And This Is How I Know...

that I am a writer at heart.

I HATE critiquing my own work.

I HATE editing my work endlessly, seeing only baby steps of improvement with each pass through.

And, yet, I tug, prod, and coerce myself to keep working through it. It may seem like I'm going at a snail's pace, regardless I keep going. Frustrated. Lost. Tired. Judgemental. Ever grasping for that failing spark of Hope that will lead me to Bliss Road.

I'm being reminded of myself daily now of years gone by. When I was a systems analyst each time I coded a new program I felt the same way as I am now. STRUGGLING to muddle through the test runs. The initial writing was always a breeze, it was getting it to run clean that was the challenge.

Each run of my code would bomb out a few lines lower. Each read of my manuscript has me nodding off a scene later. Fine tuning isn't fun. It's painstaking. It's giving down and dirty service to a masterpiece waiting to emerge.

Oh, how I hope and pray that my manuscript turns out like each and every coded program that I struggled to write all those years ago. Clean. Efficient. And Deliverable.

What about you? Are first drafts your biggest challenge, or is it polishing rounds that dip into your reserves?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

And She's Off and Running...

Wow! Who would of thunk it?

Not even a full week has passed and I've already linked up with an old CP (who I sadly left hanging when the sabbatical need hit me) and two new perspective CP's. A new chapter in my writing has begun!

I'm sending a huge thank you to all who lifted this in your prayers. God is listening...and He's providing. And I'm one very happy writer right now!

On another wonderful note: I've started re-reading the New Testament this week, one chapter a night. I've discovered I have new eyes, or perhaps it's a new mind, for it. In Matthew, chapter one, a genealogical account of Jesus is written. Call me a woman libber if you want (which I'm pretty sure I'm not) but since Jesus is the result of an immaculate conception with the only biological human parent being Mary, his mother, why does Matthew give the account of Joseph's lineage back to Abraham when I'm pretty sure there is/was none of Joseph's blood running through our Savior?

Hmmm...

Is it a mark of the times? Only males mattered in such ways back then.

Or is it perhaps the first written adoption story and God wants us to see that worldly influence (ie. family upbringing) is equally, if not more so, important in the raising of any of His children (after all, we are all His children, though Jesus is His only Savior child).

Thought I'd leave you with that food for thought on my first Friday back at regularly blogging. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Until next time, may your family shine in your heart, and may you write on...


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Less Thinking, More Doing Required

It's hard to rebuild old habits.

For over seven years straight I faithfully put fingers to keyboard on a regular basis, then with this past year of "other commitments" that wonderful habit was destroyed. Oh, on occasion I'd wander back into my dream world of writing, editing, planning, even going so far as to believe that I was back in the game, but inevitably the next big thing on the Family List of to-do's sucked me away again. I guess there's something to be said for reaching that empty pocket mode--no money to spend=more time to write.

My problem now, however, is that during this past year while my fingers couldn't be tapping, I got very used to "dreaming" or "thinking fiction" to fulfill that creative need in me. Now I have to re-train myself to once again multitask while being creative. I need to get those thoughts into a document now.

After much deliberation of what writerly thing to work on first, I decided to edit one of my favorite stories. I wrote this story during Nanowrimo in 2009. And although I remember a synopsis version of the story, I can't remember it scene by scene. My challenge to myself this week is to create a scene-by-scene run-down of this story to spot weaknesses in the plot, characters, and story telling.

For each scene I'm logging the following:

POV Character

One-line title for the scene

What is introduced in this scene (ie. any new characters, new setting)

What is revealed in this scene (ie. required backstory, new plot element)

The Goal (whether it's a scene goal or story goal)

What is the setting

What is the conflict

Movement --Can I see this scene acted out as I read, or can it be caught in a snapshot, perhaps of someone thinking like the cartoon above depicts?

Character--What does this scene reveal about the character(s)?

Senses--Which are missing? Sight, Smell, Sound, Touch, Taste, Feel (I add this sixth one as a way of keeping track of elements of spirituality and emotions being present--internal feelings)

The point of all this is to refamiliarize myself with the story as well as pointing out my next steps with respect to editing it?

Question for you: Would you add anything else to this list?

Till next time, may blessings surround you, and write on...

Surrendering to Him,
Eileen

What A Day!!

Sorry, I had originally planned to discuss edits, rewrites, and revisions today, but with the Tuesday I had, my mind and emotions are set in another direction.

