The Heart of the Matter: A Writer's Barbaric Yawp

by Peter Leavell

You closed your laptop and turned your back on writing.

Over the weeks, months, years, you worked through churning emotions.

Powerful things, those emotions. I won’t call them bad. Nor are they good. They just are. They’re with you, sometimes they even feel they are you, and sometimes they act like a bad friend whispering lies—that you are the sum of your feelings.

You long for peace. What’s better than walking on a cool fall day wrapped in a comfortable sweeter, the sun splashing on the vibrant leaves? Some emotions are walking beside you as a friend.

Emotional Struggle Isn’t the End

The emotions that drew you away from writing didn’t destroy your writing path. They didn’t kill your need to write—it's a giveaway because you're reading a writing blog. Instead, the fears, doubts, and concerns about self pulled you away. The path is still there. The necessity to put words on paper remains, battling with the emotions.

The self-doubt and fear are entirely justified. We all feel those things. We all endure them. Sometimes it feels as if doubt’s fingers are around our throat. And yet, we still breathe. One breath. Then another.

One word. And then another.

Our hearts beat with pain because someone won an award. Someone has a book you could never imagine creating—one you spent all night reading. You can’t be that writer. You can’t do that writing. The agent told you so. That’s what the rejection slip is saying. You’ll never be good enough.

The rejection slip broke your heart. But did it break your will? Maybe. But why are you still thinking about writing? A part of you died. It’s true. You have to admit that to yourself. But yet, a broken heart beats. And a rejection slip burns. Or it’s framed as a trophy. And the writing beckons from ancient voices far deeper than your heart, far deeper than your mind.

One word. And then another.

You scribble:

I

That’s a word. Wrap your arms around yourself. You. You are a body. You exist. You matter, you are matter, and this matters. Unwrap your arms. You wrote one word. And now, it’s time for the next word. This is important. Are you ready?

Here’s your word:

write

The fingers around your throat, the rejection slip stabbing, the unheard cries of recognition of any kind tie your hands behind your back. And yet, you’ve put something on paper that matters, that connects with your soul. And mine. Tell me. What do you do? Despite the pain, frustration, heartache, what is it that will lift your hand towards the sun and makes your voice scream to the
universe? Because I do the same.

I write.

The writing is in you, whether you've closed your laptop or turned your back to it. And that makes us brothers and sisters. Keep writing.

The rejection slip broke your heart. But did it break your will? @peterleavell #writerslife #seriouslywrite

What do I do if I've left writing and want to come back? @peterleavell #seriouslywrite #writerslife

You are a body. You exist. You matter, you are matter, and this matters. Write. @peterleavell #seriouslywrite #writerslife

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

Writing: A Worthwhile Risk by Emily Conrad

 
We each risk something when we write. The risk is different for each of us. It relates to our fears, who we are, and who we want to be.

As a people-pleaser, I risk rejection by writing. As a perfectionist, I risk showing my imperfections. As a believer, I risk conflict. As one who’s been broken, I risk showing my vulnerabilities. As one who’s being healed again each day, I risk raising questions I can’t answer. As one who is growing, I risk error. As one who needs to live within certain means, I risk investing in a career that will never pay me back financially. As one with numbered days, I risk my time on words that may never touch a reader.

Risk is penned into the curves and corners of each letter. When those risks become reality, that’s the cost of writing.

We can reap wonderful benefits as we write, too, but we can never know in advance what the outcome will be for any particular piece.

And so, we feel the risk when we make submissions. We feel it when our siblings/mothers/best friends read our manuscripts. We feel it when we field feedback, when we sit across from an agent as they read our pages, when we gulp and act on an editor’s request for a full.

As drawn as we are to words, the risk whispers doubts. And when we must pay a cost—when we’re rejected or misunderstood or wrong or fill-in-the-blank, risk says, “I told you so.” The doubts shout that continuing isn’t worth risking more.

And then we have a choice.

