November 30, 2009

The Eye of the Storm

 by Amy Tate

Over the holiday weekend, I received a rejection letter. Most of the time I’m disappointed, but I’m able to get over it. This time was different. This letter cut me to the quick, and left me bleeding. It not only ruined my holiday weekend, but I found myself unable to move forward. Writers are supposed to have thick skin, and when we receive rejection letters we’re told to chalk it up as learning experiences. We’re not supposed to complain, or show any feelings, least of all on our blog where possible agents and editors loom. Does any of this sound familiar?

For some reason, I was unable to heed any of that advice. I was devastated, and I seriously entertained thoughts of quitting. After all, I didn’t get into writing to get rich or famous. If that was the case, I would have stopped years ago. It should be easy to walk away, right? Life sure would be easier. I wouldn’t have to think about character depth while I decorate my Christmas tree. And for once my pumpkin muffins would be edible, because I’d remember to add the sugar to the recipe, instead of adding more tension to my plot. So what do you do when your best isn’t good enough? I’ve cycled through these emotions for the past several days. I’ve ridden the wings of exhilaration as I received my first full manuscript request, only to experience the shock and despair in the pit of rejection. After a good old- fashioned pity party, I asked myself where is God in all this?

Then it dawned on me. Writing for publication is a metaphor for life. It reminds me of those large red hurricanes, spinning on the Weather Channel’s map. You know, the ones for which Jim Cantore dresses in L.L. Bean outerwear, while yelling at viewers to stay home. Hurricanes look like pinwheels on the radar screen. The outer bands consist of thunder storms, tornadoes, and damaging winds. But in the center of each storm, there is an eye. In the middle of the eye, there is blue sky, sunshine and peace. If my happiness depends upon whether or not the market accepts me, then I’m going to live in those rain bands of devastation. If my focus stays on God, then it won’t matter what the market says because I’ll be at peace, under His watchful eye. Much easier said than done. It is taking all of my mental strength to draw positives from the rejection letter, and focus on God’s plan. But perhaps that’s His purpose for me all along. 

 

November 20, 2009

write2ignite:

God still speaks…especially at Christian Writers conferences

by Jill Roman Lord

I attend a Writers conference every year. This particular year I was attending a conference for only one reason. After all, I quit writing that year. I no longer claimed to be a writer. But yet, I longed to be there. So, I had a heart to heart talk with God before the conference explaining to Him that I would attend on one condition – That He speak to me (in my good ear) and tell me whether I was to write or not.

I gathered a couple of old manuscripts to submit for critiques and I was on my way. Mid-conference I rocked back and forth in a rocking chair on the porch of my hotel over-looking a swamp, complaining to God that I hadn’t heard anything yet. I had no further inkling as to what His will was for me. While I continued whining to God, I heard a scratching noise. I kept griping and ignoring the scratching noise until I could ignore it no further. I stopped my bellyaching long enough to find the culprit. It was a squirrel. While I’ve seen my share of squirrels in my life, this particular squirrel captured my attention.

I noticed he was working on a nut. He was scratching and nibbling his way through the shell to get to the juicy nut. I noticed when a person walked by, the squirrel scurried to a branch further up the tree then continued working on his nut. He was consistent. He was persistent. He was determined and focused. I realized he wasn’t going to let anybody take the nut away from him and that he would undoubtedly obtain that juicy prize - unless he threw down his nut and quit.

At that point, I got it. That is exactly what I had done. I had thrown down my nut and quit. I realized God had placed the gift of writing in my hands and I needed to be consistent, persistent, determined and focused. I would miss out on all God had in store for me if I quit. I vowed right then to stay persistent in my writing and never throw down my God-given nut again.

That week, I won the award for the best children’s submission. Later, I received contracts and writing opportunities that I never would have dreamt possible. 

While God does not speak through squirrels all the time, I believe He is present at Christian Writer’s Conferences and longs to make Himself heard. He speaks in ways that will reach us and in ways that we’ll understand. So, come to the conference with an open heart, expecting to Hear from Him and anxious to see what prized nuts he has in store for you!

November 11, 2009

write2ignite:

 

Presenters are People, Too

by Samantha Bell

Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in two writing conferences. I was a presenter for the SCBWI-Carolinas conference and part of the planning team for Write2Ignite! It was a good experience, as “shy me” had to talk with authors, agents, and editors I normally wouldn’t have spoken to.

