As I've mentioned before, I'm back into working on writing my historical fiction novel. My goal for this week was 4000 words. I surpassed it by writing 4175. I'm pleased with how things are progressing.
The next four weeks will be more intense with having weekly goals of 7200 words - 1200 words, six days a week. Then the last two days - February 7 and 8 writing 2300 to complete my novel. I think the day I write/type my last words of my story will be a mixture of joy and sadness.
I'm enjoying the process and this journey God has me on of fulfilling the call He has placed on my life to write for Him.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Commitment
My family teases me about being a wordsmith. Let's just say I have a way with words.... the written word, not the spoken word that is. When I speak, I have a hard time coming up with what I want to say, how best to string my words together. I seem to do best with pen and paper or typing on my keyboard. Sometimes when I write, things flow freely, but not always.
One thing I have learned in the process of writing my novel, is to keep on persevering and sticking to the commitment God has called me to do. At times it is easy to write, and at others its hard work. Today was one of those arduous days when the words didn't flow with ease, but instead with perseverance. I met the goal I had set for myself, only because I forced myself to keep going.
I'm blessed to have a group of individuals who daily pray for me and my writing. I have one friend in particular who recognizes when I need encouragement, or when I need someone to get me kick started. I'm thankful for those who commited to support me in this endeavor. May I be faithful to what God has called me to do.
One thing I have learned in the process of writing my novel, is to keep on persevering and sticking to the commitment God has called me to do. At times it is easy to write, and at others its hard work. Today was one of those arduous days when the words didn't flow with ease, but instead with perseverance. I met the goal I had set for myself, only because I forced myself to keep going.
I'm blessed to have a group of individuals who daily pray for me and my writing. I have one friend in particular who recognizes when I need encouragement, or when I need someone to get me kick started. I'm thankful for those who commited to support me in this endeavor. May I be faithful to what God has called me to do.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Getting Back in the Groove
It's hard to believe we are in 2011 already. I have in mind, my goals for this year, but have yet to put pen to paper and actually record them. I spent the weekend rereading the almost 200 pages of my novel I've already started, making corrections, and noting things to change or add. I have written over 51,000 words and am looking to write about 34-35,000 more. My goal is to be completed by February 8th. It feels good to get back in the groove again after taking December off to enjoy the holiday. I'm looking forward to seeing God work.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Cheerleader
The Message says, " Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." (Proverbs 18:24)
I think there used to be a commercial about having your own personal cheerleader to encourage you when you were feeling down. Some one to say, "You can do it." As I look back over my life there are many friends who have come and gone through the years. I've heard some people are in our lives for a season, but others stay for the long haul.
I've been blessed to have several women in my life who are there for the duration. They help to provide stability when my world feels out of balance. They show love even when I feel unlovable. They encourage me along in my walk with the Lord, even through the dry and weary land. They don't judge, but instead love. They see the potential in me, that I don't always see.
Today I'm thankful for the cheerleaders in my life. I know they are a dim reflection of God's love towards me. I'm humbled and grateful!
I think there used to be a commercial about having your own personal cheerleader to encourage you when you were feeling down. Some one to say, "You can do it." As I look back over my life there are many friends who have come and gone through the years. I've heard some people are in our lives for a season, but others stay for the long haul.
I've been blessed to have several women in my life who are there for the duration. They help to provide stability when my world feels out of balance. They show love even when I feel unlovable. They encourage me along in my walk with the Lord, even through the dry and weary land. They don't judge, but instead love. They see the potential in me, that I don't always see.
Today I'm thankful for the cheerleaders in my life. I know they are a dim reflection of God's love towards me. I'm humbled and grateful!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Choosing to Take a Break
I admit, I've been stressing ever since we returned from our vacation to Maine. We had a wonderful time away and I was able to obtain a lot of information for the historical fiction book I'm writing. I didn't have any time to write while we were gone, or since we've returned.
We've had a killer schedule, with something going on every day since we came home. I don't do well in that type of situation. All I could think about was all the things that needed to get accomplished, and I wasn't getting anywhere. Each day seemed to have its own minor dilemmas that occurred, putting me further and further behind schedule with my writing and also with Christmas preparations.
Today over lunch with a friend, she suggested I take a break from writing and not stress over it. She said to concentrate on what I need (want) to get accomplished for Christmas. Duh! Why didn't I think of that?! Sometimes I keep beating my head against the wall until someone comes along and shows you a better way of doing things. Go figure!