Yes, a choice.

Though writers are drawn to words and sometimes claim we don’t have a choice about being writers, the truth is, we do.

We could quit. We could cut our losses, refuse to risk anything more or pay a price any higher than we already have.

Writing is a choice, and a brave one.

So why risk so much on words?

Because risk is inherent in touching hearts and changing lives. It’s inherent in attempting to make someone smile or sigh. Loving like Christ loves is a risk. He was rejected and despised, after all. And yet, to this kind of love we are called.

When we focus on meeting someone else’s needs to the point that we’re willing to be vulnerable about our own struggles, we break down walls. When we risk words, we unbury our similarities despite our differences. Jesus can use words to illuminate truth with light that is somehow both gentle enough to get past defenses and searing enough to refine hearts. Our own hearts first, and then the hearts of others.

Words come with risk, but they also have magnificent power. As believers in the Word become flesh, we have access to the Spirit who can give us stories that will change eternities.

If God calls us to some other mission instead of (or in addition to) writing, so be it. But whatever that mission is, it will also come with risk. So when we consider our choice to continue writing or not, let’s never let the risk deter us.

Make the courageous choice. Write the story. Risk it all in the name of your Author’s love. Risk it all for the readers who need what Christ can say through your words. Risk it for the work Your Father will do in your own heart as you put His call before your worries.

___________________________________

Though writers are drawn to words and sometimes claim we don’t have a choice about being writers, the truth is, we do. #Writing is a choice, and a brave one. @emilyrconrad on #seriouslywrite #faithwriter

Make the courageous choice. Write the story. Risk it all in the name of your Author’s love. A #writetip for the #Christianwriter from @emilyrconrad on #seriouslywrite

Words come with risk, but they also have magnificent power. As believers in the Word become flesh, we have access to the Spirit who can give us stories that will change eternities. @emilyrconrad on #seriouslywrite #faithwriter #writing

Rose and notebook photos by Emily Conrad

Graphics created on Canva.com

Emily Conrad writes Christian romance and a blog to encourage women of faith. Her debut novel, Justice, released from Pelican Book Group in 2018. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two rescue dogs. She loves Jesus and enjoys road trips to the mountains, crafting stories, and drinking coffee. (It’s no coincidence Justice is set mostly in a coffee shop!) She offers free short stories on her website and loves to connect with readers on social media.

www.emilyconradauthor.com
Facebook.com/emilyconradauthor
Instagram.com/emilyrconrad
Twitter.com/emilyrconrad

JUSTICE

Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake. If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both. Can Jake and Brooklyn overcome the obstacles thrown in their path, and finally find the truth in God's love and in each other?


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Writing - A Love Hate Relationship by Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

Over the weekend I looked back on my writing journey. By traditional standards I’ve not been successful. I’ve had one book published and countless rejections. There were times the rejections made me want to quit writing. Last year was an especially trying year for me. I reached a point where I wondered if I’d ever see another book published. I just wanted to give up. Thankfully, with the help of a few good friends I made it past that hurdle.

Oh, I still haven’t gotten another book contract, but I’ve made good strides and I have a different mindset now. Plus, I’ve had some good feedback on my writing. I placed well with two manuscripts I entered in a contest and I had a request for a full on a different manuscript from a publisher. Now all those things may lead to nothing and while they were nice affirmations I’d like to think I’d grown as a Christian and a writer. Maybe if I ignore the pity party I threw when I failed to get a request from a publisher and agent I REALLY REALLY wanted I can say I have. Let me tell you, that was quite a party. Bet you’ve never seen such an awesome pity fest. LOL.

On a whole the part of writing that made me hate it was when my middle sagged so bad it dragged the ground. Or when I was halfway through the book and all out of plot. Or when I needed to write 60 thousand words and the end came at 50 thousand. And let’s not even talk about the critiques that said your heroine is so mean she’d kick a puppy. Ouch! These are the times that make me want to bang my head against the keyboard. Let me interject a quick note here, I’ve worked hard to soften my heroines. They are no longer so mean.

