Incentives to Write - by Sandi Somers

New Year’s Greetings for 2019 to everyone!!

January is usually the time we write new goals for the coming year. This month, our writers will look deeper, exploring incentives that help them keep on track with their writing goals.

Goals and Goads?

Several years ago while reading comments on a blog about goals, I came to this typo: “I have realised the importance of writing the goads down.”  (She wasn’t an InScriber. Whew!!)

This writer spoke more truth than she realized.

Now a goad is a club, sometimes with sharp nails, that ancient farmers used to get a balky ox to cooperate. While Saul (later called the Apostle Paul) was persecuting Christians, God was speaking to him, but he was kicking against the goads (Acts 26:14).

Sometimes we need goads—er—incentives to keep us on track with our goals.

* * *

Our Courage, God's Strength

Humour aside, as I was thinking of this blog, God brought to mind the following verse:

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart” (Psalm 31:24).

God was prompting me to rethink "incentives" from the viewpoints of my courage and His strength.

Courage to bring my goals before God

God has a message for me to write and speak, and opportunities come up that point me in His direction. For example, this Fall I was given an opportunity to lead a healing prayer time on a mission trip to Haiti (to come in February). This project involves preparing a training seminar for Haitian prayer leaders. I needed to write a training manual so that it can be translated into Haitian Creole.

God’s strength and inspiration to focus on this project comes with His reminder: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Courage to set long-term goals while focusing on short-term plans.

          While attending one writers’ conference, I found a secret that made sense to me: to break down my goals into three-month or even one-month or weekly plans. This helped keep my focus whereas longer goals sometimes got derailed by other life events.

          God’s strength comes from His promise: “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure” (Proverbs 4:26).

Courage to keep my vision in mind when other events in life overtake me.

          One of my coaches suggested that when life takes over, we still write for five or ten minutes each day—a thought, an idea. It may not seem like much, but it captures a key component which contributes to one of my current projects. And often those five minutes add up to a few more moments stolen from a busy day.

God’s strength comes with His promise: “May your strength be sufficient for each day you live" (Deuteronomy 33:25).

* * *  

What incentives keep you on track with what you hope to achieve? How are God's nudgings part of your incentives?

You may wish further suggestions. These blogs (Jeff Goins here, James Clear on repetitions here and our own InScribe Shirley Tye here) may give you some food for thought.

Writing Can Be Dangerous by Susan Barclay

We've been challenged this month to describe our faith and/or writing in terms of a metaphor. 

Ugh. 

I know many of you will prove that not all the good metaphors are taken (like painting a fence and walking a tightrope, for example), but I was drawing a blank. Maybe metaphors aren't my phorté, I thought, misspelling intended. 

For lack of a better solution, I decided to google "writing is like" to see what treasures I could unearth. And then it hit me! Writing is like going on a treasure hunt!

Here's the scoop:

As a writer/treasure-hunter I start off looking for something. I may or may not have a X-marked map or even GPS coordinates of my destination (I am, after all, a pantser), but the germ of something, a gold (or fool's gold) nugget, an idea, has popped into my mind and must be explored.

There are tools at my disposal. Just as Indiana Jones has his bag of tricks, including whip, gun, knife and torch, I have mine - a creative mind, years of life experience, a way with words, methods learned in workshops, research skills, something on which to capture my work (paper, notebook, laptop, computer), to name a few. 

The path is almost never easy or straight. Oh, sure, there are days when the words flow from brain to keyboard in rapid succession, but just as often there are obstacles to circumnavigate - a family member needs my attention, I'm tired or sick (or sick and tired), I have to go to work, the words won't come. On days like these, I'm adrift, meandering and heavy-hearted, like a pirate marooned by his mates. At times I cast down my tools, throw up my hands in pleading or despair, or turn to other, more yielding subjects. 

