God, What Do You Want Me to Be When I Grow Up?

By Patricia Beal | @bealpat 

Hi everyone! Who’s excited about the second half of the year? I know I am. 

July always feels a bit like a second chance for the hopes and dreams of New Year’s Eve to come true. Don’t you think? Like a renewal, a revival, a do-over. 

I need it all. Renewal. Revival. Do-over. I’m feeling somewhat stuck though. 

How so? It’s like this... 

Did you guys watch the movie I Can Only Imagine? 

There’s this part about a major disappointment in the life of the band MercyMe. They have an opportunity to show their work to some powerful people who can make all their dreams come true, but when they finish performing, no one feels that they have what it takes to make it in the music industry. 

The band’s manager, Scott Brickell (portrayed by Trace Adkins), talks to MercyMe frontman Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley’s movie debut). 

This is their conversation—a conversation that makes tangible a feeling I’ve had for years. 

Watch the two-minute clip here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77gP1gb9unc 

or read it... 

Brickell: Can I come in, or do you want to soak a little longer? 
Bart: (silence) 
Brickell: So, you just gonna quit? Is that it? 
Bart: You’ve got a better idea? I’m tired man. I’m… I’ve got nothing left. 
Brickell: I’m gonna be honest with you, like I told you I would be. Sometimes when you’re up there, it’s like you’re singing somebody else’s music. It’s like a fake imitation. I don’t believe it. I don’t believe you. 
Bart: Well, that’s gone from bad to worse. Thank you. 
Brickell: But then there are times when I see something real. I see something authentic. But as soon as it shows up it’s like you’re afraid and then it vanishes just as quick as it came. And that’s what makes you a puzzle to me. Let me ask you something Bart, what are you running from? 
Bart: My dad. He, uh, he... 
Brickell: ...he beat you, didn't he? Ya ain't got no poker face kid. 
Bart: I carry that. I have to live with that, you know. I always will. 
Brickell: Then write about it. Stop running from it. Let that pain become your inspiration. And then you’ll have something people can believe in. But to do that, you have to face your fears, son. You know, Bart, I may not always believe in your music, but I do believe in you. You sold me, kid. Don’t quit. 

Isn’t this powerful? 

“But then there are times when I see something real. I see something authentic. But as soon as it shows up it’s like you’re afraid and then it vanishes just as quick as it came.” 

Wow! 

Do you ever feel that way? How do you deal with it? 

Brickell tells Bart to let the pain become his inspiration, to face his fears. 

Does that mean you write sob stories? “Woe is me” stories? That’s not what Bart did. I don’t think there’s a market for that anywhere but in a therapist’s office. 

What did he do? He hit the brakes and worked on unknotting his knot. The song reflects the resolution. 

Now what? 

What am I running from? How about you? 

What if there are too many things that are all knotted up in my life right now? 

That’s what, for me, brings up the question: 

God, what do you want me to be when I grow up? 

Do you even want me to write something real and authentic? Or should I focus on that pesky dying to self business I can’t master? Or the forgiveness thing that eludes me? Or the relationship that’s now an eleven-year struggle? Or the kids and their never-ending fights? The homeschool? Our special needs? 

God, what do you want me to be? 

Do you want me to continue dancing? This will be a decisive year. I’m in three studios. One wants me to switch gears and begin teaching soon. One wants me to be on stage and compete. The other hasn’t shared a vision yet. What do I pick? I can’t be in three places anymore. I need to pick one. 

Time to let go? But go where? ;)

Where do I even start? 

This summer I began a new novel. I’m trying to unknot the Asperger’s/autism knot with it. Maybe working on that knot will loosen all the other knots too. One can hope. 

And hope I will in this “demi” new year. 

Maybe this is the season for big things to happen. 

The translation of A Season to Dance comes out back home in Brazil next month, and it will be in every store in the country. The publisher lands books on national bestseller lists consistently. Could it be? 

An American publisher I really like contacted my agent last week, asking to see my second manuscript. I see so many possibilities with them. Could it be? 

I’m taking my son to a horse therapy place that God might use to bring about change we desperately need. Could it be? 

