Writing Inspires...

Prayer!






Oh my, does it ever!

Writers, at least Christian writers, pray about their story premise, and how best to reveal the story for God's glory. Whether it's for the Christian Fiction/Non-Fiction market or the secular, we are prayerfully lifting our work to Him in hopes that He'll use it to His great Glory and that our written words become an instrument through which He can and will work wonders for His Kingdom.

But what about writers who are pulling back on time devoted to writing for honourable reasons? What special prayers might they lift?

Yes, I happen to have personal experience with this. When I wrote full-time my direction was clear--write because God calls you to, no matter that you have no idea if He'll use it to help anyone else but yourself, just write for Him. And, yes, it definitely fulfilled my own need for stretching my imagination and directing me to battle my own sinful ways and overcoming fears that God has no desire for me to be crippled with. But now...now that I have so very little time to devote to writing, I find myself running from it when I should be embracing those precious moments available for it.

Why am I running?

I want to be a blessing to others. If my writing is solely for my personal gain, if it will never be published for even one other to gain wisdom from, then what an absolute waste those brain-draining hours of editing and revising are, not to mention how emotionally difficult they are on me. Ahhh, but if it's God desire that I continue on, so be it. Amen.

I'm an all-or-nothing sorta girl. If I can't delve in and give it my full effort and time, accomplishing great gains with each session, then the rewards are too small for me to strive toward. Ahhh, but my daughter, what I'm trying to teach you is that there is great merit in perseverance and working with building blocks no matter how small each brick. Patience, my dear, break the task into the smallest of parts and set forth to accomplish one paragraph, one page at each session and rejoice in a small job well done. For those small jobs will accumulate much in one year compared to running from the task at hand completely.

I'm no good at it anyway. Why bother? It's probably time to quit, find a new challenge to stretch myself with, perhaps the girls and their horse time is what is to fulfill me now. When that last sentence reads: "It's time to quit, find a new challenge...", that's when I'll know it's God's desire and not my weakness calling me over to the dark side--to giving up. Indecisiveness is not of God. Think about it. When was Jesus ever indecisive?

Have you ever struggled with change and found yourself questioning if God is directing you elsewhere or if it's the "change" itself that you are fighting and thus you struggle to rid yourself of the work all together? If so, how do you handle it?

May our prayers be met with answers, clear, straight-forward answers that offer peace within, and direction to accomplish the truth. Amen.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Writing Inspires...

Reading!






There's a lot of goal setting going on in blogosphere lately. I'm still not settled with my list to log mine for the world to see, but there is one that I would like to share now.

My reading goal for 2010.

One of my dear bloggers, Tabitha, has set her reading goal for 2010 at 50 books. That's an awesome goal, but for a slow reader like myself, I'm going a little lax and setting my goal at 36. That's three books a month. I imagine some months I'll go over and others I'll be under, but in the end as 2010 draws to its end, may my 36 in 12: Eileen's 2010 Reading Stack list on the sidebar reveal my reading goal met--ah, yes, sweet success--that's what I long for with at least one of my 2010 goals. And that's a measurable goal, for all you out there with your goal rules set in stone. Absolutely love how committed you all are to goal setting and defining the parameters around it all. [And, no, I'm not worried about any of you experiencing OCD. Really, I'm not!]

As noted often here in cyber space and even in books, many authors are adamant that to become a truly good writer, you must be an avid reader. I agree totally with them on this, but what concerns me is that many of us wannabe writers automatically think the reading element of that equation is limited to published works.

I'm attempting to squash that theory. Partly because I'm such a slow reader that I can't possibly keep up with the suggested reading goals flying around out there, but also because I doubt very much that these prolific authors are still in large critique groups, and reading and editing for dear friends, to help and learn along the way with unpublished works as well.

I mean, it takes time and brain-draining mental exercise sometimes to help other writers hone their craft. I'm not saying it isn't fun brainstorming better ways to pull something off on the page, but it is of value and I think it should count as part of a writer's reading quota. What do you all think? Should reading unpublished works count, or not?