One such opportunity turned out to be more than I expected. At the Write2Ignite! Conference, it was my job to pick up two presenters from two different hotels and take them to the church for a nice supper before the Friday evening meeting. The whole trip should have taken me about 15 – 20 minutes, and I envisioned pleasant small talk among the three of us during the drive.

I arrived on time to pick up Jonathan Friesen, our guest speaker for the teens who will be speaking again this year. We then headed for the second hotel to pick up Sandra Epps, a presenter for the adult workshops.

I was unfamiliar with the city, though. I watched for Sandra’s hotel off to the right, spotted it, and then started searching for an entrance. But I couldn’t find one! Before I knew it, we were merging onto a different highway going towards another city with no way to turn around.

I began making calls to let folks know that we didn’t have Sandra. I also had to tell them that we were lost! Here I was, driving our full-size family van down the interstate with a conference presenter with no idea where I was going. I finally spotted an exit with a street name that looked familiar, so I took it. We eventually found a shopping center that gave us a point of reference, and with some help over the phone made our way back to the church. It was about an hour after I had first left.

Well, despite my embarrassment, I did have a really good conversation with Jonathan. (We had the time, after all!) We talked about our families, our daughters, and their love of horses. I also found out that he very patient and easy-going. Best of all, I got to know him more as a person, rather than an untouchable presenter who wouldn’t have time for a conference attendee like me.

As the conference went on, I found all of the presenters to be just like Jonathan. All real people willing to talk, to share, and to bless others. I know our presenters this year will be the same, and I can’t wait to meet them. And since I’m familiar with the town, I won’t get anyone lost.

November 4, 2009

Write2Ignite:

Research and Writing

by Jean Matthew Hall

I love research. I know; I’m weird like that. But I have always loved to search and dig until I amass tons of information about a particular subject. Then I immerse myself in it by reading it over and over, organizing it, recording it, and filing it both mentally, and physically or electronically.

I create folders and subfolders to organize the information electronically. I know at some point I need to acquire and learn some organizational software to make this part of the work faster and more efficient.

As far as physical storage goes my little filing cabinet is bulging. I need to get one with five drawers, I think, instead of two!

That’s the kind of research I’ve done for my “learning novel” as I fondly call the YA I’ve been working on for five years. (Yes, I said five years!) I think of it as a historical, but I believe that term applies only to works set in a time at least 100 years ago. Too bad. I uncovered so much fascinating history about the Depression Era for my “learning novel.” I believe it will be jam-packed with history.

I’ve enjoyed swimming through the following sources:

Micro fiche files of newspapers
A genealogy library on location
History books produced by local historical societies
Old church graveyards
Interviewing local residents old enough to remember growing up during that era
Journal entries and interviews
Driving through the back roads of the location
Snapping photos of locations and buildings from that era
Cookbooks printed during the Depression Era
Internet sources for local weather during the time my story takes place
A perpetual calendar for the years during which my story takes place
Old photos at libraries and those owned by local residents
Old maps

I’ve uncovered some intriguing people, some authentic names, and some interesting accounts in old newspapers. These things have served as seeds for the events in my story. Hopefully they are growing into a fascinating story in an accurate, realistic setting.

Who knows? Maybe my “learning novel” will blossom into a full blown manuscript. Maybe it will even find its way onto the shelves of bookstores and libraries someday.

That would make me very happy.

But, regardless of its destiny, this manuscript, the research I’ve poured over, and the craft I’m learning as I write it really have been HUGE learning tools for me. Not every manuscript HAS to make it into print, you know? I’m one of those people who learns by doing something, so the process is usually as important as the product, to me.

I’m guessing many of you are the same way.

Reading, researching, writing, re-writing…all part of the learning. And, for me, the learning is just as much fun, just as exciting, as the finished product.

How about you? What’s your opinion of research? Care to share it with us here?

 

Blessings,

Jean

October 31, 2009

Write2Ignite:  

Writer, Fear Not!

By Vonda Skelton

Okay, go ahead. Admit it. You know it’s true, so just go ahead and say it: You like to write. You find joy in writing. You may even feel you’ve been called to write. The question is, why aren’t you? Why aren’t you writing?

I’ll tell you why. You’re afraid. I know…because sometimes I’m afraid, too. The truth is you and I and every other writer in the world experiences fear at times in our writing life. But what could possibly cause us to fear putting pen to paper or, as in most of our cases, fingertips to keyboard?

First of all, we’re afraid of failure. Perhaps you’ve read my story of meeting the late Gary Provost at my very first writer’s conference. It’s a humorous look at failure through the eyes of a fearful wannabe writer. 

