by Stacey | Oct 12, 2017 | For Writers
Writing coach Brian Henry once said that it takes three things to publish a book traditionally.
- A well-written manuscript.
- Perseverance.
- Dumb luck.
And you only need two out of three to succeed.
The only two items on that list that an author can control are numbers one and two. So how do you craft that stellar manuscript?
Many people look for the solution in worksheets, how-to books, and writers’ manuals. These are great things. I use many and have benefitted from the instruction of more experienced and successful authors. But, as I procrastinate starting my fourth novel, I can’t help but wonder if it is possible to over plan and if all those charts and worksheets can morph into a hindrance instead of help?
A Writer has Options
I am a firm believer in the fact that there is more than one way to write a book. There are probably as many ways to write a novel as there are writers, and the way that is right is the way that works for you.
I happen to blend a few methods, and I am a planner. The more books I write, the more detailed I plan. For me, plotting results in a cleaner first draft that requires fewer edits later.
But I had to question my motive when I downloaded a guide over 100 pages long on developing characters when I already had copious notes on said characters. It turns out that I had begun using charts and planning to avoid the hard work of writing that first draft.
You may think it gets easier with every published book, but for me, the reality is that the first draft is agony NO MATTER WHAT. It requires hours and hours of butt-in-chair writing that cannot be avoided by filling in the blanks on a chart.
NaNoWriMo
The right method to write is the method that works for you. But whatever you do, don’t use planning as a way to avoid writing. You eventually have to get the words on the page, and there is no better time than NaNoWriMo!
National Novel Writing Month begins November 1st. It might be the motivation you need to jump over the hurdle of planning and get that story on paper. Hop on over the website and check it out. If you sign up, let me know! Maybe we can cheer on one another.
by Stacey | Oct 5, 2017 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
Parenting challenging children grows my compassion toward others parenting challenging children
If you parent a challenging child, you’ve likely smiled through unrequested advice, bit your tongue when publicly corrected, and pinched back tears against feelings of failure. You know what it means to give endlessly, sacrificially, and entirely to a child and STILL know your best efforts are inadequate.
This grows your compassion. You have less judgment and more patience than your pre-child self. You have less advice and more empathy. You offer less correction and more grace because you know how desperately you need to hear that grace spoken to you. You do not deceive yourself. You know you need the Lord to parent every day, and you shamelessly share this with other moms, praying they will also turn to Him for their strength.
You learn to celebrate the small victories and know they belong to the Lord
I am not up to the task of parenting a challenging child. Perhaps, that is exactly why God gifted me with one. Every milestone is a victory because that milestone once felt impossible. I’ve learned the important lesson that prayer doesn’t always change my circumstances or change my child, but it will always change me. I’ve accepted this struggle is just as much about my sanctification as it is about rearing my child in the ways of the Lord. I know God desires to do a work in me as I pray for His work in my child.
There is a blessing inside the struggle.
There is a great blessing in the stripping off of independence and the putting on of dependence. Parenting a challenging child is a humbling reminder that all my talents and capabilities are nothing without God. Struggles turn my eyes toward Him, recognizing my complete dependence upon Him to do what only He can replace stubborn hearts with obedient ones—in my children and in me.
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from the archives, May 12, 2016
by Stacey | Sep 28, 2017 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
In utero, your heartbeat sang a song of praise to God, joining the orchestra resounding his name.
This was all before I felt your first note flutter.
The Creator, Composer, and Redeemer of souls tuned your purpose and composed your score into a song only you can sing. Your days—notes on life’s concerto—are part of a larger symphony playing a song for His pleasure.
With great precision, he shaped you into a delicate image bearer of the mighty God, destined to reflect his glory in a masterpiece of great worship. No matter the instrument or length of the score, the resounding harmony rises to the ears of the Lord and fills the heavens.
He made you to praise him. Whether you play an instrument great or small, play boldly in the opus of the Creator, the maker of all things.
*from Unexpected Love, published 2016, Vine Images.
To order your copy today message me through the ‘contact me’ tab. Click on the image for more book details.
by Stacey | Sep 14, 2017 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
His pinched lips and jerky movements caught her eye. Her brother struggled. With forced restraint, he bemoaned the impossibility of his task.
She gently opened his clenched fist and removed the pieces of his project. Then, she slowly and methodically began the job of piecing it back together.
He left the project in her more capable hands and skipped away with an upturned face. He hummed a happy a tune.
She worked away. Her face reddened. She avoided my gaze, looking intently at the object of her frustration.
I frowned. She appeared to be successful in her task. Why the excessive throat clearing and narrowed eyes? I slipped down beside her. What’s wrong?
“It’s like I’m invisible. I’m working hard at doing something nice and he doesn’t appreciate it. Why doesn’t he appreciate me?”
Every person longs for appreciation. We long to be noticed. We want our good deeds recognized and praised. I nod as she speaks because I’ve felt that same slow burn. I want my family to notice and admire the small sacrifices that I make for them. I want to hear more thank yous, more compliments, more acknowledgments.
But like motherhood, life is full of opportunities to selflessly give yourself to others, and many of those actions will not be recognized or praised. Certain circumstances burn that reality deeper into our souls. My toddlers never thanked me for a diaper change. Our youngster never thanked the doctor for the needle that will make him feel better. Perhaps we need to rephrase the question. Instead of, “Why am I not appreciated?” ask, “Can I do this for the Lord knowing His pleasure is thanks enough?”
I lean in closer to her. “If God asked you to do this for your brother, would you?”
Of course! Her head nods emphatically.
“If God is the only one who ever notices this kind act, is his pleasure enough?”
Yes!
“Then do it for the Lord. He sees. He knows. And he is pleased.”
A tiny smile tugs the corner of her lips upward. She bends over the project and begins again in earnest.
by Stacey | Sep 7, 2017 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
With words, God created the world. Then the Living Word became flesh.
Through inspired words, God promised protection. Not protection from all hurt or heartbreak, but protection from His justifiable wrath through Jesus for all who believe.
He promises to work out all things for the good of His children. Not always the way that I want, but He will take what the enemy meant to destroy me and redeem it for my good. He’ll finish what he started.
He provides comfort in our trials when we seek Him, which is not a promise to remove the trial, but a promise of His presence through it.
He will supply all our needs, and we need saving faith in Christ most of all.
He will return for us. It is the hope that we cling to. He is coming back. His Word is true.
