Friday--The Writers' Porch

Keep Good Records.

I remember when my children were little I thought, “I will always remember who is in this picture.” Now I look back and sometimes can’t tell which of my boys is in the picture. I should have recorded the names, dates and event. But I didn’t.

The same thing happened with I began submitting my writings to various publishers. At first it was easy. One article sent to one magazine. Or a devotion mailed to an editor. I knew I would never forget when and where I sent my book, which I knew inside and out, for possible publication. Ah!

Before I knew it, I was confused and disoriented in my submissions. It was then that I began to keep a record of every submission. I now keep records of who and where I send my manuscripts to and what their response is—if any. (Smile).

One of the things I cannot stress enough is to keep good records of your writing. I have a chart on my computer on which I note the details of my submissions. If you are interested, I would be happy to email you a copy. However, it is easy to set up your own systematic chart. Here’s what I include in mine:

Working Title of Manuscript
Date Sent
Type sent: Query/Proposal/Manuscript
Editor & Publisher
Acceptance/Rejection
Date Published
Payment (if any)
Type of rights sold
Date of Thank-you sent to editor

Keeping a great writing record jogs your memory as to when you sent it in. This allows you to know if you should send a gentle reminder to the editor if it has been months and you haven’t heard anything. Things do get lost. It also prevents duplicate submissions. Besides all this, if your writing is your ministry/career it proves you are a professional.

Trust me, it takes less time to record your writing projects than it does to try to remember or run a paper trail. So your assignment is this: if you don’t have a way to track your submissions, start one today—before you dot another “i.”

Babbling about Books--Thursday

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Betty Smith
Fiction
(1943) Latest reprint and release (2006)

My stepmother is 72. She loves to read and her all-time favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. She has raved about the book ever since I first met her. It was released in 1943 and became a national bestseller. It was made into a movie—a sure sign it was great.

I remember reading it a long time ago. At the time, I didn’t feel it was a “great” book. I remember thinking it was sort of boring. I wondered why my mom thought it was so wonderful.

However, recently I have heard a new buzz about it from my book club. I saw it on the end cap at Borders. It has been re-released. So, I thought I would give it a try again. I downloaded it to my i-pod and listened to it. (The New York accents were perfect in the audio version and made it come to life.) I do not know whether life has brought me new perspective, but this time I truly enjoyed A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

The book relates the coming-of-age story of its main character, Francie Nolan, and her family struggling against poverty in Brooklyn. The novel is set in the first and second decades of the 20th century, so it is pre-World War I. It begins with a very young Francie struggling to keep her idealism alive in the face of grinding poverty, the comedies and tragedies of ordinary life. Her mother Katie is a realistic woman who works as a janitor in their tenement to make ends meet. Her father Johnny is an alcoholic singing waiter who is more of a dreamer. Along with her brother Neeley, the four of them live in a poor apartment in Brooklyn.

There is a tree that grows outside the tenement of the Nolan home. Francie relates to the tree struggling to living in the abject poverty until she is in late teens. It is a book that proves the truth of Proverbs 13:12.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (NIV)

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it in audio format. If you decide to give it a read,or if you have read it, let me know your thoughts.

God2Girl--PWOC Nellis AFB

I want to give you a follow-up from my post last week about my retreat with Nellis AFB PWOC. It was such a blessing to me to serve these beautiful sisters in Christ. As a group on Saturday night we experienced God. The Holy Spirit swooped in and gave a hug from heaven.

Although I shouldn’t be amazed, I always am when the Holy Spirit coordinates an event. At this retreat God picked the right music, the perfect praise dance and the messages. He wove it together seamlessly.

The most moving point of the retreat was on Sunday morning when the women shared how the Lord had touched their lives. The sisterhood of this group was so uplifting. The PWOC from Nellis AFB came from several denominational backgrounds. They attended various churches, but they were in complete unity. They illustrated perfectly the verses found Ephesians 4:4-6,
“ There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” In the final moments of the retreat, we held hands and prayed. I felt the smile of the Lord upon us.

A big thank you to A’doria Smith, the event director from Nellis AFB Chapel--THANK YOU! Also, another big THANK YOU to Liz—the treasurer and emcee.

