Challenge Given by Carol Harrison

When I began writing, I only wrote non-fiction memoir style stories and one book. It became my comfort zone. I had no intention of branching out into other genres. Then one of my grandsons challenged me to try and write fiction – any type. He didn’t give up on checking on me. I decided to accept his challenge and attempt to write a fiction book. I did it.

Now I had two genres to play around with and I thought that would be the end of the story. I would work on the craft, learn what I could, and hopefully continue to improve. Then one of my granddaughters challenged me to attend a poetry writing workshop with her at our local library. I went with her and discovered we wouldn’t just learn about poetry but be expected to write some. I didn’t think I could fulfill this part of the challenge but what do you do but try as a grandchild waits for you to step up and keep trying.

Now maybe my family could be satisfied with the diversity of my writing. I continued to attempt more poetry, write several fiction books, as well as more memoir style stories and devotionals. I thought that should be an acceptable range.

But before my husband passed away he threw out several challenges. One was a memoir style story. Okay. I had written that genre before. But the other one would be new. He challenged me to write a Love Inspired style romance novel.

I enjoy the light reading of this style of books and had read many of them over the years. Now with Brian’s challenge fresh in my mind, I signed out stories from the library and curled up to read for pleasure and for research. I went to the guidelines for writing and submitting these stories and studied them carefully. I joined the Facebook group Write for Harlequin and found feedback from others who were published and those, like me, who might try and one day have a Love Inspired book. The writing guidelines provided the accepted formula they are looking for in each book, the word count, and the types of stories they are seeking.

Could I actually attempt this? Should I accept the challenge thrown out to me? I must admit to wanting to forget the challenge and yet it kept coming up in conversation. I started a story and finished a few chapters before getting stuck. I researched some more and came back to write a little more. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded and I put it away just before my husband passed away. I must admit it sits on my computer, unfinished. I haven’t looked at it in two years. Maybe it’s long enough to see it with fresh eyes. Will it ever get further than sitting on my computer? It depends on what the finished product is like, whether I choose to submit it or not. For now it is a venture into a new genre I had never written in before. Maybe this blog post theme will push me to go back to the waiting story and see where I’m at with it. Challenges can be good for a person. It moves them out of their comfort zone. I know it has me over the years.

Carol Harrison loves to do the reading more than writing in a different genre. Yet the research aspect of the reading is great fun. Her favourite chair at her home in Saskatoon begs for someone to curl up with a good book, a fun story, or something to make a person think. 
 

Finding Community by Lorilee Guenter

 

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a writer tried to hone her craft alone in a room. Writing is a solitary activity. She read books on the craft, in addition to the numerous books she read over the years for enjoyment. She never expected to desire to write and the writing sat in piles and binders, some edited, some not. It had no where to go beyond her writing closet.

With encouragement from her family, she started a blog and wrote on it from time to time. A few people found it and read her words. Now there was a reason to continue to hone her skills. She plodded on without consistency. Those who knew her continued to encourage her and she continued to dabble with the written word. Sometimes, solitary activity is a struggle, even when you know there is a purpose, a reason, to continue.

Consider Elijah. At one point he became discouraged because he thought he was the only one who had not worshipped idols. He still trusted God, but he was tired and lonely. God showed him that there were others and not only a few other but 7000. Although God is enough, He made us to need others also. (1 Kings 19).

The writer in the above story never considered she was alone in the same way Elijah did. She knew there were and are many writers who put pen to paper or fingers on a keyboard while glorifying God. However, she did not know how to find a place among them. She desired a community.

I think this story could be descriptive of many new writers. While the act of writing is a solitary activity, we need a community in which to grow in our faith and our craft. We need a place where we can encourage and be encouraged. Inscribe is one such place. Since becoming part of this community, I have become braver in sharing my writing. I shared bits and pieces before with people I knew. Now I share with more consistency and depth. I still write lighthearted, surface pieces since we need to have fun, however I don't shy away from sharing beyond those and showing my serious side. 

I took a huge step early on in my time with Inscribe and attended a writer's retreat. What a joy to share a time of prayer and learning with other writers. Perhaps the biggest benefit, which has spurred on my writing most, is reading the encouraging words others share. The blog, the magazine, the challenges, and the prayer make this an encouraging community. It is a place to grow. 

I am thankful for those who keep this community running, who encourage us, and who challenge us. I hope others who are looking for a community of writers find a home here as I have.

Challenge Yourself by Karma Pratt

or In Which Lessons on Writing and Mudderella Become Intertwined

I was unable to attend the full InScribe conference this year because I inadvertently double booked myself way back in January. Except, there are no mistakes with God, and I am convinced that my calendar error was His divine purpose! 

Instead of attending the Friday evening banquet, I was on my way to a girls' weekend in Whistler with some friends from my university days. Instead of sitting down to breakfast with fellow writers on Saturday, I was preparing for feats of mental and physical strength and endurance on Blackcomb Mountain. I was headed to Mudderella.

