A Step in the Write Direction--September 22, 2014--Writing Through Your Trials

A Step in the Write Direction

September 22, 2014

Update: Praise Report: Some of you remember my prayer request several years ago for little Penny who needed a new heart. She received the heart, and is doing fine—just celebrated her seventh birthday. Shortly after Penny received the heart, her mom Gena had a little boy and when he was about four months old, an old heart condition resurfaced and Gena passed away. Fast forward three years, and on November 8 Penny’s dad will be married to a beautiful Christian woman. We’re all so very happy for the whole family!...They took my nephew off life supports last week, but he’s still hanging on—in a coma, but still hanging on….

Our music minister shared a few weeks ago about visiting a man who had cancer of the tongue and they had to remove part of it. He said, “I’ll never be able to sing again.” Our minister asked himself, “If he could only sing one more song, what would it be?” and he chose one that we sang this morning. Last Wednesday after church, the children’s minister told him he had a phone call. It was this patient. They had taken part of an arm muscle and made a new tongue and he talked to our music minister on the phone! Who says God doesn’t heal today?! But, as he shared about his one song, it made me wonder, “If I could write only one more story, one more article, one more poem or book, what would it be? What does this hurting world need?” Perhaps we should each ask ourselves this question—and when we come up with the answer, start working on that manuscript today!

Comment from last week’s blog:

Dear Donna, Bingo!  You nailed exactly what I needed to hear ~ about using my voice in writing the material.  I am struggling to write "Only By Grace," and was having a hard time saying it in a conversational way, not a scholarly way.  I will give it another try.  Thanks.  Love, Anne Grace

Thought for the Day: “Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2).

Song for the Day:

‘Tis the blessed hour of prayer, when our hearts lowly end,

And we gather to Jesus, our Saviour and Friend.

If we come to Him in faith, His protection to share,

What a balm for the weary! Oh, how sweet to be there!

            —Fanny Crosby, “Blessed Hour of Prayer”

Laugh for the Day: A musician who joined an orchestra on a cruise ship was having a terrible time keeping time with the rest of the band. Finally, the band leader said, "Look, either you learn to keep time or I'll throw you overboard. It's up to you — sync or swim." (“The Gospel Greats Newsletter, 9/16/14).

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished writer’s devotional book):

The Locust-Eaten Years

I will repay you for the years the locusts

have eaten (Joel 2:25).

A minister had experienced a very rough year, including a church split and a decrease in membership and finances. He belonged to a denomination in which pastors gave an annual report at the district assembly at the end of the year. He didn’t know what to say and finally he said, “This has been a challenging year.” He shared a little of what had happened, then said, sort of offhandedly, “Well, I suppose the Lord will restore to me the years that the locusts have eaten.”

Then something came to his mind that he shared with the group of ministers. He remembered when he was a young boy on a farm in Kansas, the locusts came and demolished their crop. His father was really discouraged; their whole livelihood was gone. As it came closer and closer to planting another crop the next year, the father didn’t know what to do—give up, sell the farm and move into town, or try again.

Finally he decided, “I’ll try one more year and see what happens.” Planting a new crop, he later discovered that all the locust carcasses had created a fertilizer and he had the best crop that year he had ever had.

What have you done with your locust-eaten years? All the things that have happened to you in the past? Have they eaten away inside and ruined your “writing crop”? Have they made you bitter? Or have you written them as personal experience articles or books to show others how the Lord brought you through, and how He can do the same for them?

When I shared this story at a writing workshop, a lady raised her hand and tearfully asked, “But what if the locust carcasses don’t make a fertilizer? What do you do then?”

The Lord brought to my mind another story about a violinist giving a concert and, partway through, one of the strings broke. He transposed to another key and continued.

None of us understand why we go through the things we do—and it sometimes seems that Christian writers endure more tragedies than any other group of people. Perhaps that’s because God knows that when the trials are over, He can trust us to use them to help other people. Sometimes we just have to change keys and go on with our lives.

How can you share the trial you are experiencing today with readers? Personal experience? Short story? How-to article? Book? Poem? Ask the Lord to lead you.

 Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

 
"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"

"The Freedom of Letting Go"

"Healing in God's Time"

NEW: The Little Book of Big Laughs (a 105-page purse-pocket-sized joke book

A Step in the Write Direction--September 15, 2014--Writing in Your Own Voice

A Step in the Write Direction

September 15, 2014

Update: As usual, it’s been a mixed emotion week. On the good side,  I received my shipment of The Little Book of Big Laughs¸ 105 pages of clean jokes. This pocket-purse-sized book will make a great gift for your fun-loving friends, or even for your pastor for sermon illustrations ($5, plus s&h)….I also received word that my book Rhyme-Time Bible Stories for Little Ones will be released in January 2016. Sounds like a long way away. (Hope I’m still kicking by then J.)…On the not-so-good side, my 61-year-old nephew in Michigan had a massive stroke last week and has been on life supports. The family will meet today to decide whether to disconnect him. Pray for my sister, his wife and children, and the 7 brothers and sisters. Thanks!

Thought for the Day: “Writing a book is like washing an elephant. There’s no good place to begin or end, and it’s hard to keep track of what you’ve already covered” (Merit Variety Puzzle and Games, October  2014, p. 58).

Song for the Day:

His word shall not fail you—He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well.

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

            “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” Helen Howarth Lemmel

Laugh for the Day: A group of people was shipwrecked on a desert island.  After many months, a passing ship saw their plight and sent a smaller boat ashore.  One of the sailors threw a bundle of newspapers on the beach and shouted, "After you've read the news, the captain wants to know if you still want to be rescued."

Comment on last week’s blog:

Your words on getting caught up in the structure reminded me of a time I got away from  relaxed storytelling and writing in a more lofty way. I had been reading a lot of C. S. Lewis at the time and being the mimic I unintentionally am, I changed my way of writing without realizing it for a while. I am, at heart, a story teller and when I get away from the easy flow, I don't think it does my writing any favors. Because any other style isn't me. It isn't authentic.

                                                — Pat Rowland

This goes along with this week’s writer’s devotion:

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished writer’s devotion book)

Use Your Own Armor

Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of  armor on him and a bronze

helmet on his head. David fastened  on his sword over the tunic and tried walking

around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off  (1 Samuel 17:29-40).

A friend who had been healed of a disease he had suffered from for many years asked a ghostwriter to write his story. The finished product showed excellent writing skills but because the author did not know the subject personally, much of my friend’s personality didn’t shine through. Those who had heard him share his testimony would naturally look for the same passion in the pages of a book.

My friend then asked another writer to rework the book. The new author tried to keep as much of the original author’s material as she could. But neither she nor my friend was happy with the result. She then completely rewrote it, using the style of writing she was most comfortable with. “That’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?” my  friend’s wife asked him after they both had read the manuscript.” “It sure is!” he responded enthusiastically.

Many times I have read someone’s writing that I admired, and tried to copy their style. My finished product always seemed to come out stilted, however, and it didn’t sound like me—or the message God gave me to write. It took a while, but I finally learned to “write like me.”

I read an article one time that sounded like it was written by a good friend, but the byline was another name. Later that year I received a Christmas card from this person with a copy of the same article. She had used her pen name! She had a “voice” I recognized, even though the name was different.

God has given you a talent, a style of writing that fits you! No one else can write His message in quite the same way. Nor can you copy someone’s else style and make it sound like you.

Just as David felt uncomfortable in King Saul’s armor and took it off, then went out to slay the giant with a slingshot, today use your own writing voice to give the world the message they so desperately need to hear.

 Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

HALF-PRICE BOOK SALE STILL ON!