But there are times I love writing! That moment when a new idea zings into my mind or when the research for a series becomes fun and exciting. When the middle of the book doesn’t sag and the glorious moment when I type THE END! Those are moments I love, but nothing is better than when I’ve typed a scene and I go back and reread it later and those are God’s words, not mine. Because I see His mercy in that line, an understanding He can offer, not me.

So while I still have my love hate relationship with writing, I’d have to say these days I love it far more than I hate it.

How about you? Do you have a love hate relationship with writing? What drives you to hate to write? And if you’ve managed to overcome the hate side and it is all love please share how you did it. I’d love to hear your responses so please leave a comment about your experiences.

****

Purchase Link

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter.

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler’s online persona. How can he tell her he’s the man she’s been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty.

As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing in the hand bell choir. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction.

She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.

Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing. To learn more about Terri visit her website at www.TerriWeldon.com.

Rejection by Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

An author’s life is tough. We plot, work, and pour our hearts out onto the page. Still, we often face the sting of rejection. I’ll tell you something that I’d flat prefer to keep to myself. I’ve been rejected more times this year than any other in my writing journey.

I’ve heard many authors say you get used to it or you develop a tough skin. Both of those statements are true – in a sense. Don’t get me wrong, I had my pity party after every rejection. Each time I gave myself the usual pep talk, listened to friends as they tried to boost my morale, and forged ahead to the next project. However, one “thanks, but no thanks” hit me particularly hard. My pity party lasted a little longer than normal and it took an entire afternoon off work commiserating with friends to move forward. Not to mention all the conversations I put my longsuffering sister through. Thankfully I have a great support system, which for an author, is invaluable.

I’ve given up the pity party circuit (I hope) and now I’m working on honing my craft. Looking at the invaluable feedback I received from editors and trying to make sure I don’t make those same mistakes again. Will I succeed? I hope so, but I’m sure I’ll have my relapses. And I’m sure the good Lord had a reason I’ve walked this path. Part of it I’m beginning to understand and part of it I may never understand. That part I’ll just take on faith, because regardless of how I feel, when or what I understand, His ways are far better than my ways.

Rejection is part of the journey. The hard part. I may not like it, but I can accept it. Still, I could use a leg up, so how about sharing with me. Have you ever been rejected? If not, I applaud you. If so, how did you handle it?

****

Purchase Link

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter.

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler’s online persona. How can he tell her he’s the man she’s been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty.

As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing in the hand bell choir. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction.
She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.

Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing. To learn more about Terri visit her website at www.TerriWeldon.com.

Is Indie Right for You? by Kimberli Buffaloe

Kimberli Buffaloe

You settle in your writing spot day after day and type out the scenes playing in your head. It’s a compelling story—you know it and know someone will benefit from the character’s journey. Revisions are next, followed by final edits, contests, conferences, perhaps a request for full. And then...rejection, rejection, followed by more rejection.

You’re to the point where you hide your tears. You’ve been at this for years. What should you do? Is this really meant to be?

There are options, you remind yourself. In just a few minutes, you can have that story up on Amazon for the entire world to see. You can post a link to Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and more. Thanks to a network of friends and handy little hashtags, you can extend your reach. You’ll finally be a published author. It’s tempting. So tempting....

But is it moving in the direction you should go, or, like Sarah with the promise of Abraham’s son, are you acting prematurely?

I played around with the idea of independent publishing for years, but began looking into it as a serious option last January. My writing is good; published crit partners had said as much, though there is always room for improvement. In the past few years, I’d won first, second, and third place awards in various contests and advanced to the semifinals in national contests three times. One multi-published author point blank asked what was holding me back.

So what was the problem?

