Clermont Christian Writers Group - Praise

We had our first meet and greet today. I know-- I stressed about being the only one there due to the newspaper non-ad but prayers were answered. Four people showed up and we talked about what they needed and wanted from a writers group. We started right at 1pm and finished up by 2-- a good start for a first time. Please keep praying that our next one - the last Monday in July -- brings more people.

I just got a phone call from the library and another lady showed up abit late so that makes 5! I wish we had still been there for her! The next meeting will be more of the same until we get a core group of committed writers. I plan to bring in some markets and also ask for some concrete goals so we can be accountable to each other. The people who attended today are going to set up their own blogs as well to start some online connections.

Drum Roll Please

I'm rolling into a new exciting month-July looks fantastic so far! With the ICRS convention in Orlando on July 12 and the Writers Conference in PA starting the 20th, I should learn a lot and stay quite busy! Am I ready? Not at all! Still have to purchase my digital recorder and then teach my non techie self how to use it for the interviews and I need to come up with a pitch for an editor. AND I have to get through today.

Our first Writers Group is set for one o'clock at the local library. Ok--it never made the free local paper. People have appts, vacations and illnesses. I even dreamt about it last night. So where's my faith that this is something God wants me to do? It's there, but I have to admit, anything new and out of my box gets a little shaky.

I saw the movie Bucket List awhile ago and started making my own list. Being part of a local Christian Writers group made the top ten. (Riding a scooter rated high too, but I'll hold off on that one awhile.) So maybe today might be a light crowd. But maybe next month, as we get the word out, more writers might decide to meet up with us. We can make a difference as a group--encouraging and supporting each other as well as sharing ideas and market news. We just need to find each other.

And then there is the news about my book. Sadly, I pulled it from the publisher's line-up for now. Some changes occurred that didn't work for me and so it won't be released this year. Sunpenny had been great but until their new imprint is up and running, I've decided to wait and submit again later.

Ok. I also promised to write if I heard more about the contest--nothing. It is over tomorrow and I can see my chances fading into the sunset tonight! Oh well, next month is a new month meaning many many more opportunities to get my writing out there!

Praise

The notice I wrote for the Writers Group made it in the Sentinel paper this am! Now I only hope some writers out there have a second cup of coffee while reading the paper and see it. Thank you for your prayers everyone. I know many of you are praying for this group and I hope you will continue to as we try to gather some writers to encourage and help each of us with our desire to write for the Lord.

No contest news yet--but then no news is no news. I will post my results either way.

I have been getting reading for the ICRS--learning about the writers I will be interviewing and preparing my notes. Okay--I am getting a little nervous, after all, I am interviewing some of my all time favorites!

I also booked my ticket to the Montrose Writers Conference to be held in July! I can't wait to meet old friends and make some new ones. Kathy Ide, who taught the editing course I took this year, will be teaching a class and I look forward to taking it.

Prayer Request

So I opened the Pennysaver today and couldn't find the ad for the Writers Group--the group that meets Monday at the library! My first thought--oh no--I'm way out of my box on this and now no one will know about it! You know how thise panicked, fevered thoughts begin to settle around your brain . . .like . . . why on earth did I ever decide to do this anyways? I never liked planning parties for this exact reason. Whose idea was this anyways?

So I have a few days to worry but instead I plan to pray. If you happen to be reading this post, please pray that a wonderful outpouring of Christian writers show up who are serious and dedicated about writing for the Lord. Pray that God will bring in new and seasoned writers who will encourage others in this undertaking. Pray that He will do an unbelievable thing that day!

Contest Results --step one

Today I got word that I made it through the first rounds of a contest I entered at WOW! Women on Writing. A literary agent will now be reviewing the stories and picking the winners.

So start praying! I'd love to be in the top ten.(Don't we always?) Of course, I'm grateful to have made it this far. But hey, we enter contests to win.

I promise to post the results as soon as I hear--even if it doesn't complete my wildest expectations. But it has been fun to dream and hope!

Ghostwriting

I've been given a new opportunity--to ghostwrite a story for a missions book. I'm absolutely thrilled but of course challenged by the sheer thought of doing it. But what is more exciting is I also get the opportunity to share and talk with a missionary on the field and learn more about their life and how God has blessed them in their work.

A year ago, if someone had asked me to do this--I would have turned down the request in a a heartbeat. As a writer, I struggle to write my own thoughts--even though I know the story inside and out. Ghostwriting for someone else opens up new fears. Will I create their voice accurately? Will I portray what they want to get across? Will the finished story be everything they hoped it would be?

I'm praying that the missionary I have will already be an exceptional writer and all I have to do is a few edits! Now wouldn't that be awesome?

