Writing Challenges and Goals Revisited

Yesterday was an odd kind of day! I was scheduled to deliver the message at an assisted living/retirement community and had planned to act out a "fictitious" woman from the bible who had witnessed the last supper. Oops! Nobody told me they changed the time from 11:00 to 1:45! So much for that, though I learned some interesting things as I researched Passover and read all four accounts of that night in the New Testament.

On the way home from not delivering the message at 11:00 I remembered that one of my friends was scheduled to present at the Richmond Christians Who Write Meeting. Though I had planned not to go so I could spend time with my husband and do some things around the house, I decided to attend the first part of the meeting so I could hear her presentation. God was all over my day! My friend delivered a powerful message about obstacles writers face (I think it ended up being 15) and how to overcome them. It was amazing to hear the scripture she relied upon to overcome each one in her own life!

I had just this past week given myself (yet another!) kick in the pants to get back on track with writing as God desires. I've honestly been spending too much time "diddling" and not enough doing intentional, serious writing. The meeting yesterday gave me the additional push I needed!

Yesterday I submitted 2 poems to one contest and a short story to another contest. I haven't been diligent about submitting for several months and it felt good to get back on track.

I'm reposting my goals and scripture focus that I established and shared in January. The women at Christian Women Take Root sponsored this exercise and I'm glad to have it as a reference. I had this page posted over my computer at some point. Don't know where it is now. . . hmmm . . . The scripture focus is John 16:33 from the Amplified Bible.

My action goals are Pray More, Write More, Be Gentler With Myself, Spend More Time with God. The white blocks adjacent to each 1/4 of the circle contain specific activities that will assist me in accomplishing the goals. (If you would like to do one for yourself, I used Powerpoint to make a "presentation."

Here are some links to previous posts where I offered encouragement for writers. Hope these are timely for you--and helpful.

http://godlygraffiti.blogspot.com/2009/04/are-you-experiencing-writers-block-or.html

http://godlygraffiti.blogspot.com/2009/04/bible-writers-friend-and-refuge.html

One of the things that stands out from my friend's presentation yesterday was her statement that we are ordained by God to write. It's not about us--it's about the Word of God through us. That alone is reason to write! I don't want to get to heaven and have God ask me why I didn't write more of what He told me to write!

My friend also shared that when we are in line with God's desire, He takes care of the details--time, circumstance, creativity, inspiration. All we have to do is obey. I like that!


"Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness" (Isaiah 30:8 NIV).

God Approved, God Inspired

I updated my goals and current activities lists on the blog just a few minutes ago. I have mixed results on all fronts, but generally am pleased to have had any goals accomplished or in sight of being accomplished lately!

The only, I mean only, thing I want to do is write! Every moment of every day, I want to write! So I've been thinking about how I "don't have time to write" now that . . . I don't need to fill in the blank, because if you're a writer you've probably already done that with your own excuse . . . er . . . I mean reason!

Several days ago I read a quote from Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, that a fellow blogger had shared. That book was very literally life-changing for me on so many levels! And yet I am finding I need to be reminded of its contents often in order to stay on track. Warren shared that "there is exactly enough time in each day to do what GOD wants you to do."

I believe that too, so the only one I need to look to when seeking the answer to why I don't have enough time is myself! I'm not beating myself up, but rather giving myself a good switft kick in the pants. For me its about lack of self-discipline but it is also about a lack of leaning on God and seeking His guidance regularly throughout my day. I need to stop more often and seek His direction before I do (or don't do) any particular activity.

I did "tone down" a couple of my goals and plans. I'm not copping out, just being realistic. I didn't know when I created my somewhat ambitious plans that I'd be working full time in 2009! I also had no idea where God would lead me. He's got me on the next leg of my journey and I'm just winding the bend. He doesn't let us rest on our laurels much, does He!

June 14 I'll be delivering the message at a retirement home and they will be expecting a "woman of the bible" when I show up! I have been mulling over two characters and then Sunday as our pastor shared a very powerful message about Miriam (sister of Moses) and four other women in the bible, I got a couple of additional ideas! I guess I better decide on one quickly so I can write the script and rehearse it a few times!