Bottom line: We’re afraid of rejections. And yet, as any working writer knows, the path to publication is paved with rejections. I know because I’ve had a few myself. As a matter of fact, I received 63 rejections before ever getting anything published! Sixty-three! I often wonder, What if I had stopped at 63? What if I had never sent the 64th query? Oh, I know it probably wouldn’t have made much difference to the reading public, but I promise you, it would have made a huge difference to me. I can’t imagine my life without these past 16 years of writing and learning and rejections and likeminded friends. What a joyful struggle it has been!

But we can be so fearful of failure that we fail to even try. And that, my friends, is the definition of true failure.

Believe it or not, the second point is we’re afraid of success. Yes, you read right. We’re afraid we won’t be able to measure up to the expectations. What if we create a knock-‘em-dead proposal and get a contract? Then we’d actually have to write a book! What if we have a book published and then they want another one? What if I can’t do it again?

Fear of success is the fear of failing to do it again.

Third, we fear the cost. We fear the cost of time, money, and energy. I was teaching at a writer’s conference recently when a woman said, “But I’m 60 years old and haven’t written anything. If I start now, it’ll take at least a couple of years to write and rewrite a book, probably another year to get an agent, and another couple of years to get it published. By the time the book is published, I’ll be 65 years old!”

“So,” I said, “how old will you be in five years if you don’t write the book?”  

Yes, it costs to learn how to write. It costs money to attend conferences and buy books. It costs time to learn the craft and go through the process of writing, rewriting, and submitting. It costs energy that could be used to do other things.

But it also costs time, money, and energy to go to college, prepare for the future, and find the right mate in life. Good things in life cost something. Jesus makes that clear when He talks about the free gift of eternal life. (Luke 14:25-33)

And lastly, we fear transparency. Let’s face it, much of our writing comes out of the hurts, the disappointments, the mistakes, and the losses of life. Our pain is often the source of compelling scenes and stories that captivate our readers. But that ability to connect with our readers through pain requires us to be real, to be willing to admit our failures and confusion, to be willing to remove our masks and let our true selves be exposed.

Even after all these years, I’m still afraid. Every time I write of my failures in life, every time I speak of them, this fear hits me again. Will they think less of me? Will they decide I have nothing to offer because of my failures?

And yet, it seems that it’s at those times when I’m most vulnerable that God shows Himself most powerful.

When we’re fearful, we can find comfort from the words of our Father, written for all eternity in the pages of His book. Here are but a few:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Paul speaking) Acts 20:22-24

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

God has a plan for our writing. And whether it’s to be a multi-published author of many books or one who simply writes of His love on the pages of a journal, if we truly feel called to write, we must. We must rise above the fear and walk in obedience. And at the end of our lives, we—like Paul—will be able to say,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.    2 Timothy 4:7

Fear not!

October 27, 2009

Write2Ignite:

Melting the Frozen Places

By Donna Earnhardt

Do you ever feel like you just can’t write another thing?  Like your creative gifting is encased in its own Ice Age?

I felt that way 7 years ago after my father died in a car accident. No warning, no time to prepare. It happened in the blink of an eye.

For several months after he died, I couldn’t write at all. The gift of stories, songs, poems and ideas that used to flow through my fingers like a rushing river were replaced by an immovable dam of frozen silence. 

One month turned into two…then two months turned into three. My personal winter went on for almost 6 months. Questions ran through my mind, taunting me, “If you were really a writer, you would have pushed through! If you were really a writer, why did you stop?”

I knew the answer — I was grieving. Grieving for my father. Grieving for my family. Grieving for me. But it didn’t make the questions any easier to ignore.

Then one night, I felt it. You know what I’m talking about — that undeniable prompting to put pen to paper. The prompting of the Holy Spirit to move…and use the gift that had been silent for so long.

The thing was, I wasn’t sure I could do it. I was afraid. Afraid of what? I don’t know. Maybe I was afraid to let it all out. Afraid to be transparent on the page. Afraid to go back to “normal”. Afraid that the taunting questions were right.

But God… He had other plans.  He was speaking and He wanted me to hear. And thankfully, He didn’t let me out of His creative grip. Even though I had felt so empty and cold during those hard months of grief, He had never let go. Though I had felt as if my gift was frozen, I had actually been wrapped in the cocoon of His grace as He formed my wings. And I could feel the warmth of His Spirit breathing into me, urging me to fly on the wind of His mercy. A true flight of faith.