That, being one of absolute frenzy!

Up, down, and everywhere in between. You name it, Tuesday brought it on for this fake-highlighted blond. (And for the record, that's a google photo, not actually of me, though a good likeness.)

Shall I share details? Then, if you should have a similar day soon, you'll know that you're not alone. Right? I'd be more than willing to commiserate with you all, if that should happen, though I really hope it doesn't to you, too.

First, I got in a good word count, that is until... For now, I'll log that under the ups! Wait to see how it changes later.

Then, I received my first agent rejection.

"Although your concept is very appealing, we had problems with the opening of the story and the actual writing itself. This is still a rough draft and just isn't ready for submission to publishers yet. I am sure you will continue to learn, grow, and master the craft of fiction and eventually you'll be in print."

I so appreciate the gentle honesty given to me, but after six years of working on this manuscript, it does hurt, a little. What's worse, is that this very same manuscript is sitting in my dream editor's slush pile, and I wish I could just go and pluck it out so that she can at least see that pile reduced by one, without wasting any of her hard-pressed-for time. The fact that I can't retract it, quite honesty puts me in the dumps.

But onward with the day I go. Putting in a couple more pages of my w.i.p., until...

Oh, I'm so amazingly angry at this one.

My laptop gets infected with some evil worm that slows everything down to not a snail's pace, but far worse, and relentlessly keeps delivering these stupid virus alert pop ups. LIKE I'M NOT AWARE OF THIS ALREADY!!!!!

The tongue lashing I wish I could direct at the delinquent who gets his/her kicks out of sending infectious diseases through the web is like none I've ever delivered before. Trust me. I asked hubby if the turd would get prison time when caught. Man, he deserves it!!!

So, I hard shutdown my lappy, resolved that my incompetence isn't going to fix this monstrous beggar when I have to go anyway to pick up my kids for optometrists appointments looming.

What have we got score wise so far? One up, two downs, with the downs plummeting at rapid speed, I might add.

On to optometrist journey. One of my dear daughters loses her permission note and is down with a cold so she's dragging her size nine feet, and saunters into the van ten minutes late only to announce that I need to go with her to sign out now. Hello! That's what cell phones are for. Couldn't she have phoned me from her locker to at least cut off 5 minutes of our being late for said appointment? Total frustration has set in cold and hard by now as I think of all my precious stories being eaten by a worm on my laptop, when I've stupidly not saved them on a memory stick lately.

But why should I care, really? They're poorly written anyway, as I just learned hours before.

While waiting for my three daughters appointments, I miraculously pick up pen and notepad and start sketching out a not-too-flimsy story line and character history for NaNoWriMo. Considering I'm a no-good writer, the fact that I'm still acting like one at all so soon after the wake-up rejection, truly amazes me. And thankfully, the Optometrist keeps me on this roll of amazement by offering good news. No added expense of new glasses this time around. Yes! Another jump up, but since I'd fallen so far, I still have a long way to climb.

Dear hubby arrives home earlier than expected. Love it when that happens, especially when there's a worm I'm too weak to battle. I'm inching my way up the dark abyss. Strong, brave, smart hubby is home, hope lathers on.

And as I sign off tonight (using our uninfected, safe family laptop that jumps cursors more than a hungry cat meows) my hero continues to attempt to chop and mutilate that worm, but as we all know, worms have a way of reviving themselves...


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Welcoming Me into the Slush Pile

I don't know whether to cry or leap for joy, but yes, I've finally done it!

On this, my nineteenth wedding anniversary, I'm joining the ranks of you wonderful writers who have submitted queries and synopsis into the infamous slush pile of Steeple Hill Books, or any other editors/agents slush pile for that matter. We're just one big happy slush family, no matter where our labored pages reside, right?

After mailing my baby out this morning, hubby and I will be celebrating our anniversary in Toronto, checking out the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit there. I still can't find my camera, so I'm bumbed about that, but hopefully one of our daughters will loan me theirs for the day.

So, for you experienced ones, just how do you manage the slush pile wait? I'm actually looking forward to receiving my first official rejection letter to start the progressive writers process. It's got to happen some time, so I'm gathering courage and just praying that some helpful advice will come with the expected letter. I think I might curl up and die if I receive only a form letter rejection. Don't even want to think of how I would handle that after nearly seven years of writing my heart out. That's yet another scenario to add to my prayers.