Or could it be that I’m just too messed up for those blessings and won’t see light until I get better at reading my Bible and praying every day and being thankful? :-/ 

God, is it me? 

What do you want me to be when I grow up? 

On a brighter note: 

An early reader of the A Season to Dance translation in Brazil was ready to leave a tough relationship and rent a small place for her and for their little boy. After reading the novel, she decided to stay with her husband a bit longer and give him a chance to stand up and be the man he needs to be. I pray this young husband and father will honor her choice and make a change. Praise God for putting something in the novel for her. I’m not sure how the book changed her mind. I’m just glad it did. 

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you. 

I pray you find something of value in the post and in the movie dialogue. Have a blessed second part of 2018, and I hope all your hopes and dreams will come true still :-) 

About Patricia 

Patricia Beal has danced ballet her whole life. She is from Brazil and fell in love with the English language while washing dishes at a McDonald's in Indianapolis. She put herself through college working at a BP gas station and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati with a B.A. in English Literature. She then worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army for seven years. 

She now writes contemporary fiction and is represented by Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her debut novel, A Season to Dance, came out in May of 2017 (Bling! / Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas). A Portuguese translation will be out in her native Brazil in August of 2018 (Editora Pandorga). Patricia is a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist and First Impressions finalist. She and her husband live in North Carolina with their two children. 

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How Much Is Enough? ~ by Patricia Beal

My husband is in North Carolina fixing the house we bought when we got married twelve years ago, so we can move back into it.

We should have moved back fourteen months ago, when he retired from active duty service. That was our plan. But I got a job offer to stay in Texas, and after ten years as a stay-at-home mom, the idea of returning to my old career in federal civil service seemed interesting. We decided that a guaranteed income while figuring out the world of Veterans Affairs was the wise thing to do.

The fourteen months from that decision to today, were some of the hardest of our lives. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.

God was there throughout. The horrible tenants that moved in when we decided not to occupy our home, were kicked out for the lies they told and the destruction they caused. The money for repairs and to cover unpaid rent was there. The accident that could have killed my children only hurt the car. The procedure we were told my daughter needed to fix her intestines wasn't needed because Jesus fixed her intestines the night before the procedure. The intensity and animosity between me and my husband in a house with little to no domestic support because everyone was too busy didn't hurt as on the long run because we trusted God with the future of our relationship. Bullies at school that almost cost my son his school year, were stopped by a new principal. When hopelessness hit us hard, church staff came to the rescue.

But there were many sleepless nights as many of the above situations dragged for months with no obvious sign from above...

Looking back, I believe we looked at North Carolina fourteen months ago like most of Israel looked at Canaan when they first approached. We were afraid. We didn't go. And because of that, we roamed the wilderness going through test after test.

Canaan became viable again in my heart on July 12th, when something else went "wrong." By then we were trying to sell the home, and I got a late-night call in the middle of church service saying our front door in North Carolina was wide open.

I told my husband, "I just can't take it anymore. Let's just go home." I thought he was going to talk me out of it, but this time, he was ready too. Since we made that decision, it's been blessing and ease over blessing and ease.

But we had one moment this past week that took away my peace. Our "how much is enough?" moment.

I got a job offer to work in North Carolina. No brainer, right? What a blessing!

Then my husband got a job offer. Double blessing, right?

Wait!

How about domestic support? Who will get the kids from school? Who will help with homework? Who will get groceries? Who will cook? Who will do laundry?

We would be changing zip codes but carrying half of our problems with us.

When I told my husband that I couldn't sleep and that I couldn't picture myself happy with a new job, he asked me, "How much is enough?" We totally have enough. We have more than enough. But we live in this culture of "more" and of what do you do for a living. It's so hard to break out of the pack sometimes.

But break out we will. Providentially, I had just come across a wonderful post from Ann Voskamp on this very theme. I highly recommend: How These 3 Words Can Stop What's Stealing Your Joy.

We have enough money, enough family, enough love, enough house, enough stuff.

Here's what God is trying to give me, but that I haven't had time to take in the past fourteen months: more time with my kids, more fun with my husband, time to walk and enjoy God's creation, time to write, time with Him.