I must add here that after a disappointing run with reading, I'm finally falling in love with it again. You see, I've been reading, errrr, attempting to read, many Steeple Hill Love Inspired novels as usual since it has long been my goal to write for that line, but sadly something has changed either in me, or in the quality of that line as of late.

I've come to the decision that I'd rather spend $10 to $20 on one novel that will likely please me, than $4 times 3 or 4 of the LI's each month that mostly seem to disappoint and I have no problem never finishing. They just don't grab me like they used to and I no longer route for the hero or heroine from the start. This is so sad, because truly, I love the concept of a concentrated sweet romance that can be read in a day for most readers, two for slow me, but my frustration has me drawn away from that line for now. However, I still plan to pick up the LI's written by choice authors I want to support and trust won't disappoint with their offerings. So hopefully you'll still see me recommending an LI here and there on this blog, but notice how rare they've been as of late? Now you know the reason.

Anyway, take a look over at my sidebar and see the 2010 Reading Stack list for what has me excited once more about reading. The fiction (F) book I'm currently reading is not at all what I expected, it's so much BETTER!!!! Thanks, Laura, for inspiring my love of reading once more!!! I appreciate you and your writing so very much!

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I did get pictures of Penny up on the last post. If you didn't catch them, scroll further down for a peak at how beautiful this large pony is. She's so friendly, too, and loves receiving treats!! May your weekend be filled with cherished family and friends time, and when you find yourself smiling or laughing, may you lift your eyes in a tender moment of gratitude for our Heavenly Father for all the good He has given you. Blessings prayed for you all!

PS. If you're interested in entering a book giveaway for a hightly recommended YA novel. Check out Georgiana's post today. Sounds like a good one to me.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Writing Inspires...

FUN!






Since writing with the intent to learn how to write, I must say I've had some fun times due solely to wanting scenes to be authentic. Have you ever had your characters take you where you haven't gone before? Or at least not recently enough to conjure up a scene that really comes to life?

When that happens to me, my family tends to benefit with a little excursion. And it usually means fun. Sadly, I have no trouble tapping into experiences that are more of a serious nature. It seems to be only the fun ones that stump me. Mmmmm...wonder what that says about me? Me thinks I need to write to include some fun in my life. Perhaps that's why God called me to this challenge. Interesting!

Anyway, I was tagged by Jeannie Campbell to do a very long questionnaire. I promise, I will do this next week, right after our Mistletoe Madness Monday, but I think I'm going to split it into two separate posts. So get ready, you'll learn a little more about boring me just in time for Christmas. How's that for a cyber Christmas gift from little old me?

So what fun times have you enjoyed due to your writing?

P.S. I just scanned my blogroll listing and I'm in awe at how many great posts are out there for me to read. The little topics and snippets have me wanting to rush over. Just wish there was way, way, way more time in a day to do so! It'll take me all weekend, stealing some comp. time, to take them all in.


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

7 Days until we widely celebrate Jesus's Birthday on Christmas Day around the World!

Writing Inspires...

Time Management!






Every year seems to go by faster for me. I can remember as a kid the summers alone seemed to last forever with endless nights of neighbourhood hide and seek, bike rides, and family events filling my hours. But now, summers whiz by without warning. In fact, the whole year seems to run in fast forward mode, but yet I'm told the twenty-four hours in a day now, is the same length as the twenty-four hours in any given day back then.

So what's changed?

I believe it's that as we get older our responsibilities multiply.

And as writers, one more important thing gets added to our daily to-do list. The wonderful act of crafting stories--bringing characters, dilemmas, and settings hidden deep within our psyche to life on the page becomes another responsibility. It's not a grueling responsibility by any means, though it takes hard, dedicated work, and time management to accomplish this task.

What amazes me most with writing is how much can be accomplished if I consistently keep working at it, AND how little can be achieved if I put it off until tomorrow. Know why? Because, if we aren't careful, those until-tomorrows very easily multiply if we don't crack our own whip and get back on track immediately. Ever notice that about taking a break with your writing? Or is it just me that lets those breaks snowball on occasion?

When I think of my writing 50k words in one month and that I've been writing for near seven years now, but only have five stories to show for it, something doesn't add up. I know, I know, there is all that editing time required, too, and study hours as well. But still, I need to be more consistent with my time management and logging that needed daily writing time, and not letting just a little break turn so easily into a week or two-week break from writing that first draft or editing for the umpteenth time.

So, what about you, how do you force yourself back on track, fitting writing into your daily list of to-do's when the breaks seems to roll into one another?

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

21 Days until we widely celebrate Jesus's Birthday on Christmas Day around the World!

Writing Inspires. . .

Baking!






Yes, you read that correctly. For me, writing inspires baking. And no, I'm not writing cookbooks. However, I do love reading a novel that includes a recipe or two that the characters enjoyed within the pages of the story. As a result, I've been toying with the idea of including at least one recipe at the end of each of my novels.

In my current wip, I'd pick the Pumpkin Spice Scones that my heroine created in her gourmet kitchen at the Woodcrest Inn Bed & Breakfast. As I typed that scene (and yes, it did include tension, as the guests happened to be the hero's doting parents) I just had to search for a recipe to match the rich pumpkin flavored, moist scone with delicate icing swirled on top that Rebekah, the Innkeeper, presented to her guests with evening tea.

So, of course, I Googled and found the following recipe on http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/print?id=214051 which I just had to test. A good writer does her research, even if it costs her tighter pants. Right? And a break away from writing the novel.

From my story to your kitchen, here you have a sneak peak at what Rebekah might serve you if you joined her for tea.



Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
7 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 Tbsp. cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tbsp. half-and-half
1 large egg

Powdered Sugar Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. whole milk

Spiced Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. whole milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. I bake mine on stoneware, but be careful they don't burn if you use a metal pan.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Using a pastry knife, fork, or food processor, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and no chunks of butter are obvious. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, half and half, and egg. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Form the dough into a ball.

Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1-inch thick rectangle (about 9 inches long by 3 inches wide). Use a large knife to slice the dough twice through the width, making three squares. Cut each square on a diagonal to create a total of 6 triangles for baking.

Bake for 14 to 16 minutes. Just until light brown. Take care not to overcook. Cool on wire rack.

Whisk each of the glazes. Using a pastry brush, once scones are cool, brush the first icing all over the top of the scones. Then once the white glaze is firm, swirl the spiced glaze over top. (I scoop it into a sandwich back, cut a small tip off one of the corners and press it through the opening into a swirl pattern on each scone.)

Enjoy!!!

These are especially nice with Pumpkin Spice Tea, and my whole family loves them. So glad Rebekah served these at her Inn, or I would have never thought to look up the recipe. So yes, writing inspires baking for me. Have your characters ever had you recipe hunting? Recipe testing?

Have a great weekend everyone, and blessings prayed for you all!!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

Writing Inspires. . .

Truth!






The greatest joy I get out of writing Christian Romances is what my stories teach me. I'm forever discovering new truths. Truths about me and my sinful judgemental ways, harboring jealousy, being hot headed, hording stuff. The list could go on. Daily, my stories reveal new truths about me and in turn press me onward to become a better person.

But the truths don't stop with my sad characteristics seeping into the written characters for me to recognize in myself. There's the Biblical truths--the Christian themes--that are weaved through my stories. They get me searching through the Bible to be sure my work is Biblically sound. They have me entering into prayer more frequently so that I may depict His way truthfully within the fictional world I'm crafting.

What about you? What truths have you discovered in your writing journey as of late?

I pray that we all enjoy a wonderful weekend. If family time is on the slate, may it be joyful and warm, and if writing is in the plan, may the words flow like warm molasses all over the page, thick and rich with truth!!



Surrendering to Him,

Eileen