A Lesson in Perseverance by Janet Grunst

Janet Grunst

Often times, the journey to publication is a long one, requiring patience and endurance. If you’re wondering if you should give up, author Janet Grunst’s personal experiences will encourage you to stick with pursuing your goals. ~ Dawn

A Lesson in Perseverance

Waiting thirty-one years to get that first story published isn’t something to brag about, but it is a lesson in perseverance.

As a stay-at-home mom in the early ’80s, I had a column in our community paper and in a regional tabloid. I sensed my writing was heading in a different direction. A story had germinated in my mind so I asked God if I could serve Him through writing fiction? Would He give me two or three hours a day to write if I would willingly put it aside after that time to take care of my family? I felt His confirmation and began researching and studying the craft of writing fiction.

Since the story was set in the 18th century it would require extensive research. This was pre-internet, so it meant visiting libraries. The more research, the more subplots developed. The most challenging task at times was to quit researching and get down to writing.

Each day, I asked for Divine direction and He faithfully furnished it. The story came together in six months.

I was encouraged by the two people who read it to pursue publication. Researching publishing companies, how to write and submit queries, synopsis’s, and proposals was another educational experience. There were many submissions and many rejections.

In 1993 my life changed, requiring full-time employment while raising my sons alone. Writing fiction was put aside for many years. I eventually remarried, retired, and relocated. My husband encouraged me to keep writing and to again pursue publication.

Christian publishing world had changed by 2010. I needed an agent and a social media platform, so I joined the ACFW, became a contributor to Colonial Quills, got on Facebook and created a website. I attended conferences and found an agent to represent me.  After more editing, my agent submitted the manuscript to publishers but to no avail.

The publishing world was changing quickly. Ebooks had gained in popularity and bookstores were closing. Many publishing houses were also undergoing changes including closing fiction lines. It was getting harder for unpublished writers to get contracts.  I was discouraged. By this time, the sequel had been written, but I needed to get that first story published. My agent mentioned Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas was taking a chance on unpublished writers and enjoying some success. In December of 2015, I received a contract for A Heart Set Free. In 2016 it won the Selah Award for Historical Romance. The sequel, A Heart for Freedom, was just published this October.

While I waited for my millennial to make it out into the world, a couple of popular Memes spoke to me.

All of your days have already been written in God’s Book.

When you go through a disappointment,

Don’t stop on that page. Stay the course. Keep believing.

You may be tired, discouraged, and frustrated,

but don’t give up on your future. Our God is faithful.

YOU WILL BE THE MOST TEMPTED TO QUIT

WHEN YOU ARE THE CLOSEST TO YOUR CALLING

A Heart for Freedom

A Heart for Freedom

He longs for freedom, but he won’t risk those he loves.

Matthew Stewart wants only to farm, manage his inn, and protect his family. But tension between the Loyalists and Patriots is mounting. When he’s asked to help the Patriots and assured his family will be safe, he agrees.

She’s seen the cost of fighting England, and she wants no part of it.

In Scotland, Heather Stewart witnessed the devastation and political consequences of opposing England. She wants only to avoid war and protect the family and peace she finally found in Virginia. But the war drums can be heard even from home in the countryside, and she has no power to stop the approaching danger.

The consequences are deadly.

When Matthew leaves for a short journey and doesn’t return, Heather faces the biggest trial of her life. Will she give up hope of seeing him again? Will he survive the trials and make his way home? What will be the consequences of his heart for freedom?

Janet is a wife, mother of two sons, and grandmother of eight who lives in the historic triangle of Virginia (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) with her husband. Her debut novel, A Heart Set Free was the 2016 Selah Award winner for Historical Romance. A lifelong student of history, her love of writing fiction grew out of a desire to share stories that communicate the truths of the Christian faith, as well as entertain, bring inspiration, healing, and hope to the reader. 

Connect with Janet and learn more about her books here:

Author website: https://JanetGrunst.com

Blog: https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Janet-Grunst-Author-385405948228216/

Writer Under Construction by Terri Weldon

Today’s post is a little out of the norm. Right now my office looks like a construction zone. And let me tell you, it’s not conducive to writing - at least not for this writer. My computer isn’t hooked up and unlike so many authors I actually use a desktop computer. 

I somehow connected the router and modem, hope I’m even calling them the right things, up to where the phone isn’t working. Since the phone isn’t required for my internet service I’m not sure how I managed that one. 

Not to mention my desk is covered in books that need placed on bookshelves. 

My plans for a lovely, private, and organized office have gone askew. Believe me, I thought I’d be back in my office by now. I need in that room!

All of this has made me think about how rarely things in life go the way we think they will. I should have factored delays into my schedule and I should have asked for help in reconnecting my internet! lol

Writing is a lot like my office. When you’re working on your book don’t let moments of chaos and confusion overwhelm you. Stay focused and even if it takes longer than you originally planned you’ll finally type THE END.

As for me, I hope to have my dream office soon. Maybe I’ll share a picture or two.

What about you - where is your favorite place to write?