So I've decided to spend the rest of this month researching and reading all the materials I purchased in Maine about the area I'm writing, in between preparation for Christmas. I choose to give myself permission to relax and not stress so much.
We've had a killer schedule, with something going on every day since we came home. I don't do well in that type of situation. All I could think about was all the things that needed to get accomplished, and I wasn't getting anywhere. Each day seemed to have its own minor dilemmas that occurred, putting me further and further behind schedule with my writing and also with Christmas preparations.
Today over lunch with a friend, she suggested I take a break from writing and not stress over it. She said to concentrate on what I need (want) to get accomplished for Christmas. Duh! Why didn't I think of that?! Sometimes I keep beating my head against the wall until someone comes along and shows you a better way of doing things. Go figure!
So I've decided to spend the rest of this month researching and reading all the materials I purchased in Maine about the area I'm writing, in between preparation for Christmas. I choose to give myself permission to relax and not stress so much.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Breaking Through the Bonds of Fear - One Word at a Time
I find that time away from my writing is conducive to fear and insecurity. It's been about two and a half weeks since I've had the opportunity to sit down and work on my novel. We were away on vacation to Maine, so I could further research my book. We had a wonderful time and didn't want to come home. Then the holiday was upon us. It's taken a while to recover from being gone for so long. Unfortunately we hit the ground running as soon as we returned, with our days filled with activities and appointments. It's been overwhelming. I've been exhausted, and in need of a break, so I have time to regroup and think clearly. But up to this point, it hasn't happened. I'm not able to write in circumstances like this.
Then the longer I go without writing, the harder it is to begin again. Those nigglings of fear and doubt begin to creep into my thinking. Do I still have what it takes? Will I be able to get back into the swing of things with my writing? Will the creativity continue to flow or have I lost momentum? Such is the life of a writer. I don't know about all writers, but definitely with this one. :) This is what I've been struggling with and facing the past week or so.
So today, I chose to sit down and write - one word at a time. I've only written 32 words today on my novel, but each word gets me closer to breaking through the bonds that threaten to hold me fast. I choose victory and overcoming the fear....one little word at a time.
Then the longer I go without writing, the harder it is to begin again. Those nigglings of fear and doubt begin to creep into my thinking. Do I still have what it takes? Will I be able to get back into the swing of things with my writing? Will the creativity continue to flow or have I lost momentum? Such is the life of a writer. I don't know about all writers, but definitely with this one. :) This is what I've been struggling with and facing the past week or so.
So today, I chose to sit down and write - one word at a time. I've only written 32 words today on my novel, but each word gets me closer to breaking through the bonds that threaten to hold me fast. I choose victory and overcoming the fear....one little word at a time.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Making Progress
It's hard to believe it's been two weeks since I last wrote anything on my novel. The time has been busy with a week long vacation to Maine for research, and celebrating Thanksgiving with family. I would have loved to start right back to it on Monday morning, but deadlines were looming.
Yesterday, I worked on and submitted my 14th lesson for the Christian Writer's Guild. The next deadline will be on December 14th. Every month on the 14th and 30th, I have another lesson due. It keeps me hopping, especially this one as the topic was feature articles. It's never something I tried my hand at before now. We'll see how well I did, when I get my assignment back from my writing mentor. :)
Today was busy with writing and finalizing my unit study article for Home School Enrichment magazine. This time I focused on ships/boats. I was thankful that I had the internet available today to aid in my research. Yesterday we were without internet and phone services.
Tomorrow will be a busy day with a multiple of doctor appointments, funeral, and other commitments. I hope to do some writing in the 'in between' time. We'll see how it goes.
Yesterday, I worked on and submitted my 14th lesson for the Christian Writer's Guild. The next deadline will be on December 14th. Every month on the 14th and 30th, I have another lesson due. It keeps me hopping, especially this one as the topic was feature articles. It's never something I tried my hand at before now. We'll see how well I did, when I get my assignment back from my writing mentor. :)
Today was busy with writing and finalizing my unit study article for Home School Enrichment magazine. This time I focused on ships/boats. I was thankful that I had the internet available today to aid in my research. Yesterday we were without internet and phone services.
Tomorrow will be a busy day with a multiple of doctor appointments, funeral, and other commitments. I hope to do some writing in the 'in between' time. We'll see how it goes.
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