Mixed Emotions

Have you ever attempted to show a character with mixed emotions in your work?

I'm envisioning how to do it now.

"This is amazing, honey. I actually know a few of the semi-finalists and I'm so excited for them."

"Have you read any of their writing?"

An energetic nod escapes me. "They deserve this. They've persevered, polished and polished, and this proves it." But I have too, other than this recent time off, I've pushed myself. I've improved. Apparently not enough, though.

"Are they any better than you?" Hubby just had to ask this.

I can't get down on myself. Not when I'm just getting back into my writing. "Obviously the pieces they submitted resonated with the judges, so yes, those pieces were written better than mine was for this contest."

Worry worked through hubby's ivory flecked eyebrows.

"I'm going to celebrate, not get discouraged. Promise. And I'm going to keep working at my craft while helping others polish theirs."

I've come a long way these past eight years. I'm now good enough to help even the semi-finalists polish for the next round. Breathing in deeply, my lungs fill with a fresh, bold new energy. I'm on my way to achieving my dream!

Could you feel the excitement, disappointment, and then exhilaration in that piece?

That was me yesterday afternoon.

I returned home from a weekend away at a Christian Women's Retreat (Awesome time. Tiring, but a great experience. This, too, explains why my post is late getting up today). I signed on to the family computer to discover that a few great writing buddies that I know made it as Semi-Finalists in the 2011 ACFW Genesis Contest. I was and am still thrilled for their success, but me not making the top 20% of the entries was disappointing, I'm not going to lie.

But it's not the end of the world, nor is it the end of my writing. In fact, it's yet another beginning. When I receive my judged entry back I hope to be blessed with some direction from the judges and from that I'll grow as a writer once more. I'm on my way to achieving my dream, just like every one of the semi-finalists are. Every writer's journey is unique, and designed just right for them!

Embrace your journey, celebrate your friends' journeys, and write on...


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

ACFW Genesis Contest Anyone?

Hello, All:

It's been awhile since hanging out in blogosphere. How you regulars continue so faithfully boggles my mind, but I'm so glad many of you do find the time and energy for it still!

I've been diligently working on spiffing up my entry for the Genesis contest this year. Since joining ACFW, I think that was about seven years ago, last year was the first year that I can remember sitting out. I don't want that to become a trend, so I'm definitely entering one this year. And I'm praying for some very helpful critiques to come to me from the wonderful judges ACFW attracts.

I too will be a judge, I hope, this year. At least I sent my reply in as to which categories I would be willing to work on this year. Sadly, I had to opt out of my most favourite category of all, Contemporary Romance, since I'll be entering a piece into it. But I'm sure that I'll be enjoying the reads of whatever category entries come my way in March, as I did last year, too. ACFW has an amazing group of talented writers and I so look forward to being a fair, and hopefully helpful judge once more.

So, how many of you are entering, or have entered already this year? What would you consider to be the most helpful information to receive from a first round judge on your entries?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

A Day to Match my Mood

It's a bright sunny day, and despite waking up to a waterfall from our overflowing pool, the excitement from yesterday continues to spill over into this magnificent wedding day for my niece, Marlene. (Yes, I turned the hose off immediately after wading through the sopping grass. Someone forgot to check the pool water level before dosing into slumber last night. Wonder why?)

I really hope the weather stays this beautiful all day for Marlene and any outdoor pictures that get snapped. We'll be on the road hopefully by 10:00 a.m. today. Prayers for travelling mercies and lots of good family time to follow would be appreciated.

The revisions are done on my Genesis finalist entry. Hubby acted as editor in chief, and believe it or not, he came up with the same typo's and minor issues that I did after carefully weighing which changes to make in such a short time available to really scrutinize my options.

I discovered once again that storytelling is subjective. Like I'm not fully aware of that by this stage already. But, still, it surprised me how some people want the expected, what I would consider bordering on cliche even. Some of the suggestions offered by one judge really did make me take pause, and for a quick second I thought, "Yes, I can do that." Then I realized why I could do that so easily. Because it's been done so many times before in so many books and movies that I've enjoyed. Would it make my piece better, though, by simulating numerous storyteller styles already out there? No. I don't think so. So those suggestions I let slide. The interest of time helped, too.