A Step in the Write Direction, September 8, 2014--The Message of the Cross

A Step in the Write Direction

September 9, 2014

Update: Two pieces of good news this week. First, I received my copy of The Little Book of Big Laughs, a 105-page joke book, with several jokes on each page. This will make a great gift for anyone you know with a sense of humor. Just $5 ($1 s&h for first book, 50 cents for each additional one. Think birthday or Christmas gifts!). … Also we found out that our daughter and family will be moving back to Arizona from Oklahoma. Happy for us, but sad for the people of their church our son-in-law is pastoring as they really love him. Don’t know yet where they’ll be serving here…. I sent a book proposal to a publisher for the caregiver book. Once I get a publisher, then I’ll send out a call for submissions for prayers, devotions, and practical hints—so if you’re now—or have been—a caregiver, be thinking about something you can send.

Thought for the Day: First you have the writer who can write but can’t spell, then you have the editor who can spell but can’t write. Finally you have the publisher who can neither spell nor write, and he makes all the money (Family Variety Puzzles & Games, October 2014, p. 94).

Song for the Day:

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God.

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

                        “When I Survey,” Isaac Watts

Laugh for the Day: Some think it would help juvenile delinquents by getting them interested in bowling.  But all that would do is get them off the streets and into the alleys.

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished Writers’ Devotional Book)

The Message of the Cross

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the

gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the

cross of Christ be emptied of its power (1 Corinthians 1:17).

My nephew was holding a songwriting seminar in a Michigan church. On an earlier visit to this church he had noticed a beautiful cross carved into the ceiling where two peaks came together. This time when he came, he noticed they had installed a new air conditioner. The only way you could see the cross now was to step over to the side. It could no longer be seen by the congregation while they worshiped.

During the workshop, while talking about structure, someone asked my nephew how he kept his focus while writing songs. He told them to look up at the ceiling and tell him what they saw. Most of them saw the air conditioner. Then he told them to walk to the side of the church and tell him what they saw. Now they saw the cross.

He said, “If you don’t remember anything else I tell you today, remember this: Never let the structure get in the way of the cross.”

As Christian writers, we have many opportunities today to improve our skills: college and night-school classes, writers’ conferences, hundreds of books on various aspects of writing, writers’ magazines—all telling us how to craft our manuscripts. We’re shown how to write effective and reader-grabbing leads, how to develop plots, how to leave the reader with a “takeaway.” Articles in writers’ magazines point out the latest “hot markets.” Instructors at conferences tell us what editors will be looking for in the months to come.

This is good information! But sometimes we can become so caught up in the mechanics—or the structure—of our writing, we forget the message the reader needs to hear. Yes, our writing should be of the highest quality. And yes, we should use correct grammar and spelling. But let’s be just as concerned about the message of our article, story, or novel.

Remember, we don’t always have to offer readers solutions to their problems. But we can point them to the One who does have the answer. We can point them to the cross.

Are you working on a project today that can help point someone to Christ?

Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

A Step in the Write Direction

September 9, 2014

Update: Two pieces of good news this week. First, I received my copy of The Little Book of Big Laughs, a 105-page joke book, with several jokes on each page. This will make a great gift for anyone you know with a sense of humor. Just $5 ($1 s&h for first book, 50 cents for each additional one. Think birthday or Christmas gifts!). … Also we found out that our daughter and family will be moving back to Arizona from Oklahoma. Happy for us, but sad for the people of their church our son-in-law is pastoring as they really love him. Don’t know yet where they’ll be serving here…. I sent a book proposal to a publisher for the caregiver book. Once I get a publisher, then I’ll send out a call for submissions for prayers, devotions, and practical hints—so if you’re now—or have been—a caregiver, be thinking about something you can send.

Thought for the Day: First you have the writer who can write but can’t spell, then you have the editor who can spell but can’t write. Finally you have the publisher who can neither spell nor write, and he makes all the money (Family Variety Puzzles & Games, October 2014, p. 94).

Song for the Day:

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God.

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

                        “When I Survey,” Isaac Watts

Laugh for the Day: Some think it would help juvenile delinquents by getting them interested in bowling.  But all that would do is get them off the streets and into the alleys.

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished Writers’ Devotional Book)

The Message of the Cross

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the

gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the

cross of Christ be emptied of its power (1 Corinthians 1:17).

