Writing From the Shadows

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare of the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

He is my God and I am trusting Him.

For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.

He will shield you with His wings.

He will shelter you with his feathers.

His faithful promises are your armor and your protection.

Psalm 91:1-4

NOTE: I've not been writing on here everyday as usual because I am juggling many things at this time. But don't worry, I'm not far away. I am resting in the shadows for now. Until then, enjoy a few words that are not my own.

Is the Shepherd in the Driver's Seat?

When you were a child, did you ever ride in a car with a trustworthy adult who suddenly took you on unfamiliar roads? Though it startled you, you knew and loved the driver enough to know that they were taking you someplace nice? Perhaps it was full of bumps and scary ravines, a lonely dirt road or even in a busy metropolitan area where they had to dodge traffic and take quick sharp turns. No matter how tough it got, you never tried to take the wheel. Why would you, anyway? You can't drive. You don't know the way.

"Where are we going?" you asked.

"Don't worry. You'll like it. Just trust me," came the reply.

So you sit, grinning ear to ear or staring out the window, trying to figure it all out and then finally give up. Either you sat there in peace, knowing that everything was going to be okay or you started up a conversation about something else, all the while thinking about where your journey would take you?

When you finally arrived, you found yourself at a sandy ocean beach or cozy restaurant with an ice cream parlor on the side. All the wonder and worry seem to fade away and you revel in your destination.

Well, life is kind of like that sometimes for a Christian. Sometimes we think we know the familiar way to go. We map it out. Plan our work. Work our plan and suddenly, we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory.

If you are a Christian, you have moved to the passenger seat and trusted the Almighty to drive your life and your career path. You are His child and look to Him to take you where you need to go.

Psalm 23 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me able to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake."

We know this. We quote it. But when the tough times come, what do we do? Quote and believe the rest? "Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me..."

It's not often that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death but we do walk through grave situations. Financial struggles, stressful schedules, health issues, unknown futures--these things all overwhelm us. They tempt us to jump back in the driver's seat of our lives and careers. We try to take matters in our own hands and fix things. But we can't drive. We don't know the way. If we try to chart a course in unfamiliar territory, we will be lost or end up in an unpleasant place.

So what can we do? Look to Him. Do not fear. Trust and let go of the wheel. Remember that He is taking you someplace good--someplace with a hope and a future--somewhere unforgettable.

"...You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Karen Kingsbury

Tomorrow being Sunday, I thought I would post an article from the CBN website about Christian Fiction Writer, Karen Kingsbury. Several of my writer friends claim her as their favorite authoress and I happen to like her too. I can relate to some things she says about life and her experiences.

There's a great story about her journey in writing, weight loss, and more. Also, you can watch a video of the interview here:

http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/Karen_Kingsbury_020108.aspx

Let me know what you think. Oh, see if you can find the strange request her wannabe date suggested doing before a movie. Also, what is the life decision(s) Ms. Kingsbury shares with the author of Rather Be Writing? Come back and leave the answers here in a comment.

Rejection Rejection Letters

Rejection, rejection. It's a writer's worst enemy or is it? What can you do about rejection?

When I was an awkward teenager and the brunt of many children's sarcasm, my heart wore a sign that said "kick me for a reaction". Words of wisdom from my mother were, "Consider the source and forget it." If I could only have done that through my life, I might have done more good in the world. But these words to the yet unwise did not sink in until my adulthood after much pain and suffering.

While it's important to have your work critiqued, writers also need to view rejection through grace-colored glasses. What are the cardinal rules of criticism?

1. Consider the source. Is the source qualified to give counsel on the piece? How does this source's perspective affect his or her opinion?

2. If the source is qualified to critique and has a valid suggestion, open your ears and listen. Don't be stuck on your ideas and words so much that you elevate yourself as a diva or divo and relegate all others as inferior.

3. If your source is not qualified or has a world view that conflicts with yours, then take their criticism with a grain of salt. Apply any truth that you see (often when mud is flung, some will stick) and then bind your wounds and keep moving toward your goal. Don't wallow in the quagmire of self-pity. Redeem whatever you can and make it work. Otherwise move on to another idea.

4. Remember that God-ordained things have a destiny. Sometimes it is just not the season for the words you write or speak. When the time is right, if you are open to the possibilities and led by faith, the piece that was rejected will find it's way to the forefront. "Be not weary in well doing for in due season, you shall reap if you faint not." Galatians 6:9

5. Guard your attitude toward rejection. "You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time." It is inevitable that rejection will come but we can't take it to heart too much. It will only defeat us. The other day after hearing about someone who applied for a car loan and received multiple rejections from banks, I decided to do reflect on what he did. He wrote rejection letters to those who rejected him. ) Caution. These letters ought never to be sent but to be shredded upon writing. They are done for the express purpose of catharsis only.

Here is what I would imagine a writer to put down on paper.

Dear Publisher,

You are only the 25th company to reject my submission in the last three months and I want you to know that I reject your rejection letter because published authors in the past have suffered hundreds of rejection letters before anyone with any sense had discovered that their words were gold. Surely, my manuscript is what you and every other editor wants to publish and you have somehow sent this letter in error.

Signed, My Circular File is Now a Boomerang. Thank you.

Or:

Dear Readers,

Perhaps you mistook me for my writing double, the hate mongerer, for surely if you listened to what I have posted, you will understand that my intent was to encourage and inspire and that I season my speech and writings with grace on purpose. Therefore, the rejection you are sending me in this complaint letter is to be placed under the "Complaint Department button", the trigger of a baited mouse trap, in Christian love of course.

Sincerely, Wounded Writer.

Of course, this is not really the attitude of a grace-filled Christian writer but there is an element of truth in my sarcasm. We must learn to look at rejection through the eyes of faith.