And just as some butterflies wings are transparent, God was calling me to be the same. I can’t deny that the initial flight was hard – putting those first words to paper. But I did it…through HIS strength. And the more transparent I became, the more transparent I wanted to be.

Today, I am thankful for that time of silence. I came out of it changed. I am able to write from a place of peace…free from fear that once stalked me. I am free from the worries of “what if no one likes it? What if Inever get published” or the lying voice that questions, “Are you really a writer?”

My hope and my strength are found in the Lord. And I can fly, knowing He is the Wind that carries me…even through the darkest and coldest of night.

How about you? Are there cold places in your life right now that seem to overshadow the calling He has placed in you? Are you afraid to be transparent? Afraid to allow the Lord to shine His light through the hard stuff you are dealing with? Afraid to put it to paper?

If you are going through a time of silence, don’t give into the lies that might plague you. God has a purpose for you and the creative gifts He has placed within you. He will finish what He started, breathing into you and calling you to fly. And then like David sang to God in Psalm 30, we can sing to God together:

Psalm 30: 11-12

You did it: you changed wild lament
      into whirling dance;
   You ripped off my black mourning band
      and decked me with wildflowers.
   I’m about to burst with song;
      I can’t keep quiet about you.
   God, my God,
      I can’t thank you enough.

 

October 19, 2009

Write2Ignite:

The Write Style

By Cindy Jacobs

My teenage daughter and I decided to visit a new church this last weekend. Knowing the small number of the congregation, I wanted do as much as possible not to stand out from the normal attendees. I checked my make-up for flaws, my knee-highs for runs and my hair for strays. Finally, after several more rechecks, I felt ready for the adventure.

When we walked in the front door friendly people swooped in from all sides, encircling us. I found myself surrounded by smiling faces and entertaining eager handshakes. With an attendance of only 52, we stood out prominently as newcomers. I didn’t want to appear shy, so I made my way to a pew near the front of the sanctuary and settled in. Halfway through the sermon my daughter leaned over, with a big grin on her face, to tell me my sweater was on inside-out.

So much for first impressions.

I never have to worry about first impressions when attending a writers’ conference. Everyone stands out. Everyone’s a bit eccentric. Some of the attendees may know each other, but its fine, because when you accidentally wear your sweater inside-out, they can relate. Editors you meet become a bit less scary as you begin to realize they are not super-human. You make contacts that help to open doors for publishing opportunities. And you discover you’re not the only person in the world who thinks the insane profession of writing is sane.

The planning and prayer being poured into the Write2Ignite! Conference invites those who are looking to nurture their love for writing God’s Word into the hearts of children. We invite you to mingle with like-minded writers, non super-human editors and down-to-earth illustrators.

We welcome you … and your flawed wardrobe.

October 12, 2009

Write2Ignite:

Holy Heartburn

By Kristi Butler

“Look among the nations!  Observe!  Be astonished!  Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days-you would not believe if you were told.”  Habakkuk 1:5 (NASB)

Wow!  I just love how God speaks…and guides…and sometimes changes our direction…even when that’s a little scary!  I have pondered the writing of this post for several days.  I felt like I had “my ducks all in a row” and just the right words to say to encourage writers to persevere in pursuit of their dreams and God’s calling on their lives.  However, as I sat down to write, I picked up my Bible to thumb toward the focal  passage in Luke 5.  I breathed a prayer to God for help.  Before the “Amen” was on my lips, my Bible fell open to Luke 24 where verse 32 was underlined.  It practically jumped off the page!  It says, “They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”   I immediately thought of YOU, my writer friend!!  We get that question, don’t we!  Our hearts do burn with His words to us…as we journey with Him, as we read His Word…and as we unite in our passion to share His love and His message with others through the written word!

So let’s indeed fan the fire in our hearts, trusting God, the Giver of our gifts, our dreams, and the very words He has called us to share.  “It is God who is at work in [us], both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”   (Philippians 2:13 NIV)  Let’s believe Him to complete the “good work” that He has begun!  (Philippians 1:6) 

I look forward to rejoicing with you over the astonishing things He is about to do in our days…”things [we] would not believe if [we] were told!”  Let’s join our hearts in prayer for the conference team, the speakers and workshop leaders, the attendees, and the lives that will be touched as a result of the obedience of those hearing and responding to His call.

