Start, Stop, and Continue in 2016 by Diana Flegal

Happy 2016!








In his last message of 2015, my Pastor challenged us to ask ourselves these three questions in preparing for the New Year.

What do I want to start?

What should I stop?

And, what should I continue doing?

As a writer beginning this New Year, I challenge you to ask yourself the same three questions. Here are a few suggestions to consider under the various categories.

START TO:

• meet with a writers/ critique group once a month- even if it has to be online
• journal or write daily morning pages (Google ‘morning pages, Julia Cameron’)
• wake early to grab writing time before daily tasks and commitments claim your day
• write and post a weekly blog / seek guest blogging opportunities
• submit your finished work to literary agents or magazines
• build an Instagram, twitter, or Pinterest account after researching how to utilize them
• invest this year in your dream- a small investment might be the purchase of a writing resource book- a larger one- to register for a writers conference  

STOP:

• making excuses for your writing passion to family and friends
• ignoring the advice of the experts advising you to make changes to your manuscript (especially if you have heard the same thing from several professionals)
• editing- there is a time to stop, say enough, and submit your work
• using weed words that clutter up your story- examples are: ‘just’, ‘always’, ‘really’, that, and ‘as if’

CONTINUE:

• to hone your writing skills by attending a writers conference
• build your social media platforms
• to blog (once you have begun, letting a blog go stagnant is not a good thing)
• build online friendships with other writers
• to post book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads for books you enjoyed

Please feel free to share your ideas my suggestions brought to mind. Stay inspired and write on.

Apples to Oranges by Jim Hart

As creatives we often find ourselves comparing our abilities to those of another talented person. He writes better than I do. She sells more books than I do. He has a contract with a bigger publisher. She has thousands more Twitter followers than I do.

Notice we don’t compare ourselves to those who have failed; we aim for the successful ones! But did you ever stop to think just how much failure has been experienced on the road to success? We tend to look at the end results and not so much the process of getting there.

If we’re not careful we can slide into coveting territory. Look at the wide range of Biblical characters who, at one time or another, wished they were someone else, or were jealous of what another had.

Saul, though he was the king, was jealous of David.

Some of the Disciples wanted what the other Disciples had.

Simon the sorcerer wanted what the Apostles had.

So how does this affect us as? It can darken our own dreams and make us hesitant to reach for those grand goals. It hinders us from moving forward. We lose, or fail to gain, momentum. It stops us from pursuing our passions.

Here are a few things that we can do when we find our eyes too focused on another's lot in life:

1. Focus on your own strengths.

This is perhaps what we need to remember most. Our abilities are ours alone. They make us unique. Work hard at recognizing those unique things that are helping you develop your own style.

As a guitarist and pianist I cannot, and probably never will be able to play as fast as many other musicians. But here’s how this has played out: To compensate for lack of speed, I’ve given time to studying what makes a good melody. If I can’t play as fast as I wish, I’ll play something that at least is pleasing to the ear.

And my vocal range is also pretty mediocre. But I don’t let that stop me. I work with what I have. As a worship leader I have to constantly lower the key to those new and popular worship songs I know our congregation loves to sing. I’ve found the range I’m limited to seems to be comfortable for most people – not too high, not too low. I think that’s why our relatively small congregation sings with the volume of a larger congregation. So Chris Tomlin, I’m not, but that’s been ok – because it benefits the congregation. I try to view this weakness as strength.

2. See yourself as a writer who is made in the image of God.

Our creative God has poured His Spirit into you. You are wonderfully and fearfully made. The Lord knew all the days in your book before you were even considered. (Psalm 139:16). He determined eons ago that you would be a writer. Remember that He has made each of us with unique talents and abilities. (Romans 12:6-8) When we purpose to use them for Him, He will be faithful to lead and guide us, and to grant us His peace in our work.

3. Never stop working at improving your craft.

Never.

We improve by doing it, not just thinking about it. There are countless resources designed solely to help us improve our writing skills. Never stop learning and never stop writing.

 

4. Remember not to compare apples to oranges.

You can take an apple off the tree and bite right into it. When you take an orange off the tree, you’ve got to peel it before you can take a bite. How does this relate to our comparing ourselves to others? I don’t know….I didn’t have time to figure that one out.

But think of it this way: Sometimes you want an apple. Sometimes you want an orange. Sometimes the apple is exactly what is needed, as in apple pie. Sometimes the orange is exactly what’s needed, as in an orange-banana smoothie. Sometimes you crave that warm slice of apple pie. Other times a cool orange-banana smoothie is the only thing that satisfies.

You get the point. Recognize that readers will always reach for something different. Sometimes they’ll reach for Steven James, or Debbie Macomber. And sometimes they’ll reach for you!

What have you done to resist comparing yourself to some one else?

Surviving that Desert Season by Jim Hart

If it seems like nothing is happening with your writing goals, here are eight tips that can help you get through a season of disappointment:

1) Keep your spiritual gas tank full
Maintain your private prayer, worship and devotion time. Be stubborn and tenacious in this area of your life. Surround yourself with worship music that is God focused – His power, might, majesty, salvation, grace, mercy, faithfulness – it will change your perspective! Roll down the windows of your car and sing out loud "My God's not dead, He's surely alive!"
 
This passage of Scripture has seen me through those desert times:  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)

2) Focus on the good stuff
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 (MSG)


3) Don’t be a loner. 
Be intentional about hanging out with a friend or two. Time spent with a person who is supportive and positive can naturally make you feel better yourself. God may lead you to be an encouragement to someone else! Trust me, it can happen!

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 ESV)

4) Don’t overly compare yourself to others

This is one area in which we can become even more discouraged. But fight it! God has a unique plan for each of us, including you.

