My Writing Adventure

The Orange County Christian Writer's Fellowship Spring Writer's Day was great. I was really sick and probably shouldn't have gone health-wise, but I felt God wanted me to be there. No one gave me a hard time about coming even though I was sick. However, I certainly would have, if I'd been the healthy one.

As much as I felt God wanted me there, I felt the Enemy didn't - down to our hairdryer breaking and DH having to run out to Walgreens at 5:30 am to pick up a new one. For $12 it doesn't dry very fast but it's better than wet hair.

I'm not sure I came away with anything constructive except for some good relationship connections, a reaffirmation that the publishing industry is VERY hard to break into, and no "Don't Quit Your Day Job" notes on my fiction submission. Mostly the only notes on my submission were errors on commas. One of my previous bosses thought a comma should go wherever you would pause in speech, so I need a refresher course on commas and punctuation. I picked up Kathy Ide's PUGs book, to help me with that kind of thing.

Please pray that I am wise during this season. Unlike my other job losses, I don't feel compelled to run out and get a job - which is usually my m.o. I'm generally so afraid about our money situation that I'm scared to let us go a week without a full paycheck.

I'm trying to listen to the Lord to see if He is really the one giving me peace about not working or if I'm just being lazy. I can't explain this writing thing except to say that I feel God say over and over (not daily, but regularly) that I am supposed to write this book. It is completely daunting. I'm not sure I even want the job of writing this book. I feel completely unqualified. And I don't know if this is something I'm supposed to write for publication or if it is something I'm just supposed to write for me.

Anyway, that's where I'm at for now.

Almost forgot! Author Beverly Lewis, who spoke at the OCCWF event, shared that she was in three critique groups for many years so those in my Fiction Intensive are starting a new Fiction critique group. (Also have to mention that Diana Glyer gave a magnificent talk at OCCWF on the Inklings and how C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien encouraged the members of that group.) That gives me two groups to participate in, as long as I have Friday mornings free. I'm looking forward to getting regular feedback from people who don't have a reason to say nice things to me.

How happy am I? Pretty happy.

So far, The Grocery Game has been a phenomenal success in my house. I'm embarrassed to realize how much money I've been wasting at the grocery store. Now, mind you, The Grocery Game does take some extra time so I'm not sure we would have realized this much in savings if I was working. Also, note that you have to do your shopping on either Sunday, Monday or Tuesday to gain the most savings.

My M.O. is to pick up the paper on Sunday (have you ever tried canceling home delivery of the paper? I'd rather pay the extra few cents and pick it up.) I cut my coupons and make my list on Monday and then I shop on Tuesday.

Here's what I've saved so far (drum roll, please)...

I saved 42% last week on my grocery shopping.

I saved 44% this week AND I got a coupon for $10.00 off my next shopping trip.

WOWEE-WOW-WOW!!

I'm simply blown away. This is totally worth the money.

I didn't have to change grocery stores and I even saved a trip to Target this week because all the household items I would normally purchase there were on sale at Vons. I even got a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner because Rocks In My Dryer recommended it so highly. And I got it for $8.99. $8.99!!! I would normally NEVER EVER buy something like this because it seems like such a waste of money. But I really don't like cleaning the shower so if this works, then HOORAY FOR ME! If not, I'll let you know.

On a writing note (this is a writing blog, after all), the Orange County Christian Writer's Fellowship Spring Writer's Day (that's a mouthful!) is this Saturday at Mariner's Church in Newport Beach. I'm SO excited!! If you know anything about writer's conferences, you'll know that this is a real value. Top notch talent, big publisher editors, and really friendly people will be there, cheering you on in your craft. If you live in the Orange County area and write or even think about writing, you should plan to attend. Click here for more information and to register: OCCWF Spring Writer's Day.

Okay - that's enough excitement for now. I hope to see you at Spring Writer's Day!!

I can't write if I end up having to get a full time job so I'm researching ways to save money. My husband is the generous type who always tells me to buy something if I need it. That's nice but it's always made me feel a little uneasy. I mean, I don't want us to get behind on a bill just because I thought a new book would be nice to have.

My good friend, Holly, recommended The Grocery Game to me. Because I am the cautious type, I've spent about four weeks researching this program and finally signed up today. I've always cut coupons (thanks Other Mother!!) but have never stockpiled products. Plus, DH and I enjoy eating out way too much to have such a good excuse to eat at home. But, invention being the mother of necessity, I'm going to give this a try.

If you are a coupon clipper or a Grocery Game member, please leave a comment and let me know how it is going for you.

I just finished the last of today's edits to my ten page manuscript and two page summary. God is so amazingly good. I wasn't sure I would make it to this point.

Please pray that I will catch any last second edits necessary before I print and mail the paperwork tomorrow.

Good night!

Finally, the writer writes! I've been talking about writing "the story" for so long that I wasn't sure if I could do it.

I've written every day, except Sunday, for 90 minutes since March 5. And I'm surprised at what comes out. Some of it is almost good and some of it is total drivel, but it gives me something to edit. Thankfully, I know none of it is from me - I'm just a vessel.

With much encouragement from others, I've taken the step of faith to sign up for the Fiction Intensive Workshop at the Orange County Christian Writer's Fellowship Spring Writer's Day (say that five times fast). I must submit ten pages of manuscript and a two page synopsis for receipt on Wednesday (not electronically but snail mail). I'm really excited what I'll learn at the Workshop because it is limited to only 12 participants. They extended the deadline from March 1 to March 12 so I MUST have my paperwork in at the Post Office in a Priority Mail envelope tomorrow. Yikes!!

Just typing the due date made me realize, I've got to get back to work!

The writer's conference I was scheduled to attend this coming Saturday has been postponed until May. At first, I was really disappointed and wallowed in thoughts like, "Fine! This home re-organization has taken on a life of its own anyway. I don't have time to write. It was a stupid idea. See if I care!" Not an hour later, I received an email from the writer's fellowship to which I belong saying that their special fiction workshop in April has extended their deadline and will accept submissions until March 13. Which means, if I really hurry, I could possibly submit my work and participate in the writer's fellowship event, which is much larger and actually a better opportunity. So much for the I-don't-care-anyway attitude.

I happened to run across a website yesterday for author Deborah Raney. I haven't read any of her work but saw that the Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction recently released. I just called Barnes and Noble and they are holding a copy for me right this very moment. I plan to use one of my Christmas gift cards to pick it up tonight or tomorrow morning. Hopefully this book will help me start off on the right track so my two page synopsis and ten pages of writing will wow the fiction workshop leaders.

As for what I'm reading right now, I'm tearing through some books that a friend loaned me. Terri Blackstock's Last Light, Night Light and True Light are really well written and fun to read. I highly recommend them, especially if you are interested in a fast-paced thriller with a spiritual message.