Outstretched Hands by Tracy Krauss

I have enjoyed reading what others have written about this profoundly thought-provoking (and humbling) prompt. What a wonderful way to start the new year!

For those reading who did not see the prompt in its entirety, here it is:

"In Exodus 3, Moses, called by the Lord to an enormous task, expresses doubt about his abilities. The Lord replies to him, “What is that in your hand?” God then uses Moses’ staff to demonstrate His power to use what Moses already had.

As you begin the year, consider where you are now and how you will move forward in your faith and your writing. Share what is in your hand. What do you know about yourself? How has God revealed Himself to you as a writer? What tools do you possess to help you? How can you use what God has given you to enhance your writing?"

As I pondered how to respond, I recognized how gracious God has been in my life. I love to journal and reflect so have done a lot of soul searching over the years. I think I know myself - both my strengths and shortcomings - pretty well. He has revealed Himself to me in many astounding ways, sometimes through trials, physical pain and weakness, unexpected opportunities, and so much more. (Too much for me to go into detail here.)

God is in the business of using the "weak" because it is then that He is strong. We are forced to rely on Him, not on ourselves. Moses and Paul are just two fine examples. It reminds me of that famous quote, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." (Not sure who coined it first.)

Right now I am in the midst of my busiest season. In my job as an online support teacher, the first three weeks of January can become overwhelming since I have all my end-of-term work to accomplish in a very short amount of time, including interviewing all my students, updating their "Proof of Work", and writing report cards. I had company for the entire holidays prior to January and then my husband and I, who are pastoring our church, felt God's prompt to hold a "Week of Prayer" for one entire week near the beginning of the month. (An awesome thing but it certainly cut down on my "work" time!) FellowScript magazine's February issue needed to be finalized in order to be ready for its publication date. And then...

My daughter, who was due to have her sixth child near the end of the month, suddenly needed our prayers and support when her blood pressure skyrocketed. She ended up having an emergency C-section. Welcome to another beautiful little granddaughter: 5 lbs 12 ounces and as healthy as can be! We kept a couple of our grandsons for part of the ordeal.

Today I am sitting at my computer wondering how in the world I can take time to write a blog post when I still have SO MUCH WORK TO DO! How can I do justice to the deep prompting in my spirit and respond in a way that honours all that God has done in my life?

As I pondered, a thought came to mind:

Stretch out your hands...

Right now, my hands are empty. But, it's the perfect reminder to surrender. I don't have to strive or worry because God's Hands are so much bigger than mine and He will equip me to do whatever tasks He's called me to do.

____________________

Tracy Krauss writes, works, pastors, and enjoys her family and LIFE in Tumbler Ridge, BC. She is currently serving as FellowScript magazine's editor-in-chief. Visit her website for more details. https://tracykrauss.com

XYZ! by Tracy Krauss

Over the past two years, I have really enjoyed writing this series of posts based on the alphabet. I want to give a huge SHOUT OUT to our outgoing blog moderator, Wendy Macdonald, for coming up with the idea. It was inspired. I’m sure all the other bloggers here would agree that it has been challenging at times, but always loads of fun.

In fact, it has been X-tradordinary! It has made me want to YELP with joy (or laughter on occasion) after reading what others wrote! In fact, I think it has sparked a new ZEAL for blogging for some, myself included.

There. I’ve successfully completed the alphabet. (How successful is a matter of opinion.)

I’ve talked about Authenticity in one’s writing as well as Balance as a writer. I urged others to lean into their Calling rather than Compare themselves to others. It takes Discipline to be a writer, and it helps to know our mission such as whether we write to Encourage, Equip, or Entertain.

The rest of the list includes:

F – Feed My Sheep

G – Grappling With G… GOD!

H – Habits

I – InScribe!

J – Just Write

K – Know and Be Known

L – Limitless

M – Muse

N – Networking & newsletters

O – Opportunities

P – “Plantser”

Q – Quality not Quantity

R – Read and Review

S – Soul On Fire

T – Take Charge of Your Writing Life

U – Uniquely You

V – Vulnerable

W – WIPs

This brings me to the present and this last post for the year and of this alphabet journey. Did you know this represents two whole years of blogging together, my friends? I admit, I’m sad that it’s over.

As a bonus, I’ve recycled many of these posts on my own blog. I felt some had enough merit to deserve more eyes than just those of our small group. As part of the FellowScript editorial team, I’ve asked some of you to reword certain posts and re-submit them as feature articles when I saw how well they fit in with an upcoming theme. I even convinced Sharon Heagy to write a regular column based on her offerings here!

May I make a further suggestion? Some of you may want to gather these posts into a larger publication. (Seriously. An anthology or even a separate book of your own.)

My final advice for 2024 is this: Take the lessons learned while writing these posts and continue to hone your skills. And, keep on finding ways to find joy in the midst of your writing.

May God bless you this coming holiday season and into the next year.

__________________

Tracy Krauss enjoys writing from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Visit her website for more about Tracy and her writing. https://tracykrauss.com

WIPs! by Tracy Krauss

 A WIP is a “Work In Progress”. 

