Be An Encourager

Me and my friend Jan

Are you an encourager? A motivator? Or are you the opposite? Do your words and actions belittle others, put them down, steal their joy, or fail to affirm them?

You can speak truth, rebuke, and critique to someone without damaging their sense of self worth. A person, whether it be an adult or child, who is pursuing a dream, achieving a goal or just taking a risk to try something new, needs encouragement. Failure to do so is a travesty.

Likewise, it’s equally a travesty to not speak correction to someone when that correction will help them grow, mature, and become better at what they are hoping to accomplish. You can do so in love. Make it evident to that person how you support their efforts and dreams and goals. Be like the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. Whenever he addressed an issue that needed correcting in the early church, he always began with praise. Then Paul dropped the “But.”  The but always pointed out the failures and shortcomings.

Praise someone first, then voice your rebuke or correction. Praise makes the ground fertile to receive the seed you want to plant. In my writing journey I’ve had people who have encouraged and motivated me to continue writing. This has been invaluable, especially during my times of discouragement, the times I cried out to God, “Am I supposed to be a writer?”

So today, I give a shout out to my wonderful husband, Jeff Ogle, and my friend, Jan Glaze Christiansen. Jan prodded me to continue writing, and pursue my dream. Jeff always believes in me, and listens patiently as I read what I've written pout loud to him. Be a Jan or a Jeff today. Instill hope in others.

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Are you too old? Too young?

My writer friend, Jan Christiansen, and I attended a mini-conference on Saturday with Literary Agent Steve Laube. He was an amazing communicator, and so encouraging. As a writer we need to attend all the conferences and workshops we can. As in any craft, writing is an ongoing learning process! Rules change, genre popularity comes and goes, and we need to stay atop these things.

During question time, one question I asked Steve Laube is do agents and publishers hesitate to sign on older clients. Obviously in any field, people are looking for longevity in anyone they sign with.

Steve Laube encouraged me so much with his answer, and then he addressed it again in his next blog post. Age is just a number, was the title of his post. Which leads me to a question: How old or how young are you? Do you let your age intimidate you from pursuing your dream, your passion?

You are never too young or too old. If God instilled it in you, it’s up to you to make it happen. He will help you, but He won’t make it happen for you. He’ll open doors, His spirit will encourage you, but you have to do the work.

Guess what? You can do this!

Those Pesky Judges' Score Sheets

Contests and judges score sheets! I entered a Christian writing contest and got notified that I was a finalist in my genre, Romantic Suspense, for my entry ‘A Lily Among Thorns.’  My first set of judges score sheets included three sets. Out of the three sets, one gave me high scores and remarks were very positive. Another one’s score was medium range. Then one had relatively low scores.

I devoured them all. I want to improve, be a better writer. Did I feel defensive sometimes? You betcha! Writing is our creative baby. Don’t call my baby ugly or intellectually challenged. Besides, it’s okay to feel defensive as long as we don’t allow it to stymie our creative juices.

It is the intent of the enemy of our soul, that deceitful devil, to get us to concentrate on the negative things—so much so that we fail to hear the voice of God, and ignore the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudging.  Use negative criticism to improve your skills and talents, whatever that may be.

When I got the score sheets from the final judge, an editor from Harlequin, that said I won for my category, Romantic Suspense, I devoured them. It cost $25 to enter the contest, and in my estimation, receiving all four sets of judges’ scores is well worth the investment. These are professionals who looked over my work and provided me with feedback.

I took all the advice and suggestions these experts had to give and went back and made changes to my manuscript.  I feel good about it. In fact, I feel awesomely blessed.

Keep your heart open to critiques, and tell yourself that it’s God’s way of helping you on your writing journey.  As we commit our endeavors to the Lord, he brings these things our way. Trust Him, and believe in yourself. God does!

Getting Motivated After The Holidays

Ugh! Bah-humbug! I love, love, love the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, but trying to get back into the groove (am I dating myself using that word?) has been difficult. That scripture in the Bible “The spirit is willing but the flesh (body) is weak” (Matt. 26:41), sure describes what I have been experiencing.