Here is the attitude Christians need in regards to both receiving and giving criticism whether it be it a rejection letter or personal rejection :

Be open and humble.

James 3:17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

Be kind.

1 Peter 4:9 "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing".

Be willing to learn.

Proverbs 1:5, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels..."

Seek discernment and discretion.

Proverbs 2:9-11, "Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."

Don't be afraid of mankind. Remember Who is pleased and Who is with you. Hebrews 13:6 "So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Don't give up. "Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord..."

I can't leave the page without discussing Forgiveness. When you are offended, whether through the rejection of others or the perception that you've been wronged, you cannot hold grudges and be successful. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Yes, you need to forgive an editor or publisher who rejects you. In your rejection of their rejection, add a note of forgiveness-make a choice. You'll feel much better about it, too and your interaction with the next editor/publisher will not be so harried. Keep in mind that God's mercies are new every morning. Do you want to follow His example?

Last but not least, DO NOT MAIL THAT REJECTION REJECTION LETTER. Discuss it with God and then shred it or burn it. Wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Tomorrow is another day.

Christian Writers, Listen Up

Here's some inspiration from the WORD of God for my fellow Christian writers:

"Whatever you do, in WORD or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Colossians 3:14.

"My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King;My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer." Psalm 45:1.

"And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm and establish the work of our hands. Yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it." Psalm 90:17 (Amplified).

Ahoy, Matey! Beware of Pirates

ALERT!

"BE SOBER. BE VIGILANT. YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. " 1 PETER 5:8

The technology boom in which we live has many wonderful benefits. In a click, we can visit people from all over the world, read an E-book, watch a video, see pictures of anything our hearts desire and communicate with editors, publishers and readers.

Even thirty years ago, writers did not have this information superhighway from which we benefit and yes, detriment. Authors of old did not have instant communication nor the opportunity to put their work in the public eye so quickly as we. With the use of the Internet, there is the need for caution. Not only do we find ourselves concerned about unsavory people stalking us and horrifying accidental pop-ups of unedifying content, but we also now have to be on the look out more for pirates! At this point, you may have spied the intent of this post OR think that I have finally jumped the ship of sanity. The pirates of which I speak are word thieves.

Authors have always been concerned about other people stealing their ideas and words. Determining how to prevent this can bring a wide range of solutions and opinions.

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery but it's best to remember that there is "nothing new under the sun". Others may generate similar ideas, but it is how you, as a writer express those ideas that makes them unique. To have someone quote your work is a great honor but to have your words plagiarized is outrageous!

There are many documents published about how to copyright. You will need to do your research before assuming your work is protected. Technically speaking, all written and published work is considered copyrighted; however, proving ownership in a court of law, should the need arise, is difficult without some verification that the work originated with you.

For the writer, knowledge of copyright laws is as prudent as a cook wearing an apron.

As for me, I want to make wise use of the gifts and works to which I am called. That being said, I feel also that some things are not worth fighting over. I've already seen some of my writing plagiarized (and obviously so) even though I'm not as internationally known as people like Beth Moore or Lisa Bevere. I'm known only because I've had a few things in print. In the past, I've been published in small publications and on the Internet but my books and works in progress have yet to be published. So how do word thieves find me to hi-jack my material and who thinks they are getting rich from stealing my words? I do not know and really, I do not care at this point. Small things I can let go. I believe we all "answer to a Higher Authority" as Hebrew National's slogan states it. On the other hand, some things need to be protected. The law is for the lawless. If the need arises, defend your copyright--especially if you feel strongly that it is something meant for you alone to write and publish. It's your choice.

Either way, Christian writers, you have an adversary, the devil. He is the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to make you fearful of writing or sharing your work because of the threat of copyright theft. If he can't do that, he send a flesh and blood "pirate" to thwart the expanse and distribution of the message. He wants to stifle all truth. Even if the message you write is your own and not full of spiritual depth, pirating it may distract you from moving on to write more meaningful pieces.

The devil is the original pirate and he trains others to follow in his footsteps. The problem for him, though, is that with a Christian writer, he is outranked.

Here's my Writer's Creed:

• I believe that God has a supreme will for our lives, even in relation to our writing careers.


• I believe that He gives us great flexibility within that will and freedom of choice as to how to the use of the gifts He has bestowed on His children.


• I believe that He is glorified by skillful work and wise use of our resources as writers and people of God.


• I believe that, if we seek His perfect will rather than our own, in due time, He will move our careers in the direction of success.


• I believe that we reap what we sow in every area.


• I believe that He calls each of us to use our lives and talents for the greater good of humanity and for His glory.


• I believe that we should not fear what man can do unto us but focus on pleasing God. If we do this, rejection letters will not devastate us, public opinion will not sway us away from the goal and we need not fear the pirates who would ruin our careers. Ultimately, God is in control.


• I believe that trusting God will enable us to know when to defend our rights and when to let it ride.


• I believe that you should write your best, know your rights and responsibilities and trust God with the result. Do not be afraid of pirates.

There are so many things I could add to that list, but these are the basics for a Christian writer.

Nevertheless, writer be vigilant. Of pirates beware but don't be scared.

If you'd like to get some quick information about copyright laws, visit the first link, below which leads to a string of video clips by Nathan Boehme, a writer, editor and independent film maker in Los Angelos, California. Here you will see short blips with a virtual film strip so that you can select the clip you desire. Recorded in a creative and entertaining style, his videos educate you with all the basics about copyrights right down to a poor man's copyright idea. Have fun. http://www.ehow.com/video_4467944_get-basic-understanding-copyright.html

The next link is direct to the U.S. Copyright and Patent Office. There are almost endless sub links to answer all your questions about copyrights. These are the facts. http://www.copyright.gov/