Some of us have one on the go while others have many. I fall into the ‘many’ category. It’s always been that way for me, ever since I first started writing almost forty years ago. I find that having more than one project keeps me from getting bogged down. I can come back to a WIP with fresh eyes after leaving it for a while, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop writing while I let one manuscript percolate. 

This has been a useful strategy whether I apply it to novels, plays, or blog posts. Letting a piece sit and then coming at it with fresh eyes allows me to see its shortcomings but also its potential. 

This seemed like an especially serendipitous use of the letter W since the month of November is also Nanowrimo—or “National Novel Writing Month”—something I participate in every year.  One signs up to write 50,00 words, which is the size of a short novel, during the month of November. I must admit I am a bit behind this year, at least at the time of this writing, but I am ever optimistic that I’ll finish on time. 

This year, I started out with a mystery idea called The Test, but I’ve actually been writing quite a lot of short memoir pieces as well, possibly inspired by Connie Inglis’s workshop at Fall Conference. They’re all anecdotal stories about the various places I’ve lived over the years. (I’ve moved a lot.) I plan to use them as future blog posts. 

Other current WIPs include a homeschooling memoir, a memoir about my years teaching Drama called “Drama In the Boondocks”, a split-time novel about a hockey player who defects from the Czech Republic when it was still called Czechoslovakia (working title “Czech Out”), and a Sci-fi/paranormal piece which is still untitled. 

Like I said, I like to have options!

What are you working on?

And now I best get back to trying to fulfill my 50,000 words before the deadline!

__________________________

Looking for gritty, thought-provoking faith-based fiction? Tracy Krauss’s novels combine romance with a twist of suspense and a touch of humour. It’s ‘fiction on the edge, without crossing the line.’ Also check out her many stage-plays at https://tracykrauss.com 

Be Vulnerable - Tracy Krauss

Writing is good therapy. I love pouring my heart out in my journal. It helps me process life. I like to pray, reflect, and even rant if I must. I think it helps me in my relationships because I can say things to myself that might be hurtful if I said them out loud. More often than not, I manage to work things out before saying something I might regret. It’s why my journals are private, meant only for me.

But what about my other writing? I know there are a lot of closet writers out there. People who write stories and poems or other pieces, but who hold them close for fear of having to share. Sharing one’s words makes you VULNERABLE, and being VULNERABLE is scary.

I know what I’m talking about. I was a closet writer for more than a decade. (Sixteen years to be exact.) That’s the length of time it took me to write my first novel. I was clacking away for all that time, working on several novels at once, actually, but never, ever did I want to show them to anyone. To allow someone else to read my words felt like standing naked in a crowded room. It’s overwhelming and scary and you feel exposed. 

Then I finally took a tiny first step and let one of my daughters read my finished manuscript. It was safer to let someone I trusted, who I knew loved me for me, not my writing, to look at it first. I guess I felt safe with her, and even though she found lots of things to critique, it made me feel brave because I’d put myself out there, even in a small way. That led to gradual next steps of submitting to editors, and agents and finally, years later, owning my voice as a writer. 

It’s hard to believe that first tiny step was more than twenty years ago, now. (I’ve been writing for close to forty years and had my first book published fifteen years ago. How time flies.) But I can still feel the fear of that first time I exposed myself and let someone else read my words. Sometimes I still feel it, but I remind myself that vulnerability is an integral part of this writing gig so I better get over myself!

Tracy Krauss is still writing and still being vulnerable! Visit her website: fiction on the edge without crossing the line. https://tracykrauss.com

Uniquely You - Tracy Krauss

 You are unique. 

The Bible has quite a lot to say about this, but one of my favourites is Psalm 139. 

Verses 13 – 16 say: 

“For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.” (ESV)

Just like there are no two snowflakes alike, there are no two people alike. Even identical twins have their differences. In His infinite imagination, God made each one of us unique. Think of it! Billions of people throughout history, and not one of us is exactly like another!

Similarly, God has a unique purpose and calling for each of us. Again, from Psalm 139, verses 1 through 6:

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.”

As a writer, this gives me confidence and comfort. I know that God has called me to write, but my calling is not the same as yours. I must constantly remind myself of that, especially when I feel discouraged because of someone else’s “success”. I must continue to follow the unique path that He has given to me, bathed in prayer and relying on His guidance.

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in Northern BC. Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

Take Charge of Your Writing Life - Tracy Krauss

For most of the writers I know, finding ideas to write about is not an issue. Finding the time to craft these ideas into something worthy of sharing is another thing altogether. It takes effort. It takes discipline. It takes a certain amount of dogged determination.

Here are some pointers that I have found helpful:

1. Just sit down and do it! Don’t wait until you are less tired, more inspired, or not as busy. These are excuses that we’ve all used from time to time, but in the end, they are still excuses. Dust and dishes tend to regenerate—we’re all too busy—and that mystical muse gets far more credit than it should. Take control of your time and your muse. I have found that beginning is usually the biggest hurdle. Once I just sit down and start writing, fatigue, lack of inspiration, and anxiety about what else I need to do melts away.