So how long of a wait have you all endured? And how did you keep from splitting from anticipation as those final weeks approached?

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

A Crazy Week of Preparation

Getting ready for conference is like preparing for a month-long family vacation on a deserted island. Time consuming!

With the extra chauffeuring duties for my oldest in the midst of high school exams, doctor appointments, and a hamster who insists on welcoming infection, I've had a run this past week and a half. But all's good. I think I'm on track.

Two things came to mind during my mad rushes recently:

1) You know you're a writer when you pass the road-side lottery sign that shouts Five Million Dollars and you think, what would I do if I won? Would I quit trying to get this writing thing right? No. Never. But I would hire a house keeper and gardener so that I could write more!

2) Writing is merely a collection of words; given enough permutations, you're bound to get it right. (That's the editor in me screaming for hope!)


So, tell me, what strange and wonderful things come to your mind unexpectedly as you rush to get something done?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Are You the Snoopy Dance Type or Tears of Joy Kind of Person?

Please forgive me for this very long post, but I must make it last. You'll see why.

I just discovered that I'm the Tears of Joy type.

The first phone call that came to me today was a cancellation for my 2:00 manicure appointment. I had planned to go to my nieces wedding with a beautiful french manicure. But not to be, I guess. I can handle that, I thought with a nudge of disappointment. I still have my flowing brown dress to wear at least.

Then my hubby phoned me just to say hi. He's such a thoughtful man.

Then I took a quick jaunt to the Church to put notices in several mailboxes for the Christian Ed. & Nurture team since I'll be in St. Catharines due to the wedding all weekend. After leaving our wonderful admin. assistant with a double double from Tim Hortons, I headed into town to pick up a Sympathy card for my pastor and her family, as her mother-in-law passed away suddenly last weekend and the visitation that hubby and I will be attending is this evening. I've been lifting prayers all week for this family.

In amongst all that, I was torturing myself the whole time, questioning how God calls me to write when I find it so painstakingly difficult to do these days. Nothing, and I mean nothing I put into my stories ever seems good enough lately. I found myself doubting the strength to keep doing what I know I'm called to do despite all the hardship it puts on me. My strength to persevere, to keep on going on has been at an infectious low lately. Again, I sigh, and tell myself not to think this way, just keep keeping on, Eileen, for Him.

Then I return home to a flashing two on my answering machine. The first is my lovely youngest sister all excited about the flower arrangements she's making for the wedding tomorrow. Jillian does beautiful work, so I know she has reason to be proud. Pooh on her computer, though, it's acting up so she can't send me pictures like we'd both like her to do.

I let the machine go to the next message, thinking I'll call Jillian right after listening to this one. A man's voice greets me. I'm quickly discovering that this man's voice is the next best voice to my own dear hubby's, God's aside, of course. Can you guess my news?

He announces himself as Jim Rubart (hope that's how you spell it), a Genesis Coordinator, and proceeds to tell me I'm a finalist. Then he gives pause with permission for a Snoopy Dance. What do I do instead?

I cried! TEARS OF JOY!

I think I'm finally feeling like I'm truly progressing in this very difficult writing journey. Praise be to God for shining this little light to guide me to keep on keeping on with this journey. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a boost just when I needed it.

And, yes, after trying to get hold of my dear hubby, I did call my sister back, and even waited to share my news until she was done sharing hers.

And I want to send out a special thank you to Kaye Dacus for her fabulous editing of this piece. I know God used her expertise to help me achieve this honor of finalling. Bless you, Kaye! And, of course, a Huge thank you needs to be sent to the dear Pearl Girls, my critique group, for helping me get it to the point of being ready for an editor like Kaye to work with. Thank You!

May God guide me in yet another round of revisions before I send it back off for the final round judges. My only goal in all of this is to please Him. May I not fail!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Just have to share this.

T. Anne shared this on her blog, and I just had to keep a link here for future needs. You'll see what I mean if you haven't visited T's blog yet.

Editor's Letter

P.S. I substitute Edit for Critique and tears bubbled out.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Duty Calls

Hey, Everyone:

Over the next couple weeks I'll be a little sparce around here. I'll dabble in the cyber visiting realm, but my posts won't be as frequent, as I'll be busy in the kitchen creating treats for my niece's goodie trays. And I'll be praying 24/7 for strength to not taste test, as I still have a couple more pounds to drop before the wedding on May 15th to get back to goal again.