I will stop the race to more stuff, and get back to the race to more God. I can't figure out how to do both at the same time. There.

I was incredibly blessed during my time at the Sergeants Major Academy in Texas. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with or a better boss. They truly loved and blessed my family.

But I really need to embrace North Carolina, the precious time I still have with my young children at home, my husband who tries so hard to please us, my calling to write more books, and my desire to spend more time with God. It's time to embrace being a creative. Being God's little girl. Being a mom. Being a wife. Being, being, being...

May you be in a blessed season of your life. And if you're not, be brave to change. Have you been going through major life changes too? What's up with you?

Peace and love and blessings. Love y'all.

Patricia

Patricia Beal writes contemporary Christian fiction and is represented by Leslie Stobbe of the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. Her debut novel, A Season to Dance, is out now (Bling! / Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas 2017). Order here!

She’s a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist and First Impressions finalist. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a B.A. in English Literature and then worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army for seven years. Now, after a 10-year break in service, she is an Army editor. She and her husband live in North Carolina with their two children.

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To Write, or Not to Write: Is That a Legit Question? ~ by Patricia Beal

Do you ever wonder if you should still be writing? Do you wonder if you should be writing right now?

I do. Both.

Being a big fan of Allen Arnold's The Story of With, I've already discovered that, for me, writing is a way of being one with God. So I never entertain the idea of quitting forever very seriously.

But with the debut now almost two months old, two kids in elementary school (one autistic), a full-time job the family depends on right now, and enough fiery darts to overwhelm my shield and shake my faith, the thought of putting the writing on the back burner until the empty-nest years seemed good and right.

I was already picturing life in 2027: I could have a ten-year anniversary edition/re-launch of A Season to Dance to get my name out there again and then sell/release The Song of the Desert Willow. I wouldn't miss time with the kids as they grow and wouldn't have to hear them say, "You're writing—again?!" I wouldn't miss time with my husband, wouldn't feel guilty about below average housekeeping efforts, would sleep more, and stress less. Be more, do less. Isn't that the goal?

Perfect solution, right?

The problem is, it's not working. I'm around everyone and available more, but I'm not very fun to be with. Could it be that not writing is killing me?

This Paulo Coelho quote comes to mind:

Now what? Do I have to write and send my agent the next proposal to be emotionally healthy? Really? It's not an approval thing. I'm out of that desert.

If I do have to write, how do I make it work again? It needs to be fun, not drive the family crazy, and fit in the schedule.

I spend a lot of time on social media. I love it, and it moves books. Could I trust God with sales and scale back? I know I should, but it's so hard! Do you stay away from social media? How? I know about scheduling things. I do that. But I like to show up and interact. 

Showing up is sucking too much time out of my day though... The Story of With covers that too. Can't let being social online consume our days.

Easier said than done :/

Do you see something I'm not seeing? Where are you with time management, dreams, kids, and choices?

I'm wide open to thoughts and ideas. The struggle is real!

Patricia

Patricia Beal writes contemporary Christian fiction and is represented by Leslie Stobbe of the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. Her debut novel, A Season to Dance, is out now (Bling! / Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas 2017). Order here!

She’s a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist and First Impressions finalist. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a B.A. in English Literature and then worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army for seven years. Now, after a 10-year break in service, she is an Army editor. She and her husband live in El Paso, Texas, with their two children.

Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/bealpat

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Web - www.patriciabeal.com

A Maze of a Writing Journey

By Morgan Tarpley Smith

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle in southeastern England is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. The castle is beautiful and unforgettable in its own right, but what stood out to me the most during my visit was the hedge maze. (So much so it’s featured in my latest novel but more about that in a minute.)

Thinking of this truly memorable maze brought to mind an interesting parallel to my writing. You see, my fiction writing journey resembles that maze.

My actual foray into novel writing began about seven years ago in Young Adult fiction with the birth of two very different book series. The problem was that two years later I still hadn’t completed a single book, and today they remain unfinished. Therefore, this maze path led to a dead end.

In the meantime, I turned from it and headed in another direction, a completely different pathway—a very long and winding one that has lasted the past five years with many more writing conferences, numerous writing critiques, writing research and the completion of my first novel manuscript—except this one was in the adult inspirational genre.