Just like treasure-hunting (think violent rivals, poisonous snakes, dark places rigged with booby-traps), writing can be dangerous. Cribbing from author Jeff Goins, writing goals can be sidetracked by social media and Internet wanderings, writing can cause you to question your deepest-held beliefs and values, and ideas themselves have the ability to "launch revolutions and upset the status quo."

But when the seeker locates the desired object, what a thrill! The same experience awaits the persistent writer. When you follow a thought, when you let the story tell itself or lead you to its conclusion, why, there's nothing like that feeling of satisfaction and glee.

For all the work, the sweat, the tears, the battle scars, the sleepless nights and distracted days - it's worth it! You hold your treasure up to the light and admire it from every angle. You share it with your writing community and hope they see it the way you do or can offer advice that allow you to polish it until it shines. And then, instead of putting it in a museum or private collection, or stuffing it in a drawer for your own occasional perusal, you try to find a way to send it into the world so everyone can see.

A quote from Walt Disney beautifully sums up my metaphor:

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.

Treasure-hunting can describe my faith life too. But that's for another post!
______________
Susan maintains a website and currently blogs infrequently at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com 

The Apprenticeship of Robert W. Jones by Bob Jones

The Apprenticeship of Robert W. Jones

Mordecai Richler authored “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,” – a classic about a poor Jewish boy raised in Montreal, Quebec. The novel was part of my high school education.

I never imagined that one day I would be composing something others would read about my own writing apprenticeship. 

Apprenticeship is how Jeff Goins in “The Art of the Work” suggests writers view their learning process.

I started writing for publication in 2013. Now I’m composing two blog posts a week, write for a local newspaper, a national magazine and on two sites for writers. My first book was published in 2015. 

I’m still at the early stage of my apprenticeship, but I’ve learned a lot.

My Turning Point

My writing process changed for the better when I learned to separate the writing function from the editing function.

When I began writing I edited on the fly.  I would get a couple of paragraphs down. Then I’d go back and change a word or a phrase or a whole sentence.

Then I would do it again.  And again.

I am a perfectionist.

Jeff Goins encouraged me to let my writing “flow.”  Get your words out – spelling mistakes, awkward wording, imperfections and all.

Now I write and then leave it alone. I come back to edit in an hour or a day.

That’s how I wrote this post. I started it on April 26th and now I’m editing it aboard Air Canada flight 176 to Montreal on April 28th.

As a new writer, I’m indebted to Jeff to have learned this lesson soon than later.

My Two Most Important Discoveries

First, I discovered that my content can always be bettered.

I return to posts I published twelve months previously.

Posts I edited.

Posts I liked.

A year later I immediately see ways that I can improve the post.

I know I’m getting better as a writer. It’s a slow, but gradual process.

I know I’ll become an even better writer.

At one time I felt intimidated by the realization that I could do better. I hesitated to share content that I knew could be improved. I delayed publishing posts until they were perfected.

Now I write, edit and share.

Second, I discovered that the visual aspect of a post is as important as the content.

I owe that discovery to Cindy Keating at Red Carpet Life.

Cindy’s writing content is engaging and makes me want to come back for more but it was the layout of her posts I realized helped me to engage.

I used to write long paragraphs, as in essay style. I didn’t use images to support my writing because I believed them to be a crutch. Good writing should stand on it’s own.

Red Carpet Life taught me the use of vibrant colors, rich images, single sentences rather than paragraphs and section headers for ease of scanning.

What I Would Do Differently

I would never have stopped publishing.

Twenty-five years ago I wrote with a purpose.

I submitted articles that were issue-oriented to national magazines and local newspapers. I thought they were important. Some were occasionally published – I’ve got a scrapbook of them.

I stopped publishing because I wasn’t getting enough affirmation.

No one, other than the editors, ever commented on my content.

After awhile, others pursuits that garnered better response rose to the top of my priority list and I stopped publishing and then writing altogether.

My regret, that I hope I can help you avoid, is imagining where I could be as a writer if I had continued my publishing and writing pursuits.

