Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
Okay, going back to the hair factor with variations from The Beatles and pre-long hair. Fun songs from the 60s. Typical angst and good ol' rock 'n' roll.
Father, you've raised up musicians in every generation. Some honor you with their gifts, others don't. Ever since The Fall of Man, the battle between good v. evil remains. Until you finish it once and for all. Thank you for those who've used what you've given them to bless you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Most exuberant young writers seeking publication for their works of fiction receive unlimited advice from whomever they ask – except from some very busy professionals, be they authors, big-time publishers, agents, or publicists. For those, you usually need a connection to make a way for you. Inexperienced writers search all kinds of websites from the various publishing outlets, marketers, agents, editors, etc. and soak their brains with the overloads of information that's out there about writing novels and the whole shebang.
Real answers are out there, but for most of us, the road to publishing is paved with those things that don't work for us. In other words, experience teaches us which approach will get us at least a portion of what we want. And what we truly want is the first thing that must be personally defined after exploring the many available avenues.
So. Here are a few of my suggestions:
If you're confident in your writing, let a friend or relative who is an avid reader of accomplished authors read your manuscript and give you their opinion of it with the understanding that first of all, you need to know if they like the story, the characters, and the "flow". Make sure you give them your very best edited draft. Listen carefully to what they say after reading it. Then decide if you want to hire an editor unrelated to whichever agent/publisher you're pursuing.
After going through the manuscript to correct all errors, read it again one more time.
If you're uninterested in the vanity/self-publishing indie prospects, determine to scout the writers' conferences where the authors/agents/editors you want to notice you will be. In the conference instructions about meetings with editors or agents, be fully prepared to do as asked. Do not be unnecessarily flattering. Be you. Be real.
Keep reading. Always keep reading.
If you're the type of writer/author that is more concerned with writing what sells than writing what you like or want to write, read the trendy novels in your genre. Keep in mind that imitation is likely not going to be good enough. Without something to both concur with what sells but gives you a specific or unique separation that will appeal to a particular publishing house and the agent you desire, you'll just be another hopeful, aspiring writer.
Those are my suggestions for those who wish to go the traditional publishing route.
Suggestions from other authors will be wholeheartedly welcomed.
Father, please continue to direct my journey, keep me focused on you because apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes from the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." Jesus
John 3:19-21 (NIV)
There were all kinds of learning curves going on when I wrote my first novel. Not only those but many kinds of interference (I explained mine here) which for most writers is expected, depending on their life responsibilities. Over the course of time from beginning to the more seasoned times of the writing life, we experience some great instructions – and, yes, some not so great.
Here is my best and most favorite instruction that the Lord Himself gave me during one of those worrisome times as I wrote my first novel and since then when the lulls become extended:
"If you pick up the pen, I'll give you the words."
It still works for me.
Father, you always amaze me. Your kindness, benevolence, grace, mercy, forgiveness, lover of my soul – all of it sustains me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
In Memory of My Friend Rick . . .
My friend Rick . . . We met in my first year at the University of Washington. My two friends and I used to hang out between classes in the Hub pretending or attempting to study. The lighting was dimmed, it seemed "cool", and there were these cute guys who also congregated in there. Rick was one of those guys. Long story short, over time we all met each other and became friends during that turbulent time of '66 and the summer of '67.
Rick was and still is a genius on the piano. He composed two songs that I knew of during that tumultuous time. One a tribute to our friend Ron, a drummer and photographer, and another a tribute to me. The title of Ron's was "Ronaldo's Theme", and mine was called "Gallop". How I wish I had a recording of it. I'm sure it's long gone buried under layers and layers of old memories and forgotten melodies. I loved his work.
I remember riding in Rick's old green turtle-shaped Volvo named Spencer. I could always depend on Rick for wit, humor, kindness, talent, intelligence delivered in a practical format, and basic sensibility in totally un-sensible times. From what I gather, he hasn't changed much. I haven't spoken to him in over 20 years.
My first year on the racetrack he and some of our friends came down to the racetrack to visit me at the barn where I worked. I remember a grey filly I took care of named Spotted Lady stepped on his foot. He stood there in pain, helpless, not knowing what to do. Believe me, if you've never been stepped on by a horse with shoes on, you don't want that kind of pain. He was totally brave about it.