And, yes, have no fear, when the treats are in the oven, my editing will be going full steam ahead. Hopefully I'll have this round of ANB edits complete by the time Mar and Vishal say "I do". Now that would be an accomplishment considering all the scribbling I'm doing on those pages.

I'm looking forward to reading all your posts, and keeping connected that way.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

You're Invited...

...to learn more about me over at Romance Writers on the Journey. A huge thank you to Keli Gwyn for featuring me today. She came up with some really thought-provoking questions. I hope you'll take a few minutes to check it out, and let me know how you would end the journey sentence.

Keli is giving away a beautiful bookmark, and I'm offering a copy of Daily Devotions for Writers to one lucky winner. Good luck to everyone!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

The Juggling Act

Are you like me, and wear many writing hats at once? This week I find myself jumping from one task to another, and I see no end to the whiplash anytime soon. I don't want to let my current wip die, or rather become comatose while I work on getting ready for an upcoming writer's conference, so what should I do?

I'm working on proposal writing, proofreading and subsequently editing an old manuscript once more (what's another round to tackle?), filling out a questionnaire for a gracious blogger who is featuring me next week, adding scenes to my current wip, and continuing to brush up on the skills of creative writing all at once. So I ask you, when you're in need of juggling writing duties, do you jump from one task to another within a single day, or do you slot certain tasks in on specific days of the week?

Which method works better for you? And please don't tell me you're immune to multitasking. I don't think my shattered nerves could handle that.

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Wedding Bells are Near

I’m at that age where the next generation of my family is saying the “I do, forever and ever” vows. New romance is in the air for real now, not just in my fictional world anymore. And it’s kind of fun to be watching on the side lines. My sister is busy making wedding plans for her out-of-the-country daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law, as well as organizing a stag and doe party.

As I accept my “Aunt” duties and start baking for the goodie trays (I'm being very disciplined and not testing at all), I find myself wondering what morsels of my nieces experience will find their way into one of my stories in one way or another. So, I ask you, how much of life’s realities inspire scenes or story lines in your novels? Do you find yourself twisting an ordinary event into an extraordinary read? Can you guess if I do?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Trust and Obey

In line with prioritizing, I need to trust and obey that all that is supposed to be accomplished will be achieved, and on time.

Right now, in the writing arena of my life alone, I have to polish a very old manuscript for pitching at a conference coming up. I also need to finish my current wip, and I’ve been slow-cooking an idea for a story that keeps asking for more seasoning (brain power). I’m really feeling quite frazzled by it all, and wondering just how God intends for me to juggle these three boulders all at once, while keeping all my non-writing priorities in check at the same time.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated, as I struggle for guidance and answers. If you have a prayer request, too, I’m listening. Perhaps we can pray for each other.

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!" Isaiah 26:3


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Prioritizing?

It’s a never ending challenge to get this right. Just as soon as I think I’ve got everything in order, the winds pick up and shuffle everything around. It reminds me of when my children were infants. I’d just get into routine, knowing when they liked to nap, feed and play, and then, without warning, their internal clocks shifted, leaving me once more trying to organize life around their newly chosen schedules.

Are you driven by a prioritization chart? Or are you the easy-go-lucky type who manages to fit everything in without a pang of worry?

Through prayer, I’m making adjustments to my scheduling once more. I’m trying to get it more in line with my reassessed priorities. Like the seasons of the calendar year, some of my priorities have seasons, too. For spring and summer, what priorities climb the ranks on your list, and which ones step down for a well-deserved rest? Do you have seasons for editing and seasons for first drafts? Or do you mix those crafty challenges together all year long in your writing priority category?


Surrendering to Him,
Eileen

Confession Time

First: Jody, my cyber writing accountability friend, I totally failed this week on getting anywhere near my word count. But somehow I don't feel too guilty. I think I needed the break.

You see, everyone, I posed yesterday's question for a very good reason. I got caught up in several good books that tell one amazingly inventive, creative, imaginary, fictitious, mythical world, and I'm not sorry one bit for the experience.

Yes, on the very rare occasion that little annoying editor in my head would prop up and say things like: "Too much introspection, let's get on with the action.", "Oh, come now, Mrs. Meyer, that would have made a wonderful scene. Why tell? You should have shown." Then my own mind would answer: "Take a look at the size of these books, Eileen. She had to tell some!" But, honestly, this happened very rarely, as I was engrossed in the read majorly.