Twenty-five years is a lot of lost experience and practice.

You’re reading this because you are a writer.

If you keep writing someone will keep reading.

Who knows which reader may themselves be a writer needing to be heard.

Deliberate Ramblings by Sharon Espeseth

Apprenticeship Still in Progress . . .

By both Jeff Goins' and Malcolm Gladwell's standards, I have done my writing apprenticeship: plus 10 years practice, 10,000 hours writing, and at least 1,000,000 words. I've had my share of sporadic writing. I haven't daily practiced my scales and pieces. Years have passed when I didn't perform, or publish my work, regularly.

I'm thankful for what I have inscribed in my journal and what I've had published. My writing has not made me wealthy, nor has it always satisfied the taxman. I do, however, have a few bulging binders with clippings of blogs, poems, memoir pieces, essays, and religious articles. Would some of these writings fit between book covers? If so, I'm running out of years to accomplish this feat. It's time to escape apprenticeship mode.

Intrinsic Rewards!

I have enjoyed the writing and I have been rewarded in spiritual and emotional ways. God has blessed what I've written to I-don't-know-how-many readers. Occasional responses, or personal comment attest to this. For everyone who thanked me for a message that blessed him or her, there may be others who were also blessed.

Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, met and healed ten lepers, but only one leper came back to thank him. Do we encourage other writers by letting them know that their writing helped us?

Listening: A New Emphasis

January 1, 2016, I made one resolution and that was to become a better listener to God, and to my husband, family, friends, and others I meet. As background to this, I reread the story of Elijah, and his experience in listening to the voice of God. (I Kings 19:1-18) After upsetting the status quo by destroying the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There Elijah spent the night in a cave.

The Lord woke Elijah and asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah reminded God what had happened.

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is going to pass by."

Expecting something big, Elijah waited on the mountain. The Lord was not in the terrible wind that ripped the mountain apart. The Lord was not in the earthquake that followed; nor was he in the fire. Torn and shaken, Elijah waited. After the fire, God whispered to him, telling him what to do.

Disappointment and a Whisper!

For years, the Edmonton Journal has been running a Saturday column called "Offerings," which is an "opportunity to express thoughts on religious issues." Over the years, I've had a number of articles published in this 750-word column, as have other Christian writers. The column is open to those of other faiths as well. I feel disappointed when there is no column. Do we as Christians, have no words to express our gratitude for what God has done for us?

Years ago the Journal paid $75 per column, fair pay in the 90s. Then they quit paying, but still invited columns. To satisfy the taxman, I looked for other markets, but I still wrote occasionally for Offerings and read what others wrote.

The Early Morning Call

"I need you to write the story about Lent, Sharon."

During Lent, I watched for tidings on the Easter theme. Nothing. I awoke at 6:00 a.m. one morning I must proclaim the Easter/Lenten theme. I wrote a quick draft for critiquing at the March meeting of Women Word Weavers.
knowing that

Reading my essay to the group, I discovered that we, being of different denominations, had uncommon understandings about Lent. One of the ladies, also a Christian admitted Lent hadn't been a big part of her background. Discussion and suggestions prepared me for a total rewrite. I prayed about the rewriting and set to work. My writing buddies were surprised to see how the published article differed from my original draft.

After my story was printed, a few people commented on the article, but one gentleman I didn't know sent me an encouraging message by LinkedIn. He said he had read my essay twelve times and that he would probably read it twelve more times. What message from the Lord did this fellow receive?

My story in Offerings in the Edmonton Journal

Listen, Trust and Obey

When God tells us to write, we are expected to listen and obey. The message may be tailored for a particular readership God has in mind. If we fail to do God's bidding, God will have other options to get his message across. In our failure, however, we have denied the Lord, as Peter did the night Jesus was arrested. When God has done so much for us, how can we neglect our work in his vineyard?