Writing, like anything, is an endeavor where we need to give ourselves a push periodically. Even if you LOVE to write, you’ll encounter this at times. Let’s face it, we can always justify not doing something with the excuse that we had so many other things to do. And with me, that is true. Very, very true!

My characters in my WIP-'s-currents novels--I’m working on, become so real to me during the whole writing process. But like real people, if I don’t see or talk to them for awhile, they tend to fade from the forefront of my thoughts. It’s almost like we need to get reacquainted again.

So here is my public declaration to: Jonah and Lilyth, Josiah and Leah, Lola and Jeremy, and Jeff and Leola (the only non-fiction ms I’m working on), I know who you are. I haven’t completely forgotten you. I promise that I will visit you this week and frequently thereafter. At least I will for sure with Jonah and Lilyth, and Jeff and Leola. But I haven’t forgotten the rest of you.

Is she working on four different novels you may ask. Glad you did ask. Yes, I am.

I can do this!

Writing Despite Critism

It seems we spend our lives chasing dreams and goals and purposes. I always wanted to write, but it wasn’t until I was sixty years old that writing became a burning, driving force inside me.

As a beginning writer, or for some seasoned authors, we seek affirmation that writing is truly what we should be doing. We pour our hearts out on paper (or in our computer), and sit back and expect the praise to roll in. Why wouldn’t it? We feel called to write, so obviously our gifting and talent should be apparent to everyone.

I found it’s much like learning to walk. We got the basics down. We can get from point A to point B. But simply because we can walk doesn’t mean we’re capable of running a marathon, or walking to a car, climbing in and driving off.  Toddlers can’t do any of those things yet.

I’ve learned you have to be willing to take criticism, correction, and accept that some may not like what you write, or even your writing style. To be successful, you have to determine that you will take all that-- the good and the bad--and learn from it, and not let it ruin you.

That’s easier said than done, especially if your personality is like mine: a people-pleaser.  I agonize whenever I think someone doesn’t like me, or finds fault with something I do. I wished, desperately wish sometimes, that I wasn’t like that.

I have to constantly remind myself of who I am in Christ. When I doubted my ability as a writer, God spoke to me. He said, “Who are you? Are you who others say you are, or are you who I say you are?”

That’s enough encouragement for me.

2013 As A Writer

“T’was the night before Christmas…” And then Christmas was over and done.  I hope everyone enjoyed the season--that it was filled with love, laughter, loved ones, and remembering the Reason for the Season is Jesus.

Now that the New year, 2013, is upon us and then all those pesky resolutions start appearing.  I always make resolutions---that get broken.  So my resolutions for 2013 are:

**Lose weight (my all-time most used one). **Eat healthier. **Exercise more. **Read the Bible more. **Pray more. ** Finish all the novels I’ve started (4 of them). **Get published by a traditional publisher. **Write, write, write, write (you get the idea).  **Push the sales on my book Like A Cedar In Lebanon (I haven’t really done much with that other than creating a Facebook Author Page)

But the most important thing I am determined to do in 2013 as a writer, or otherwise, is to press into God like never before, to lay my head on His chest and hear His heartbeat, to be enveloped in His presence. I want to see people through His eyes.

God bless you one and all! May 2013 bring all your hopes and dreams to fruition.

I Have A Dream

I have a dream! It’s a dream I’ve had for quite some time. It is a dream to be a writer. Not just a writer, but someone whose words tell a story that touches hearts---that shows humanity in all its grandeur, nobility, depth of kindness and goodness, failures, weaknesses, cruelty, selfishness, and inhumanity—and God’s ability to restore, change, give hope and purpose through His unconditional love. I want to make people laugh, cry, rejoice and grieve.

Mostly I want others to see the goodness and faithfulness of a God who has never failed me. Though I often didn’t understand, though I often shook my fist and ranted and railed, and blamed Him for my circumstances, I know now that He always wanted the best for me, and loves me in a way my human mind can’t fathom.

The writing of Like A Cedar In Lebanon was done with many tears and prayers. Since it’s been published, every day I place my hand on it and pray over it, asking God to touch someone, anyone, everyone with this story.

My challenge to you for the year 2013 is to pray and seek God over your writing. Ask God’s blessing over what you write.