Learning as I Go

On Monday, I had a deadline for my macro edits on Highland Blessings. In addition to the edits, I had to turn in my Acknowledgments, Author's Note, and Discussion Questions. What was the lesson I learned?

Write the Acknowledgments, Author's Note, and Discussion Questions before the deadline is due. The edits are the only thing you have to wait on because you need your editor's feedback. The other pieces come directly from you--the author. It might save some time on your deadline.

Just wanted to offer a tip as I learn from hindsight.

Favorite Quotes

Missy here. On Facebook and other social networks, they have a place for you to include your favorite quote. I wanted to share mine:

The place to which God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.

Frederick Buechner

Have you found that place? Have you found your calling? Also, I'd love to hear your favorite quotes.

Fun Announcement :-) The New President of Full Spirit Magazine

Angie here: I'm excited to announce something really big in my life! I've accepted the position of president for Full Spirit Magazine. In generalities, that means my job is to be the face of Full Spirit and to open the doors for new churches and non-profit organizations to come into our community.

How's this for a presidential suit? :-)

This is my first official week in position and I invite you all to enjoy the introduction to the website: www.FullSpiritMagazine.com to see a sample issue. The magazine will be a full color printed version, but we needed a sample you could enjoy. I promise you will :-D It's quite beautiful!

I hope that it will be helpful to others desiring to work in the writing field to know that building my platform as a writer & speaker made this opportunity possible.

You can't wait until someday to build your platform. There are many, many ways to create it. For me, becoming Mrs. Montana International was a pivotal force. It showed my desire and ability to connect in a very public way while promoting my personal passion for volunteerism, professionalism, and empowerment.

I want to encourage you to go after those dream jobs by building your resume' and platform in your everyday life. Volunteer and get passionately involved in those things that speak deeply to your heart. It propels you toward your goals while creating a legacy of good work along the way. It's those things you do that show who you really are. In the process to choosing me for president, they studied who I was and how I presented myself via all the promotion and platform building I'd been doing. This opportunity would not have happened had I waited until book publication dates. I've been building my platform online and in personal appearances since 2006. Prior to that, I'd been volunteering in my own community. So it wasn't an overnight success story.

I think a better way to say it is that if you have a dream then you must work toward it every day because it isn't going to fall in your lap. Each and every action matters in the pursuit of your goal even when you have no idea what the outcome will be. I couldn't know that I would win Mrs. MT, but I did. I had to take the chance and ask for the job. Through this and my work as a volunteer board officer with ACFW, certification as a CTA Life Coach, certifications in youth ministry and the Stephen Ministry, certifications in airline and travel management, financial management and owning a heating company bring me to this place. All crucial to who I've become.

I needed all of those experiences to comprehend the job requirements I now step into for Full Spirit. In fact, as I look back over my life, I see many other interlinked or related decisions that led me on this path.

So what's in it for you?

I hope you'll be inspired to look at the varied experiences you have as stepping stones to unknown joys and honors. I hope you'll begin to see the connections that are drawing you forward on the path God has established just for you!

If you need more inspiration, please visit the Courageous Beauties Interview series over at http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com where all this month I am interviewing 30 beauty queens on confidence, courage, and how to build a platform! You will love some of the answers.

But guess what? These ladies were busy building the platform for years before they decided to compete for a sparkly! Pick up some of their tips. You'll be surprised at some of their tactics. It translates well for a writer :-)
Angie
PS I've also guest blogged today over at OnBloggingWell.com/Angie-Breidenbach if you'd like to visit. I like her blog because Linda teaches all the details I didn't know about blogging and how to best utilize the tools of blogging.

An Omelet Without Eggs Ain't Gonna Work

Mindy here, with a question for you. Do you ever feel bogged down by life? Stuck in the muck and the mire, trying desperately to move forward, yet your steps are slow, hindered? You tire. You stumble. You wonder why you're doing what you thought you were called to do. You feel like giving up.