2. Make writing a habit. Choose a daily word count or a time allotment. This is a habit I try to maintain at least five days a week. I also set monthly and yearly goals for myself that are specific and measurable. Note that when I say “writing,” I mean just that. Writing time is not the same as time on social media, editing, marketing, or other writing-related activities. Writing for me means composing something new, be it a play, a novel, a short story, or even a blog post.

3. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV. Shut the office door. Allow the answering machine to take messages. Close your Facebook page. If you choose to write for one hour, let’s say, then give yourself 60 minutes without all the distractions. I’ve even heard some writers say they set a timer. I’ve tried this a few times and it actually works well. When the timer rings, chances are you’ll be inspired enough to continue writing.

Naturally, we all go through seasons of productivity, and that’s okay, too. However, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of inactivity that has its roots in our own excuses. Don’t do it! Take charge of your own writing life. It’s as easy as one-two-three.

I admit that I found this post in my archives. I wrote it for the InScribe Professional blog back in 2015, but I think the advice is still pretty good!

________________________

Tracy Krauss writes and lives in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

Soul On Fire ~ by Tracy Krauss

I came across this quote, attributed to Jennifer Lee: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”

To me, “soul on fire” is a figurative phrase for “passion”. I’m going to make a generalization: for most of the folks who frequent this blog, writing is one of your passions. 

Recently I’ve been conducting contributor interviews in preparation to promote InScribe’s newest anthology CREATIVITY & CHAOS: ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS FOR TRYING TIMES. 

Over and over I heard the phrase, “I can’t NOT write,” or, “I’ve always been a writer.” I get it because I feel the same way. Writing sets my soul on fire and it seems it does the same for you.

One poet even spoke of a physical “Hum” she experienced while composing a poem—an almost euphoric state brought on by the creative process. If that’s not a soul on fire, I don’t know what is!

I was also interested to hear the various forms of writing that each person gravitated toward. Even people who primarily write in one genre often use another form as an outlet or therapy. Poetry and journaling are high on the list, even among non-poets, but others talked about blogging, devotionals, journalism, speeches, and even writing sermons. One person writes short descriptive pieces about nature for a real estate magazine, while another talked about speaking at “Celebrations of Life” as her sweet spot. Wow! I was blown away by our writing community's depth and breadth!

Inevitably, we also talked about other creative pursuits, and again, I was astounded by the variety. While writing was high on the list, most people have other passions, too. Painting, watercolours, sketching, and other traditional visual art forms were prevalent. Music—listening, playing an instrument, singing, leading worship—were also common. Add scrapbooking, sewing, baking, gardening, making “junk journals” (which are anything but junky!), woodworking, remodeling & renovating, making models… The list goes on! Two of the most unique that I came across (at least in my mind) were building with Lego and voice acting/audio mixing. We are one creative group!

Of course, it was also evident through our conversations that a “soul on fire” also has a spiritual side. As followers of Jesus, that is the ultimate passion in this life! 

You can watch all of these wonderful interviews starting in the middle of August as part of our promotion for the anthology. 

To end this piece, I invite you to enjoy a song by Third Day, one of our household’s favourite Christian bands. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7lv9oMjv_0

_______________________________

Tracy Krauss is passionate about the creative process and writes, paints, draws, sews, teaches & preaches from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC.  Visit her website: fiction on the edge without crossing the line: https://tracykrauss.com

Read and Review! by Tracy Krauss

Good writers read. Widely. I’m sure we’ve all heard this advice and can agree. 

But how many of us take the time to review what we’ve read? 

We should all know by now that reviews are an author’s best friend. They add credibility and are what propels books forward in search engines. In short, online reviews are valuable to authors, no question. But what about the value of writing a review to YOU as the reader?

I make it my practice to write a review for every single book I read. (Almost.*) 

Writing reviews is excellent writing practice. It’s the perfect practical way to hone one’s writing skills and is a great exercise in writing concisely while also using descriptive details. Writing reviews also sharpens analytical skills, requiring one to reflect on character development, motivation, pace, or overarching themes—all aspects of writing that any author should want to develop. 

It forces one to distill the story down to its most basic elements without sounding cliché or giving too much away (unless you like spoilers) while still engaging with readers beyond a mere retelling of the plot. It stretches one to think of different ways of saying similar things. (“I loved this book!” isn’t really saying much. WHY did I love this book?) 

There are many good reasons to write reviews. First, they are very helpful—crucial even—for today’s authors. So, if you truly like an author, why not give them a boost by writing a review? This shouldn’t be a daunting task. As writers ourselves, we should be able to express our views with a certain amount of eloquence. Instead of a burden or a chore, look at writing a review as an opportunity! 

* The exception are books that are so poorly written that I can’t honestly give them higher than a one star. I’m not in the business of crushing a person’s self-esteem, especially online for all to see. However, if I have a relationship with that person, I would likely contact them privately with my feedback in order to facilitate future growth. (I suppose it’s the teacher in me.) It’s a bit like telling someone they have spinach in their teeth or their dress is tucked into their nylons… Sure its awkward, but that’s what a true friend would do to help them avoid future embarrassment. 

