Is Blogging Really Worth It? Tracy Krauss

Blogging. Back in 2009 I hardly knew what the term meant. I had a vague idea, but reading stuff people posted on the internet wasn't something that interested me at the time, and I certainly never thought I'd be a 'blogger' myself. I'd just nicely signed up for facebook - and that only so I could see some pictures my daughter had posted of her first fashion show at Edmonton fashion week.

Then, suddenly everything changed. When my first book was about to get published, I was told that I needed to establish an online presence. A central part of that was starting a blog. Huh? I was clueless. Fortunately, the aforementioned daughter came to my rescue and helped me create a blog using 'blogger'.  'Expression Express' was born in November of 2009.

It's hard to believe that nearly four years have flown by. Since then I've added 'Meta tag' and 'RSS feed' to my arsenal of everyday terms. I've got a website, and I flit about the cyber universe from twitter to pinterest to google+  with nary a care. I'm undoubtedly a lot more techno savvy since those first tentative posts. My blog has also matured a lot, evolving from an events calendar/ personal diary/ place to vent, to a site where my readers can connect with content that is more focused on my blog's mission statement.  (For more on the idea of a blog 'mission statement' check out my post on the topic.)

I read an article recently that said the days of the 'blog' are coming to an end. Newsletters, podcasts, and any number of 'latest and greatest' online crazes are the next BIG thing. Then I read an article that said the blog is still the central way for writers to build a platform. My blog is certainly the backbone of my online activity. I can write about what's on my mind, share news, offer advice, and link and share it everywhere. If I was to think of a metaphor, I'd say my website is the 'wheel' but my blog is the hub of that wheel. It's the thing that keeps things moving. Everything else is linked to and through it and goes out from there.

I've also come to value my blog for the sense of satisfaction it gives me beyond its use as a marketing tool. I enjoy the planning that goes into each post as well as the writing part. I like keeping it up to date, adding new pictures and gadgets to my sidebar, and revamping the look. It's fun to connect with readers and to leave comments on other blogs that I frequent. I've become a 'blogging' junkie, of sorts - it's something I actually take pleasure in.

Even without any new books or plays to promote, I think I would still be blogging just for the fun of it. For me, blogging is SO worth the time and effort. Connect with me at 'Expression Express'. I love new followers and I try to follow back!  


Tracy is a multi-published novelist and playwright who also loves art and teaches high school Drama. She lives with her husband in Tumbler Ridge, BC.

On Writing and not Publishing - Lorrie Orr

"You're not really a writer."
"You're a fake."
"A wannabe."
"You've got no stick-to-it-ive-ness."

These are the thoughts that sometimes come to mind when I read the Inscribe blog or blogs by other writers. They come because although I love to write, I'm terrible, really awful, at marketing myself. Publishing isn't something I'm willing to work at just now in my writing career (even saying that word feels fake). I did it for a couple of years, with beginning success (articles in Discipleship Journal, Today's Christian Woman, Romantic Homes, and others). But I stopped. The isolation of writing and the stress of constant marketing made me think that I wasn't really a writer.

Instead, I returned to school and achieved a B.A. in French. Now I'm a teacher on call at a Christian high school and I love interacting with the students and staff there.

But I continue to write. Writing is in my blood. When I have a problem to solve, when life seems overwhelming, when gratitude threatens to overflow, I turn to my journal, to my computer, always to writing. Writing clears and makes sense of the mazy muddle that can be my mind.

Not all my writing relates to sorting out my thoughts. I recently invigilated AP exams at school. Three hours of walking up and down between rows of students left me a lot of time to think. One day I composed a poem in my head and wrote it down later. I added it to my small collection of poems and think that one day I will compile them into a book for my husband.

Character sketches come to mind and are scribbled on odd sheets of paper and filed away, for what purpose - I don't know. I store memories in files on my computer. I write Morning Pages on quiet days when I stay at home. I muse about the meaning of a verse of scripture I read.

I am a writer. I write because I must. I love to read what others write and perhaps someday, the desire to be published will return. For now, I'm content to write.

by Lorrie Orr

InScribers Review: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Review by Sharon Espeseth

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life 

by Joanna Weaver

In the spring of 2003, I was headed to my sister Joan's place for a retreat. The busyness of life and the nemesis of clinical depression was catching up with me for a second time, even though I hadn't fully realized it. It seemed everybody else and everything in my life was tilted like a cap askew on my head. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I wanted things to get back in order.

On the way to Joan's I stopped at a Christian bookstore to use a gift certificate getting dogeared in my purse. The book I wanted wasn't available, but a red sale sign for this Mary and Martha book almost poked me in the eye. The sign and title piqued my attention. Reading a few clips, I chuckled to myself.