My nephew was holding a songwriting seminar in a Michigan church. On an earlier visit to this church he had noticed a beautiful cross carved into the ceiling where two peaks came together. This time when he came, he noticed they had installed a new air conditioner. The only way you could see the cross now was to step over to the side. It could no longer be seen by the congregation while they worshiped.

During the workshop, while talking about structure, someone asked my nephew how he kept his focus while writing songs. He told them to look up at the ceiling and tell him what they saw. Most of them saw the air conditioner. Then he told them to walk to the side of the church and tell him what they saw. Now they saw the cross.

He said, “If you don’t remember anything else I tell you today, remember this: Never let the structure get in the way of the cross.”

As Christian writers, we have many opportunities today to improve our skills: college and night-school classes, writers’ conferences, hundreds of books on various aspects of writing, writers’ magazines—all telling us how to craft our manuscripts. We’re shown how to write effective and reader-grabbing leads, how to develop plots, how to leave the reader with a “takeaway.” Articles in writers’ magazines point out the latest “hot markets.” Instructors at conferences tell us what editors will be looking for in the months to come.

This is good information! But sometimes we can become so caught up in the mechanics—or the structure—of our writing, we forget the message the reader needs to hear. Yes, our writing should be of the highest quality. And yes, we should use correct grammar and spelling. But let’s be just as concerned about the message of our article, story, or novel.

Remember, we don’t always have to offer readers solutions to their problems. But we can point them to the One who does have the answer. We can point them to the cross.

Are you working on a project today that can help point someone to Christ?

Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

A Step in the Write Direction

September 9, 2014

Update: Two pieces of good news this week. First, I received my copy of The Little Book of Big Laughs, a 105-page joke book, with several jokes on each page. This will make a great gift for anyone you know with a sense of humor. Just $5 ($1 s&h for first book, 50 cents for each additional one. Think birthday or Christmas gifts!). … Also we found out that our daughter and family will be moving back to Arizona from Oklahoma. Happy for us, but sad for the people of their church our son-in-law is pastoring as they really love him. Don’t know yet where they’ll be serving here…. I sent a book proposal to a publisher for the caregiver book. Once I get a publisher, then I’ll send out a call for submissions for prayers, devotions, and practical hints—so if you’re now—or have been—a caregiver, be thinking about something you can send.

Thought for the Day: First you have the writer who can write but can’t spell, then you have the editor who can spell but can’t write. Finally you have the publisher who can neither spell nor write, and he makes all the money (Family Variety Puzzles & Games, October 2014, p. 94).

Song for the Day:

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God.

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

                        “When I Survey,” Isaac Watts

Laugh for the Day: Some think it would help juvenile delinquents by getting them interested in bowling.  But all that would do is get them off the streets and into the alleys.

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished Writers’ Devotional Book)

The Message of the Cross

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the

gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the

cross of Christ be emptied of its power (1 Corinthians 1:17).

My nephew was holding a songwriting seminar in a Michigan church. On an earlier visit to this church he had noticed a beautiful cross carved into the ceiling where two peaks came together. This time when he came, he noticed they had installed a new air conditioner. The only way you could see the cross now was to step over to the side. It could no longer be seen by the congregation while they worshiped.

During the workshop, while talking about structure, someone asked my nephew how he kept his focus while writing songs. He told them to look up at the ceiling and tell him what they saw. Most of them saw the air conditioner. Then he told them to walk to the side of the church and tell him what they saw. Now they saw the cross.

He said, “If you don’t remember anything else I tell you today, remember this: Never let the structure get in the way of the cross.”

As Christian writers, we have many opportunities today to improve our skills: college and night-school classes, writers’ conferences, hundreds of books on various aspects of writing, writers’ magazines—all telling us how to craft our manuscripts. We’re shown how to write effective and reader-grabbing leads, how to develop plots, how to leave the reader with a “takeaway.” Articles in writers’ magazines point out the latest “hot markets.” Instructors at conferences tell us what editors will be looking for in the months to come.

This is good information! But sometimes we can become so caught up in the mechanics—or the structure—of our writing, we forget the message the reader needs to hear. Yes, our writing should be of the highest quality. And yes, we should use correct grammar and spelling. But let’s be just as concerned about the message of our article, story, or novel.