"Risky Business?" by Sharon Espeseth

As a child, I loved the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. I recall the disciples clambering around Jesus to tell him about their day. This was difficult, because of the constant interruptions of the people crowding around the Master. I could imagine this being like students prancing around a teacher or parent, trying to get the adult's attention.

Jesus had compassion on them 

Jesus knew the apostles had been helping, healing, and teaching people all day and that they had much to tell him. He invited his men to go with him by boat to a quiet spot, but the crowds, still wanting more of Jesus, beat them to the "secluded spot." To Jesus, the people looked like sheep without a shepherd. Having compassion on them, he continued his teaching. Toward evening, the disciples reminded Jesus that the people needed to disperse and find themselves some food.

I can imagine, the apostles' surprise when Jesus said, "You give them something to eat."  (My italics.) Where were they going to get all this food? After taking inventory, they had only five loaves of bread and two fish. They brought these humble offerings to Jesus. I wonder if these ordinary men believed right away that they would have enough food to feed this huge crowd. Were some of them skeptics?  Blessed and broken by Jesus, however, the food was enough to feed the multitudes and feed them abundantly. Twelve baskets full or food remained.

Often we as writers are timid about our writing and wonder if it is enough to feed those who are spiritually hungry. In the third chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul makes it clear that the work we do isn't about us. As servants, we have been assigned our tasks. With our writing, we plant the seed. Someone else may water the seed by publishing it or by promoting our writing, but it is God who makes that seed produce.

If we don't do our job of writing, there will be nothing to water and nothing to grow. Paul reminded Timothy that God did not give us a spirit of timidity; rather he gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) Claiming the power of God's spirit should prevent us from hiding our talents. If we have God's love in our hearts, would we not want to share it? If we are lacking self-discipline, it is time to commit that problem to our Lord.

St. Angela Merici, born in the 15th century, was an orphan, who dedicated her adult life to providing education for poor girls and young women. She also founded the Order of the Ursalines. Fitting to her calling, she said, "Do something, get moving, risk new things, stick with it, get on your knees, then be ready for big surprises."

St. Angela's words still apply today. With her teaching in mind, these are my goals.

1. To live an-abiding-in-Christ life. To be a branch on Christ's vine.

2. To listen and be attentive to the voice of the Creator. To jot down in my notebook what God brings
     to my attention.

3. To do and learn from the 500-Words-a-Day Word Challenge--Jeff Goins Style. (I am on Day 3 of
    31.)

4. To start a blog about living with purpose and enjoyment in my senior years.

5. To submit my writings for publication, so I have two submissions on the go all the time.

I plan to "do something, get moving, risk new things, stick with it, get on (my) knees, and get "ready for big surprises."

Ramona Heikel said the following in her blog, "Inspired to Wait Tables", in August of this year.

". . . as appointed servants of the Lord, we are entrusted with a fortune of gifts and abilities, self-esteem problems or not.  If we devalue the talents God has given us, it is a serious problem."

Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you  go.

God knew his children would sometimes be afraid. In Joshua 1:9, God says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This is not just a reminder; it's a promise. Since God really wants us to get that, he has included many messages about our being courageous and not being afraid.

If we fall or fail, God will help us up again. God is close at hand. If we abide in him and listen to him, writing is not a risky business.

ICWF Fall Conference 2015 - Ruth L. Snyder

A gourmet banquet meal comes to mind when I think of the InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship Fall Conference 2015. I had the opportunity to worship God, be challenged, encouraged, motivated, and equipped. Today I'd like to share some highlights by way of pictures.

Jeff Goins

This year we, as an executive, decided to have a pre-conference session on Thursday afternoon. Jeff Goins not only challenged us to figure out what God wants us to do personally, but also encouraged us to consider how we could meet each other's needs as a community of writers. He encouraged us to think about ways our passions and skills intersect with what people need and want. He also challenged us to share our needs with our InScribe community and see how God could meet those needs through other people we know.

