New Picture Book

Last week ended on an up-note writing-wise.  I had researched the information for an historical fiction picture book off and on for four months. Last week, I wrote the manuscript and then, thanks to my critique partner, did some heavy editing. It's exciting having a new project to submit for the April writer's conference.  I do wish the biography I've been working on for over two years would sell!

There's an old saying, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride."  It will take more work on my part to finish the edits I need to do. Wishes won't get it done.

On another note: I helped my husband put up some of the inside pine siding in my writer's cabin.  We had to stop before finishing the ceiling because of fading daylight (the electrical isn't hooked up yet) and because of snow. Now, we will have to wait for this snow (4-6 inches predicted)  to melt and the ground to dry out again. Reason:  to hook up to the electricity and so the cabin isn't full of sawdust, my husband sets up the saw outside. We have to keep going in and out of the cabin to cut the boards. I don't want a bunch of mud in there.  After the ceiling will come the trim, then the flooring, the desktops/drawers, and the bookcases.. I'm hoping it can be finished before planting season. A woman can dream, can't she?!

Totally off-topic... is there ever just one topic in my blog? ... many people frequently say they have one word that describes their year. I've never thought about that for myself.  But this year, if I were to choose one word for myself, I would hope it would be "grounded."  I want to be grounded and purposeful in everything I do and say. It's easy to "go with the crowd" it's harder/challenging to be deliberate and focused on what your life goals are.

Hebrews 12:1-2  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Choices and Hope

For lack of a better word, I've been feeling gloomy for the last week or more. Perhaps it's the death or memories of loved ones. For instance, I missed my mom and dads at Christmas. This month, my mom would have been 90. Or perhaps it was the deaths of two members in my husband's family last week. Maybe it's the lack of sunshine or all the cold/snow. Perhaps it's because of my failure to accomplish my goal of reading through the Bible in a year. Or maybe, it's from having to re-edit my WIP for the umpteenth time - and now it looks like it will be closer to the first version. Or perhaps it's because I haven't been writing because I know I will get interrupted before I get very far.

Probably a combination of all of the above. There's a quote I love from the movie Facing the Giants. It's part of a prayer that Grant Taylor's character is praying: " Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you. Lord, I feel that there are giants of fear and failure staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don't know how to beat 'em, Lord. I'm tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me. ... But You're my God. You're on the throne. You can have my hopes and my dreams. Lord, give me something. Show me something."

Then, I remember my blessings. I have a 5 y.o. with a vivid imagination - who makes me laugh and gives me joy. This morning I watched her play in the snow. She picked up two long branches that had broken off the lilac bush. She put them on her head as antlers and pranced around. Then she made a slide down one of the mountains of snow. Another blessing is my 19 y.o. It can be aggravating having to tell him the steps for a task a million times before he can do something. But he has such a loving spirit. He loves showing affection. He loves telling life stories to people or telling them about movies he's watched. While he annoys his little sister, he also loves to make her laugh. I have been blessed with two "bonus children." I am also blessed with a husband who loves me and provides well for our family. He loves spending time with his family.

It all comes down to choices. I can choose to say, "poor me, why can't I 'catch a break'." Or, I can realize how blessed I am and keep working toward my goals. It's up to me. My joy is not dependent on anyone or anything else but my relationship with the Lord - but that in turn will cycle around and make my relationships and life better. Selling a book won't make me happy, having the best marriage in the world won't make me happy, having the best kids in the won't make me happy. All those things are fleeting. Yes, I want those things and I hope I'm working hard at those things - but my hope is in things that are unseen. My joy is in my Savior.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Psalm 42:1

Our church was blessed yesterday with the presence of four people from Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO). The students there can get degrees in many areas, but many of them will become missionaries. Am I doing enough for the mission field? Am I bold enough in my faith? Does my writing lift up the Lord? Perhaps my discontent for the last week is the Lord's way of having me reevaluate my priorities - or to focus more sharply on my goals.

As a writer, I hope I'm communicating effectively. I'm not at all saying the people and "things" in my life aren't important. I'm not saying I want to be so heavenly minded that I'll be no earthly good. I want there to be balance. I will take the joy with the pain. I will take the laughter with the sorrow. I will take the triumphs and the tragedies.

I am reading the book of Job this week. Here is a passage from Job 5:17 where Eliphaz is talking to Job: "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."

Psalm 51:10 says: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Home

Saturday morning, our niece's husband, Nathan Bryan Dunn, passed away from complications of cancer treatment. He would have been 26 years old yesterday.

Viewing the many tributes and comments about this young man is heart-touching. Everyone knew him for his smile, his kindness, his love for his wife, his passion for Christ - among many other things. What a blessing to have known him.

I prayed so hard for his recovery and don't understand why the Lord took him, other than the fact that none of us wanted Nathan to continue with the pain he was in. I saw him the day before he passed away. He was hooked up to a myriad of tubes and machines. His body looked nothing like the Nathan we knew. He has a new body now - and he is without pain or tears. He is surrounded by the love of God - in the presence of the Savior.

Jim Reeves sang a song that says in part, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through..." It's how every Christian should feel. We won't be "at home" until we are in heaven. But the dilemma is that we leave our loved ones behind. Will they be okay without us? Will they remember how much we loved them?

I saw a link today for a Michael Buble song called "Home" (To hear it, click on the word, "home") While it made me cry, it also renewed the feeling that, "this world is not my home." How has your life affected those around you? Have you been a peacemaker? Are you a joy to be around? Would I want to be my own friend?

Rest in peace, Nathan. Heaven is richer for your presence and earth, duller without your smile.