Remember, we don’t always have to offer readers solutions to their problems. But we can point them to the One who does have the answer. We can point them to the cross.

Are you working on a project today that can help point someone to Christ?

Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

A Step in the Write Direction, September 1, 2014--Writing with no Rejections

A Step in the Write Direction

September 1, 2014

Update: My mother always said things come in threes. That happened last week as two family members made a trip to the E.R. (one admitted overnight for observation; both okay now), and our daughter had a bone marrow biopsy. Will know the results of that sometime this week. I think of the words of the old song, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand.”…This has been a catch-up week. A couple of proofreading jobs, then my end-of-the-month stuff. Every month I write down highlights of that month—family; friends; local, national, and world news, etc., then type them up at the end of the year and give copies to our kids for their notebooks. These highlights are also stored on my computer so we can look up things at a moment’s notice….I also add up my income and expenses for the month and the year-to-date so this is all done on December 31….Hope you’re all enjoying your holiday today, those of you who have the day off.

Thought for the Day:

Give me the love that leads the way, 

The faith that nothing can dismay, 

The hope no disappointments tire, 

The passion that will burn like fire, 

Let me not sink to be a clod: 

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

—Amy Carmichael

Song for the Day:

I have one deep supreme desire, That I may be like Jesus.

To this I fervently aspire, That I may be like Jesus.

I want my heart His throne to be,

So that a watching world may see

His likeness shining forth in me. I want to be like Jesus.

            —“I Want to Be Like Jesus,” Thomas O. Chisholm

Laugh for the Day: An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids are nothing to look at either.

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished Writer’s Devotional book)

No SASEs Needed Here (and no rejections either)

And he saith unto me, Write (Revelation 19:9 kjv).

Often we write with a particular market in mind or, to be more honest, for the market that pays the most. But there are other ways to use the writing ability God has given us. For example:

Letters to the Editor. How often have you visited with other Christians and the conversation led to various world or local problems? You complain, but what do you do about it? Let your voice be heard! The best place to do this is on the Op-Ed page of your local newspaper. Back up your opinion with facts and include one or two appropriate scriptures. Make sure you stay within the required word length, however. If the editor does the cutting, he may omit an important point.

Personal letters. After we moved away from one town, I continued writing to an elderly lady for some time, updating her on family news and events. After writing a lengthy letter about a recent vacation, I thought, “This is my last letter to her. We’ll probably never see her again. She doesn’t care about these trips.” To my surprise she wrote back saying, “I never got to travel much. I do my traveling through your letters.” Then she added, “I pass your letters on to others in our mobile home park, and they often comment, ‘It feels like I’ve been there too.’” Somehow e-mails aren’t the same as walking out to the mailbox and seeing an envelope with your handwritten name on it.

Greeting cards. In the eighteen months of my mother’s cancer treatment, one lady in our home church sent her a card every week with the church bulletin and a personal note enclosed. Stock up on birthday cards, anniversary cards, and holiday cards, and don’t forget “thinking of you” cards to send when a friend is going through a rough time or perhaps on the anniversary of a family member’s death. Blank notes are also nice to write your own personal message.

Family histories. Begin now writing down memories of your childhood—what your house looked like, what you did for fun, your favorite schoolteacher, how you and your husband met. Your children (and grandchildren) will thank you for it in years to come (and, as a plus, you’ll get a lot of ideas for stories and articles).

Jot down a few names of friends who are lonely or going through a trial in their lives. Send them a card or letter today.

 Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

***

With 3 new books coming out this fall, I’m trying to reduce the inventory I have on hand (translation: trying to find a way to get through the door of our spare bedroom!), so am offering this huge, HALF-OFF sale. In most cases this is more of a discount than I get from the publisher,  so it really is a sale!

Points to consider:

·         You can get these for yourself, for gifts (Christmas really isn’t that far away!), or to resell at whatever price you want—to make a profit for yourself or for your writers’ group.

·         Shipping is just $3 for the first book, with each additional book just $1.