Irish Beth Maddock

Melanie Fischer and Sheila Webster

On Thursday evening we had a delightful time of sharing and celebrating. Many authors shared a piece they had written by reading aloud. Irish Beth Maddock delighted us with her cat shoes and her charming children's book, The Great Carp Escape. We were thrilled to celebrate Melanie Fischer's launch of her book, Ya...But How? Connie Inglis received the prize for our inaugural art contest and we all benefitted by receiving a beautiful journal with her picture on the cover.

Bittersweet Memories by Connie Inglis

Connie Inglis receives art contest award

The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre provided a welcoming environment which many attendees commented on. The weekend flew by all too quickly as we enjoyed a wide array of quality workshops, browsed the many tables of books available for sale, ate delicious food, renewed friendships, and networked.

Fall Contest Winner

WINNERS OF THE 2015 FALL CONTEST

NON-FICTION ESSAY (Contemporary issue from a Christian perspective)

FIRST – “Abortion: Canada’s Unfinished Debate” by Sharon Espeseth of Barrhead, AB

SECOND- “Connecting the Dots” by Violet Nesdoly of Langley, BC

THIRD – “Until Death Do Us Part” by Nina Morey of Saskatoon, SK

ADULT FICTION – SHORT STORY

FIRST – “Holiday Cheer” by Marnie Pohlman of Taylor, BC

SECOND - No prize awarded

THIRD – “Crash and Burn” by Nina Morey of Saskatoon, SK

HM –“A Shepherd’s Story” by Ellen Hooge of Calgary, AB

Bob Goodnough

POETRY

FIRST – “If Only” by Sharon Cavers of Cavan, ON

SECOND- “Like a Mustard Seed” by Alvin Ens of Abbotsford, BC

THIRD – “He Was Trouble” by Connie Inglis of Edmonton, AB

HM – “The Pebble” by Katherine Hoffman of Edmonton, AB

DEVOTIONAL

FIRST- “Remember” by Ramona Furst of North Bay, ON

SECOND- “Monkeys on My Back” by Marnie Pohlman of Taylor, BC

THIRD – “Trust Your Pilot” by Janet Seever of Calgary, AB

BLOG POST

FIRST – “Spirit-Led Writing” by Bob Goodnough of Delisle, SK

SECOND - “Take Up a Stone” by Marcia Laycock of Blackfalds, AB

THIRD – “Ideas” by Janice Dick of Guernsey, SK

Some of the contributors to 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers

We celebrated the launch of the paperback edition of 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers on Friday night after the banquet.





I'm grateful for the volunteer team of people God has brought together to serve on the InScribe Executive for 2015-16:

President: Ruth L. Snyder

Vice-President: Sheila Webster

Secretary: Sandi Somers

Treasurer: Bobbi Junior

Membership: Gwen Mathieu

Website: Janelle Baldwin

Local Writing Group Coordinator: Tracy Krauss

Publicity Coordinator: Karma Pratt

FellowScript Editor-in-Chief: Sheila Webster

Contest Coordinator: Eleanor Bertin

Conference Convener 2016:

Spiritual Advisor Team: Jack Popjes and Connie Inglis (Elaine Ingalls Hogg as able)

FellowScript Acquisitions Editor: Pam Mytroen

FellowScript Layout Editor: Janelle Baldwin

FellowScript Columns Editor: Nina Morey

InScribe Writers Online Blog Moderator: Tracy Krauss

Professional Blog Moderator: Stephanie Nickel

Listserv Moderator: Sheri Hathaway

Administrative Assistant: Marnie Pohlmann

ICWF Book Coordinator:

Provincial/Territorial Reps: Tracy Krauss, BC; Tandy Balson, AB; Janice Dick, SK; Addy Oberlin, MB; Glynis Belec, ON; Beverley Nippard, NL/Labrador (Vacant: Yukon, Nunavut, Quebec, PEI, NB, and NS)

Pray that God will continue to use InScribe to encourage and equip writers who are Christians!