October 5, 2009

Write2Ignite:

Story versus Ego

By Amy Tate

My favorite time of the day is in the morning. I love how the house is silent in between the time my husband leaves for work and when my children get up for school. I’ll grab a cup of coffee, curl up with my Bible and settle into my recliner for some stolen moments with the Lord. In these moments, I’ve witnessed some of the most spectacular sunrises, both outside my window and within my own heart. Recently I re-discovered a passage in Matthew that moved me to tears.

 

In Matthew chapter thirteen, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the parable of the sower. And in the next few verses, He talks about the parable of the wheat and the tares, and the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the valuable pearl, and finally the parable of the dragnet. I’ve read over them hundreds of times but this time, God showed me something special. The word parable leapt from the page, and so for the fun of it, I looked up the definition. What is a parable? Webster’s Dictionary lists a two part definition. The first part states that a parable is a story, and the second part states that a parable is a story with a moral.

 

If Jesus chose to use the power of story to communicate with His disciples, don’t you think He pays attention to the stories we write? What a profound thought, — what an awesome responsibility. The longer I’m in this, the more I realize that this writing thing isn’t about me. Recently, I blogged elsewhere about the purpose behind writing. Why do I write? Is it for the thrill of seeing my name in print? And if so, what happens after I experience that thrill? How many published manuscripts will it take to satisfy this passion?

 

As I explored my own heart, (and that’s a scary thing in and of itself) I dug for the real reasons why I write. I discovered that I do love seeing my name in print, and that I enjoy sharing my work with friends and family members. I think that’s why I’m so obsessed with blogging and receiving comments…it’s fun. And I’ll be the first to admit that it’s an ego boost when I pick up a new follower! There I said it. I also found that I enjoy experimenting with the characters in my head. I love placing them in tough situations just to see how they will cope. I enjoy exploring their personalities…in fact, writing is a lot like playing with Barbie dolls. It’s a way of acting…sort of. I know I’m weird, but creative people are supposed to be quirky.

 

 But when viewing my work in light of God’s purpose, where does my ego fit in? The first time I wrote my historical novel, I played it safe. I reasoned that if I put too much Christianity in my book, then no one in the Virginia public school system would ever give it a second glance. But over the summer the Lord hit me over the head with a two by four. I ran across Isaiah 51:12-13.

 

 

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die? And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? You forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth!”

 

How can I argue with that? How can I pick up my cross and follow God if I’m tripping over my ego? Immediately, I apologized and rewrote my novel. For the next three months, my main character transformed before my eyes. Needless to say, it’s a much stronger story.

 

The writer’s journey is a difficult one, but it’s also magnificent. When we view our stories as parables it gives our writing new focus. It gives us purpose. It also puts our fragile egos into perspective when we view them against the backdrop of our Maker. God knows that we love seeing our name in print because He gave us those feelings. But He also told us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. It’s a balance that I’m still tweaking. Some days I’m at peace with it, and other days I feel the stress. On the stressful days I think about my manuscript (that I really hope goes to press) in the hands of my great-grandchildren. What will those precious babies discover in those pages? Story is a powerful thing…so powerful, that Christ still uses it. It’s a humbling thought, isn’t it?

September 30, 2009

Write2Ignite!:

Keeping the Flame Alive 

By Jill Roman Lord

 

Each year as a writer, I send manuscripts off, receive rejections, send off more stuff, write, rewrite, tuck it away, pull it out again, rewrite, send it off, receive rejections, write less and find other stuff to fill my time, until I barely can call myself a writer anymore. But, each year I attend a Christian Writer’s Conference. This is what energizes my writing, rekindles the fire for writing and gets me back on track.

 

I prepare for the conference and tweak my manuscripts to send in for critiques. I look over the list of classes and begin to sense the ashes of writing begin to smolder again. When I get to the conference, I’m surrounded by other writers all called for a similar purpose – to glorify God with words! The smoldering begins to heat up. I hear encouraging words from the speakers, testimonies of other writers, and the heat begins to glow deep within me. I take the classes hungry to learn all I can to become the writer God sees within me. The fire blazes. The speakers, the presenters, the singing, the learning, the presence of other writers work together to ignite inspiration and by the time I get back home again, I can’t wait to begin writing . It’s just a matter of deciding which direction to start, which manuscript, which devotion, which article or story to begin creating.

 

Throughout the year when the fire to write begins to wane again, I look back at the conference and remember the camaraderie, the encouragement, the inspiration gained and the memory reignites the spark enough to keep me going until the next Writer’s Conference…