__________________________

Tracy Krauss lives and writes in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Writing reviews is a fun way to bring closure to each book she reads! Visit her website https://tracykrauss.com

Quality vs Quantity - by Tracy Krauss

Quality trumps quantity every time, especially when it comes to writing. A few well-written words are worth more than copious substandard words. Just think about poetry, for instance. It’s all about brevity and choice—finding just the right word. I believe the same goes for any type of writing. 

WRITE TIGHT! It’s a mantra I tried to drill into my students when I taught English. 

But wait… Is there ever a time when writing more is better? If we expand our thinking beyond words, there are scenarios when this is the case. Writing the next book—and then the next and the next--will eventually result in a whole body of work that can, eventually, have more impact than one book alone. 

This also applies to blog posts. A backlist of material, whether it be blog posts, books, or magazine articles adds credibility and establishes authority. They are valuable assets whose sum really is greater than the parts. 

For example, they can be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Recycle your own writing in different ways. An excerpt can become a blog post, a blog post can become a magazine article, and an article can be used in an email. Mix and match for social media posts! The more backlist you have the more material you have to draw from and the more creative you can become!  

Combine books into a “boxed set” or collection, articles and stories into an anthology. Conversely, use excerpts as reader magnets, or even publish episodes separately as serialized installments. 

Quantity is important—even essential—if you want to expand your reach and find new readers.

However, no amount of material will cut it if it isn’t well written… Which brings us full circle to the quality aspect of writing. Quality must come first. For those serious about writing, the two must go hand in hand.

_____________________

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in northern BC. Visit her website for more: <https:tracykrauss.com> 

Plotter or Pantser? by Tracy Krauss

 “Are you a plotter or a pantser?” 

Within fiction-writing circles, we hear this question bandied about all the time. May I submit to you that BOTH require a certain amount of Planning?

To me, a true “pantser” begins with nothing more than an idea, allowing their imagination and stream of consciousness to dictate what appears on the page. A plotter, on the other hand, spends time developing detailed schematics beyond the basic story arc. Inciting incident, character arcs, scene-by-scene development… This takes time and a lot of foresight.

I haven’t decided which definition fits me best. In fact, I challenge anyone to be a purist for either camp. 

I need more structure than a simple idea before I start writing a novel. Sure, sometimes I write a scene or some dialogue as inspiration, but to actually sit down and just let the story go wherever it wishes is somewhat like throwing ingredients into the air and hoping they land on the plate. It might work for a simple snack, but the more complex the meal, the more time must be taken to assemble the various parts. 

I’ve used various suggestions about how best to plot, from following a “formula” from plot-point to plot-point to writing scene descriptions on recipe cards and rearranging them. I like to write in Scrivener, so sometimes I lay our scene cards on the “corkboard” and populate my document with colour-coded scenes, using a different colour for each character or what have you. While this gives me a framework, I have to admit that invariably, my plans always change.

I can spend a long time working everything out, but once I actually start writing, new ideas come forward – things I would never have thought of until the writing process actually began. Sometimes characters say or do things that don’t fit with my original plan. These are not things I can foresee. They just happen, and I’ve learned that this is an important part of the process.

I need to have a general idea of where the story is heading, but sometimes I can’t work out these details ahead of time. I know where the characters are going, but I don’t always know how they are going to get there. That’s why the first draft is so important. Once I outline the basic structure of the book (the plotting part) I allow the “pantser” free reign as I write the initial draft. 

For me, both are an important part of the writing process. In the end, whether you lean more one way or the other, I doubt that anyone can actually stick to either in the strictest sense of the word. Perhaps “Plantser” is a better term!

Tracy Krauss is a "planster' writing from her home in northern BC. Follow her online or visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

O is for Opportunities! Tracy Krauss

Opportunities. One never knows when the next great “opportunity” will present itself. In fact, so many come across our path that we might start to feel overwhelmed. While we don’t want to wear ourselves thin, we also need to prayerfully look at each opportunity and examine our motivation for saying yes or no. A simple, yet powerful piece of advice has been one of my mainstays: Try saying YES. 

The first time I really appropriated this advice was at an InScribe Conference back in 2013 (or there about.) Murray Pura was the guest speaker and he talked about saying “Yes” in spite of fear and doubt because sometimes this is exactly the small door that might lead to something bigger. He gave examples from his own life of a time he said “yes” to a seemingly insignificant project (and one that didn’t pay well) and then God used it to open a much bigger door which set his writing career on a completely new path.

I think the real point Murray was trying to get across is that we shouldn’t look down on small opportunities. We just never know when these will be gateways to other things.  Zechariah 4:10 admonishes us not to “despise the day of small things.” 

I’m not saying you have to take on everything, nor should you. Learning to say “No” is a skill we also need to learn. It’s brought me balance and helped me establish healthy boundaries. 

However, often we say, “No,” for the wrong reasons. Fear and doubt are the most common. “What if I can’t do it? What if I make a fool of myself? I’m not qualified,” etc. If these are your reasons for saying, “No” you might be selling yourself short. If it’s truly a matter of maintaining healthy boundaries or allowing someone else to step in, then by all means. However, if it’s simply because “Yes,” seems scary, then maybe God is asking you to take a leap. It’s good to get out of our comfort zones!

