Ready – Get Set – Focus! By Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

Happy New Year! Even though it is only January 8th, I’m sure you’ve read a dozen or more blogs about the New Year. Ways you can make sure you accomplish more in 2015 then you did in 2014. Hmm, almost makes me wonder if I should switch topics, but I won’t because I need this post even if you don’t.

One way I’m going to endeavor to achieve more in 2015 is by focusing. There are several areas of my life, both personal and professional, that need focus. I won’t bore you with the personal areas and if you’re bored by the professional – well, just pretend you aren’t.

I tend to allow myself to be pulled in too many different directions. Yeah, it would be easy to blame something or someone else, but the real crux of the matter is I allow it to happen. I have friends who are as busy or busier than I am and they seem to accomplish twice what I do. They stay focused, I don’t. True confession, sometimes I just want to hide from my writer accountability group. Oh, I can’t believe I said that, because one or more of them will probably read this!

Part of my plan to stay focused is to pick out the things that are the most important to me. No they won’t all be writing related, nor should they be. We need to keep a balance in our life and make sure God is always in the number one position. Also, remember there are some things you can’t control. You have no control over whether or not an editor will recommend your work for publication or an agent will sign you as a client. However, you can decide to write every day or five thousand words a week, attend a conference, and submit a proposal to an agent. And even though I know I’ve read this countless times before on Seriously Write, it bears repeating, pray about your writing. God is in this journey along with us.

In case you’re wondering, I just outlined what I plan to focus on in 2015. Somehow while it was floating around in my mind, it didn’t seem so overwhelming. Seeing it written down in black and white, well, all I can say is it’s time to FOCUS!

Leave a comment and tell me what your plans are for 2015. I’d love to hear them and welcome any and all tips on how to stay focused. Happy New Year!

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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.

Writing Despite Distractions by Candy Arrington

Candy Arrington

During the last years of my mother's life, I served as her caregiver. Ironically, I was writing a book on caring for aging parents at the time. While the responsibilities of caregiving often caused distractions that compromised writing time, in some ways, the difficult circumstances taught me to snatch brief available writing moments.

Most of us find it difficult to compartmentalize emotional upheaval. It spills over into every aspect of life. And physical exhaustion, which is constant for most caregivers or the chronically ill, robs mental processes. So how can you continue to write when distracted by urgent, on-going, or energy-draining life events?

Inventory writing accomplishments—Sometimes we lose track of what we've accomplished in the face of what feels like a total productivity standstill. Reviewing publishing credits reminds us God is our source of inspiration, encourages dependence on him, and sparks new ideas. If you wrote this much, this well, before now, you'll be able to do it again.

Chronicle snippets—Get in the habit of carrying a small notebook you can easily access. Sometimes our minds work on writing pursuits even though we're involved in other activities, including while asleep. When ideas, book or article titles, themes, sentences, or phrases pop into your mind, write them in your notebook. Don't try to make sense of them at the time. Just get them on paper. If you don't have the notebook with you, compose a text message to yourself and save it, or send a brief email from your phone. 

Once, while my mother was in the hospital, I wrote most of a chapter and didn't remember until I opened the document weeks later. I almost cried because the deadline was looming and I thought I hadn't started that chapter yet. When I saw it was nearly finished, I was overwhelmed by the knowledge that God was writing through me even though my mind was elsewhere.

Set small, realistic goals—Often, our biggest writing challenge is a blank computer screen. Typing even a few sentences primes the pump. Decide to make an outline, write two paragraphs, or create five bullet points. You'll be surprised how often you keep going beyond the small goal you set for yourself. Once you meet, or exceed, your goal, the sense of accomplishment you feel encourages you to move forward.

Realize difficulties are the catalyst for heart-felt writing—Hardships add new dimensions to writing. Although not perceived while in the midst of the situation, later concepts and lessons crystallize. Then writing comes from a deeper place. Instead of cursing your circumstances, mine them for writing gems. But make sure your writing edifies readers rather than serving as a forum for whining.

Side-step discouragement—Discouragement is one of Satan's most effective weapons, but rest assured, greater seasons of writing productivity lie ahead. Don't succumb to the thought that you're a writing has-been. Praise God for the gift of words and ask him to continue to use you and your writing to encourage others.

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Chronicle snippets: get in the habit of carrying a small notebook you can easily access. Click to Tweet

Praise God for the gift of words and ask him to continue to use you. Click to Tweet

Five easy ways to keep writing in spite of distractions. Click to Tweet

About the Author

When Your Aging Parent Needs Care
by Candy Arrington & Kim Atchley

About Candy Arrington

Candy Arrington's writing provides Biblical insight and practical support, often on tough topics. Her publishing credits include The Lookout, Encounter, Focus on the Family, Clubhouse, The Upper Room, The Writer, and Writer's Digest. She is coauthor of Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B & H Publishing Group) and When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House Publishers). Candy and her husband, Jim, live in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she writes about the lessons God is teaching her. www.CandyArrington.com

When Your Aging Parent Needs Care

In nearly a quarter of households in the US, someone is caring for an aging parent. What begins as a way to honor those they love becomes, for many, a confusing and stressful time. This resource of hope provides caregivers with the support and direction they need to be spiritually, physically, and emotionally prepared for situations they face day-to-day. Authors Candy Arrington and Kim Atchley draw from their personal experiences to speak with compassion and guidance and support those who face the challenges of caring for a parent.