I have a guest post up over at Encouraging Emerging Authors today. Drop by and read it. I hope you will be encouraged by the post.
http://msghomeschoolauthors.blogspot.com/2009/10/finding-hope-in-your-writing-projects.html
Archive for October, 2009
Okay, let me just confess right up front. I’ve struggled with getting this blog going. With so many things pulling at my time, I’ve just flopped with making it a priority. Not because I didn’t feel it should be a priority, but because I haven’t known where to focus the blog.
There are so many writing blogs out there - and I know that I still have so much to learn about writing, so who am I to offer writing advice? Thus I didn’t feel confident enough to jump into a writer’s advice blog. Also, a writer’s blog is, bluntly, supposed to be geared towards an audience that will hopefully buy your books later on down the road. And since I write romances, not every writer is going to be in my target market.
I toyed with going with a devotional type blog. But again, there are so many out there. And again, I didn’t feel that was the correct angle to go.
I could have blogged about our everyday lives - let’s face it, with three boys and a 6 year old girl in our house, there are plenty of things to blog about - but I didn’t feel that would be fair to my kids. They have enough pressures on them without knowing that I’m writing about them for all the Internet to read.
One area where I do have plenty of experience and a little expertise is the area of Christian Romance. With my first romance just released and a second one contracted and about a zillion romance-book-readings under my belt, I feel this is an area where I can offer people some help.
So I hope you will stay tuned. Tell your romance writer and reader friends about the blog and invite them to drop by. I’ll look forward to getting to know you all a little better in the days to come.
The first romance focused post will go up Monday Nov. 2. And we’ll be talking about the essential elements of the first pages of a romance. See you then! 
24
Oct
And the Winner is…
The winner of The Sound of Sleigh Bells is… Jan Cline! Congrats, Jan. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’ll be contacting you for your address so I can mail you the copy of the book. I know you’ll enjoy it.
Let’s face it. Writing is a fairly solitary profession. I like it that way. I’m a bit (ahem) of an introvert and really enjoy the time I have to myself to work on my next project. But there are days when I honestly have to ask myself, “Is this worth it? Am I making a difference?”
You see, as a Christian, my goal is not only to entertain, but to offer a message of hope in my books. The trick is doing that in a way that doesn’t ruin the simple enjoyment of a good story. And, honestly, weaving the two together, message and story, can sometimes be a CHALLANGE.
So after fighting with the characters in my current WIP the other day, it was a particular blessing to run across an uplifting and encouraging review of my book. It was a post that made me sigh and feel, if only for a few moments that, yes, all the struggle to get that story birthed was worth it.
http://bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/2009/10/whistlestop-wednesday-book-review-rocky.html
What was the last thing that really gave you the emotional burst you needed? Doesn’t have to be related to writing. I’d just love to here your encouraging story.
Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.
Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?
I really liked this book. My only complaint was that it was too short. I was not ready for the book to end quite yet. Mrs. Woodsmall did a great job of pulling me in from the start and making me care about her characters.
I interrupt this post to say…. In the interest of meeting government requirements I’m now obliged to tell you that I received a copy of this book for free. (Job security for some poor government guy out there? lol)
Back to the regularly scheduled post….Click on the cover for more information about this book or to order it.
I have a copy to give away to one lucky commenter. If you’d like to win, leave a comment and I will put your name in the drawing. I will draw next Friday the 23rd for the winner.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What are your thoughts on the whole Amish genre in general?
Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me…
…begins Tennyson’s famous poem of old. Here he’s referring to death and his inevitable place on that ocean of destiny. But we can modify his theme to address how we as writers can “cross the bar” of status quo and more than float on those waves – more than wade. We can learn to swim for the prize.
Just how do we grow as a writer? Here are three essential considerations:
1) Who You Are – Never assume you should write like someone else. So-and-so may be a published author in your genre of choice, but if you try to be another him or her, you’ve sunk before even reaching the end of the dock.
You are your own person with your own personality, experiences, talents. You can and should only be who you are, not who you want to be. As you begin to realize who you are, begin to also develop what you have.
2) What You Have – Just as a shoreline ebbs and flows, ebbs and flows, never static, never stationary, so the author who thinks they can remain static and get somewhere is sadly mistaken. An author’s life must be one of continued growth, persistent stretching, incessant forward motion. And while in the midst of that motion, one becomes who they will be.
3) Who You Will Be – Who you are today won’t be who you will become, provided you are flowing, moving, growing. Concrete steps to get there? Read great writers. “Great” is a subjective adjective which takes time to define – usually years, decades, eons. The author who is applauded as “great” today may be forgotten ten or twenty years from now. Strive to not only read the great authors of a hundred years ago, but to become one.
Keep these simple thoughts in mind as you intentionally put forth the effort to “cross the bar” into your best writing, your most favorable chance to leave a lasting mark on generations to come.
…But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home….
Lynnette here: Maggie, has written a beautiful devotional book. Below is the 5 star review that I left her on Amazon. Click on the book cover to be taken directly to amazon to get this wonderful book for yourself.
“I Run to the Hills is a beautifully written encouragement for those on the upward climb. I highly recommend this book. You will be refreshed, encouraged, and challenged.
Mrs. Woychik’s prose is so beautiful that at first I was tempted just to enjoy the lyricism of the book - but it is the underlying message that was the challenge to me.
If you find yourself doing your Christian “duty” then this book is for you!
Quote: “Duty says ‘perform’. Love says, ‘rest in the Beloved and He’ll provide all you need for life and labor’.I don’t know about you, but too often I find myself doing things out of duty rather than Love.
Again, I highly recommend this excellent book.”
Page 1 of 11