Maze at Leeds Castle

The problem was it truly wasn’t finished and was in desperate need of extensive and involved rewriting to start resembling a publishable manuscript. For many reasons, it remains unfinished today; though, I know it I will finish it one day, but I have way more to learn about myself and writing before that time.

So, that path isn’t a dead end per say but more of a “I’m going in another direction at the moment.” And, right now, that’s where I am—maze path #3 of Middle Grade fiction.

For many years now, I’ve been quite passionate and intentional about fostering imagination and self-confidence in young children. As a trained journalist and through my work with our local newspaper, I’ve had many amazing opportunities to share in classrooms about my job and writing in general—including my dream to be a published author. A few years ago, an idea sprouted in my mind to merge these passions—and, viola, my MG series was born.

Middle Grade Research!! How fun is this?!

The books follow a ten-year-old girl and her twin brother who travel through Europe one summer with their aunt and grandmother while their aunt completes various photography assignments for travel magazines. The girl dreams of being a writer, but she needs encouragement and direction—therefore her aunt steps in and enrolls her in a young writers’ class in London that gives her the tools and the confidence to start writing stories inspired by each country they visit that summer.

And, guess what, I recently completed Book One in the series which is set at Leeds Castle and features the maze in a big way. I’ve already begun the next book set in Ireland. With this series, I feel completely prepared to write compelling characters and enticing story arcs after all my years of research and practice. I am, in no way, saying that these books are simple and basic, but they are much less challenging for me to write than that adult novel that right now is still way over my head.

The end of the maze

But I’ve finished a book, and it’s still complete after thorough editing and polishing. This maze path has led me closer to my goal, closer to the end of the maze prize. All those maze paths that seemed like they led absolutely nowhere are all part of the experience, the learning process, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I continue to learn so much and it all makes getting to THE END so much sweeter.

Is your writing journey a maze too? Have you switched genres? If yes, was it easy for you? Did you have dead ends? I’d love to hear from you!

Also, are there any middle grade authors out there? I’d love to meet you and join the MG party! 😊

Morgan Tarpley Smith

Morgan Tarpley Smith is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also an aspiring inspirational novelist. Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, genealogy, photography, and singing. She resides in Louisiana with her husband. For more information about Morgan, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads. 

To Be or I Am

 By Iola Goulton

One of the most famous Shakespearian quotes is ‘To be or not to be, that is the question’. It’s from Hamlet, which I’ve never read so don’t really know the context, but I know that line. And I guess most of you have heard it as well. I read it recently, as part of a blog post, and it struck me that the world spends a lot of time living in the TO BE.

We ask children, ‘what do you want TO BE when you grow up?’ We ask their parents what they want their children TO BE.

In job interviews, we’re asked ‘where do you want TO BE in five years?’

TV advertising tries to tell us to use their product in order TO BE richer, prettier, more handsome, more clever, more … the list goes on. We even hear it in church. We’re asked if we want TO BE a Christian, which shows TO BE isn’t always bad … except when we focus on it too much.

And it’s easy to focus too much on the TO BE. As writers, we’re forever being told what we ought TO BE doing. Writing, promotion, revising, building a platform, editing, social media, reading craft books, marketing, reading books in our genre, more marketing, reading marketing books, reading books outside our genre … Sound familiar?

In grammar terms, TO BE is future perfect tense. TO BE is always talking about the future, about becoming something different. It seems TO BE (ha!) that the purpose of TO BE is to motivate us to try harder, to achieve more. But this always wanting more, always seeking more, always striving for more … TO BE often leaves us overburdened, stressed, dissatisfied, and looking for some way to ease the strain.

As Christians, we know the answer is the One Way, Jesus.

Jesus is the I AM. He says:

I AM the bread of life. 
I AM the light of the world. 
I AM the good shepherd. 
I AM the way, the truth and the life.
I AM not of this world. I AM the resurrection and the life.
I AM the vine and you are the branches. 
I AM in the Father and my Father is in me.

I AM is different from TO BE.

