do have overall goals, like always working to better my writing craft.

I have a deadline in March to hand in my full ms. That will keep me pretty busy until then. So for now, my year is broken into that project until 3/15, and then I’ll set other goals. (See? Compartmentalized.) Last year I wrote a dollar download in March. Maybe I’ll work on another one following handing in my manuscript. But I see a little problem there: maybe.

If I’m not careful, this might end up being a meandering sort of year.

How do you like to work? Set specific goals with timelines/deadlines? Or just let whatever happens, happen? In my experience, there’s a much better chance that something will actually happen if I prayerfully set specific goals with deadlines. How about you?

The key is to discover the best way you work and to not let yourself off too many hooks. *wink* Chances are, as a writer, you are your own boss. As such, you have to employ discipline in order to plant yourself in a chair and pound out words, am I right?

So if you haven't, I encourage you to prayerfully set specific goals for this year. Write them down. Hold yourself to them. Find accountability partners (this is key for staying motivated and for mutual encouragement), and get to work.

You can make your goals this year. You can get another glimpse of your dreams coming true. God will plant (or nurture) dreams in your heart and fulfill them. He’s faithful.

Now, you be faithful. Ready, set, write! And have a great year!