All in all, Mrs. Meyer took me for an amazing ride with her Twilight Series. (Disclaimer: I'm not quite finished Breaking Dawn , but I may be by the time scheduler posts this.) It's difficult to break myself away from this story that trumps all just to write this confession, I admit. Perhaps it's because it's written in an imaginary world that I find it so interesting. The creativity and imagination tapped to create this fictitious world in Twilight, and yet relate it to the earth we walk on so well, is amazing to me.

If your teenager is mature enough to read fiction for fiction, knows the difference from reality, then you may want to see what these books are about and judge for yourself if your teenagers are ready for such an imaginative read.

Why am I so enthralled with this series? Let me try and state a few.

• Abstinence. Though the story reason isn't the same as the one I give my children, it still leads to the same result. Not until after marriage. And Edward does think the same way as me, it would seem, at least at one point in the series. Wait because God advises us to. For my teenage daughter's reading, this is a major bonus to this secular series.
• It portrays measures of unconditional love. At least, as close to an unconditional love that the majority of humans can truly offer. And it offers this concept in various threads of the story, not just the romance one. Huge bonus! We are definitely more selfish in nature than selfless. Hence, why Jesus, our Savior lives. Again, if your teenager is mature enough, they might read this between the lines.
• The question of one's soul is addressed throughout. Though we're talking mythical, fictional characters here, any referencing to the importance of a soul is a good thing in my mind. It might spark questions to our teens. A desire for them to seek some counsel from God-fearing, God-loving children of our Creator in their real world, too. I'm all for that connection.
• There is no graphic description of the act of sex in at least the first half of Breaking Dawn after Belle and Edward are married and try. We get a before and after look at Belle's nerves, anticipation, and finally, reaction, but that's all. So refreshing in a story written for the secular market. (Again, I reserve the right to change my mind on this if Meyer's doesn't stick to her first depiction styling throughout the rest of the book.)
• And to wrap this list up, though I could find many other reasons for enjoying this series, I really value the hope this series offers in regard to breaking down the enemy lines in our lives. It is our perception of the enemy that keeps them the enemy in many cases. If we allow ourselves to see the good in those who seem so opposite and opposed to us, peace may be viable and even rewarding.

Anyway, that's why my writing was slim pickings this week. I needed to rest in someone else's creation of a fictional world, and just be mostly entertained for once.

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Can a Writer Read for Pleasure Only?

One of the biggest hazards of becoming a writer for me is the inability to just enjoy a story. I'm constantly analysing and accessing the craft involved in creating the novels I read.

So, my question is, are there any particular novels that while reading you've noticed you had minimal writer's intrusion happening? Stories that engrossed your imagination so much that the art and craft analysis would need to wait for a second read through?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

I Am A Writer...

What are you?

The ACFW online course loop this month is titled "Too shy to pitch and promote". Terry Burns is leading it as a question and answer type of course, and I'm finding it very helpful.

Currently, we are discussing "getting into character". Ie. Engaging the part of our persona that reveals confidence and allows us to coherently talk to strangers in an intelligent, positive manner while preventing our shyness from stealing those opportunities to pitch and promote the work God has led us to create.

Some have suggested that the base to harnessing that confidence is in how we perceive ourselves when it comes to writing.

Do we think of ourselves as a writer wannabe, aspiring writer, writer-in-training? What title do we honestly deserve?

I admit, I've been underestimating myself for some time. I'm on my fourth short contemporary novel, and yet I still refer to myself as a wannabe, or aspiring, or an in-training writer. But no more.

I've spent the better part of the last six years of my life studying writing, and physically and mentally fitting words and scenes together to craft faithful romances worth pondering. I have been writing!

I may not be a published writer of full-length fiction yet, but I am a writer. None of what I've accomplished so far could be possible without God, I know, but I can humbly and honestly say that through Him, I have become a real writer. I can't stop dreaming up stories. And I can't stop contemplating the best way to present those stories on the page.

Writing is a major part of me, and I am a part of my writing, therefore I am a writer.

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that." Galatians 6:4

I'm so glad I got that figured out.

Now, it's your turn. Are you, plain and simple (though perhaps enormously challenged at times like me), a writer?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Branding Anyone?

I've been wondering about this branding concept for writers for quite some time.

According to The American Marketing Association (AMA), a brand is a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers."

