Back in the Swing: Writing, Growing, Learning, Sharing

THE DON'T-DO-THAT RUT

Editor: C. Hope Clark
Mailto: Hope@FundsforWriters.com
Web Site: www.fundsforwriters.com

The quickest way to irritate another writer is to speak
in absolutes.

Never use passive voice.
Never begin a sentence with AND.
Never self-publish.
Write EVERY day.
ONLY pitch to New York agents.
Don't sell all rights.
Never accept a work-for-hire gig.
Never pay an entry fee for a contest.

If you want a serious dose of absolutes, attend an
online writer's group, visit a writer's chatroom, read
blog comments. Sooner or later someone will say, "Thou
shalt not..." then rattle off an absolute.

Writing is an artistic endeavor, and throwing absolutes
in the way cramps that creativity. Sure there are a few
common sense rules like not harassing an editor daily
or not writing a query letter on stationery that smells
like gardenias. But for the most part, it's our creativity
that drives us and drives those who need our work.

You can read the rest of this article offering great advice to writers HERE.

On the home front: My mother-in-law, Audrey, is showing some small signs of improvement, but her doctor has told us to have her follow up with him in 3 months. That seems like such a long time when everything she has known in her life is like a missing link. Thankfully she knows all of us and seems to enjoy some of the activities at the skilled nursing facility that is her temporary residence.

We continue to pray for 100% healing. We also continue to need prayers on behalf of Audrey's family, especially my husband and sister-in-law who are basically scheduling their lives around their Mom and her needs. My husband has been bearing the burden of "looking out" for his mom on his own for quite a few years and we are grateful his sister is back in the U.S. and able to pitch in with her brother.

My writing has not been in the forefront lately, needless to say, though Audrey's stroke has served to remind me that we simply do not know how much time we have on this earth - and to be of sound mind and body. That has prompted me to reshuffle, re-prioritize -- in other woods to give myself a much needed good swift kick to get back on track with my writing and also in other areas of my life!

I'm bowing out of some the activities that have sidetracked me from what I feel God desires of me right now. It is never easy to let go, but I am learning and God has been faithful in affirming and assuring me as I grow and learn His ways.

I've researched some contests accepting entries and I will work on that this week. This is a big "contest" time of year, so there are plenty from which to choose. I'm especially considering some pieces I wrote then have just filed away in a general folder on the computer. This morning I re-read one in particular and decided it's time to put it out there:-)

Here are links to the contests I'm considering. You may want to look at them as well.

	================================================== BLUE EARTH REVIEW http://www.english2.mnsu.edu/ber/contests.html#flashfiction --- $5 ENTRY FEE FOR THREE ENTRIES The Annual $5.550 Tom Howard Short Story, Essay and Prose Contest Is Now Open!: http://shortstorycontest.0catch.com/

The 10th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition is accepting entries! We're looking for fiction
that's bold, brilliant ... but brief. Send us your best in 1,500 words or less. But don't be too long about it—the
deadline is December 1, 2009.

The Grand-Prize winner will receive $3,000 (that's $2—or more—per word).
For guidelines, prizes and to enter online, click here.

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THESE SOUND GREAT AND MAY BE A WAY TO KICK THINGS UP A NOTCH FOR SERIOUS WRITERS:

WOW! Women On Writing Online Workshops & Classes- price range $150-$200

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html

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My column at Examiner.com, Richmond Frugal Family is going very well. I've begun posting "Frugal Weekend" activities and several folks have commented they appreciate the ideas. I'm not going to get rich, but I am able to expand my ministry in a way I had been praying about: frugality as a lifestyle.

Whether one is a Christian or not, stewardship is important to ensure a family's welfare and also as a way to preserve our planet's resources. I am pleased to be able to share my passion for this lifestyle with so many who are in search of ways to stretch their limited resources and learn how to thrive on less.