How's this for openers? "Have you ever tried to do it all? I have, I do, and I probably always will. It's not only in my nature; it's also in my job description--and yours too. Being a woman requires more stamina, more creativity, and more wisdom than I ever dreamed as a young girl." The author sounded like my best friend having a chat with me.

Everyone is aware of the Mary/Martha dichotomy and sometimes we even take sides. Weaver points out that, although we may giggle about being a Mary or Martha, most of us would like to worship like Mary, to read our Bibles and pray, but it seems like just another item on our list. Instead we listen to the Martha who keeps bossing us around, telling us we need to do the laundry, clean the toilets, cook supper, help the kids with homework, bring sandwiches to the funeral. As they say, "A woman's work is never done."

Throughout the book, Joanna (We're on first name basis now!) shares her foibles, which seem amazingly like my own. Although I have been a perfectionist for most of my life, I am far from perfect. I want to learn from someone who has struggles similar to mine.

Joanna explains how Satan gets at us through distraction (i.e. busyness), discouragement, and doubt. In the tenth chapter of Luke, the doctor records that Martha was distracted "by all the preparations that had to be made." Then as now, the Martha in us thinks so many things "have to" be done, and done well. Joanna talks about weariness overpowering us. Then discouragement "breaks down our perspective and defenses." We say and do the wrong things. We feel "useless, hopeless, and abandoned." This was certainly where I was at that day in June ten years ago.

You will get a kick out of Ms. Weaver's description of Martha making the perfect meal. This wasn't any hash thrown together. Then Martha asked Jesus, "Don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?" We can't help feel that Jesus may have been hard on Martha and that Mary should have been helping.

The writer points out that neither of these women was perfect, but Jesus loved them both as they were. Still he loved them too much to leave them that way. Joanna talks about worry, fear, control issues, perfectionism, taking on too many jobs, all of the things we so innocently do. Through her personal stories, humour, scripture passages, and page-turning writing, we discover that the kingdom of God is a paradox. "While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship," she says. "The world clamors, 'Do more! Be all that you can be!'" But our Father whispers, "Be still and know that I am God."

By following two other short clips about Mary and Martha later in the gospels, Weaver shows that these two completely different woman underwent a holy makeover. As she says, "It is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed." I believe that God spoke to me through this book and gave me grace to change. Although I still fall back on my old ways, I believe it is hard to read this book without making changes in your life.

Sharon E. Espeseth lives in Barrhead with her husband Hank. She is a mother of three adult children and two sons-in-law and Nana to six grandchildren. Sharon currently serves as the Liaison for InScribe Satellite Groups.

Timothy's Blog - Shirley S. Tye

Today, I, Timothy, received what I fear may be Apostle Paul’s last letter to me. My spirit is heavy with sadness at the news that Paul, my dear teacher and mentor, is in a Roman prison. Despite his situation, he wrote with great enthusiasm many encouraging words.

He reminded me to always conduct myself properly as is fitting of a servant of the Lord; not to quarrel but to be gentle with everyone; able to teach; patient; and in meekness instructing those who are in opposition with hopes that they will acknowledge the Truth, come to their senses and be saved from the snare of the devil. I am to shun profane and vain babblings for such worthless talk will only lead to ungodliness. Paul charged me to preach the Word; to do the work of an evangelist; to be always ready to reprove, rebuke, and encourage with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Paul wrote about the coming apostasy. The last days will be perilous times. There will be much coveting, selfish boasting and seeking of mediate individual pleasure, pride, blaspheming, disobedience to parents, false accusations, conspiracy against all authority even against our dear Lord. I know he did not write this to make me fearful for he reminded me that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Paul wrote these things so that I will be aware of these evils and be on guard against them.

He has suffered many persecutions and afflictions. And I likewise, will no doubt suffer for our dear Lord, Jesus Christ as will all who live godly lives. Although I dread this prospect, I shall stand strong as Paul has knowing that our Lord will be with me and deliver me as He has delivered Paul many times. If we endure, we will also reign with our Lord.

Paul urged me to go to him quickly, before winter, and requested I bring his clock that he left at Troas with Carpus, and the books and parchments. Many have deserted him and some, like Alexander the coppersmith, have done much evil to him. Only Luke is with him now. I am to take Mark along with me because Paul trusts and values Mark’s abilities.

I shall hurry to him. My spirit senses an impending death in Paul’s final words; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” With tears burning my eyes, I will say farewell and miss him dearly when he is gone. But I know he is homeward bound to see our precious Lord and Saviour to receive with immense joy his crown of righteousness. I look forward to the same.

Standing firm in Christ Jesus,
Timothy