|
The Writer
|
I started writing in junior high. I wrote my first stories in notebooks. (And no, I did not keep them.)
High school. The English department decided to publish a “book” of student writing. (I use quotes because the finished piece was mimeographed copies stapled together.) I submitted a couple of stories, and one was accepted.
The majority of my ideas come as book titles from listening to others—teachings, sermons, conferences. I’m busy taking notes, and suddenly I hear a word or a phrase or a question. I’ll think There’s a book in that. So I write it down and add it to my list of writing ideas.
I began writing as a way of escape. To say the stories were melodramatic would be an understatement. In college I wrote poetry to my boyfriend—we won’t even go there!
When I taught elementary school, I wrote children’s stories as well as poetry. During this season of my life, I became passionate about writing; so much so my husband (the recipient of my college poems) feared I would quit teaching to write full-time. However, the day I sat at the kitchen table and made a commitment to follow the Lord, I lost all desire to write. (see Believer page)
About six months later, I was reading Psalm 45. The words from verse one jumped off the page:
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. (NIV)
I realized at that moment writing was God’s gift to me. The desire eventually returned, but somehow writing always took a backseat to . . . just about anything.
I finally realized if I wanted to be a published author, I had to get serious and see myself as an author. Recently, I made a list of my top ten passions. This led to measurable, achievable goals and resulted in a mini-revolution in my writing. Now I spend time cultivating my writing daily, whether it’s working on my website, the newest work in process, or research on the computer.
Long story short—my writing is still “evolving” even as I grow in my gift.
Children’s stories. They’re just fun, whether they have a faith element or a lesson or great characters. They make me smile.
I enjoy non-fiction because I love teaching. It makes my heart sing when I share the lessons and then see the light bulb moments when someone connects. While I may not see those light bulb moments when someone reads my non-fiction books and articles, the feedback I receive still brings a smile.
As a Christ follower, I live my life by faith in Him. Consequently, my faith influences everything I do. How I express it depends on what is in front of me on the computer and my target audience. Sometimes it’s very overt, other times more subtle, and sometimes in-between.
I just finished a children’s story that takes place in Yellowstone National Park. Fiona’s saga is pure fun! You can check out my other writing projects here.
I have several completed manuscripts for children’s picture books and a couple of works-in-progress for adults, so I am looking forward to seeing them in print. And I would love to have them translated into foreign languages. And be listed as a New York Times best seller. And be one of Amazon’s top 100 authors. And have publishers contact me to write books for them . . . I think you get the picture.
However, the bigger picture is not just for me to have my name in print and make money. It’s to take the gift I’ve been given and use it to bring joy to my readers and to help others through the foundations I want to establish. To view more of my vision, please click here.
there's more than you think!