·         You can pay by PayPal or by check. (Note: Check can be postdated for up to 30 days—as long as you let me know!)

·         If you order 3 or  more books, I’ll include a free copy of 100-Plus Motivational Moments for Writers and Speakers, a devotional book written by over 100 past and present writers.

·         I’m now scheduling workshops in the Phoenix area for 2015. If you would like to host one in your home or at your church, let me know. I can teach a daylong one, or separate classes: 9:00-10:30; 11:00-12:30; and 2:00-3:30. Go to www.thewritersfriend.net to see description of classes.

                        Book                                                   Regular Price               Sale Price

A Step in the Write Direction—the Complete              $24.95                         $12.50

How-to Book for Christian Writers                            

A Step in the Write Direction—Student Edition,        $17.95                         $ 9.00

includes assignments throughout. (Nearby

Christian school bought 25 of these to use

this school year as textbook.)                                                             

(NOTE: The above two books will be combined

into one book with assignments included in

September 2014.)       

The Freedom of Letting Go                                         $15.00                         $ 7.50

(NOTE: This will also be coming out in a new

edition—date unknown—with discussion

questions at the end of each chapter so it

can be used in a small group study.)

Healing in God’s Time (story of Dave Clark,             $15.00                         $ 7.50

Songwriter, who has 25 #1 songs, including

“Crucified with Christ,” “Mercy Came Running,”

“Mercy Said No.” He was sick for 19 years with

what 29 doctors at Mayo Clinic could find no

cure for—until God stepped in.                                 

Motivational Moments—100-Plus Devotionals             $ 9.95                        $ 5.00

for Writers and Speakers (book out-of-print;

bought remaining inventory)

Michigan Cookbook                                                      $ 9.95                          $ 5.00

Ohio Cookbook                                                             $9.95                           $ 5.00

Celebrating Christmas with…Memories, Poetry         $24.95                         $12.50

and Good Food

Grandfather, Father and Me…Memories, Poetry       $23.95                          $12.00

and Good Food

Grandmother, Mother and Me…Memories, Poetry    $23.95                          $12.00

and Good Food

Preparing Your Heart For Christmas—31                 $10.00                           $ 5.00

devotions for the Advent season

A Step in the Write Direction--August 25, 2014--Writing Through Discouragement

A Step in the Write Direction

August 25, 2014

Update: A relative is returning from a summer vacation this week and will be facing several family problems. Friday night I laid awake until past 2:30 a.m., trying to figure out a way to help her and what I could tell her to do. I know that in the past she stated that she didn’t want people giving her advice; she just wanted them to listen when she shared. Praying about the situation, the following words came to me. Perhaps they’ll help you with a relationship you’re dealing with today.

A List’ning Ear

Dear Lord, I ask for freedom

From worry, doubt, and fear,

But most of all I ask that You

Will give me a list’ning ear.

Dear Lord, help me to let go

Of things I hold most dear,

But once again I ask that You

Will give me a list’ning ear.

Lord, help me not to give advice

When others’ woes I hear.

Let me be still that they may know

I possess a list’ning ear.

As You turn Your face toward me

Each time I kneel and pray,

Let me show that selfsame love

With a list’ning ear today.

                        Donna Clark Goodrich

Thought for Today: “Silent” is an anagram for “Listen” (author unknown).

Thought #2: Wisdom is what you get when you’re listening when you’d rather be talking (author unknown; from crossword puzzle book)/

Song for Today:

No one understands like Jesus,

Ev’ry woe He sees and feels.

Tenderly He whispers comfort,

And the broken heart He heals.

            “No One Understands Like Jesus,” John W. Peterson, 1921—

Laugh for Today: An old man is afraid that his wife is losing her hearing. So he walks up right to her ear and asks, "Can you hear me?" She didn't answer. He walked up closer and asked again. But there was no answer. Finally he asked her one more time really loud and his wife said, "for the third time yes!!!" (http://www.ajokeaday.com)

Writer’s Tips: (from unpublished Writer’s Devotional Book):

Opening Up the Roses

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will

of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).