I'll be preaching at my home church in July one Sunday when our pastor will be on vacation. The topic is "Opening Yourself To God." Appropriate topic for me, I believe. I feel honored to be asked in that our home church has several seminary students and others on the path to ordination in residence and each of them are more than competent to preach. Based on what the pastor read in my book, he felt I would be a good one to deliver that part of the series and he indicated several of the church staff concurred.

I made a presentation to Richmond Christians Who Write on "How to Set Up a Blog." I used a PowerPoint presentation and took the group through each screen as it would appear for them, in order. It went very well and I hope several of those who had previously been intimidated or uncertain about setting one up felt it was more manageable than they had originally thought.

God is presenting me with some exciting possibilities for the remainder year! Now that my book is available at amazon.com, I'm going to solicit several area book stores about carrying it in stock -- and doing a booksigning event.

I have selected some previously written articles to submit for pay and am going to work on a writing schedule that fits into my weekly schedule and still affords me to do the other routine things I really need to do daily and weekly.

How about you? Have you checked in with God lately? Are you where you thought you'd be this time last year? Do you find you have enough time each day to do exactly what God wants you to do?

"It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him" (Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV).

"I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" (Ezekiel 20:19 NIV).

"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you" (Jeremiah 30:2 NIV)

"I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name" (1 John 2:12 NIV).

Praising God Through Poetry

Yesterday was a remarkable day! Five of us rode up toward Orange, VA for a Christian Writer's conference. We so enjoyed each other's company and really enjoyed meeting so many spirit-filled, intelligent and inspiring Christians!

Two of us were presenters and the other three had the joy of attending various other workshops. We were also blessed with both a children's choir and a men's choir, testimonies, prayer and praise throughout the day. Not to mention a delicious meal after the conference!

Laurie at Supernatural Living lead a session entitled, "From Your Ideas toward God's Goals" that focused on spiritual principles and practical steps to advance your writing for the Lord.

My session was entitled, "Praising God Through Poetry." I focused on ways poets and aspiring poets might share their gift in new and creative ways along with some practical tips and a few words of encouragement.

The other three women enjoyed various sessions that they felt blessed them and spoke to them right where they are. That is so like God!

I also received confirmation of some things I have been praying about in terms of my ministry and its direction and focus. At Crayon Chronicles I've written a three part series, "God's Ready, Set, Go!" This morning I'm moving from "set" to Go!" Much more prayer is needed, but I believe I'm on track with God's plans.

We were exhausted by the time we left for home, but all agreed we were filled to the brim with God's love and blessings! A blessed day all around.

Marketing Strategy for My Book

I just finished brainstorming all the Richmond area shops, stores, etc., where I will ask about stocking my book for sale. Then I went on line and looked up "gift shops richmond virginia" and one of the directories that came up included 248 listings.

Now the real marketing work begins. I've read that the easy part is writing the book! I woudn't have believed that throughout the past five years, but now that I see what is ahead for me to market my book, I may agree:-)

The decision to self-publish was mainly a financial one. Their were other considerations, though. The primary one was that I had to just 'DO IT' so I could check that off my list of life goals. Another consideration is that I'm a control freak and I wanted to be the one who decided everything - what poems and devotions to include, how to lay out the book and the cover art.

While I'm convincing folks they absolutely need to Woman at the Well to their inventory, I'll bring some copies of the Inspiration, Imagination and Faith journal as well. You never know!

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. [Proverbs 4:25-27 25]

Woman at the Well

I've been working on Woman at the Well (poetry and devotional book) for a long time! A couple of times I felt as if "this is ready" only to find that God had other plans - either by way of a comment or suggestion from a friend or from some scripture that resonated with me or a new poem. I'll upload the files to lulu.com this week if all goes as planned.

Yesterday I made what I believe is the final edit and hope to have it printed within a week or so. I'm not stressing about it because each time I have been delayed in my plan, I found that God had a better one, so I'll wait:-)

After the annual RCWW dinner, I'm psyched and have set some ambitious writing goals for myself! I have no doubt I will miss some goals and/or modify some over the months ahead, but I have learned the importance of at least having a benchmark. I want to get back in the habit of submitting to contests and pick several publications to focus on for submissions.

Also Takeila Bynum has indicated she has several contacts that may be interested in some parenting artices, so I started on what may be a "single" or first in a series article today.

One goal I didn't post on the side bar: do 15 minutes of cleaning for every hour of writing! That will be a change and will afford us a cleaner house!