I wasn’t writing to the market. The majority of my stories have a strong romantic element, but they’re Contemporary, not Romance (which often led to confusion with judges, who kept attempting to correct my technical elements.) They don’t have the happy-ever-after ending many readers want, though they do have the right ending for the story. And instead of the overall Christian worldview agents and publishers are looking for, most of my stories involve Christians struggling to figure out how their faith applies to a particular problem, and to their daily lives.

Indie publishing may have been right for my debut novel, but as it turns out, I was unprepared for the launch. There are so many aspects to publishing I didn’t know to know, even after ten years of writing for eventual publication, and even after I took a class on publishing through KDP. If not for assistance from others, the boat may have sunk before it cast off.

If you’re thinking of going indie, is it out of frustration or because your story doesn’t fit the market? If you’re writing genres with the worldview publishers want, I urge you to stick with it for a while longer. You may be on the verge of a breakthrough. If you do decide to go indie, step into the publisher role and make sure you’re prepared to publish a well-edited story with a professional cover and a marketing plan.

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Is indie right for you? Kimberli Buffaloe tells her story on #SeriouslyWrite. Click to Tweet
You’ll finally be a published author. It’s tempting. So tempting...Click to Tweet

About the Author

Kimberli Buffaloe combines her passion for the faith and the Carolinas in her stories, which she calls Lessons from the Landscape. Her debut novel, Learning to Live Again (writing as Kimberli McKay) was released on Amazon in June, and her short stories have appeared on Christian Fiction Online Magazine. She is a member of Christian Writers Guild and American Christian Fiction Writers, where she has served as the Carolinas Area Coordinator and Genesis category coordinator. A pastor’s wife who enjoys photography, her photos have appeared on Carolina nature organization websites and Clash Entertainment's Verse of the Day, Kimberli and her husband live in North Carolina with their rescue dog, Gracie.

Connect with Kimberli
Twitter: @KimberliSMcKay, @CarolinaTrails 

Facebook: Kimberli McKay - Author 

Website: http://www.carolinatownsandtrails.com

Learning to Live Again
A year after a botched carjacking turned her into a widow at the age of twenty-five, Vicky Morgan

Learning to Live Again
by Kimberli McKay

meets a former police officer with connections to the crime that wrecked lives and sent her into hiding. She not only learns the fate of the officer injured in the attack, she has support from the only person who can understand what she suffered and lost that fateful night.

Clay Waters faces an uncertain future after his wife takes an extended vacation from their marriage. Unwilling to risk leaving their son without a parent, he quits his job at the police department. A decision that leaves him feeling useless until he meets the petite recluse who barely survived a face-off with a murderer.

Vicky gives Clay the sense of purpose he wants, and he provides her with protection she needs as she gradually expands her world and renews a faith she once tossed aside for a man. But when friendship turns to love, will the faith teaching them to forgive now keep them apart?

If you'd like to read my review of Learning to Live Again, click here - Angie

Putting It Aside, Moving On by Robin Caroll

Robin Caroll

I remember the first manuscript I hacked out on a typewriter. (Showing my age, aren’t I?) It was bad, and I mean, bad. That was back in the 90s. Thank goodness I lost that manuscript in one of my moves. Yes, it was THAT BAD. Then I wrote a story I just loved. Wrote it, rewrote it, polished it until it was “ready.” Submitted it to a publisher. Um, it wasn’t ready. It now sits happily UNDER my desk. That was early in 2000.

Between then and now, there have been many a manuscript on my computer in various stages. Some completed, some not. Some I really love, some, not so much anymore. But there is a story on my system that I love. It’s one that comes straight from my heart. It is ready for submission. Matter-of-fact, it’s been submitted to many places. Oh, I’ve gotten the personal, nice rejections, but not a contract. Again, let me reiterate, I LOVE this story. My writing buddies love this story. But for some reason, editors don’t. Or it’s not right for them. Or it’s too similar to something they’ve already contracted. Or . . .