Another excuse is lack of time. I use the word “excuse” quite intentionally. We’re all busy, but most of us tend to waste a lot of time on unimportant things. If something is important; if it’s something you believe in or feel motivated to do, you’ll make the time. Try saying “Yes” and allow God to help you fulfill the commitment. It could be exactly what is needed to bring your life into alignment. 

Better yet, try adding the word “and”. “Yes AND…” is a powerful way to clarify your yes. It means you’re not just agreeing to anything and everything, but you’re setting boundaries around your “Yes”. You are accepting the opportunity while not necessarily overwhelming yourself with other people’s expectations. 

Saying “Yes” opens all kinds of unexpected doors. It stretches and helps us grow. We might be surprised by what we learn and where it takes us. When opportunity comes knocking, try saying “YES!”

Tracy Krauss lives and writes from her home in northern BC. She said, "Yes" to joining the InScribe executive many years ago and has enjoyed the wonderful benefits of community ever since! Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

Newsletters and Networking - by Tracy Krauss

Newsletters and Networking. These are two very practical aspects of the writing life. Upfront, I’m going to be linking to further reading on these topics since I can’t possibly cover everything here, so take some time to do some digging if you’re at all interested. 

If you are a published author – or plan to become one – a newsletter is an essential tool. It’s “Marketing 101”. Even in these days of social media hypertension, an email newsletter is considered by marketing experts as the single most important piece of an author’s platform. It allows you to speak directly to your audience without the hindrance of censorship, algorithms, or any number of other roadblocks that can occur on social media. I won’t go into all the details here since I’ve written some posts on the professional blog on the topic. (Links at the bottom.) These expound on the importance of an email newsletter and also provide tips on starting and maintaining one. 

I recently wrote a post on my personal blog called "Anatomy of a Newsletter" about my own newsletter journey. I started mine in 2013 and I’m still going strong more than ten years later. 

Networking is another essential aspect of the writing life, but unlike a newsletter, networking with other authors is something we should all be doing, whether we hope to be published or whether we simply write for purely personal reasons. Everyone needs encouragement; a group of individuals that “gets” our need to scribble words.  Finding like-minded individuals—one’s tribe—opens doors of friendship and support, but can also be an entry into further education and skill building. Being part of a writing community, whether it be large or small, is important for our health as writers. No one is an island. Although writing is a solitary activity, it should not be isolating. 

Organizations like InScribe, The Word Guild, ACFW etc. are an essential part of the mix. (I belong to all three of those mentioned as well as the Playwright’s Guild of Canada.) However, sometimes we need a smaller, more intimate group—a place where we can feel safe and heard. This is where community writing groups come in. (InScribe partners with many writing groups across the country. Contact Sharon Hamilton for details.) Your group might be less organized, or you might be part of a small virtual group online. 

Whichever way you do it, find people you trust and engage with them! 

Below are a couple of articles from the Professional blog on the topic, as well as the newsletter articles mentioned above. I encourage you to do some further reading. 

Building Your Writing Community

Developing Team Support

Email Newsletters 1

Email Newsletters 2

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in northern BC. She is currently serving as InScribe's Regional Rep for BC/North and Acquisitions Editor for FellowScript magazine Visit her website for more: tracykrauss.com  fiction on the edge without crossing the line. 

Muse - by Tracy Krauss

 Muse. 

In its verb form "muse" means: to think or meditate on; to comment thoughtfully or ruminate upon...

However, writers tend to use it as a noun. "The muse" has come to mean that sometimes elusive, sometimes erratic, often overrated inspiration we need to create. There is a sense that we have little control over it; that it has a mind and will of its own and we'd better take advantage of it when it's activated. 

It's also a wonderful excuse for procrastination. "I'm not inspired right now," or, "I'll wait until the muse strikes."

I've got news. You can take control of your muse!

The first time I heard this declaration was at an InScribe conference about ten years ago. Murray Pura was the keynote. Since then I've heard many other "experts" say the same thing. As creative people, we control our muse, not the other way around.

If writing is important, don't wait for inspiration to strike like lightning. In fact, most of the time, it simply takes some sort of action on our part for it to come to life.  

Practically speaking, this means making a conscious decision to sit down and write, even when I don't feel like it. I give myself a time limit so the task doesn't feel as onerous. Ninety-nine times out of 100, I "feel" inspired before the ten minutes are up. If not, I give myself permission to stop and do something else. I don't know how many times I've done this when I have a post to write (like this one) or some other writing task that requires commitment. (Like NaNoWriMo) It works! 

While inspiration is a wonderful thing, make sure you're not using it as an excuse to procrastinate. Take charge! Take action! YOU are in control of your MUSE!

Tracy Krauss writes - and pursues all of her creative interests - from her home in northern BC. Visit her website for more including her more than thirty titles: tracykrauss.com

- fiction on the edge without crossing the line - 

Limitless - Tracy Krauss

 The sky is the limit.

Actually, when it comes to writing, that isn't true. We aren't limited by the sky, space, gravity, or any other physical laws. It’s one of the things I love about writing fiction. I get to make it up!

