Revision Stage

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been dealing with a kidney stone the past few weeks, and haven't writting a whole lot. I'm in the midst of revisions, and have managed to weed through 92 pages of my current WIP - work in progress. I admit there are some challenging changes ahead of me, but overall I feel that the corrections I'm making is helping to improve the book and make it better. Hopefully the editor agrees. :)

I've been particularly blessed to do some brainstorming with some writing friends of mine, bouncing ideas, to see what would work, or not work. It's such a blessing to be a part of the ACFW - American Christian Fiction Writers network. I've learned so much by being a part of this group, and also by going through a writing course with Jerry B. Jenkins, Christian Writers Guild. I'm looking forward to taking an advanced fictin writing course, starting in November, where I'll be working one on one with a published author.

I praise God for the people He brings into our lives, who help us along in the journey. My prayer is to honor Him, and to bring glory to Him in the words I write, and in the way I live my life. May He be praised.

The Birth of a Character

I'm in the process of creating new characters for book two in the series that I'm working on. This is always a fun part of the writing experience, although I admit to having itching fingers, anxious to get the story down on paper. But in order to do that, I first need to breathe life into characters to play and interact on the pages.

One of my characters played a minor role in the first book, so this one will be his story. So for now I'm perusing books on personalities, and writing books about characters. I can see the heroine beginning to come to life with her foibles, insecurities, and strengths. I even have gone as far back as her childhood to learn her history - or back story.

So what memorable characters have you discovered in your reading and what makes them come off the page and live in your imagination?

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.