Terri Weldon is a blessed to be a full time author. She enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. 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 the Heartland of the United States and has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. You can connect with Terri at www.terriweldon.com 

When the Story Stalls in the Middle by Sandra Merville Hart

There are stories where the words tumble from an author’s imagination onto the page from chapter one to the ending. In my stories, I usually know how it starts and ends with only a hazy idea of how the characters get there. Yes, I’m a pantser.

For those who do not outline but allow the story to unfold with the telling, it may stall in the middle. A character bores you. Ideas dry up. If this happens, here are a few suggestions that have helped me.

If you've pushed yourself to your creative limits, you may simply need a break. Do something completely different for a day or two. Creating is hard work. Rest.

If the ideas don't return after a few days away, alter the story. Add a feisty new character or a trouble maker and see where it leads. Don’t try to control events while in this creative surge. Allow the characters to take the lead until your imagination soars again.

If you find yourself bored with the story, your reader probably will too—and so might the editor. If a character bores you, have them do something unexpected but not against his or her nature. Shake things up.

If you still have writer’s block, return to your research notes. For my historical novels, I often have over a hundred pages of single-spaced notes. Rereading these sparks new ideas when my story sputters to a stop. It also renews my enthusiasm for the writing. I want to bring that historical period alive for my readers and transport them to another time and place. Research is the key for remaining authentic to the time period. If your notes don’t inspire ideas, do more research.

It's also possible that you chose the wrong path for the story. I recently completed a romantic suspense novel. Since I write by the "seat of my pants," I didn't know the killer when I began the novel. When it came time to reveal the killer, I still didn't know. I finally selected someone and began writing. The story halted. No words came. I couldn't figure out what happened next.

When I selected a different killer, the story flowed to the end. Your story may be on the wrong path, too. Save your old version and then change the part of the story where it stalled.

Much of the action happens in the middle of the story. This is where your readers fall in love with your characters and don't want the novel to end. Give this section as much attention as the beginning and the end.

Your readers will love you for it.

~~~~~~

Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories. Her debut Civil War Romance, A Stranger on My Land, was IRCA Finalist 2015. A Rebel in My House,

set during the historic Battle of Gettysburg, won the 2018 Silver Illumination Award and second place in 2018 FHL Readers’ Choice Award. A Musket in My Hands, where two sisters join the Confederate army with the men they love, releases November of 2018. Her novella, Surprised by Love in “From the Lake to the River” released in September of 2018. Trail’s End, in “Smitten Novella Collection: The Cowboys” releases in August of 2019. Find her on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

Sandra Merville Hart’s third Civil War romance, A Musket in My Hands, follows two sisters as they disguise themselves as soldiers and join the men they love in the Confederate army—just in time for the war to grow progressively difficult for Southern soldiers. Tough marches lead them to the Battle of Franklin. How can anyone survive?

https://www.amazon.com/Musket-My-Hands-Civil-Romance/dp/1946016675

Escape Your Writing Cave By Marie Wells Coutu

Writers write.

Maybe NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) has you barricaded into your writing space, pounding away on the computer keyboard and churning out your next work of literary genius.

The familiar adage of BICHOK (butt in chair, hands on keyboard) works. Any writer who’s serious about his or her craft needs to follow that advice. When you have a deadline to complete a novel, whether it’s self-imposed or by contract, the only way to finish is to keep at it.

But there is a time for everything. Even during NaNoWriMo or when under deadline, it’s good to take some time away from writing and not feel guilty about it.

Too often, I find myself putting off other things I could be doing—family activities, exercise, visiting a sick friend—in order to “write.” Then I pour the guilt on myself for not doing those things. But if I do take time away from writing, in creeps resentment because I’m not writing.

Never mind that I sabotage my writing time with Facebook, Solitaire, or TV. I accept the blame for those times, but that doesn’t keep me from jealously guarding my time, while also feeling guilty about the “good deeds” I don’t do.

I repeat, a serious writer must spend time writing and guard against time-stealers. But there are occasions when we have to come out of our writing cave.

The other day, I finally took the time to visit a friend who’s in a nursing home. She loves to read, so I bring her books from my stash as often as I can. I confess to being grateful when I find her napping so I don’t feel guilty about dropping off the books and leaving. But I know how much it means to her to have someone take the time to talk. So this time I did.

As I drove home afterward, I realized how much I had enjoyed the visit. I had learned more about her life, episodes that may even find their way into a book in the future. And I resolved not to feel resentment when spending time with other people takes away from my writing time. If I allow myself some time for such things, I’ll have no need to feel guilty about the hours that I do spend writing.

Here’s my new motto: Don’t let word count stop you from doing what counts. After all, if I am called to write books that show God’s love to a fallen world, shouldn’t I also be willing to demonstrate that love to individual people in my world?

About the Author

Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu’s newest novel, The Secret Heart, from Write Integrity Press, was named a finalist in both the 2018 National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Awards and the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards sponsored by Florida Writers Association. Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the Selah Awards Contest and a semi-finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards. An unpublished historical novel set near Golden Pond has been a finalist in five contests.

The Secret Heart by Marie Wells Coutu

You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook page (Author Marie Wells Coutu), at her website (MarieWellsCoutu.com), or follow her on Twitter (@mwcoutu) or on Amazon.com.

Marie is a regular contributor to Seriously Write. For more posts by Marie, click here.