Of course, depending on the genre, one has to be aware of certain facts and stick to them. Historical fiction is especially tricky in this regard, since good writers must know the era from which they write. While the characters may be totally fictional, many facts can’t be bent. Perhaps that’s why I’ve steered clear of writing in that genre, although I do love to read a good Regency romance!

During Nanowrimo, I finished the first draft for a NEW Sci-fi novel – unnamed as yet. I had such fun writing it, that I had to wonder why I haven’t written more Sci-fi. I was limitless in building the world, applying character quirks, and the “Science” didn’t even really matter since anything is possible!

Strangely, I haven’t written a lot of Sci-fi to date. I was part of a collaborative effort in 2014/2015 and contributed to a series called Colony Zero. I thought it was pretty good until some of our group started going off the rails in some weird directions. Then the publisher got sued… You can still get the first paperback on Amazon, but the rest of the series is in no-man’s land.

In 2021 I wrote Aliens Among Us, a YA Sci-fi and my first full-length Sci-fi novel. I just rebranded it as The Alien Next Door since the title and cover made it sound much more sinister and serious than it actually is. It’s actually a fun book. (If I do say so myself.) It’s a coming-of-age story, has a solid moral base as the main character struggles with his faith, and of course, there are good-looking aliens in it! I just reread it recently and laughed a lot at my own cleverness! (PS: It could use some ratings on Amazon!)

I have to say I had such fun writing all of these that I plan to step over the cliff and do more Sci-fi writing in the future. I think I love the genre so much I was afraid I couldn’t do it justice. I see how twisted that logic is since, as already stated, I can make it up, so it doesn’t even matter!  

So, dear writer, I encourage you to apply some “limitless” logic to your writing. Whether you write Sci-fi or devotionals, don’t be afraid to be limitless in your approach and take delight in your craft!

___________________

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in northern BC. Look for more Sci-fi in the future! https://tracykrauss.com

Know and Be Known - Tracy Krauss

It is a wonderful thing to “know and be known” in the context of human relationships. When you can truly let your guard down without fear and make yourself vulnerable to someone else, knowing they will love and value you despite your flaws… well, that’s something beautiful. 

Bosom buddies, soulmates, kindred spirits… Allison Lynn talked about it already this month in her post. She noted, “When we start to see other creators as kindred spirits, and not as competition, we find freedom from the shackles of jealousy and bitterness.” Such powerful words!

Sharing our inner thoughts can be a scary prospect. It requires a certain amount of “letting your guard down” and certainly makes one vulnerable. We are exposing ourselves to the world with the knowledge that there are risks. We might even get hurt. Not everyone is going to love our stories, our style, or our opinions. Some might even be cruel in their criticism. I suppose you could say this is the “being known” part. If I want people to actually read what I’ve written, these are risks I must take.

However, we must also “know” what our calling is and be secure in that. That’s why I believe a certain amount of introspection is necessary for every writer. It helps us focus on what we are called to do, not just follow the latest trend. As Allison said, I can celebrate other writers while following my own unique path.

I love what Tandy Balson shared at a meeting recently when she said it is easy to second-guess ourselves, especially when things don’t turn out as we’d imagined. We might ask, “Did I hear God wrong?” However, “Hurdles are not stop signs!” (A direct quote from Tandy!) Obstacles can actually help us grow and mature, as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. 

If God has called you to be a writer, then rest in the knowledge that He has a plan and purpose for your life that is GOOD. Ultimately, we must also “know” our own worth as a child of God. Our worth doesn’t come from our writing or anything else we do. It comes from the simple truth that He created us in His image, and that is enough.

“…you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God…” Galatians 4:9

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com

Just Write - Again! Tracy Krauss

 Just write. I know it's already been used, but I just had to use it again! 

This was the phrase I chose one year as my motivation to help keep me on track. The message is so simple, yet so very profound. 

At times authors need a little shot of writerly adrenaline – a way to rediscover the wonder of writing. The admonition to ‘just write’ might be the simplest and best way to do that. Be it rants, prayers, observations, or actual story ideas; in a journal, blog, on a fancy software program, or even on a napkin, there is something about transferring words from one’s brain into written form that stirs the creative juices and inspires the soul.  All the prompts, ‘how-to’ books, and motivational gimmicks still depend on ACTION.  It’s the difference between thinking about something and actually doing it. 

Establishing good habits takes willpower and discipline. Setting daily word counts or scheduling uninterrupted writing times are just a couple of ways to make sure writing becomes a habit. It has been my experience that forcing myself to start on a writing project is often all I need to ‘feel’ inspired again.

For those of us who love to journal, writing daily is a no-brainer. Whether we call it ‘morning pages’, journaling, or prayer writing, it amounts to the same thing – a way to process thoughts, express emotions, or generate ideas. Later, my own words, sometimes written in haste, have provided fertile seeds for more words - the law of multiplication at its most basic level. 

It’s why the advice to ‘just write’ remains so powerful, despite its simplicity. Set aside time for writing – with or without deadlines. Nothing else will help to recapture the joy of putting words to paper like actually doing it. 