Finally, praise and glory to our Lord Jesus—He is amazing.

Friday--The Writers' Porch

Speaking Platform

Last Friday I received a question about building your speaking platform. “How do you get your foot (or even your little toe) in the door?”

My recommendation is to start small. Begin with your local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group or any other type of mom’s groups. Contact local churches to find out if they have a group. If yes, call the group leader and offer to speak for their group. They are usually in need of speakers and looking for a variety of topics. They may not have the budget to pay for a speaker, but the experience and exposure is invaluable.

Another way to begin is volunteer to speak at your home church. (It will be the hardest audience you will ever face.) Offer to teach a Bible study. Lead a small group. Teach Sunday school. Every bit of experience in front of an audience will help you to hone your skills. I started with leading a home Bible study and gradually my speaking skills led to a speaking ministry with Proverbs 31.

Record yourself and then listen to it. (This is not fun!) But as you listen to yourself you will hear the “um's”, the “really's” and all the other little mistakes we don’t recognize until we hear ourselves speak. Unless you are very thick-skinned, I do not recommend a spouse critique. I think we are too close to our husbands for them to advise fairly. Plus our feelings get hurt. My husband once said, “You sound like you are on drugs.” Thanks, honey. (BIG SMILE).

In the beginning, prepare one or two messages and concentrate on content and delivery. Then pray for the Lord to open the doors for you to get your little toe in the door.

Babbling about Books--Thursday

The Help
Kathryn Stockett
Fiction
(2009)


You will probably hear me say this often—“This is one of my favorite books!” The Help is certainly one of my favorite reads this year. A friend had heard great reviews about it, so I downloaded it to my Kindle.

I couldn’t put it down. It is a fiction book based on the civil rights issues in the 1960's. The story is compelling, but moves along with a humor and lightness. The main characters are funny and touching.

As the reader you turn page to page wondering, Where is the plot going to go? What is going to happen to these unique characters of Skeeter, a white woman, writing the memoirs of the two black maids Aibileen and Minny? The twists and turns surprise and delight the reader. It’s been a hit in the reading world. It’s currently #13 on the New York Times Best Sellers.

I am going to recommend this book to my book club. It’s an entertaining yet educational book. The Help is a wonderful book for discussion. It is not yet in paperback since it just released this year, so check it out of your local library—enjoy!

Girl2Girl with the PWOC

Women are the greatest! I spent the past weekend with the dearest group of ladies from PWOC—Nellis Air Force Base. (PWOC is an acronym that stands for Protestant Women of the Chapel). As only girls can do—we laughed, we cried, and of course we ate lots of great food together.

We delighted in the Lord—and I know He delighted in us, too. When women are together seeking God, becoming authentic and allowing God to change their hearts and attitudes—He shows up! He is indeed a risen Savior.

My heart holds a special place for women who are affiliated with our military. I was the wife of a military man for several years. My first child was born at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. I understand the unique situations of wives whose husbands are gone on tours of duty. This weekend several of the women’s husbands were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. It was my privilege and honor to serve them and minister to them as they sacrificially give to our country. But the greatest part of God’s kingdom is that they also blessed me. With joy in my heart, I drove home rejoicing in a God who loves us so much that He created friendships that happen over a weekend, but that will last for eternity. So cool!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

Can I ask you a favor? Will you pray for troops and their families today? Pray for their safety and health. Thank God for the people who give so sacrificially. They need and deserve our prayers.

Until tomorrow,

Friday--The Writers' Porch

For the Love of Writing

Last Friday I listed the top ten steps for helping a writer find publication. The number one step is, Do you feel you have to write? If the answer is no, then stop and begin a new hobby. If you need to write like you need to breathe, then write and do not stop. Write because you love the flow of language, witty words and grammar, and not because you want to see your name in print on a book or magazine.

If you cannot not write, then one day you may see your name in print. When publication happens it usually take a long time (years) and with many rejection letters. Learn the craft and persist—do not give. Write because it is your calling, not because you desire a new career.

If you want to hone your writing and speaking skills, if you would like to meet with other writers and discuss the writing life, then I highly recommend coming to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks! Conference. This conference will help guide and encourage you as writer/speaker/ministry leader. Click on the "She Speaks" link for more information.