For the love of a good goal

I'm that kind of person. Goal-orientated. Could be from my background as a counselor. I always had to have ongoing goals for all my clients. Could be just me--I need a two-year plan or life seems pretty boring.

Writing goals? Always. Either daily, weekly or yearly--I need to feel I am pushing forward and learning as much as I can so that I can do the very best that I can.

How do I do that? A zillion ways. I read, I join, I blog and I write. Something--every day. No--it's not to keep my husband from asking what I did today. I write because I've chosen to do it. And because I've chosen to make good writing my goal--I need to take the necessary steps. It doesn't come by osmosis.

I see where I've come after three years and I appreciate it. But I also see where I can be in three more years. As a Christian writer--I pray and hope and desire that what I put down on paper might make a difference in a life.

What are you reading?

Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck has captured not only my attention but my hours between writing. The cover alone is enough to entice me to open the pages-- a cup of rich brown coffee spilling out into a heart made of sugar. Makes me want to run out to a cafe and order a homemade meal.

What are you reading? If you care to share, I'd love to hear--after all--I might finish this book faster than I thought!

A little update

I wanted to post some updates. First, I found out yesterday that the Women of Passions book is now available for ordering! Click on the picture to the right of this page to find more information. I'm looking forward to seeing it displayed at the booth when I go to the ICRS in July in Orlando.

I'm really excited about going to the show. I haven't been in years. A good friend of mine is flying down to attend as well. She's a writer as well as a store owner. I know I will enjoy a week of fellowship and refreshment.

I was also asked to be a ghostwriter for some missionaries in another book. Although I've never before ghostwritten, I think it will be an honor to meet more people who are serving full time on the mission field.

As to my Christian Writers Group, the first meeting is June 30th. On Sunday, I met a woman in my SS class who is a writer and wants to attend. I'm praying God brings in many others who have the desire to write for the Lord.

My book -- I'm waiting for the first round of edits to begin. The whole process is longer than I might have thought but I'm learning as I go! I know the day will come when I finally hold it in my hand.

International Christian Retail Show

God is good! I found out today I can attend the ICRS as Media to help interview authors as an assistant to an online writers site I belong to. Hopefully, I will be in Orlando at the convention center in July meeting some of my favs and learning about some new ones.

The last show I went to was in Orlando--maybe six or so years ago. A friend of mine owned a bookstore and I helped her select gifts. For many years before that, I went as my own store owner when it was called CBA. Always after a week of activities, I felt renewed and refreshed to have been around so many dynamic Christians. I know this year will be the same.

God is pretty amazing how He orchestrates the events in our lives. My dream had been to return to the show as an author someday. I'm going again--yes, I'm an author--but who thought I'd get the chance to interview others? Pretty awesome.

Clermont Florida Writers Group -June 30th

I know. You already saw that post to the side. I wasn't checking. Really. But I want to be absolutely sure everyone who is from the area sees it. Mark your calenders!

Monday, June 30th 1-3pm We have our first meeting where we will discuss how we want to structure them--what we want to actually do---and meet and greet. I'm all about meeting and greeting. I love to find out what each writer's goals are and what they've done or are dreaming about doing. I want to know how God has impressed upon you to write for him. I'm sure we'll do some great talking together.

Please tell anyone you know who wants to take a little drive from Orlando, Kissimmee or down from Altamonte. We all will be blessed!

Scariest Moment

I was tagged by Mike Delosso to write my scariest story for a meme.

For six years, I was stalked by a former coworker. Don ( not his real name) decided he loved me. He sent cards, letters, called me, followed me to my babysitters and around town,buzzed his airplane over us while we built our new home, and tried to build a home next to us. He controlled my life. All this happened before stalking was deemed a federal crime. The most the judicial system could do for me was slap him with some fines.

One day, he attacked my husband. Fortunately, my husband proved to be in better shape than Don and restrained him. Now we had more reason to go to court--again. As we sat in the magistrate's office with our lawyer and Don appeared without counsel--the magistrate read the verdict. Guilty. I reached for my husband's hand as my in-laws waited behind us. In one fluid motion, Don reached beneath the large heavy table and flipped it onto the floor. He stormed out of the courtroom as the rest of us at frozen. I feared he'd return with a gun and we were stuck in a small country building alone. The bailiff herded us to a back room while the judge hurried to her chambers.

I never realized how one person's actions can cause so much fear. Our battle didn't end that day. It continued through more court hearings and more stalking until finally my attacker landed in jail. To this day, when I visit my hometown and drive past his home, if he happens to be outside, his eyes still follow me. Stalking never ends.

I tagged Donna at http://www.donnas-stories.blogspot.com/