Know what I’m talking about? There comes a time in every writer’s career when they have a story that means so much to them, is so personal to them, that it’s almost obsessive in the way we write. And when it’s done and edited and ready to go out, we just KNOW it’s going to be snapped right up. But it doesn’t. We get rejection letters. We get depressed. We pull the story out again and revise. We resubmitted until our story has seen every editor’s desk in the business. We’ve revised until we can’t revise anymore. And still it’s not contracted. We can spend months, years even, on this one story to no avail. No contract. No interest.

Each writer will come to this crossroads sometime in their career. Each writer will have to cross the hurdle, much like overcoming writer’s block. Each writer will have to make that painful decision to put the story aside and move on. Yep, you heard me—put the story of our heart aside and move on to something else.

Ouch, that hurts. For me, it was several months of pouting. Kicking the couch. (Would never kick my dog.) Pouting again. Stomping around the house until the hubby and kids were cowering in closets. Depressed. Angry. Depressed again. Pouting. Watching others getting their stories of their hearts published. Pouting. Depressed again.

And then I grew as a writer.

I saved the story of my heart onto a disk. (Ok, two different ones—I’m obsessive, what can I say?) Then I did the hardest thing, I deleted it off my desktop. My heart pounded, I felt nauseous. But I knew I had to. And then I did the unthinkable—I started a new story. I’d learned there’s a time to put away a story and move on to something else. I’d grown. I’d become a “professional” in my career thinking because I would write something else, something that might have a chance of being published. One story does not a writer make.

I still miss that story of my heart sometimes. Every six or seven months, I pull out the disk and read through it. I don’t save it to my computer though. I read it, then put it away. I’ve moved on to something else, and doing so got me published.

One story does not a writer make.

One day . . . one day it’ll be that story’s time. It’ll be its turn. And I’ll take it out, probably revise it for the millionth time, and send it out again. Who knows? It might be snapped up in a minute.

But until that time, I’ll keep pressing forward. Keep writing what I can. Keep giving each current story all my attention. I’ll keep doing so because I want to be an author, because I DO have more than one story in my heart.

One story does not a writer make.

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One story does not a writer make. Click to Tweet
We just KNOW our story will be snapped right up. But it isn't and it hurts. Click to Tweet
Sometimes we must put the story of our heart aside and move on. Click to Tweet

About the Author

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I've never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.

Robin’s passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey—aspects Robin weaves into each of her 24 published novels.

When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home.

Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as Executive Director for ACFW. Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year.

Samantha Sanderson At the Movies
by Robin Caroll

Samantha Sanderson At the Movies
Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she’s always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material.

It seemed like the perfect opportunity.

When an explosive device is found in the local theater, Sam gets the lead on this developing and controversial story---controversial because the movie theater has recently come under attack by a renowned, outspoken atheist for allowing a local church to show Christian movies. Sam’s police-officer father happens to be heading the investigation, and Sam can’t resist doing some sleuthing of her own with the help of her best friend Makayla’s techno-genius. But when Sam’s theories end up being printed in the school paper, she lands in big trouble---and danger!

Samantha Sanderson On the Scene
by Robin Caroll

Samantha Sanderson On the Scene

What if getting to the bottom of a mystery means learning how to love your enemy?

As Samantha and the rest of the middle schoolers prepare for the upcoming Spring Fest, “mean girl” Nikki faces the reality that her parents are getting divorced. Samantha has a hard time sympathizing---Nikki has never been very nice to anyone, let alone Samantha.

But when Nikki becomes victim of a string of attacks, Sam takes it upon herself and uses her super sleuth abilities to get to the bottom of the bullying. After all, articles on bullying are just what the school paper needs instead of all that silly fluff like popularity tips. Samantha enlists the help of her tech-savvy BFF, Makayla, but while the two track down clues, they leave a trail of trouble behind---and may even be directly responsible for the break-in of their very own school’s computer lab!

