My Writing Adventure

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.

I am truly astounded that it is already February 11. How have the first six weeks of 2008 passed so quickly? Needless to say, my writing adventure isn't off to a very good start. Although my pace is slower, my life has been full of working (handing my job over to someone else), church, funeral preparation for my husband's dear grandmother and the basics of quiet time and exercise.

In my prayer time this morning, I realized that I can no longer use the excuse that I deserve the tv time, extra dessert or the special something I want to buy. Although I haven't had full days to enjoy my freedom, I've had moments and those will have to do because it is time to get to work.

Unfortunately, the writing will be delayed for a bit longer because I have to finish with the company who was hired to help me polish my resume and interviewing skills. I have eleven more days with them and then my time will be more focused on writing.

To actually write something worthwhile is going to take a lot of discipline...

I found this morning's devotional to be so timely and encouraging I wanted to share it:

Morning

The Lord is our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would be if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption and the depravity of the heart and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further and remember that we are perfect in Christ Jesus. It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind “Christ Jesus, whom God made . . . our righteousness,”¹ we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord—Christ has done it all. On the cross He said, “It is finished!” and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”2 You will not find on this side of heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When the believer says, “I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus,” then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought: “Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?” “The love of Christ controls us,”3 “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”4 If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.

I had lunch with my dear friend, Sheri, today. (Hi Sheri!)

I poured out my heart and my feelings of conviction about how stupid writing feels to me. I've said it before but I am not qualified for this task. Sheri encouraged me to just break up this major to-do into little tasks -- and WRITE! I need to get past the frustration of not having things the way I want them and start moving forward. (Thanks Sheri!!)

Sometimes I'll troll the internet looking for some kind of encouragement only to be discouraged in the end. Reading blogs about other people's cute toddlers or new cars or how very difficult it is to be a professional writer tends to drag me down a little rather than building me up. That is actually why I started the Gathered Chick blog in the first place. I was talking to God about my discouragement after doing a little internet surfing and I felt His leading to start a blog of my own to encourage anyone who might read it. And I'm not sure many people are reading it but I hope it encourages them.

On another note, if you were taught, as I was, that God and the pronouns to describe Him should be capitalized but are noticing that some authors don't follow this rule, check out this incredibly informative article to learn more: http://www.allaboutgod.com/the-write-way/issue-28.pdf.

~ H

First post of 2008. As my other blog, Gathered Chick, indicates, this year hasn't quite gone as I expected it would.

During the last two weeks I've really struggled with the whole idea of writing. I am completely unqualified and often dread even composing a simple thank-you note. I asked God for clarity on this issue and got a firm "move forward" from Him during the weekend message at church.

Our pastor taught on Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower. He called the person in verse 22 "The Chronically Conflicted." This person wants Christ to be a good addition to their life, instead of having Christ be their life. I cried as I realized that God has spoken to me over and over that He has a story He wants me to write. If Christ is indeed my life, then who am I to say I can't or won't do this because I'm scared or fear failure.

I want to be the person in verse 23 who is all-in and produces a bountiful crop. So, here I am. Ready to do the Lord's will. (But still saying "eeek!" at the prospect.)

Yesterday I went to the Apple store to check out their low end laptops. I asked God to please stop me from buying the laptop if this isn't what He wants or to please give me the go-ahead if this is His will. Through some circumstances, I believe I got His "move forward" again. My laptop should be here in a couple of weeks and I'm actually a little excited about it.

~H