Just a short time ago I found Rick on Facebook and felt overjoyed because of the emotions of those old memories. I didn't know much about him other than he'd married and had a son. Things changed from that last time we'd gathered at our mutual friend's. But he still "sounded" like Rick. And though I learned we had chosen different ideologies, he would always be the same Rick to me.
He said he'd be willing to update his lifestory, but he'd been experiencing some health issues and would get back to me when he felt better. Yesterday he told me he has cancer* and is undergoing different treatments for it. No one wants to hear that report.
*Rick passed away from that cancer, but I arranged to see him before he left this earth. He allowed me to pray for him and we hugged before I departed.
Rick, I love you, my friend.
Father, thank you for the friendships that still remind us of the wonder of friends from times past. We never lose that love for them. Help us all to get through losing them, and may we never stop praying for them before they leave this earth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
This is what I ask myself at my lowest point in the writing process: "Am I a fraud for calling myself an author?"
Well, technically, I am not a fraud for calling myself an author. I've written 11 novels, 9 of which have been published in one format or another (soft covers or ebooks or both). I'm working on number 12 at present.
Am I a fraud for thinking I write good love stories/romances? I suppose that's subjective depending on who you ask. Having chosen the most prolific genre in the world to write novels with the numbers of published fare ranking in the zillions, it doesn't really make me a fraud for writing them – it just doesn't add up to being a "recognized" author in the genre for me.
Bottom line: writing love stories/romances is what I'm supposed to write. I write what I love to read – and can find very few "real" authors in the Christian Fiction market who write them the way I like. I don't and won't label my stories "clean fiction", the now trendy term for classifying most romances and romantic suspense in the Christian market. Why won't I? Because it implies that without that label the romance is going to be dirty. Granted, if you read secular/general market romances, chances are you will have clips of written porn which muddies up the story and generally speaking is so unnecessary. But I cannot recall ever reading a Christian romance novel that wasn't "clean" without that inference and label.
So. I eventually conclude I'm not a fraud. But successful by any accepted standard? Not really.
Father, thank you for every story, every character, and all the words and ideas. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Period. "End of story." In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
From Brian Culbertson's Colors of Love CD, this is "You're Magic". I've never heard an album which better "articulates" the song titles of each cut with the music. This album is unbelievably beautiful. Each song is so perfectly depicted in the music and the tone. This musical genius is a pianist extraordinaire, but that's not the only instrument he plays. I love this album.
Father, thank you for the benevolence of your creativity distributed to us. The beauty of musicians and artists of all kinds is a gift to us. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
There are the rigid disciplinarians who can commit to writing every day. There are the structured schedulers who religiously stick to the times and days set apart for writing. There are the haphazard time setters who must allow a certain amount of time per day or set a time to write 5 days a week with an allotted 2 days off.
As many combinations as you can imagine comprise the kind of authors known to write novels – and other things. But we do novels here and rarely stray from that path.
You could say I'm a binge writer. No structured times, no rigid schedules, no set-in-stone commitments for when I write. I cannot force the creative intentions, and I refuse to write words without inspiration or intent. Yes, it can make for some worrisome silences at times, lapses of days without writing on my novel, wonderings about when I will be able to return to the story – but, so far, through all of my endeavors, I come back to it with a freshness after the separation and continue anew.
While away from my novel, I'm still engaged. Sentences often run through my mind, scenes play out. Eventually, I write them down – if not in the form they will one day possess, I jot down the words or the general circumstances to refer to when I'm back at the keyboard. It's the plan that isn't. I write. I break. I write.
Would love to hear the patterns of other authors . . .
Father, thank you for always helping me through the process that has worked for me. Thank you for the encouragement when I've taken too long of a break. Thank you for every word, character, and story. As always, apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
". . . He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
Malachi 4:6 (NIV)
Happy Father's Day to all those dads who love their children and do their best to raise them up in the way they should go. May the Lord bless all your endeavors in parenthood, work, and play. God Bless You in Jesus.
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulterers."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Revelation 14:6-13 (NIV)
Into the Fire 