God's Wonder Woman at Take Root and Write posts on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The October 7 post continues the series "The Seven Deadly Sins." In the meantime, you can stop by HERE to read past issues.


What's going on with your writing? Leave me a comment! I'd love to reconnect and know how to pray for your writing efforts.


Blessings on your journey

Growing, Living and Learning

September is National Coupon Month! Imagine my excitement at discovering this, considering it is also my birthday month AND in light of my newest undertaking as the Richmond Frugal Family Examiner!

In my last post I shared about how I have been striving. Having shared it, and my poem/prayer, I felt some easing of my sense of laboring so hard. God is so very good and He has introduced still more Christian women entrepreneurs and writers into my life, even in just this week and they have encouraged and uplifted me!

I have also had the joy of helping several others with issues in their "non-bloggy", non-writing lives and that is even more a blessing - to be a blessing to another. That's really what life is about.

This week I am working on submissions to several contests and the latest edition of my 2X/month God's Wonder Woman column at Take Root and Write is live. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read part 2 of The Seven Deadly Sins. God continues to reveal to me so much about Himself and His love as I research this topic.

I am learning to view my sin not as something that will prevent me from going to heaven, but rather as a means of growing in grace toward others in my life, myself, and the world at large. I've got a long way to go, but I am learning to view life through a new lens and it is pretty incredible!

Since I'm a bit ahead in posts for Richmond Frugal Family, I'm going to try to finalize two author interviews I've agreed to host here in the near future. Stay tuned! You'll want to know about these two writers!

If you are interested in viewing a list of free-lance writing jobs available around the world, click HERE to read Anne Wyman's roundup of opportunities. It's so great that she does all the research and lists everything in one place - including her advice on whether or not it is a good opportunity. Anne also publishes great tips for writers at About Freelance Writing.

What are you writing about this week?


Blessings on your journey

Confession is Good for the Soul

The latest edition of God's Wonder Woman has been posted at Take Root and Write! Hop on over to read why "Confession is Good for the Soul."

In the weeks to come I'll be sharing a study of the Seven Deadly Sins. For now, know that I know of what I speak! Confession has allowed God to bless me in so very many ways. He wants to bless you too!

Read all about it!


Blessings on your journey

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:1-2 NIV).

God's Wonder Woman - Pure of Heart

The latest edition of the Beatitudes for God's Wonder Woman has been pulished at Take Root and Write. This beatitude has proved to be especially challenging for me and I find the timing interesting as I am also joining in the Love Dare at Christian Women Take Root.



After you read the column, why not check out the group of about 40 of us who are reading The Love Dare from the movie Fireproof and partiticating in daily discussions about our reading.

I'll be making regular posts here to update everyone on some of the things I learn about myself as a wife AND as a child of God. It's not too late to join in. Click on this Love Dare link to learn more about it.

God's Wonder Woman and Column topics

I have been thinking and praying about the name for my column on Take Root and Write that begins in January.

I've settled on calling the column "God's Wonder Woman," expanding upon the theme I've used for a couple of articles, my monthly email newsletter and a retreat workshop.

I was led to focus on the beatitudes. I'm not sure on the exact direction yet, but I am pretty sure that's what I'm supposed to explore first in the column. It should be quite fascinating to see where the column goes on the topic.

I'm so amazed that even in the midst of all the busyness of the past few days,God still manages to break through to me, sending the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide me.

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." [Luke 12:12]

An Offer to Join the TRW Team

I am so pleased to have received an invitation to join the Take Root and Write team as a columnist! I had indicated I would be interested in the theme of God's Wonder Woman series and I've been asked to proceed!

From their site: Take Root and Write is: Christian Women in collaboration to compose words of encouragement, insight, and thought for your journey and ours.

Woo Hoo!! That's all I can say. God has been working in my life in some mighty powerful ways and I am feeling like I'm on a precipice and I've got one foot just over the edge. That first step is coming and I can't wait to have that feeling of flying in the power of God's will and divinely designed plans.