With respect to writer's branding, a couple of examples that have stuck in my mind are:

Karen Kingsbury: "Life-Changing Fiction"

Brandilyn Collins: "Seatbelt Suspense"

The idea is to have your brand become almost synonymous with your author name. When I see "life-changing fiction" I automatically think of Karen Kingsbury, and I know her stories are true to her brand. Each story I've read of Karen's is definitely Life-Changing for me. Her stories make me ask myself tough questions. They make me seek a closer walk with God. I know never to pick up one of Karen's books if I want a simple no-brainer summer read, because I'll not get that from any of her stories, period. Karen Kingsbury knows that God has called her to write "Life-Changing Fiction" and she obeys, never failing.

So, have you defined your brand of writing?

I think doing so could be incredibly helpful in keeping your focus when crafting your stories. If we know what we're striving to achieve with our novels, then we can quickly eliminate or alter scenes, chapters, ideas, to fit the requirements we feel God has set on us.

What is it that you feel God is asking you to focus on? What type of stories do you write while seeking God's constant council? Is God using your writing to bring a smile to your reader's face? A series of belly-rolling laughter? Is He guiding you to write tear instigators? Scare your reader straight to the facilities? Stress-releasing stories? No-brainers for your audience to just relax to after long hours at work?

I'm writing my fourth novel now, and I think I'm finally seeing what is common in all of them. The genre part is easy, as I'm sure it is for most of us. Mine is romance. For some it might be Women's Lit, Historical, Suspense, Science Fiction, and then you can get into the whole subgenre aspect. For me, my stories would fall under Inspirational Christian Romances. But for branding, I came up with...

Faithful Romances Worth Pondering

What do you all think?

I'd like to hear what you'd expect from a story that is labelled a Faithful Romance Worth Pondering.

Perhaps I'll have to go back to the drawing board if you don't come up with what I'm expecting. This could be a good exercise for all of us. So, if you have an idea for your own brand, feel free to share it in the comments and hopefully we can comment on each others to see if our brands our really depicting what we want them to. Share away, and let's get some branding underway.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load."

Galatians 6:2-5

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

A Lesson Well Learned

I was asked about a year ago if I’d be interested in creating an article for this April’s Christian Fiction Online Magazine’s International column. Of course I said yes.

Where the lesson comes in, however, is that in the course of nearly a year I let this opportunity slide further and further into the recesses of my mind, knowing I had plenty of time to come up with something witty and yet informative to share. As March approached, and life as usual, sped by, it finally dawned on me that I had an article to write. I had no idea of the deadline, but I figured it would be similar to the Afictionado one for reviews, the 15th of the prior month. So I still had a good two weeks to craft something of value.

Well, guess what?

I didn’t.

An extension was gracefully offered, thankfully. But my writing of it, for an article that I wanted to be upbeat, came in the saddest of times. Our beloved tabby cat of seventeen years developed serious health issues that ultimately lead to humane euthanizing of him. So, what was meant to be funny, entertaining, and informative, ended up being lecture material you’d get from the white-socked, flood-length plaid pant wearing, and saucer eyeglass sporting, monotone, barely alive lecturer on his worst day.

So I’ve learned the hard way to start something as soon as you receive the assignment. You can always modify, add, subtract, tweak in the many months in between, but at least you’ll have something far closer to your original intent to submit come the deadline. Unlike what happened to me this time. The grieving me really doesn't do witty.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I look at this as further training of me, and seek to not depart from it.

If you’re interested in being lectured to regarding the trial of being me preparing to break into the American market, you can catch this free seminar at Christian Fiction Online Magazine.

I hope you'll check out the far more peppy articles throughout this great magazine while you're there, though. Wouldn't want you to leave the site feeling numb and depressed like I was in my hours of grief.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Who else believes they're a WIP?

WIP = Work In Progress

Seriously, would you define yourself as a WIP?

At age forty-three, I believe I am, and I think God likes me this way. He may be getting impatient with the slowness of my progress, however, but still, I believe He's rooting for me to become all He desires me to be. And I have a feeling I'll die somewhere in the process of trying to achieve His goals for me. I just hope He'll take me for my effort in trying to succeed, at least.

Life is full of learning experiences. Knowledge is next to Godliness, as they say, and with each new ounce of knowledge that sinks in, I am forever changed. So I say being a WIP is a good thing. What about you?

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen