Earlier in the week, the writers’ Yahoo group to which I belong posed a question about 5 year goals, and the steps I’m taking to realize that goal. I said I wanted to be preparing for the publication of my third book. (Contingency and Indemnity on the shelves… Precedent in process.) I lined out a few steps- whip Contingency into shape, pitch it and so forth. Then one of the group owners cautioned us about listing steps we have no control over. There’s wisdom in that. I can only do what I can do, but the responses of others are out of my hand. Timing is out of my hand. I can only write these stories, the best way I know how (constantly raising the bar on that) and demonstrate that God’s Word holds the answers we so desperately need.
Happy Memorial Day! May God bless and protect all who serve to safeguard our freedoms.
Thanks be to God for the indescribable gift of His Son. Through His blood, we are free indeed!
5 Year Goals
Writing Update
Happy Friday- The older kids are in a wedding this weekend AND my niece is getting married back home tomorrow. Blessings, Ashley and Kyle!
From this week’s Bible study – “I will be glad and rejoice in Your [unfailing love] for You have considered my trouble. You have known my soul in adversity.” Psalm 31:7
A quick writing update- I was ready to start edits/ revisions on chapter 20, but Amanda pointed out some holes in 19. I had cut a chunk of exposition, but left some plot points unresolved. Now I’m crafting a new scene to get some of that info back in.
Here are the steps- 1.) Decide point of view (Rita’s, I think) 2.) Set the goals for each character coming into the scene 3.) Determine what the conflict is 4.) Hit our beleaguered protagonist with another setback. 5.) Square this scene with the rest of the book.
A reading update- As part of the submission process for Contingency, I’m checking out the competition so I can demonstrate there is a market for my theme, but that mine story is still unique. This week I read Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and Steven Arterburn. In a modern day take on the story of the woman caught in adultery, a professor at a Christian college is photographed with her lover. The book then explores her journey through repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. It is smart, intense and well-crafted. Demi is sympathetic from the outset even though she has been in a five month affair with a colleague. My only issue was that Christopher never confessed to his father all the lies he had told.
Bottom Line: I’m hard to please in fiction and I highly recommend it.
Called
I’m reading an article by Mary DeMuth about getting and keeping the heart right before God before attempting to write. One of her first points is to explore that calling. I have never felt so suited to anything (except teaching) in my life. I enjoy writing- the craft, the feedback, the process- immensely. I know God has been in it because of the things I’ve learned, because of the passages I know I didn’t write, and because the words have touched others. That’s not me, and that gives me chills. To think God has chosen to work in anything I do is pretty incredible. I’m still searching out God’s ultimate purpose in this, but I’m pursuing publication as the next step.
So what’s the difference between a gift and a calling? Jon is studying this with his Sunday school class right now and here’s his definition. Your gift is what the Holy Spirit has equipped you to do to help the church carry out its commission. Your calling is the how and where that gift is put to practical use. I have a gift of teaching, but I’m called to use that in several capacities- with my children, in various ways at church, and through writing. Others may have a different take, and it’s not worth nit-picking. It’s all a God thing anyway. He gives the gifts and the callings for His purposes and glory. I’m awestruck that He lets me participate.
Passive or Active
I’m continuing to work on a major edit of Contingency. One of the things on my checklist is changing or getting rid of passive verbs. Passive verbs indicate the subject is acted upon, rather than taking action. I am disappointed to discover how often I write in passive voice. Maybe it’s because I live that way. It’s not that I never do anything – I stay busy, believe me – but I’d much rather react, than take action. Paul encourages Timothy to take action in his letters. There are a lot of verbs in those two short epistles, and they’re all active. Be an example… reject false teaching… flee ungodliness… be diligent… be strong… hold fast… preach the word… convince, rebuke, exhort. So convicting.