Reluctant Knight's deadline was last Saturday. It's been a real struggle to write this one. I made some changes in my style. The rough draft was really, really rough. Sometimes only a thought of what the chapter should entail. The chapters are much longer, but I used some breaks that I usually rarely use. I also allowed my faith to be more prominent.
It wasn't bad enough that I need to finish a book I've been struggling with for months, but storms were promised those last few days, the worst on the 31st. Yes, I felt like forces were combining against me. If there's thunder and lightning, I turn off the computer, not conducive to finishing a book.
I've been working to learn how to be more faithful and more trusting and more grateful.
Test time.
Wednesday, the storms never materialized. Thursday, the storms dissipated before reaching me.
Friday, a storm rolled in from the east. I turned on the local weather station and would glance at it, from time to time. It also happens to be a good way to help reduce eyestrain. I watched the bank of yellow, red, and green, with lightning flashes, roll across the state. I watched it creep up to about where I live, break apart, and reform on the other side going west.
A little after five, another storm rolled up from the south. Lightning and thunder and buckets of rain. I'd reached the end of the second to last chapter, a good stopping place, for a break. I turned off the computer, ate dinner, did my physical therapy, fed the feral cats, and generally caught up on everything that needed to be done. I realized I needed to make some changes to what I'd written. The lightning and thunder moved further north and vanished by 6:30 p.m.
Another storm was scheduled to roll through round 10:00 p.m. It never showed.
I turned on the computer and wrote, with occasional breaks, finishing at 11:45 p.m., in time to report my word count at the online writing camp I joined this month, for this project. Final 7502 words added.
Done.
Thanks God. I could not do it without You.
Showing posts with label God wink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God wink. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Friday, August 10, 2012
It's Friday...
Ladyhawke is the first time I saw a Friesian, and I fell for Goliath. God blessed me with a gray Arab/Appaloosa. I'm not complaining, because I'd never really believed I'd own a horse. So many dreams in my life had been shattered by the time he showed up. I figured it was God reminding me to never stop dreaming because sometimes they do come true in the most unexpected ways.
We were together five years. I learned a lot from him. He's been gone ten years now, and I still cry for missing him.
Growing up I always wanted to go horseback riding. When I found myself with a horse with back problems, I discovered what mattered most: I was honored he gifted me with his trust, and simply being with him was more than enough.
Winston Churchill rightly said, "There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man."
I found this Friesian on a free-photo site, which I hope was legitimate. It's a crazy world we live in.
Enjoy the day.
We were together five years. I learned a lot from him. He's been gone ten years now, and I still cry for missing him.
Growing up I always wanted to go horseback riding. When I found myself with a horse with back problems, I discovered what mattered most: I was honored he gifted me with his trust, and simply being with him was more than enough.
Winston Churchill rightly said, "There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man."
I found this Friesian on a free-photo site, which I hope was legitimate. It's a crazy world we live in.
Enjoy the day.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Note to self...
When I am questioning my decision to pursue my writing I step back and look at what led me here.
I've spent the last while recounting my journey to becoming a writer. The actual physical, day to day steps, one leading to the next.
What I didn't recount:
All the prayer.
When I first started writing, it was for fun.
Then things started to happen.
I started writing more. It was there in my head. I didn't think about whether it was right or wrong or whether or not it was the best choice or decision. I enjoyed writing, so I wrote.
Others encouraged my writing. People I trusted.
It became a challenge.
I honestly never truly believed I would be published. It didn't keep me from continuing to write. I discovered writing was a great way to kick ideas out of my head, rather than having them race around like hamsters in a squeaky wheel.
It all started out so innocently. A bit of fun. A lark. Why not?
I had one of those feelings about my job changing, my transcribing job. Instead of ignoring it, I listened. I spent more time with my writing. At the same time, I couldn't figure out a way to save my transcribing career. Times were changing, much sooner than I expected. I figured ten years down the road, I'd need to rethink my career path.
When it happened much sooner I panicked, but I didn't freeze. I kept taking a next step and a next step. It dawned on me I should probably take a look back to see if this path I was on was a blind alley or actually had breadcrumbs leading me along.
It was amazing how easy those breadcrumbs were to see. Sometimes, God laid down whole loaves. I would have had to willfully ignore them to miss them.
This started a new approach. In stead of seeing what breadcrumbs I'd already managed to pick up, I started looking ahead of me. Searching for breadcrumbs to help me stay the course.
On the days I question my decision, I mean question if I'm out of my mind and fooling myself, I ask God to toss me a breadcrumb. I have an armful of loaves.
I've spent the last while recounting my journey to becoming a writer. The actual physical, day to day steps, one leading to the next.
What I didn't recount:
All the prayer.
When I first started writing, it was for fun.
Then things started to happen.
I started writing more. It was there in my head. I didn't think about whether it was right or wrong or whether or not it was the best choice or decision. I enjoyed writing, so I wrote.