I AM is present perfect tense. I AM is now. I AM is resting in God. I AM is a relationship with Jesus. I AM is knowing the Holy Spirit is always here. We don’t have to wait. Waiting is TO BE, not I AM. I AM isn’t reaching, striving, seeking, trying TO BE counted as good enough against a standard we don’t understand and can never reach.

We don’t have to do any of that, because Jesus did that on the cross. Our role is to accept that gift. I AM reminds us we need to wait—not TO BE but to quiet ourselves so we can hear the I AM and be reassured and restored in Jesus.

Our role is to rest in the I AM, to accept the gift of IAM, to seek God’s will today and be obedient to that. Not to worry about the TO BE of tomorrow—God has the TO BE of our future under control, and it will all work out according to His plan … as long as we can focus on the I AM of today.

I hope and pray this thought encourages you today.

IOLA GOULTON lives with her husband, two teenagers and cat in the sunny Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, between Hobbiton and the Kiwifruit Capital of the World. She holds a degree in marketing, has a background in human resource consulting and freelance editing, is active in her local church and plays in a brass band. 

Iola is a reader, reviewer and freelance editor who is currently writing her first novel, contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist, and her first non-fiction book, which aims to help first-time authors navigate the changing world of Christian publishing.

Connect with Iola at www.christianediting.co.nz and www.christianreads.blogspot.com

Iola's brand new website www.iolagoulton.com will be live shortly. 

I Am a Writer, by Jebraun Clifford

"And what do you do?" he asks me. Not in an accusing tone but with sincere interest. I'm working at one of my myriad paid and unpaid jobs and I quickly think of all the hats I've worn in the past and the many I wear today. Wife. Mother. Homemaker. These are the responsibilities closest to my heart. Pastor. Teacher. Friend. Ditto. Sister? Difficult as I live 10,000 kilometres from my siblings. Student? Not for a long time, unless you count a student of life.

Sometimes I work at a picture framing and art supply business and that's where I am today. I help an artist pick out an easel and we talk about various mediums. He likes acrylic and I (very infrequently) dabble in watercolour.

"But what do you really do?" he asks.

And for the first time ever, I announce my newly reclaimed identity. "I am a writer."

"Really? Well, good on you. The world needs more of that, doesn't it?" His eyes crinkle as I slide the easel into the carry-case and take his bank card. He doesn't even ask me if I've published anything (I haven't yet) but accepts my declaration without question, smiling as he leaves, no doubt busy with plans of his own on what to paint first on his new piece of art equipment.

And me? I'm buzzing at what I could be. What I do. What I am.

I've made up stories in my head from the time I was a little girl. I used to beg to write skits instead of reports at school and am thankful for one particular teacher who let me write and perform dramatisations. Often I roped in various classmates for these dramas, one of which was a three act play about Jacques Cartier and his exploration of Canada, complete with the unoriginal though applause-worthy line, "Hey! Jacques back!" as a catch phrase. I kept a journal all through junior high (oh, the agony!) and high school (oh, the angst!) and even through university when my hand was constantly cramped from the excessive note-taking in my English Lit and Cultural Anthropology lectures.

And then I took some time off. Oh, willingly enough. I don't regret at all the twenty years spent writing grocery lists and to-do lists and birthday cards. I'm happy my creativity was channeled into good meals, nappy changing, and crafty ways to turn a few boards and some bricks into a bookcase. This was before the days of Pinterest and, trust me, some pictures and video tutorials might've made all the difference between a snazzy looking masterpiece and the Leaning Tower of Piza we ended up with.

So instead of a shelf full of published novels, I have three amazing children who are my "living" epistles as L.M. Montgomery's indomitable heroine, Anne Blythe née Shirley, called her own children. Maybe I could've written and looked after my babies at the same time but when I was knee-deep in said nappy changes, I found it tricky to keep the dust bunnies at bay let alone imagine character developments and story arcs.

But now it's time to slowly turn my attention back to a passion I've kept under wraps for so long. I've still got two at home but they're older teens now and don't need me to keep them physically alive twenty-four seven. And I've got a husband who doesn't seem to mind the occasional - all right, weekly - breakfast for dinner. Seriously, aren't bacon and scrambled eggs the best? He's even taken over all the washing, for goodness sake, and our clothes have never been more promptly washed, dried, and folded.