Mudderella is an obstacle course designed by women for women. It's a challenge, not a race, with a focus on teamwork and camaraderie. It's an inspiring event that gathers together people from every age range and fitness level to work together to achieve a common purpose. Sometimes referred to as the gentle little sister to its more ferocious counterpart, the Tough Mudder, this obstacle course is still no laughing matter. So, how does a muddy run (or walk) up a mountain compare to a writers' conference? Here's what I learned: 

Be Consistent: Own Your Slow

Mudderella's slogan is actually Own Your Strong. It's an invitation to embrace your strengths.

Or, as David sang, 

It is my God who arms me with strength 

and keeps my way secure 

2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV)

David's song of praise carried him beyond the battleground to the fields of victory. For me, this battle was more internal than external. My Saul wasn't a person to be defeated, but a choice to persevere in the face of challenges. 

Because I said, "Yes!" to the challenge of Mudderella, I learned that consistency sometimes means slowing my pace so that I can continue forward. If I had tried to keep up with all the other challengers around me, I likely would have lost steam before reaching the top of each incline, or finishing each obstacle. Instead, I "owned my slow" and took it one step at a time. 

Make it to the Goal One Step at a Time

In writing and in life people set goals. I believe that's a good thing. But on the mountain that day, I learned that it's equally as important to focus on the present moment and not just the goal at the end of the journey. I had to focus on the next right step in order to keep myself from stumbling on the way to my goal. 

Too often I have envisioned the end goal or prize: the book, published; the accomplishment, achieved. Those aren't bad things to work towards, but it's still important to keep things in perspective. Paul tells us: 

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) (emphasis mine)

 The Prize

So, having accepted the challenge, owned my slow, reached the prize (aka the finish line), and achieved the honour of becoming a Mudderella Finisher, what have I learned? Mostly I learned to be unapologetically me. I learned to go at my own pace, and be accepting of my strengths and weaknesses. Everybody - every writer - is different. 

My perspective is shifting. I can do hard things. I do not have to fit a certain mold to consider myself capable. I can extend grace to myself and not put so much pressure on myself to perform to a certain level. I can go at my own speed and God will still be there with me, hemming me in beside, behind and in front. God will still be there, speaking words of encouragement and strengthening my heart, mind, soul and spirit to continue moving toward Him. 

Perfect love casts out fear. I am beloved, called by name. And so are you. Together we can celebrate our unique strengths and gifts, we can lift each other up and help each other out when necessary, and we can aspire to accomplish great things as writers and challengers in this life.

Karma Pratt is a faith-driven mom of twins, a communicator, a writer, and an encourager from way back. She is also, officially, a Mudderella Finisher. She does hard things like raise a family and be a supportive partner to her husband and scale walls and walk through muddy pits and climb mountains. And she offers professional writing and editing services at redraincoatcreations.com. 

A Theme for 2015 - Steph Beth Nickel

Some people choose a word for the year.

Personally, each of the past few years has been marked by a theme. These themes include The Year of Encouragement, The Year of No Excuses, and The Year of the Great Declutter.

All of these carry over from year to year to one degree or another, but the focus for 2015 is slightly different. I feel this is to be The Year of Taking Responsibility.

This theme has applications in all area of life, but my specific focus is to take spiritual responsibility more seriously than ever.

I have committed to reading through the New Testament twice as well as reading selected Old Testament books as well. (Kudos to those of you who read the entire Bible at least once per year.)

One of two things can happen when rereading familiar passages. If I'm not careful, I can skim over them thinking, "I know this." But the Bible is the Living Word. What happens if I slow down and take the time to really think about what I'm reading is that I am overwhelmed by a sense of amazement and wonder. It's like rediscovering treasure I'd forgotten I had. And God's Word is always applicable, no matter what circumstances I am facing.

I have also signed on again for the 1 Minute Prayer Facebook group. (The idea is to pray one minute per day the first week, two the second week, etc. By the end of the year, participants are to be praying for an hour each day.) I joined in 2014 but fizzled out part way through the year.  I do better if I prayer journal or pray aloud. Otherwise, I admit, I get distracted. So, I've begun again.

Not all of my grown children are walking with the Lord. It's understandable that I look back and see what I could have done differently as they were growing up. I can't change the past, but I can learn from it. Whether it's sharing my faith with my own family or with others, this is another area in which, with God's help, I will take more responsibility.

I have the privilege of working alongside other believers, for which I am tremendously thankful. Because of my day-to-day responsibilities, I have many opportunities to learn new truths and grow spiritually. I am blessed abundantly - and have the opportunity to bless others. I pray that I will faithfully do so more in the new year than ever before.

Of course, I want to take responsibility in other areas as well ... as a writer, an editor, a doula, a church member, etc., etc., etc.

Like the picture above depicts, sometimes the way is steep and challenging, but when it comes to walking in obedience to God, the rewards are phenomenal.

Do you have a word or theme for the new year? I'd love to hear about it.