Others encouraged my writing. People I trusted.
It became a challenge.
I honestly never truly believed I would be published. It didn't keep me from continuing to write. I discovered writing was a great way to kick ideas out of my head, rather than having them race around like hamsters in a squeaky wheel.
It all started out so innocently. A bit of fun. A lark. Why not?
I had one of those feelings about my job changing, my transcribing job. Instead of ignoring it, I listened. I spent more time with my writing. At the same time, I couldn't figure out a way to save my transcribing career. Times were changing, much sooner than I expected. I figured ten years down the road, I'd need to rethink my career path.
When it happened much sooner I panicked, but I didn't freeze. I kept taking a next step and a next step. It dawned on me I should probably take a look back to see if this path I was on was a blind alley or actually had breadcrumbs leading me along.
It was amazing how easy those breadcrumbs were to see. Sometimes, God laid down whole loaves. I would have had to willfully ignore them to miss them.
This started a new approach. In stead of seeing what breadcrumbs I'd already managed to pick up, I started looking ahead of me. Searching for breadcrumbs to help me stay the course.
On the days I question my decision, I mean question if I'm out of my mind and fooling myself, I ask God to toss me a breadcrumb. I have an armful of loaves.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Unexpected revelation...
A few days ago, Jimmy Thomas, creator of the Romance Novel Center, gave some very sound advice to independent publishers: Invest in a professional cover for your book. It sparked quite a conversation between two camps: It's-worth-the-investment and I-can't-afford-it.
I learned covers are available for between $45 and $100. When I was thinking of going indy, I hadn't been looking forward to dealing with creating my own covers and had worried about the cost. I hadn't made it as far as finding a professional editor when I chose to work with Desert Breeze Publishing. One of the smartest decisions I've ever made.
When I finally threw in my two cents, I think it was more for me than anyone else.
Why?
I learned something I didn't know about myself. I didn't know I felt this way, or at least, I'd never said it out loud quite this way.
Here's my reply:
Jimmy really needs to stop spouting good business sense. Actually, please keep it up. It's helpful. This discussion has re-affirmed several of my decisions. Thank you. What I've learned over the years: You invest in what you care about, time, energy, and money. Excuses are just that: Excuses. Each person must decide what their priorities are. It's okay to say, "My family is more important than my writing." No excuses about the cost. Writing is not cheap, and it isn't lucrative but for the very top earners. If you're writing for the money you're going to make, stop now. Find something you're passionate about and do it instead. If that something else is your family, awesome. I'm married to my writing, going on a year and a half, after a "courtship" of about nine years. It has been horribly difficult, but I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. If Jimmy's intelligent business advice, based on experience, is offensive to you, maybe it's time for a gut check. The writing industry is brutal. If you can't take a bit of tough-to-hear honest talk, how will you handle your editor telling you that your favorite passage in your book has to go because it doesn't move the story along? I freely admit: I'm a marshmallow, but I'd rather write than breathe.
Update: After the editing this week, I learned I cannot do without breathing. However, I truly would rather write than sleep, and did.
I learned covers are available for between $45 and $100. When I was thinking of going indy, I hadn't been looking forward to dealing with creating my own covers and had worried about the cost. I hadn't made it as far as finding a professional editor when I chose to work with Desert Breeze Publishing. One of the smartest decisions I've ever made.
When I finally threw in my two cents, I think it was more for me than anyone else.
Why?
I learned something I didn't know about myself. I didn't know I felt this way, or at least, I'd never said it out loud quite this way.
Here's my reply:
Jimmy really needs to stop spouting good business sense. Actually, please keep it up. It's helpful. This discussion has re-affirmed several of my decisions. Thank you. What I've learned over the years: You invest in what you care about, time, energy, and money. Excuses are just that: Excuses. Each person must decide what their priorities are. It's okay to say, "My family is more important than my writing." No excuses about the cost. Writing is not cheap, and it isn't lucrative but for the very top earners. If you're writing for the money you're going to make, stop now. Find something you're passionate about and do it instead. If that something else is your family, awesome. I'm married to my writing, going on a year and a half, after a "courtship" of about nine years. It has been horribly difficult, but I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. If Jimmy's intelligent business advice, based on experience, is offensive to you, maybe it's time for a gut check. The writing industry is brutal. If you can't take a bit of tough-to-hear honest talk, how will you handle your editor telling you that your favorite passage in your book has to go because it doesn't move the story along? I freely admit: I'm a marshmallow, but I'd rather write than breathe.
Update: After the editing this week, I learned I cannot do without breathing. However, I truly would rather write than sleep, and did.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
God wink...