So I'm stretching my mind, squeezing in as much writing time as I can manage, cracking open the old thesaurus again though it's on an app now instead of in a huge, hardbound book. And I'm excited to see where it will lead.

Eric Liddell, an Olympic athlete and missionary once said, "God made me with a purpose but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

I know that writing is not my ultimate purpose. I was meant to live and move and have my being in Him but I believe He gave me this gift of wanting to - needing to - tell stories. And when I write, I feel His pleasure. So I'm going to keep on writing.

After all, I am a writer.

How about you? When did you first know you were a writer?

Growing up, I always wanted to walk through a door to an imaginary world so it’s no surprise I now call New Zealand home. Too short to be an elf and too tall to be a hobbit, I live in the centre of Middle Earth where the Preacher and I planted a church over a decade ago. I love tree ferns, dark chocolate, British spelling (except for tyres...that one still looks weird!) and Jesus. When inspiration strikes, I blog at www.jebraunclifford.wordpress.com

Who's Your Writing Mentor?

Have you ever needed a swift kick in the backside to keep you moving? At other times, someone to hand you a tissue and commiserate is what it takes. There's often someone ahead of you in the journey who can give wise counsel or a helping hand.



I think any of us who have been writing for a few years have had a mentor or two deliver all the above. I know my own 12 years of writing have been seasoned with various people who've made all the difference for me.

I've hung out my shingle as a writing instructor and mentor on an official basis. So many people want to write fiction but have no idea how to go about it. I'm not sure if anyone reading along here at ICFW is in that boat, but maybe you know someone who is, even if you're not, and I'd be grateful if you'd recommend me.

To Write a Story is a site dedicated to learning the craft of writing fiction from beginning to end. I'll be blogging on the basics, but the main focus of the site is to channel folks into the free writing course I'm offering which will land in their inboxes weekly for the better part of a year. It will walk the wannabe-writers from planning through plotting, writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Not intended as an in-depth course, How To Write a Story will provide an overview of the various steps and things to consider.

What qualifies me to teach and mentor? 12 years experience with 11 completed novels—and 1 novella in Rainbow's End. 12 years of learning from many sources. 12 years of struggling to find my own voice and my own method of plotting, somewhere between pantsing and outlining. 12 years of watching the industry and learning how it works. 12 years of others pouring their wisdom into my life. And many more than 12 rounds of teaching in online forums, at regional conferences, and one-on-one.

Do I know everything? Absolutely not. But I do know more than some folks, and those are the ones I want to help—the ones who need a helping hand and a little guidance to understand the process needed to write a story from beginning to end.

I hope you'll join me or encourage your friends to do so. The party's just getting started for those who want To Write a Story.

In comments below, tell me ways someone has mentored you. . .or that you have mentored someone else.

Valerie Comer is an author and a blogger where food and faith meet fiction. She's taught workshops online and at regional writing conferences, and is thrilled to offer a fiction writing course at To Write a Story. Visit her website and blog to glimpse inside her world of food and faith.

It All Began with Penguins and Mexico

It all began with penguins and Mexico. Okay, I obviously don’t mean there were penguins in Mexico. Just bear with me for a moment, and I’ll explain.

I grew up along the banks of a lake in rural Louisiana. We’re talking the country—no red lights or restaurants. I went to a school with about 100 students total in Pre-K to 12^th grade. I did not ride a rollercoaster until I was 14 or board a plane until I’d nearly turned 20.

The lake where I grew up

Growing up, I read books about far-off places filled with centuries-old traditions, unique languages, and endless layers of history. I longed to see the world and write as my career and when I grew up, God gave me the opportunities to fulfill both of these dreams.

My writing journey began in the pages of my first notebook, which had Hello Kitty plastered on its front. I’d scratch out notes and little stories in my six-year-old penmanship. These scrawls expanded to diary entries and short stories.