A mother began looking for her five-year-old boy after not seeing him around for a while. “Johnny, where are you?” she called. She looked through the house, then she looked out the window and saw him in the garden. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Helping God,” he replied. “I’m opening up the roses for Him.”

We all know that roses open in their own time and all we do cannot make them open sooner. But what about rushing ahead of God’s time to make things come to pass? Someone has said, “God never hurries, but He’s always there on time.” Most of our headaches and heartaches are caused by impatience—trying to resolve matters in our own way and in our own time. We go around opening roses, thinking we’re helping God.

We can do only so much to be a successful writer. We can read books on writing, attend conferences, meet with editors, and write what we feel God has called us to write. The rest is in His hands.

“But I get so discouraged,” you say. “I send things out and they come back—without even a letter of explanation.”

Discouragement is normal. No one likes to be rejected, but we have to remember it isn’t us that’s being rejected. Often it isn’t even our material. Manuscripts are turned down for many reasons and, even though “we are presently overstocked” seems to be a common response, it’s a valid reason. One editor I met said he will not accept anything unless he knows he can use it within the next year. Another editor told seminar conferees that his magazine receives over 200 articles a week—and of these, they only use eight in an issue. That means 800 to 1,000 authors a month receive rejection letters.

Don’t let discouragement cause you to give up. That would be like a farmer who plants a crop, and a month later impatiently plows up the field because the crop isn’t ready to harvest.

God takes time to work out His purposes. Even though you’re discouraged now, don’t rush to find a solution. Let Him have His time and way. He will open the roses when the time is right.

What are you discouraged about today? Write out a prayer of commitment regarding your writing, then leave the results to God.

Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

NOTE: Cleaning out my book inventory. They are now all HALF PRICE. A great time to do some Christmas shopping for friends and family members. Email me for complete list and prices!!

 

A Step in the Write Direction, August 18, 2014--Writing to Individuals

A Step in the Write Direction

August 18, 2014

Update: Our minister of music shared with us this morning about a man he visited in the hospital Monday who had cancer on his tongue and they had to remove three-fourths of it. The man wrote on a pad to him, “Now I have to learn how to talk all over again. I have to learn how to eat, and I can’t sing anymore.” He asked our minister to sing for him, and our minister said he wondered if he could only sing one more song, what it would be. He also shared how he had complained several days this week when their house was flooded. He then told the Lord he was sorry, and that he wanted to use his tongue just to praise Him. Someone wrote, “We sing ‘Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing,’ but we don’t use the one we have.” I’m praying that this week I will use my tongue to say positive and encouraging things only!...Asking for prayer for our daughter Patty who has a high white blood count and will be having a bone marrow test soon.

Thought for Today: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him” (1 Timothy 1:12 nlt).

Second Thought for Today: “You can have many great ideas in your head, but what makes the difference is the action. Without action upon an idea, there will be no manifestation, no results, and no reward” (Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom).

Top of Form

Song for Today:

When thro’ the valley He calls me to go,

Jesus is all I need.

He will be with me to cheer me I know.

Jesus is all I need.

            “Jesus Is All I Need,” James Rowe, 1865-1933

Laugh for Today: Some think it would help juvenile delinquents by getting them interested in bowling.  But all that would do is get them off the streets and into the alleys.

Writer’s Tips: Writer’s Devotional (from unpublished book):

Writing to Individuals

The hand of the Lord was strong upon me….I came to

them…and I sat where they sat (Ezekiel 3:14-15 kjv).

Kay Arthur, Bible teacher and author, writes, “I am convinced that until we really see the world as people, we will never really have a true burden to pray.” We can read that last sentence as, “I am convinced that until we see our readers as individuals, we will never have a true burden to write.”

Ezekiel was commissioned by God to go to the children of Israel, a nation that had rebelled against God. But before he could be a spokesman for God, he had to sit where the people sat.

When we write, we shouldn’t look at our audience as a group of people; we should look at them as individuals much like us. Christ gave His greatest message—John 3:16—to one individual: Nicodemus.