Revelation 21:4 "‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Project Life

I bought the Project Life 2011 kit this year. I want to take pictures, journal, and include tidbits from our everyday lives. Part of the reason is because, other than a few vague memories, I don't remember anything of my biological parents (my mother died when I was 3 1/2 and I got adopted just before I was 5.) Another reason, is to journal what I've learned each day from my Bible reading (although that's another New Year's Resolution that isn't happening daily like I planned it to). Another reason is because I want to remember those special moments/blessings that happen on a daily basis. The last reason, that I can think of right now, is because there aren't any personal recollections from the person I finished writing a biography about, and I want my children and grandchildren to have those from me.

On the writing front, I finished the biography (again) and submitted it to the agent I met at a conference. He called me to let me know he wouldn't be representing me, but gave me some direction on how to work on the manuscript. He gave me the names of several editors to submit to once I'd finished revising it (again). In the end, he did leave the door open for me to resubmit to him. I made changes/additions and just sent it this week to a professional editor so she can do line edits.

The writing cabin sits - empty - by the ice and snow covered pond. The weather has precluded finishing it, for now. The outside is done but not the inside. My bonus son and his fiancée made a sign to put over the door: Pilcrow Place. One of my sisters named it. Look it up - I had to! :o) They also made a plaque to hang inside that quotes 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

I ended last year and started this year off with a sinus infection and bronchitis. While the bronchitis is gone, I'm still having trouble with my sinuses and swollen glands. Wah. Those things are a large part of the reason I've broken my New Year's Resolutions. I was going to begin each day with my Bible reading, then write for about 2 hours, then homeschooling for my 5 y.o., then do household/family stuff the rest of the day. Thankfully, each day is a new gift so I can strive to get into the routine I hope will work for the rest of the year!

Happy New Year everyone,

God bless you indeed.

Procrastination or Success

Procrastination is usually the product of fear. If you don't try, you won't get rejected. We try to avoid pain or rejection. Life involves both risk and opportunity!

As with muscles, however, if we don't work them, they won't get stronger. If you have a project you need to start or finish... get to it! In my writing, if I don't submit what I've written, I won't know if it will get published. When I receive a rejection letter, sure it doesn't feel good, but at least I know I've tried. I nurse my wounds for a while, eat some dark chocolate, and then rework the project until it once again shines. After studying another publisher, I can submit it to the new "house".

Although I've only sold one article, I've completed a lot of steps toward publication. I've taken a year-long writer's course, attended conferences, been a part of writer's critique groups and writer's groups, worked draft after draft of the same manuscript, and then researched and submitted the manuscripts. These steps have made me a better writer.

Is there a project you been meaning to get done or even started? Is there a junk drawer, counter, table, room that you've been planning on cleaning up? Commit today to getting even one tiny section of it done. When I break a large project into smaller ones, it seems more attainable to complete.

Ask yourself what the worst thing is that could happen if you either got rejected or didn't complete the project.

I commend my husband for his "stick-to-it-iveness". He is a farmer. He has to research what seeds to plant, work the fields, plant, fertilize, check for weeds, repair/upkeep equipment, harvest, and then either store the grain or sell it. None of it happens overnight or without vigilance. He has to plan - and it's that way with the hay fields and the cattle.

Make a list for the project you need to work on. Get step one done today. Tomorrow, you can work on step two. Don't let the fear of rejection or failure hinder you from trying. There probably won't be a "perfect" time to start - you have to jump in today!

Yesterday, I was reminded of several verses in Ecclesiastes 11: 4-5 that Solomon wrote toward the end of his life: "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

Wildlife, Writing, and Time

Here's a critter my 18 y.o. found in one of our window wells. We put a wooden fence post in and it climbed out during the night.

We've been busy since I last blogged. Among other things, the kids started school, we went on a float trip to southwest Missouri, we finished making hay, my 5 y.o. contracted whooping cough (yes, she had had her immunizations!) and my husband has been working on a workshop.

I've been diligently working on several manuscripts. I submitted the photobiography I wrote to a major publisher. I made major revisions to the rhyming picture book I started about 10 years ago. I am finishing (today) the revisions on an ABC book (and took hundreds of photos) and two days ago, I started a new concept book and took over 100 photos for it (many duplicates). I received critiques on those manuscripts (and just requested another) and have implemented many of the suggested changes.

Where do I find the time? Well, today, I got a lot done while in town waiting for my husband to do several errands. I also try to write first thing in the morning before my 5 y.o. is up and then I write some more after I've finished her home schooling. If something is important to you, you will find the time you need. Pretty soon, I will be helping with harvest - either driving a tractor or delivering implements and meals. There will be a lot of waiting time. That's when I will have my handy-dandy notebook to write or make revisions.

Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

2nd Annual Oakdale Farms Writer's Retreat

We had a fun/productive weekend with ten authors/friends from Iowa. They were able to write by the pond or in the house, traipse around a pasture looking for a cow about to have a calf, and eat/talk/laugh in abundance.

Dori Butler described the weekend well in her blog: http://dorihbutler.livejournal.com/

I finished the (very) rough draft for my current work-in-progress (WIP). I need to research publishers now so I can work on the slant. All I'll say for now is that it is another nonfiction manuscript.

I haven't heard from the agent I queried about the biography I wrote. I'm not sure if the problem I had with a hacker blocked any reply from her or if she is just not interested in representing me. Since my phone number was on the query, I'm presuming the latter. Perhaps if I sell the manuscript on my own, she will be interested in representing me for future projects.

Psalm 145:8 "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."