A Call to Prayer - Ruth L. Snyder

Have you ever wondered how your actions would be different if you could see activity in spiritual realms? The Bible gives us glimpses, like Satan's discussion with God about Job, Isaiah's vision of a seraphim who cleansed his unclean lips with a live coal, and Daniel's vision where the prince of the kingdom of Persia delayed the answer to his prayer by twenty-one days.

Sometimes it's easy to forget we are in a spiritual battle. However, the battle is real, whether we acknowledge it or not. Each time we as Christians write for the glory of God, we are engaging in battle. When we meet for fall conference so that we are better prepared and armed to write, we will face opposition.

Whether you are attending conference this year or not, I invite you to join the executive in prayer. Pray daily if possible. If God leads you to do so, set aside a day to fast and pray. Here are some ideas (based on ideas which Janet Sketchley "borrowed" from ACFW):

• Promotion: that the message gets out to those who God wants to hear it
• Enough volunteers to share the load
• More than enough registrations to cover costs
• Clear communication with speakers and workshop leaders
• Registration process online to work properly
• Fall Contest judges as they select winners
• Sponsorships to cover some costs
• God's Spirit to cover the Sawridge Inn and protect attendees from spiritual attacks
• Keynote speakers: Jeff Goins, Caleb J. Seeling
• Workshop instructors - preparation, clarity of thought, ability to explain well
• Ruth L. Snyder (our fearless leader)
• Conference Registrar: Gwen Mathieu
• Bookstore preparation
• Health and allergy protection, safety onsite
• Divine appointments, making contacts and friends
• Travel to/from safely and uninterrupted, belongings not to get misplaced
• Good rest, adjustment to time zones, peace about (and protection for) families at home
• Prayer times and worship sessions
• Spiritual blessings and tangible presence of the Spirit
• First-time attendees
• Flow of creative ideas
• Encouragement for each participant
• For people who don't win awards or who get disappointing results from critiques or appointments
• Banquet and celebration of Fall Contest participants
• Launch of paperback edition of 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers
• Blue pencil critiques
• Sound equipment, projectors, laptops, recordings etc to work well
• Practical learning for each participant
• God's anointing on whole event
• God to surprise us
• Participants to go home equipped and encouraged 
• Re-entry into the “real world”
• Protection on each one’s spirit
• Processing of what was learned
• Following up on opportunities and contacts
• Enthusiasm to apply what’s learned, even with winter coming on
• Career plans, God's leading
• Participants to feel "courageous in becoming word warriors - that they would have a greater sense of the contribution they can make in proclaiming truth through the written word

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31

Going Green--Bamboo Green by Connie Inglis

I do enjoy seeing the new growth, the new green, of spring. I realize for some of you, spring has been green for a few months. For those of us on the Canadian prairies, the new green growth of spring is just beginning. And it is truly invigorating after months of white, months of no growth but only cold harshness.

My writing went through a long, long winter like that--something I shared about in last month's blog. But then shoots of growth started sprouting--Holy Spirit-driven sprouts of greenness and new life. It was unexpected but oh so welcoming to my frozen heart and soul.

I cannot explain how my life has changed since those green sprouts returned. I just know I never want to go back to the tundra. Which presents a challenge: How do I keep my writing green?

First and foremost, I need to invite the Spirit into everything that pertains to writing... that includes any reading I do, any listening to sermons or podcasts I do, any music listening I do, even any tv watching I do. I am still learning this one. It takes practice but if I keep it up, it will become a habit. I have discovered that you just never know when an idea will jump out at you if you are in the "write" frame of mind. That's one of the things I LOVE about the Holy Spirit--He is anything but predictable. That's what makes His inspiration so fresh and green.

In his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King states, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." I've always been a reader. However, I have recently been choosing books that help me with my writing--books like, Ordinary Genius by Kim Addonizio, Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury and, You are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins. Each author has a unique perspective on their craft and as I read I feel like a young "Grasshopper" sitting at their feet with so much to learn.