Samantha Sanderson is a resourceful seventh grader with the extraordinary dream to become an aspiring award-winning journalist. Sam and her best friend, Makayla, are always sniffing out the next big mystery to report in the school paper---that is, when they aren’t busy navigating the crazy world of middle school, faith, and friends.

Castles, Gratefulness and Why You Might Kiss Your Carpet by Holley Gerth

Holley Gerth

My heart has been so blessed to follow Holley Gerth for almost a year now and I wanted to share her encouragement with you. I was so thrilled when she agreed to let me re-post this wonderful piece about dreams and gratefulness on Seriously Write. Be sure to follow the links to Holley's website and don't forget to subscribe to her newsletter so you can smile every day, too. ~ Angie

Every little girl grows up dreaming about living in a castle. So as I flip through channels and find a home tour in a renovated castle I pause for a moment. It’s gorgeous–high walls, timeless floors, winding staircases. The hostess explains a local architect and his wife have brought new life to this old place. The wife nods and then replies, “Would you like to see a picture of it before we began?”

What she shows the camera next almost jolts me out of my seat. It’s nothing but ruins. No roof. No windows. Just jagged pieces of wall stretching into the sky.

I shake my head in wonder. How did they even have a vision for what that place could be?

Just seconds ago I thought, “It would be really cool to live in a place like that someday.” Now I take it all back. No way would I be willing to do that much work. I landed on the “happily after” part of that castle’s story and completely missed how arduous the process had been to get there.

I thought about how I often do the same in other ways. I look at an area of another woman’s life that I admire – maybe a talent, skill, strength or dream that has come true – and I think, “It would be really cool to live in a place like that someday.”

But I don’t see the whole picture. I don’t know how much renovation happened in her life to get her there. I don’t have the back story that shows God gets all the glory. I haven’t counted the tears or uncovered the cost along the way.

"You are loved. God has a purpose for you.
He is working out his plans for your life."
- quote and graphic by Holley Gerth

Jon Acuff shared, “Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”

I’d take it one step beyond that and say, “Never compare your middle to someone else’s happy ending.”

And know that if we’re longing for someone else’s “castle” we’re also asking for all the effort, energy and emotion it took for that to be built in their lives. Do we really know what we’re asking for?

Writer Kathryn Stockett received 60 rejection letters before a publisher accepted The Help, which became a runaway best-seller and popular movie.

Olympic athletes train in obscurity and make significant sacrifices just for one shot at seeing their dream come true.

The Apostle Paul experienced being beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned and more in order to fulfill his calling.

By the time the television segment on that renovated castle finished I felt ready to kiss my carpet.

I had a new appreciation for my realities.

So next time we see a “castle” in someone else’s life that’s complete let’s close our eyes for a moment and try to imagine not just what could be but what may have already been. And then take a moment to thank God for being wise enough not to give us everything we think we want–and all that comes with it.

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Never compare your middle to someone else’s happy ending.
I landed on “happily after” & completely missed the process to get there.
You're loved. God has a purpose for you. He's working out his plans for your life.

About the Author

Holley Gerth 
"I’ve loved Jesus, words and ideas ever since I was a little girl in my grandparents’ bookstore, where I curled up with stacks of books tall enough to touch the sky. God grew the dreams He planted in my heart and I served as a writer and editorial director for DaySpring for over a decade. Then He led me in a new direction and I’m now the best-selling author of You’re Already Amazing as well as several other books with Revell."

Connect with Holley
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/HolleyGerthPage
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HolleyGerth
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/holleygerth/

You're Going to Be Okay
by Holley Gerth

You're Going to be Okay
You really are going to be okay. And it truly is possible to live with joy, resilience, and strength no matter what life brings. Yes, there will be hurt and hard times. But God wants to help you find ways to survive, grow stronger, and even thrive--no matter what happens. For every woman who has been disappointed, who has watched a dream disappear, whose life isn't what she imagined it would be, bestselling author Holley Gerth has a heartfelt message of hope.