Me (on right), my brother and Mom in front of our house (Mom's going to hurt me for this one. lol - Check out my alligator visor hat. hehe)

My first inclination to form words into a book stemmed from my fifth grade teacher placing “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” in my hand. I love the book. It has humor and adventure and the conclusion that all things are possible—even having penguins as pets—although that was never part of my dream. This book and my teacher’s encouragement did awaken my desire to write and become an author someday.

Enter my next influence—travel. I’d made a few rounds through some of our U.S. states by the time of high school graduation, but I was eager for my first international adventure.

It was that summer when God gave me the opportunity to serve him in Mexico, sharing the love of Jesus with children at an orphanage and the surrounding villages. I also felt His leading to study journalism and Spanish at university.

In Mexico with some ninos (kids)

Throughout college, I learned more about writing, God, myself, and the vast cultures of the world. I spent school breaks teaching English in Serbia, studying Spanish in Costa Rica, exploring Egypt and Jordan, backpacking through the U.K. and France, and returning to Mexico several times.

In all this time, God was preparing me to fulfill my dream of writing a book and tell His story through it. All the lessons He has taught me, people I have met, and places I have seen form a vast pool to draw inspiration out of for my novels.

Salzburg, Austria

To me, my passion for globetrotting, writing, and serving Jesus Christ go hand-in-hand. It is my faith, travels, and love of history that form the backbone of my writing. Through my writing, I hope readers can explore the globe from wherever they are while also deepening their understanding of major historic events, fascinating cultures, and most importantly, faith in God.

I’m thrilled to join fellow writers, travelers and believers in the ICFW blogging community. I look forward to sharing more about writing, travel, and faith in future posts. Happy Travels and God Bless!

Scuba diving in Puerto Rico

Here’s a little teaser about my debut novel, which is set in both Louisiana and Germany.

1938 Germany: An American Nazi’s quest for truth leads to treason. Her story remains hidden for decades—until now.

Two women of two generations struggle in search of love, forgiveness, and a chance to follow their hearts and shed broken pasts. But will faith be enough?

Do you share a similar story to mine? Are you able to look back now and see the way God has led to His calling on your life? I'd love to hear your story.

Morgan Tarpley is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also a historical novelist currently seeking representation. Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, photography, and singing.

For more information about Morgan, visit her website (www.morgantarpley.com) and blog (www.pensonaworldmap.com). You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

WRITER’S PERFECTIONIST NATURE – BLESSING OR CURSE?

After completing her nursing training, Mary met her husband in Bible College 50 years ago. They have ministered in churches in Australia, two years in England and now enjoy living in Tasmania. Her first inspirational romance was published nearly twenty years ago and she is now the author of 19 titles. Ray contributes to the ICFW blog devotions on Fridays and has five devotional books published.
Web and blog: http://www.mary-hawkins.com

So, here I am: rewriting, editing, re-writing, editing, re-wr... Get the picture? This current manuscript is progressing far too slowly. Okay, so I did start it several years okay then became busy writing Book Two and Book Three of my Baragula series after Return to Baragula, my first book over 57,000 words, was at last contracted. It didn’t take me long to realise I’d forgotten too much about for Her Outback Cowboy (working title). I had to go right back to characterisation and plot. Somehow, until recently I have to confess I’d even lost the passion for this story.

I’d previously written the prologue and several chapters – and edited and edited them of course! Like most writers, while writing those other longer manuscripts I’ve continued to learn more about various aspects of writing them. This means I now read the manuscript with fresh writer eyes.

Did I need the prologue? It was really too long. Did it intrigue the reader enough to make them care what happens to the hero and heroine and want to keep reading? It was important information to show motivations for both of them, but could I somehow weave it through the book without slowing the pace too much with big chunks of back-story?

In the end I re-wrote over 50,000 words without the prologue. It didn’t work – or I’m not a clever enough writer. Now it has been – yeah, you guessed it! – re-written and is now Chapter One. Thanks to a writer friend’s comments who kindly read the first few chapters despite her own deadline, it now has part of it in the hero’s point of view to SHOW his motivations to help the reader know he is really a nice guy, a lovable one she can love despite the way he treats the then sixteen year old heroine. Thank you SO much, Narelle Atkins!