It dawned on me I hadn't seen my flashdrive since returning home. ACK! I called the hotel, and transferred me to housekeeping, since they took care of lost and found. All my work is on this flashdrive. I cried, and prayed it was safe. I looked in all the places it could be, and it wasn't there. I prayed it was found. Instead of only looking, I did an investigation by feel. I didn't know there was a hole in the lying of my leather backpack. It has slipped between. It's safe. Thanks, God!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Desert Dreams Writers' Conference is coming soon...
Registration for the Desert Dreams Writers' Conference continues...
http://www.desertroserwa.org
Loved this post: http://www.naomimusch.com/apps/blog/show/13291322-bending-the-rules-in-christian-romance-guest-post-by-karen-baney
I've realized I've been more than a little vague here. I'm trying to find a healthy balance between what is expected and what is real. The above link will take you to Naomi Musch's blog, where her guest Karen Baney talks about the rules of writing Christian Romance.
She's right about how sanitized Christian romance tends to be. Writers are held to an incredibly high bar of what is and is not allowed. If you fall short, you are accused of not being Christian. I'll be writing more about this, once I work up the courage.
For now, I'm leaving you with the above article. It isn't very long. It's worth reading. It's also a God-given hint to what I've been thinking about of late, and struggling to embrace. I started writing for this very reason, but I've been stumbling in my attempts to meet "expectations," when I knew all along the expectations of others were stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones. God laid out the way before me, but I've allowed those blocks thrown into my path to distract me.
Hopefully, by the time my first book comes out in August, you'll have a fairly good idea of what to expect. I'm endeavoring to be honest when I post what I read, so you'll know I read a wide variety of material, but I don't write a wide variety of material. I'm endeavoring to be courageous enough to share who I am and how I arrived at this point in my life, so you'll know you're not alone, and surviving an ugly past is not only possible but remarkable and the present and future are full of light.
http://www.desertroserwa.org
Loved this post: http://www.naomimusch.com/apps/blog/show/13291322-bending-the-rules-in-christian-romance-guest-post-by-karen-baney
I've realized I've been more than a little vague here. I'm trying to find a healthy balance between what is expected and what is real. The above link will take you to Naomi Musch's blog, where her guest Karen Baney talks about the rules of writing Christian Romance.
She's right about how sanitized Christian romance tends to be. Writers are held to an incredibly high bar of what is and is not allowed. If you fall short, you are accused of not being Christian. I'll be writing more about this, once I work up the courage.
For now, I'm leaving you with the above article. It isn't very long. It's worth reading. It's also a God-given hint to what I've been thinking about of late, and struggling to embrace. I started writing for this very reason, but I've been stumbling in my attempts to meet "expectations," when I knew all along the expectations of others were stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones. God laid out the way before me, but I've allowed those blocks thrown into my path to distract me.
Hopefully, by the time my first book comes out in August, you'll have a fairly good idea of what to expect. I'm endeavoring to be honest when I post what I read, so you'll know I read a wide variety of material, but I don't write a wide variety of material. I'm endeavoring to be courageous enough to share who I am and how I arrived at this point in my life, so you'll know you're not alone, and surviving an ugly past is not only possible but remarkable and the present and future are full of light.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday...
...and a follow up on my God hug, because God winked.
Tuesday was amazing. I'm still feeling jazzed. Just to make sure we're on the same page, jazzed means excited, bubbly, energized, jazzed.
Before the insanity of Tuesday started, I had received an email from a dear friend. She frequently sends me inspirational emails. I enjoy them, and like to give them the proper time, so I'll wait if I'm feeling rushed. Tuesday, I saw it, and waited.
Snow Leopard was installed, and six hours of editing. I felt fried. Then I opened my friend's email:
Dear Woman of God,
Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally.
Dear God, This is my friend whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will always be safe.
Amen!
God Winked.
Registration for the Desert Dreams Writers' Conference is still open.
http://www.desertroserwa.org
Interesting post on romancing writing from a man's perspective, Rob Preece, over at Writers In The Storm. http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/women-are-from-venus-men-are-annoying-guest-post-by-rob-preece/ I need to work on this.
Tuesday was amazing. I'm still feeling jazzed. Just to make sure we're on the same page, jazzed means excited, bubbly, energized, jazzed.
Before the insanity of Tuesday started, I had received an email from a dear friend. She frequently sends me inspirational emails. I enjoy them, and like to give them the proper time, so I'll wait if I'm feeling rushed. Tuesday, I saw it, and waited.
Snow Leopard was installed, and six hours of editing. I felt fried. Then I opened my friend's email:
Dear Woman of God,
Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally.
Dear God, This is my friend whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will always be safe.
Amen!
God Winked.
Registration for the Desert Dreams Writers' Conference is still open.
http://www.desertroserwa.org
Interesting post on romancing writing from a man's perspective, Rob Preece, over at Writers In The Storm. http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/women-are-from-venus-men-are-annoying-guest-post-by-rob-preece/ I need to work on this.
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