Magazine editors often provide the results of a survey of their average reader, i.e., a woman, 30 years old, 2 years of college, 2 children, etc. I think of someone who fits that description and try to write with that person in mind. What is she going through? What is she interested in? What problems does she face? What are her dreams?

My high school International Relations teacher assigned the class to write a report on Russia. A few students read their papers, which consisted mostly of statistics—the country’s size in area, population, and so on. I took a typical Russian girl and described her day—beginning with the type of house she woke up in, how it was furnished, her breakfast, the clothing she wore, the school she attended, and evening chores. It was my goal to make her come alive to the class.

That should be our aim as writers. Years ago I could write an article on teen suicides—giving facts on how many are committed each year, signs to watch out for, and other statistics. But after a close relative took his life, I can now write from the pain and questions a family faces after such a tragedy.

Your readers want more than numbers. They want to know you sat where they are sitting, you feel what they are feeling, and you’ve survived. You don’t necessarily have to give them an answer, but you can point them to the One who is the answer!

 Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"

A Step in the Write Direction--August 11, 2014--Accepting Your Mission to Write

A Step in the Write Direction

August 11, 2014

Update: I cannot believe this happened. I forgot to write and send today’s blog!! I was thinking tonight of yesterday’s sermon and how I wanted to include some highlights in the blog when I suddenly said, “Today’s Monday!” “Yeah,” my hubby said. “My blog!! I forgot it!!” So here it is—a day late. But I still want to include the main points of the message on Jesus’ turning the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. 1) Invite Jesus into the significant events of your life. 2) There’s a time for all of us when the “wine” runs out—our time, money, energy, health. 3) Simple obedience to Christ will bring us through the shortages of life. 4) Whatever Jesus says to you, do it. 5) The water pots were dry and empty. Does our life ever get like that? 6) As He filled the water pots, He fills our life with joy and happiness—up to the brim, and, 7) He saves the best till last! (I hope that was worth waiting an extra day for!)

Thought for the Day:  Count the cost of the conflict. Just because I can win doesn't mean I should win. Some battles simply aren't worth fighting. It takes discernment. In other words, at times I can be right but still be wrong...(Daryl Blank, pastor, Goodlettsville (TN) Church of the Nazarene).

Song for the Day:

What will you do with Jesus?

Neutral you cannot be.

Someday your heart will be asking,

“What will He do with me?”

            —A.B. Simpson, 1891

Laugh for the Day: The lady was trying to impress those at the party.  "My family's ancestry is very old," she bragged.  "It dates back to the days of King John of England."  Then, turning to a lady sitting quietly in a corner, she asked condescendingly, "And how old is your family, my dear?" “Well," said the woman with a smile, "I really can't say. All our family records were lost in the flood."

Writer’s Tips:            Writer’s Devotional (from unpublished book)

Mission Impossible

With man this is impossible, but with

God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

A popular television series some years ago was entitled “Mission Impossible.” At the beginning, the main character turned on a tape recorder and heard the following words: “Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is _________________. As always, should you or any member … be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds."

To my knowledge, “Jim” never turned down a mission, nor did the secretary ever disavow any knowledge of his actions.

I wish I could say the same for myself when the Lord has offered me a writing assignment. The many trials He brought me through so I could share hope with others. Humorous experiences that would have brought a laugh to someone’s day. A biblical insight that would open God’s Word to a new believer. A how-to article that may have assisted an entrepreneur to begin a new business. A devotional to help get someone’s day off to a good start.

But to me, those were “missions impossible,” and I decided not to accept the assignments.

·         I didn’t want to re-open that part of my life.

·         I thought what was humorous to me might not be funny to an editor or reader.

·         My biblical insight would be “old hat” to other believers, and they would wonder why it took me so long to grasp a simple truth.

·         The how-to article would have to include mistakes I made to eventually reach my goal of running my own business.

·         And the devotionals—well, anyone else could write them better.

But God did not disavow my actions, nor did His tape self-destruct. He continued to offer me the same assignments, until one day I realized that with Him, all things were possible—even the writing projects He invited me to do. And I finally accepted the mission.

What mission is God inviting you to today? Will you accept it?

Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com