Growth

I've been thinking lately about growth, and how much I've changed as a writer over the past several years. American Christian Fiction Writers has been a tremendous instrument in my learning and improving in my profession. I've been a member of this organization for over three years.

For 16+ years I've thought of myself as a homeschooling parent. As I typed the above paragraph, I realized it's the first time I've thought of writing being my profession. At this point I don't have a book in print yet... but I do have many homeschooling articles published. One of them just came in the mail today, in the Home School Enrichment magazine for the September/October edition.

It's been three weeks since I submitted my full manuscript to an editor. This week I plan to do a few more things here at home, before I go back to my writing cave and start on my next project. I find I have the most joy when I'm writing each day. It's a gift God has given to me.

I believe it's important to continue to grow, learn, and change...in all areas of our lives. Our desire should ultimately be to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ through what we do. This is my prayer with my writing. I desire to grow and improve - to be a better writer. May my heart be open as my Heavenly Father teaches me life lessons along the path.

Writing Update

The past couple months have been a blur of writing. I started in June with the idea for a new book and had planned out my characters, done the necessary research, etc., and figured my summer would be spent leisurely working on writing the new saga. After a speed pitch with an editor at the end of June, I found out she was interested in seeing the entire novel. Only one slight problem - I only had about seven chapters completed, barely 17,000 words of the needed 75,000.

So the past six weeks have been a whirlwind of writing and editing. I'm in the process of working on the technical things - cover letter, synopsis, etc. I still will read through my novel a couple times yet before I send it in, but I'm almost there. God has been so good at providing what I need for each day. I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for Him. Even though Satan has been throwing all kinds of things my way, I continue to rely on God's word He gave me. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

May His name be praised!

A Lamp to My Feet

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

It's been a busy few weeks since I had an editor request a full manuscript, which I haven't finished writing yet. Over the past two weeks I've written almost 35,000 words - more than I ever thought possible. What has sustained me is this verse. Each day God has been providing the strength and words I need, just enough for that day.

I praise God for His faithfulness in providing what I need. I don't know how God will use this time, but I've learned a lot about relying upon Him each day. I wouldn't be able to do this without Him. I praise Him for daily being a lamp and light.

Research - A Day in the Life of a Writer

Whenever I begin a new writing project, I enjoy digging in and learning new things as I research. Today I've been trying to find out more information about proxy marriages from the 19th century as well as information about the American Zoo, which actually was the Philadelphia Zoo. I was trying to discover if it featured an elephant when it opened, but I'm not sure. I think by 1878 they had four of the creatures, but I need to know for 1875 since this is when my new novel takes place. I actually have been trying to find out if there were any elephants in the U.S. during the mid 1800's. I learned that in 1855 Dan Rice had a circus which featured and elephant that walked a tightrope. As a historical writer, I try to be as historically accurate as possible. It's all part of the day in the life of a writer. :)

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.