Tracy Krauss is a long-time member of inScribe who loves to write from her home in northern BC. As the current BC rep and the new acquisitions editor for FellowScript, reach out! Visit her website for more: fiction on the edge without crossing the line. tracykrauss.com

I is for... INSCRIBE! by Tracy Krauss

When the idea for this blog post came to my mind, I literally laughed out loud! It just seemed so obvious! I had been tossing other great “I” words around, and then it hit me!

INSCRIBE starts with I! 

InScribe has played a major role in my writing life since 2010. At a recent ZOOM meeting with some other members, I said how I felt such a deep connection to InScribe. I view this organization almost like I view my church. It has truly been a place of fellowship for me and I love the people and the organization dearly. When asked what it was that made me feel this way, I had to think for a moment, but then it came to me: the connections I’ve made over the years. Yes, I have learned A LOT at conferences and WorDShops; I’ve poured over FellowScript magazine; writing consistently for the blog has taught me about consistency. But far outweighing everything, I feel connected to the people. I’ve made deep, lifelong friendships. 

These are my PEEPS. This is my TRIBE. 

I first “happened" across InScribe in 2010 after reading Marcia Laycock’s bio on another blog. I was fairly new to the world of the “published”, (although not new to writing… I’d been clacking away since 1985.) I hadn’t known I was expected to do much of my own marketing. I didn’t even have a facebook account! Yet, suddenly, I was expected to put myself out there. Talk about being thrown into the fire! 

I started blogging and tried to find some author networks where I could interact and hopefully get some advice. (Ning, anyone?!) That’s when I came across a blog for “International” writers and low-and-behold, a Canadian Christian was part of their roster! Further, Marcia Laycock had also lived in the Yukon, so I felt an instant connection to her. However, she was a celebrity in my eyes, so I don’t think I reached out. I did notice a reference to InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship so I looked it up. I was ASTOUNDED! An organization for Canadian Christian writers? Who knew?!

I joined, of course, and soon afterward went to my first conference in Edmonton. Rudy Wiebe spoke at the banquet, Sigmund Brouwer was the keynote, and Marcia Laycock was President. I was in the presence of ROYALTY! Seriously, I was awe-struck at that first conference. I’m sure I looked like it, too. I didn’t know a soul, but everyone was friendly. Of special note was Brenda Leyland. Brenda was so gracious and invited me to sit with her at the banquet. She’d also presented a workshop, so I felt very honoured. (Brenda often contributes to this blog and was the moderator at one time.) Turns out, Marcia was a real, down-to-earth person, too! LOL!

I think the secret to feeling connected is getting involved. I started blogging on this very blog and got to know many members through their writing, both here and through FellowScript. I discovered a writing group near me in Taylor, BC, where I met my now dear friend Marnie Pohlmann. The next conference I attended was in Wetaskiwin in 2012. Somehow, at that conference, I connected with Sharon Espeseth, and she suggested I take over her position as Writing Groups Coordinator. That was my first “official” position. Since then I’ve been blog moderator, writing buddies coordinator, on the fall conference committee, WorDShop coordinator, done many workshops at conferences and WorDshops, been Vice President, and even President! What a journey from the awe-struck newbie to chairing executive meetings! 

I encourage you to get involved. It is one of the best ways I know to really feel like you are part of something—because being part of INSCRIBE IS SPECIAL!  I have come to love and appreciate so many individuals that I’ve met through Inscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing some of you this very weekend in Saskatchewan. Woot! Can’t wait!

Tracy Krauss lives and works in northern BC, but she's still a prairie girl at heart! Visit her website for more on her many books and plays. tracykrauss.com

Habits by Tracy Krauss

H is for HABITS

Habits have a huge impact on the way we live life. Lately, I’ve been examining the effects of my habits, trying to root out patterns of behaviour that have unproductive—even destructive--results and replace them with alternate actions that will hopefully overtake the old ways.

(If, by chance, you happen to be following along in my devotional series, DIVINE APPOINTMENTS, this is something we should regularly do during this month: identify iniquitous patterns and replace them with godly ones.)

The word “iniquitous” sounds rather ominous, but I’ve found it really comes down to making the right choice. I can choose to believe God’s promises or I can choose to wallow in doubt. I can choose faith over unbelief. I can choose to rise early and spend the first of my day with God, or I can choose to stay up late watching Netflix. CHOICE is everywhere and extends to everyday things. I can choose to look after my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, or I can continue over-eating and not exercising. “Choose you this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (paraphrased from Joshua.) 

My writing habits are no different. Like many other authors I know, I’ve gone through an ebb and flow when it comes to my writing. There have been seasons where I’ve written very little, due to busyness or just feeling void of inspiration. There are other times when I’ve been uber-productive. Self-discipline plays a factor, but I’ve found that establishing a HABIT is the most effective way to keep moving forward. I’m not saying I’ve always been successful, but I’m trying to re-establish this pattern so that it becomes habitual.

When I first started writing, I had an infant. I looked forward to nap time so that I could write. This afternoon appointment became a habit that lasted through my children’s younger years until I went back to work full-time as a teacher. For most of my career, I wrote in large blocks of time during the summer months or during spring break. Once I got published, I had to squeeze all the marketing and subsequent blogging etc. that went with the territory into my evenings and weekends. When I retired from teaching public school, (I still work as an online support teacher) I decided I needed to get back to a daily habit of creative writing whose purpose was not marketing or promotion. 