I am also learning to read proactively--to read seeking something fresh, green, inspirational. You might think that ruins the enjoyment of reading but it actually has made the reading more enjoyable. Sounds strange I know. Again, I believe that's the working of the Spirit.

It's the writing that I had stopped long ago that has returned and I'm learning that it requires work. I always thought that for famous authors writing came easy, with little work. I am learning that this is a false assumption.  In the book mentioned above, Jeff Goins says, “Everything is practice. Every word you write and action you take is a chance to get better.” Believe it or not, this encourages me. I'm not afraid of work. I have learned throughout my life that perseverance pays off--that the Spirit is present in the perseverance. That doesn't mean there won't be slow days or "writer's block" days. But I believe it does mean there will no longer be years of winter. For that I am thankful.

I am still a novice--my toes are just beginning to sink into the pristine sands of an undiscovered tropical island, one that is lush and green. Funny, when I think of green growth, my years of living in Southeast Asia take my imagination to a picture of bamboo forests. I love bamboo for many reasons. In how it relates to writing, I love its green growth--without hibernation, without winter. Bamboo is strong yet pliable. It will bend but not break. It is also persevering. Cut it down and the growth will return. In fact, some species of bamboo can grow three feet in 24 hours. What?!! Now that's prolific. It's sort of scary to say this (because of the prolific part) but I feel like my writing is a bamboo forest right now--a forest where God's Spirit is alive, weaving in and out of the graceful jointed stems, catching the Light on the slender leaves. I feel alive--hardly able to breathe sometimes--and it is beautiful. God is oh so good.

Are You A Writer? YES -- Janis Cox

I am reading a book on my Kindle called "You are a Writer - so Start Acting Like One" by Jeff Goins.

There is no hard copy but I would love to be able to flip back through the pages; put notes in the margins; highlight in yellow or pink and generally use it as a reference book.

Instead I did use the highlight function on my Kindle (my Kindle is first generation - so highlighting is not easily done). Some passages spoke to me and I want to share those with you today.

1. "Believe you already are what you want to be. And then start acting like it." (110-117)
2.  He compared writing to running a marathon. He asked himself where did the discipline to train come from. The answer, "It happened from doing the work, creating habits and building momentum... If you do anything long enough, it becomes habitual." (208-216)
3. "Multitasking is a myth. You can either create or react. But you can't do both. Choose wisely." (252-260)
4. "Here is the truth: There is no wrong thing. Just begin. Once you learn how to finish, you'll be able to start again. (267-274)
5. Jeff gave three important things we need to have as writers:

1. A PLATFORM - "Be a resource to others. Do favors. Be selfless."
2. A BRAND
3. CHANNELS (345-348) (You need to read the book to expand on these)

Then Jeff continued with concrete examples:

1. RESOURCES: You need resources to start your own self-hosted blog:
1. outstandingsetup.com
2. yourdigitalbook.com
3. problogger.net
2. Three Important Relationships:

1. FANS - those who admire your work
2. FRIENDS - peers to help you get better
3. PATRONS - people of influence - mentors (594-601)

And the pattern in all of this is "serving people" without an agenda. Relationships are important.

I finished Jeff's book this morning. I highly recommend it. The last couple of chapters really inspired me but you will have to read for yourself.

My friend, Janet Sketchley, wrote today about being a writer called Writer, Who are you Really?

To all my writer friends - I have stepped out and have taken the challenge.

Tadeo (TAD-ay-OH) Turtle

Tadeo Turtle should be published sometime in September by Word Alive. Tadeo Turtle is a story for children about a little turtle who longs to be someone different. In this adventure he learns to accept how God has created him. 

Janis Cox

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement.

She has published a couple of devotionals and a number of articles. Her Bible study is available in PDF.

As owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and A Better Way, she writes often.

Her children's book, Tadeo Turtle, is scheduled for release in September. Email her at Janis or visit her at www. janiscox.com.