In John 21 Jesus has just restored Peter, and told him the type of death he would face.  Of course Peter pointed at John and asked Jesus “what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22 (ESV)

5) Laugh!
It’s healthy for both mind and body. Find a good comedian on YouTube and just laugh out loud. I suggest Jeff Allen and Tim Hawkins.

6) Discipline yourself to keep writing.
“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o'clock every morning.” William Faulkner

So don’t stop writing!

Joseph, while in Egypt, named his second son Ephraim and said "God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief."  Genesis 41:52 (NLT)

If your manuscript is going nowhere, if you can’t get a literary agency to sign you, look for other avenues:

·         Write magazine articles

·         Submit to other blogs. Do you have a hobby or other area of expertise? Write about it

·         Write and submit flash fiction or short stories

·         Volunteer to write content such as press releases or ad copy for non-profits: church, ministries, missionaries, day care, animal rescue shelters, soup kitchens, etc. This will be encouraging to others and will keep you productive!

7) Take care of your physical health. 
Giving your body the care it needs will help you feel less discouraged.  Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Or at least two out of three….

8) Know the publishing industry.

Educate yourself! Subscribe to newsletters and blogs from publishers, editors and other authors. Keep current with the changes that

Positioning Yourself for Success by Diana Flegal

I was in the right place at the right time.

We have all heard someone that has met with success say that, and most of us believe it is a chance thing. They are just lucky like that, or we spiritualize it and say they are highly favored of the Lord, blessed. We do not expect good things to come our way.

I think though, that we can arrange to be in that right place at the right time.

You are fresh out of college and ready to go- DO YOU seek out those who have graduated, and baby stepped their way to reaching their personal goals? OR the friend who is living with mom and bad mouths the establishment, spouts conspiracy theory, or believes the universe will bring it to you- so you might as well play tomb raiders 24/7?

You are newly divorced; betrayed by your spouse- DO YOU seek out the woman who has been there and moved on to establish herself in a new career and is helping others do the same thing? OR head to the bar to drown your sorrows and show that good for nothing you have still got it? (BTW: That good for nothing is not paying attention to you.)

Your company is downsizing and heads are being chopped right and left. DO YOU continue to give 8 hours for 8 hours of work while you quietly begin to seek out available opportunities? OR post Facebook tirades against your present work place and throw fellow team members under the bus?  (You best remember it is a very small world.)

Most of us can see the value of good behavior and handling yourself professionally in difficult circumstances.

But what does this look like to an aspiring writer?

You spend every spare moment you have writing the next great American novel. You aced the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing courses, and your instructor has encouraged you to find an agent. DO YOU research agencies looking for your type of material, read over their submission guidelines, choose an agent within each agency, and send single emails in the manner they requested? OR do you group email twelve agents your full manuscript, then check back in with them every day- warning them they are missing out on the next big thing?  

You have written and rewritten a Historical Romance, and procured an agent. While your novel is a well crafted inspirational tale of redemption, no one is looking at HR right now. You have seven rejection letters kindly expressing hope you can place this story elsewhere. Your Facebook writer friends and your agent have mentioned the benefits of meeting professionals in this business face to face. DO YOU sell a few dusty figurines on Craig’s list, hold a yard sale, and squirrel away a year’s worth of birthday, anniversary and sock drawer savings and register for a quality writer’s conference where you can meet acquisition editors that have successfully sold HR face to face? OR do you despair and delete your manuscript files, scrub your hard drive, and apply for a job at Taco Heaven?

Proverbs 10:3 in the message bible tells us: God will not starve an honest soul. I like that. Too much credence has been given the ‘starving artist’ adage. “You will never make any money painting pretty pictures or writing sad stories. You need to train for a real job.”

Phooey.

Yet, success most often comes to the one with sweat on their brow. 

Proverbs tells us the how’s and the how not-to's of success. Listed here are chapter and section headings the writer of the Message Bible chose. Peruse them. I believe you will be directed to position yourself as you dig into this treasure trove of wisdom.

An Honest Life (10:1-7)

Fear of God Expands Your Life (10:22:29)

Without Good Direction, People Lose Their Way (11:1-8)

A God Shaped Life (looks like this) (11:17-31)

Love Learning (12:11)

Wise People Take Advice (12:13-28)

Walk With the Wise (13:1-19)

There is a Way That Leads to Hell (14:1-13)

Sift and Weigh Every Word (14:14-28)

God Doesn’t Miss a Thing (15:1-13)

Life (can) Ascends to the Heights (15:12-26)

Everything With a Place and a Purpose (16:1-9)

It Pays to Live Seriously (16:10-27)

A Whack on the Head of a Fool (17:1-16)

Words Kill, Words Give Life (18:1-24)

If You Quit Listening (19:1-21)

Deep Water in the Heart (20:1-11)

Drinking From the Chalice of Knowledge (20:12-20)

The Very Steps We Take (20:21-26)

God Examines Our Motives (21:1-8)

Do Your Best, Prepare for the Worst (21:9-30)

The Cure Comes Through Discipline (22:1-16)

The Thirty Precepts of the Sages (22:17-22)

Restrain Yourself  (23:1-15)

Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight (23:16)

Intelligence Outranks Muscle (24:1-23)

Rescue the Perishing (24:25)

A Person Without Self-Control (25:16)

Fools Recycle Silliness (26:1-15)

Like Glaze on Cracked Pottery (26:16-18)

You Do Not Know Tomorrow (27:1-15)

Hard work has its reward. Food and shelter, yes. But more than that- there is a satisfaction like no other when you live in the place you were meant to live. Are you practicing the art you were meant to practice? Have you positioned yourself for success?