Some smart person suggested that writing appointments should be part of one’s weekly schedule. Put it on the calendar and stick to it, just like you would any appointment. During COVID, I found this really worked for me. It became a habit—one which I looked forward to each day. I also found I never struggled with writer’s block or any such thing during these times. I knew my appointment was coming up and so my mind and spirit were already primed when I sat down with my laptop.

The past year of moving and renovating really played a number with my habits. (Not just my writing habits, but other things like prayer, sleep and exercise.) These days I am trying to get back to habitual rhythms that are centred more on God. A recent seminar by Shelley Hitz where she encouraged a regular “Business Meeting With God” has been a wonderful reminder of the importance of including God in my plans. I have newfound vigor and excitement for some of my writing projects, some that have been languishing too long on my computer and others that are brand new.

Creating good HABITS is a choice. It’s actually quite simple, though not necessarily easy. 

____________________

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. https://tracykrauss.com

Grappling With G - Tracy Krauss

I'm loving this year's letter-inspired prompts! Inspiration for A Through F came almost instantly for me. Although there were many excellent words to choose from, I knew beyond any doubt what I would write about when it came to each of these letters. 

Then along came G. 

I ended up with a long list of possibilities (39 to be exact) but nothing felt quite right. 

I write in multiple GENRES, but a main theme that seems to crop up again and again is GRACE. However, GRACE has already been used more than once this month, so I didn’t want to repeat what was already said. My fiction has been called GRITTY in that it sometimes contains edgy elements, but I do this intentionally in order to create characters that are GENUINE. However, I draw the line at anything GRATUITOUS. If the content doesn’t have a purpose, I’m not going to include it for the shock factor.

I believe there is always room for GROWTH as an author. It’s why feedback is so important and why we must develop thick skin in order to see our own writing flaws and then learn from them. No one is beyond improvement, no matter how GUT-WRENCHING the criticism. 

I love what Barbara Fuller already said about GENEROSITY and all the “risks” that go with it. Joy Bailey’s post called “GO HOME!” made me laugh and also ponder its deeper spiritual implications. Bob Jones gave an amazing list of prompts to spur our GRATITUDE. In fact, every post so far in this series has been superb and worth the time it takes to read and respond. What could I possibly add that wasn’t drivel, just filling up the page? 

Then the one word I’d been searching for hit me--and it felt so obvious! 

GOD. 

That’s the bottom line. If GOD isn’t in it, then there’s little point in doing it. 

I’m beginning to see more and more that GOD must be my focus in all areas of life, including my writing. This doesn’t mean I only write about GOD, but that everything I do must GLORIFY Him and His purposes. 

In the end, it is really quite simple: Put GOD first, and everything else with fall into place. 

____________________________

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in northern BC. (But she's still a Roughrider fan! Can't take that out of this prairie girl!) Visit her website for more on her thirty-PLUS books, and plays. 

"Fiction on the edge without crossing the line"

https://tracykrauss.com

Feed My sheep - Tracy Krauss

Feed My Sheep. 

Grace Fox, the keynote speaker at last fall’s InScribe Conference in Edmonton, used this phrase in one of her addresses. She said, “As Christian authors, rather than building a platform, we should focus on Jesus’ words, “Feed My sheep”.

Wow. This really stuck with me. I ended up choosing the phrase as my “Word” (in this case “Phrase”) for 2023. 

John 21: 17 says, “Jesus said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.'”

Jesus asked Peter this same question three times, presumably to reinforce the importance of the message. I’m listening, Lord! I am trying to embrace this concept in my writing--and in every area of my life. 

What “Feed My Sheep” means to me…

“Feed My Sheep” encompasses so much. It is a “shift” in thinking and purpose, especially when it comes to my motivation for writing. It is about affecting someone’s life; meeting them where they’re at; coming alongside without necessarily having all the answers. I want my writing – both fiction and non-fiction – to affect people emotionally. To connect on some deeper level. To let them know it’s okay to be imperfect because God can and will meet you where you’re at. I guess it’s why my fiction is very grace-oriented, focusing on redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. I didn’t realize it, but my fiction uses ‘story’ to minister to people.

In marketing, “Feed My Sheep” represents a shift from “Build My Platform” to ministering to my readers and meeting their needs. Even as a teacher, which is my profession, I realize I am more concerned about meeting my students’ emotional needs than making sure they meet all curricular competencies. In an even broader sense, the phrase is about making more time for people; lending a listening ear; being available; showing hospitality.

Practically speaking, "Feed My Sheep" means…

• Leaning into this shift in purpose and motivation.

• Rethinking my communication with readers to be more ministry focused.

• More intentionality in reaching out to others in my church, my community, and those in my sphere of influence.

• Being a better and more engaged friend.

• Showing hospitality.

• Listening and praying more with those God puts in my path.

I have been trying to embrace this philosophy with more intentionality, and although I'm not managing it perfectly, I think it has had a huge impact on my attitude this year. 

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Tracy Krauss lives and writes from her home in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC. For more, visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com