With her trademark positive encouragement and probing questions for self-reflection, Holley encourages women to spend less of their lives regretting and more of their lives truly living. She shows them how to guard their hearts against despair and look to the future with confidence, remembering that they are part of a greater plan and nothing can stop God's purposes for them.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD.com, DaySpring, Givington’s, Family Christian, LifeWay

Persistence...Does It Payoff? by Dora Hiers

Image courtesy of Bing.com

Soon after we married, my husband and I began praying for different jobs so we could leave Florida. The constant ninety degree temperatures left me fatigued, and both of us longed for cooler climates. We prayed. And prayed. God told us no...for twenty years.

We'd walk in the evenings, sweat dripping down our necks and backs, sharing our dreams, and talking about where we might live. Sometimes when we felt particularly discouraged, when it didn't feel that God was listening to our prayers, He'd open up a door. An interview, just enough encouragement to keep us knocking on heaven's gate.

In 2007, God finally called us into our promised land, North Carolina, a land flowing with milk and hon...er, seasons. Where trees bud and leaves flutter softly to the ground in a gentle breeze. Where we could tug on sweaters and long pants, instead of the usual shorts and flip flops. Where we learned to appreciate snow and four-wheel drive.

What if we'd given up praying for our dream? Would God have given up on us? No. But He might not have blessed us so abundantly. He moved us smack into the middle of NASCAR country! Hubby thinks he's already in heaven!

Jesus shared the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, instructing us to "always pray and not give up" and that God wants to bring justice to His chosen ones, the ones who cry out to Him continually.

Many of us started writing with only our dreams. Years stretch into decades, and as we walk the path, sweat drips down our backs. We're fatigued, worn out from sending queries and proposals, and the constant rejections seem to be the only answer to our prayers.

What does God call us to do?

I believe He gave us our marching orders.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Don't give up. Cry out to Him continually.

What if your promised land is right around the next query letter?

What about you? 
Are you weary from the long journey?

Have you considered quitting? What, or who, has kept you going?

Purchase Link

Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death. Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?

Where one journey ends, another begins…

Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Treasurer for ACFW-Charlotte Chapter. Connect with her here on Seriously Write, her personal blog, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

The Good and the Bad ~by Susan Tuttle

koratmember on freedigitalphotos.net

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 

~2 Corinthians 4:1

I read this verse recently, and it brought home two points as I approach this writing ministry. I thought this might be a good place to share. :)

First off, if you’ve been in writing long, you know it’s full of rejection. No two ways around it, closed doors and “no’s” are all part of the game. We talk about growing thick skin and learning to love “constructive criticism”…all of which is true. Yet it can start to seep into our bones. Is this all worth it? Will I ever be published? Am I even good at this whole writing thing?

Fact is, if God has given you this ministry of writing, then yes, you are good at it. Yes, he’s going to use your work in some capacity. And yes, it is more than worth it. Do you still need to grow and polish your talent—of course! Does that mean you’re going to sell a million books? Nope. You might have written that one book just for the editor who rejected it but found healing in its pages nonetheless. And that is what makes it worth it. If you only change one person with your writing—and never even see it, just have to believe it—then it is still worth it. Because God’s seeing it, and he’s got the instant replay waiting for you to watch some day. Amen? Yes. Amen!

So don’t lose heart. This ministry that you have is all through God’s mercy. The rejection doesn’t lessen what he’s doing through you. Keep pushing forward, believing in the talent he’s given and that he’s using it, even when you don’t see it! Someday—either here or in heaven—you will see it.

Which brings me to the second part. While we cannot take on the rejection of this ministry, we also cannot take on the glory. He’s rather specific about this, in fact, one of my favorite reminder verses says: I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not give my glory to another! Isaiah 42:8 He doesn’t beat around the bush. Look. He’s even got exclamation points, and as a writer we know not to just throw those around. Touching his glory is like trying to take his place, and that never ends well. We don’t shine for people to see us, we shine for people to see him—it’s the reason he lights us up with his fire. Don’t redirect it.