Did I make the right choice? Not for that judge, I'm sure. But I did for me and my story style. And that's what I'm most proud of. It's taken me near seven years to discern what NOT to alter upon a more experienced writer's suggestion. Yes, Lord, I'm finally gaining confidence in the words and scenes You've blessed my creative mind with. I do believe what I changed and didn't is pleasing to Him. And that's my goal.

And with that, I pray you all have a wonderful weekend ahead, and thank you all for sharing so freely and enthusiastically in my joy yesterday afternoon. I'll be smiling broadly for Marlene and Vishal today, because of not one, but two wonderful things on my mind.


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

Book Giveaway today!

As I wait to make the draw at noon, I wanted to direct any Steeple Hill lovers over to Seekerville's post today. An informative, warm interview with Senior editor, Melissa Endlich, is posted, along with some great pictures.

This is a great opportunity to learn more of what Steeple Hill lines are looking for in an author and story. And Melissa is interacting within the comment section, too. So, if you have questions, you may just be lucky enough to get them answered.



WINNER DRAWN: Congratulations, Carrie T., you won a copy of Patti Lacy's An Irishwoman's Tale.

Blessings,

Eileen

43 days left this year to reflect and celebrate our Saviour's birth.

National Novel Writing Month Is Just Around The Corner

Ever heard of NaNoWriMo?

November is National Novel Writing Month. A month where writers all over the world work to create a novel in one month.

In the words of the official organization : "National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30."

Last year I wrote the first draft of For Better or For Worse? (one of my Olive Series stories) during November. This year, I have a slight head start, I'm up to 2,500 words of The Unlikely One, but discovering that I really need to do some character sketching and GMC charting for it before I continue writing. So, although, I won't be writing this year as a die-hard seat-of-your-pantster, I will be participating in NaNoWriMo, and hope to see The Unlikely One grow to a good size during the month of November. Due to time restraints, I may not make the 50,000-word organization goal, but I'll do my best, that's for sure.

What about you? Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel? If so, please join me during November, sign up at NaNoWriMo, and let the writing begin on November 1, 2008.


Blessings,

Eileen

66 days left to reflect and celebrate our Saviour's birth.

Celebrating Category Judges--What mentoring qualities did a judge share on your entry?

I received my scored entries from ACFW's Genesis contest late last night. A big thank you to Camy Tang, the contest coordinator, and all the category coordinators for their time and energy to seeing this contest to the end. I really appreciate the opportunity to have my work critiqued by unbiased individuals, which brings me to another very important thank you...

Writing contest judges freely share of their time by taking on the responsibilities of being a category judge. For that I'm truly grateful and, oh, so thankful! Your time and energy spent on scoring our entries is a tool we can all use to better our work. A sincere thank you is sent your way!

In addition, there are many judges that go above and beyond the call of duty, and that's who I want to especially celebrate today!!

The judges who COMMENT are true mentors to me. Even though I don't know who you are, I'm praising God for you. Comments made within the actual manuscript, detailing a problem area, are pure gold to a writer-in-training. You truly are a servant of our Heavenly Father to take the time to give such invaluable feedback. Thank you so very much!

Letting us know exactly where you became confused, where repetition existed, emotion was lacking, pacing was off, etc. are the greatest possible feedback an entrant can receive. They both encourage and inspire a desire to revise and edit once more.

Suggested reading resources is another helpful tip a judge offered me. I was so pleased to be directed to specific recommended reading for help with some of my problem areas. I will definitely be acquiring and studying those reference manuals. And hopefully my entry into the next Genesis contest will be all the better for it.

So what about everyone else? If a judge revealed a mentoring quality on your scored submission, won't you share it here in the comment section? Let's celebrate our awesome judges together!

Reminder: For every comment you make on my blog for the month of April your name will be entered into a draw for a copy of Daily Devotions for Writers. Check back in on April 21st and May 1st to see if you are one of the lucky winners, or leave your e-mail information within the comment section so that I can contact you directly.

Blessings to all, and thanks once again for all involved in ACFW's Genesis Contest.

Eileen