All Good Things

I've been contemplating the saying, "All good things must come to an end." Or something like that. I find myself reflective this afternoon as I hit 'send' on my final (50th) lesson with Christian Writer's Guild Apprentice course. Since I began two years ago, the program has been totally revamped and now only lasts for eight months and 16 lessons.

I think I can honestly say that I have grown and improved as a writer these past two years. I definitely haven't 'arrived' and know I have a long way to go - actually I think learning about writing and improving needs to be a continual process. I'm excited about my writing future. As a dear friend recently said, "Your dance card is filling." I have almost completed my first chapter of my new novel. My Apprentice course is complete and I'm preparing to take the Craftsman course in November. Until then, I'll be kept busy with edits, writing homeschool articles, etc.

Roller Coaster Week

It's been a week of high and low emotions. I love how God encourages us when we need it the most. Since I finished homeschooling a couple weeks ago, I've been seeking the Lord on how to order my days as I enter a new chapter in my life. In just a little over a week my youngest will be gone for about two months, only returning home for a brief visit on the weekends. I will find myself with more time on my hands, and I desire to use it for His glory.

Yesterday I was accepted into an advanced fiction writer's course with Christian Writers Guild. My new class will start in November and includes a five day intensive workshop in Colorado working with gifted authors such as DiAnn Mills, Jerry B. Jenkins, etc. It provides a tremendous learning opportunity and I'm quite excited about it. My 'homework' before I begin, is to read these three books - Dialogue by Gloria Kempton, The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass, and The Power of Body Language by Tonya Reiman. The first two books I personally own, and the last one I'll be borrowing from our public library. In fact, it's already in transit from a branch library.

I also received feedback yesterday from three judges - representatives from Love Inspired Historical and Barbour Publishers. Both are ones I hope to target in the future with my writing. Even though I didn't win the contest, I had extremely positive feedback from the judges sharing minor things to tweak. It was a real encouragement.

This week I've written over 500 words with my new novel, and have worked extensively on characterization. I can't wait to see what this new set of characters will find themselves getting involved in, and what dilemmas they will face. I find novel writing to be so much fun, and I'm eager for how God will use this ministry in my life.

New Beginnings

Today is a new day in the new chapter of my life. I started work on a new novel I am writing. I haven't gotten very far - only 182 words, but at least it's a beginning. I plan to hammer out some more details with my character,s so I can breathe life into them. As I typed the words today, it was a sweet reminder of how much I enjoy writing. Can't wait to see what God is going to do in my life in this aspect.

Tenacity

I find myself on the brink of a new chapter in my life, where I'm finally able to write full time, retiring after 16 years of homeschooling. I've been seeking the Lord in regards to my schedule, and how I should be spending my time. I find myself a bit fearful as I look at the unknown future spreading out before me.  I finally will have the time to move my dream of writing and being published into something hopefully concrete.

Missy Tippens said, "We'll never know what we'll have to show for our writing unless we stick with it." :) In order to one day be published I need to edit, query, submit, and pray, otherwise it will just remain a dream. So today, Lord, that is what I'm choosing to do. I'm making an active decision to write, and seek out what you have for me, and to wait for your perfect timing. Use me as an instrument of Your peace.