During this whole process, without really comprehending it happened, my perfectionist nature kicked in viciously. There were outback details for the area I had set it in I wasn’t sure were correct ... er... perfect in fact! Searching the internet helped, but I needed personal info from people who had actually been there. Only a couple of days ago discovered I needed to know if State electricity could be connected in that setting or would there have to be solar panels, generators etc, etc. The latest research is to find out if the remote cattle station could have internet.

I thank God for contact with other writers who know the area and have helped with accurate information, but the whole process has made me more determined the next book will be set in places I know very well myself!

And so the many months have dragged on. Recently I had to admit there have been too many times I’ve had to force myself to keep writing it. It was far too easy to put off opening that manuscript. There were other writers to mentor, writing workshops to present and of course writing blog posts, checking out Facebook, reading and a multitude of other reasons not to open the file again and keep plodding along. Part of this whole process I am blaming on my perfectionist nature that I discovered years ago often needs balancing with “getting the job done”. I’ve also discovered it is possible to over edit a manuscript. If it becomes boring for the writer, it can become even more boring for the reader.

Noticed I have cut back on writing as many posts on my own blog? I try to remember to set a kitchen timer when on Facebook. (Too many times I forget to!) I’ve had to tell other writers if they would like me to read their manuscripts they may have to wait ages.

And then this week, afraid I yielded to the “need” to tell the world about Faith in the Great Southland, my first ebook being released on sites like Amazon and Christianbook.com - but more about that some other time. Check out details about my Great Southland series by clicking here http://mary-hawkins.com/backlist.html The next two books will also be released by Barbour publisher’s division, Truly Yours Digital Editions, during the next six months.
There are times being a “perfectionist” is a real blessing to “get it right” but other times it can be a real curse. I’d love to hear what other writers and readers think about this.
Oh, and I better mention I do now have the passion back to tell the story of two people separated as teenagers. How can their young love be renewed or have they moved on with too many other priorities in their adult lives?

Testing Faith

by Laura O'Connell

Have you ever had a book that you started a long time ago that you’re wondering if it will ever be finished? You’ve revised it countless times, some parts of it more than others, and still you’re not happy with it?

I have one such work in progress that has had its fair share of revisions with three different plots, all with countless re-writes. I just can’t seem to get my head around where I’m supposed to be going with it. I started this work when I was working full-time, in my other life fifteen years ago. I’ve been fortunate to have critique partners who have looked at the work and given wonderful constructive criticism. However in each of those critiques, I found different ways of telling the story and how it might be told. All wonderful and inspiring ideas: thank you critique partners!

The writing of this manuscript is tough. At the moment I’m wondering if I should delete the work from my hard drive and forget I ever thought about writing it. What will this achieve? No more manuscript, great, but the memory will still be there lurking in the shadows peering into the light every now and then to remind me it’s still there. I have to deal with this manuscript in a positive way. I’m not one to run and hide when challenges arise. I looked at this one and asked what my motivation for writing this story is?

What a surprise and the Lord has definitely been doing some work in me! I wrote it thinking it was going to be a bestseller. That no one had ever thought of this plot and I was the chosen one to tell this story. I was in my infancy in my walk with Jesus and believed this book would change the world. Certainly, I needed a reality check and a good lesson in how to be humble. This is at the basis of why it has taken me so long to get this work finished.

Back at the drawing board, I sent my ego packing and asked the Lord to check my heart and erase this false motivation and find the real answer to why it should be written. Not only has the writing of this book tested my faith, but my patience, and the acceptance of where I’ve come from. What a journey! So another draft to write and then maybe another and another. However long it takes, I’m here for the long haul and may the story be better than I could have imagined and more importantly, I will become a better person through the experience.

I want to encourage you today: if you’re finding the writing task difficult, take the time to examine why you’re writing that project. You might be surprised at the journey you’ve been on to get this far and that elusive worm that’s holding you back may work its way through your work to surprise you.

Laura O’Connell lives with her husband, Frank, in tropical Queensland, Australia. She writes women’s fiction that inspires and challenges. You can connect with her at her website at http://laura-oconnell.com. Her next work, Web of Lies is currently being edited and a release date will be advised on her website and Facebook page as soon as the editing is finalised.