Still, we act like Superwoman, carrying the weight of the world, struggling to do things under our own power, absolutely wearing ourselves out.

When God designed us, He made us for His pleasure. He created us to have fellowship with Him. So why is it we often leave Him out of the equation? It's like trying to make an omelet and leaving out the eggs.

Maybe you've given up on God. Rest assured, He has not given up on you. Why not give Him another chance? Talk to Him, tell Him how you feel. He already knows. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Humbling is hard. But a life without anxiety is easy. Give God a chance, perhaps a second chance, and let Him lift you up, out of the muck and the mire, and carry you along the path He's chosen just for you.

Happy Tuesday, everyone.

Check Out Missy on Seekerville

Hi all---Missy's on Seekerville today. She's giving away a couple of books.

The Revelation

Belinda here.

Our pastor talked about the book of Revelation yesterday morning. He talked about the 7 letters to the 7 churches. The last letter went to the Laodiceans. Jesus told them they were lukewarm. They weren't hot or cold. And he wished they would at least be one.

The same is true about writing. Lukewarm writing isn't good enough. And I've written alot of very lukewarm stuff. Sometimes we just need to have things presented to us in a different way, through a different source in a totally non-writing environment. Who knew I would have a revelation regarding writing while listening to a sermon on Revelation.

What is even more amazing is that on Saturday I felt like I was being told I needed to go one level deeper with my writing. I had been dwelling on that and then in church it all came together.

This is where I put my disclaimer in. The next part is totally my opinion.

I think the way to get around lukewarm writing is to write with a passion. A passion about your characters. A passion about your theme, your message. I do believe you have to just plain be excited about what you're writing. It's a level that's hard to maintain but I believe with prayer and determination it can happen.

So, what do you do to maintain your passion for your story? Any suggestions?

What I've Learned...

Christy here & Happy Sunday to you... It's supposed to be a beautiful day here in Georgia. We will be rain free and that's good news this year.

Today I wanted to share some things I've learned about myself since I started writing. You may be able to relate and I'd love to read about your experiences.

#1 QUIET!
I write best when it's quiet. Distractions are distractions and I don't get much in depth writing done when there's background noise, child and/or hubby running about causing that background noise. I long for early mornings before everyone rises or snippets of time when every one's at work or school and I can steal a few moments in front of the computer to compute.

I envy those of you that can shut others out for a while. You're the type of person who can work in the middle of Starbucks, in the middle of your children playing in the evening, in the middle of anywhere that involves other people and potential distractions.

#2 The First Draft is supposed to be bad.
I've realized the first draft must be written to know where you are going with the story. Then, you review the story and see where it's lacking. Where are the low points? Where could characterization be stronger? Is setting present throughout? Does setting support the scene? Do I need more research about the town, the issue or theme within my story?

I think writing the first draft, going wherever you want with the story, will help you get it out of your system. Especially if you write by the SOTP. Write whatever comes to mind. Don't worry about word count or if the house you're targeting doesn't allow such scenes, language, etc. The point is to get it down on paper, the initial scene in your mind. It's okay if you tell the whole story. You can figure out how to "show" it in the revised version.

#3 PLOTTING IS IMPORTANT
At some point, we Pantzers must get organized, especially when you realize there's a part of your first draft that doesn't flow. We've all been there.



Recently, I've learned the more research needed for a book the more plotting is important. One thing can't happen before another and if you haven't plotted diligently enough and haven't researched enough, someone is going to call you on it. Better plot heavily now than have an error pointed out after the book is in print.



#4 Procrastination is Fear

I haven't found a solution for this one yet, but I suppose the first step to conquering is admitting you have a problem and facing it. Now, who's got a cure?



I've learned more things than this, but in my Thera-flu medicated induced fog(that I'm still in, carried over from last weekend), this is all I can share today.


But, how about you?
Have you faced a challenge, accomplished something important - whether writing or otherwise - and took away something valuable?