I guess bottom line is this…your writing ministry is God’s. The good and the bad of it. Don’t touch either. Don’t lose heart in the “no” and don’t take the glory of your “yes”. Just let him use you however he sees fit. It’s a wonderful ride :)  

Susan Tuttle
Steps

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.

Embracing Rejection - What You Can Learn by Debbie Lynne Costello

Debbie Lynne Costello

Let’s face it. Rejection comes with this business. My guess is that everyone has experienced it—no matter who they are or how many books they’ve published. So what do we do? How do we handle the feelings that accompany rejection? Debbie Lynne Costello shares what she’s learned. ~ Dawn
 

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Embracing Rejection - What You Can Learn

I often wonder if there is a profession that is more discouraging and in need of as much encouragement as the career writer.  If you’ve been serious about writing for any amount of time you’ve heard the words, Just hang in there. Don’t give up. It’s a tough business, but if you stay with it your day will come.

But waiting for your day is another story! How many times I thought that’s easy for you to say, you have an agent. It’s frustrating when you send query after query out and keep getting rejections or worse–no answer at all! But those people were doing their best to boost my flagging spirits.

It’s all about God’s timing. Now don’t roll your eyes at me. It’s true and as much as we’d all like it on our timing I can assure you that you’ll be happier on God’s. You know before Tamela took me on I thought, if I can only get an agent so I can get my manuscript before publishers I’ll be happy. Well, at the time I was ready to take any agent because my dream agent had rejected me. After about 20 rejections I finally heard what agents were saying thanks to Laurie Alice Eakes. I kept hearing I like your writing, but the time period is a problem. Laurie Alice listened to my moaning long enough and told me if you want to land an agent write what they want.

But…but… give up medieval times? Laurie Alice asked me what I liked about the time period. I love the chivalry, the Scottish men, and castles. Her answer to me was to put those things into a time period that was selling. I did and when I finished my manuscript I pitched it at conference, and this time I landed my dream agent!

I encourage you to listen to what your rejection letters are saying. If you see a pattern it might mean you need to make some changes. I’ve found it’s always best to let the rejection sit for a week or two depending how hard it hits me. Then go back and read it again, this time with an objective mind.

There was one rejection I received from a publisher that took a bit more time. The rejection was a page and a half long. It told me all the things wrong with my manuscript. And believe me there was a lot according to this editor. I was so upset. I set it aside and six months later I pulled it out just for kicks. And guess what? I could see that what this editor said made sense. Now I didn’t agree with everything, but 90% of it I did. And I also realized that she had spent a lot of time giving me valuable feedback.

We become attached to our manuscripts. We pour ourselves into them so hearing the truth is hard. I encourage you to give yourself some time after a rejection. Then, after it doesn’t hurt so much read it again and see if the suggestions will make your manuscript stronger.  And always remember to just hang in there. Don’t give up. It is a tough business, but if you stay with it your day will come.

Tweetables:

It’s true. It’s all about God’s timing. Click to tweet.

Listen to what your rejection letters are saying and learn from them. Click to tweet.

Don’t give up. If you stay with it, your day will come. Click to tweet.

EXTRA!

Stop by Christian Fiction Historical Society where I am giving away a fun book, A Biltmore Christmas PLUS a Biltmore Christmas ornament. Let me know you stopped by here to get a second chance to win! Hope to see you there. http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/2013/11/biltmore-estate-and-giveaway-christmas.html

Debbie Lynne Costello is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She attended Heritage University, where she studied Journalism and worked in the editing department. She has completed five full length novels set in the Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA area in the late 19th century and is now seeking homes for them. She and her husband have four children. They live in upstate South Carolina with their family. In her spare time, she sews, paints, knits, camps (in a fifth wheel) and plays with the grandbabies.

To learn more or connect with Debbie, please visit these sites:

www.debbielynnecostello.com

www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com

www.christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com

www.fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello

https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello