Room for one more?

With so many great writers actively getting their work published I often wonder if there is any room for me? Still, that inner voice that prompts me that a gift is to be opened and used, not kept in its wrapper until it disintegrates. And  yes, I acknowledge that God has given me a gift and I have a definite calling from Him to open it. So some place there’s room for me, too.

Too busy?

So, what am I “too busy” for? Starting the day with prayer? Giving God thanks and praise for the lovely morning and my ability to see, hear, think and walk? Too busy to commit my day into His hands so He may lead me as He chooses and goes before me in all that I do or where I go?

No, never to busy for that. I just pray I’m never too busy to recognize a hand or heart that needs lifting up. Even if it takes me away from my schedule of writing or whatever.

After all, God is never to busy for me!

Make me a blessing

I’m not very good at keeping up with my own blog; it

seems like the last thing I get to after my writing goals

for the day are accomplished. By then I feel used up.

Since I pray every morning that God will make me a

blessing to someone, perhaps this is where that

someone will find one today. So let me just say that it’s

true that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. I’m

living proof!

“Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all

circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ

Jesus.” Happy, praying, thanking, no matter what. That

can be a large order, but if I trust God to help me with it,

and be diligent about being obedient, I can grow in the

fulfillment of His request.

The Importance of Support

I’ve been writing a lo-o-ng time, but all the tech stuff can 

boggle my mind. Just getting used to blogging is making

my brain swirl. I want to thank all my Wordsmith pals

who support me in my writing AND the tech probs.

I Know Better, Don’t I?

After having two articles accepted bya popular children’s magazine, I thought I could take a step up for a third article for the same magazine. Instead of what I consider a dry, documentary style the magazine often used, I thought up a unique presentation that I was sure middle-grade kids (those from eight to twelve years) would find more interesting.

The editors had given me a go-ahead from my query, and I worked on my article and submitted it. After the usual wait the editor replied with an acceptance. However, a major rewrite was needed. The material was fine, but they wanted it presented in a factual, documentary style. No unique presentations please, just the facts.

OK, so I neglected to obey one of those important steps of following the magazine’s format as you have already been instructed to do in earlier suggestions on this blog site by other authors. I’m fortunate that the editor gave me another chance and was patient with me. And that is one of the benefits of establishing a relationship with an editor. The first time around I’m sure he would have given me a quick rejection.

If you’re called on to rewrite a story or article, don’t feel discourged. My first article for the same magazine took three rewrites before they were satisfied as they changed their minds on formats. Besides their realization they could depend on me, it gave me more experience with writing an article in different ways. Both pluses in our writing life.

Shirley Shibley

Writer Unblocked

Who has writer’s block? Every writer I know and know of has at least once sat like a stone in front of the computer with a blank mind-screen. I like to boast just a little that I always have 2-3 manuscripts going so if one seems to be dragging I can bring up another. But I must confess that every full moon or so nothing is working and I drag my feet when it’s time to turn on the keyboard. It possibly might have something to do with the calendar showing that it’s Spring, and my new rose garden is showing a new bloom that needs me to stop and smell.

Then I remember it’s almost time for my critique group meeting and I’m not done with the manuscript I was going to bring for critiquing. “I guess I have to,” I mumble as I slump my way to the computer and click on one of my projects. Soon I’m engrossed in what’s going on and the time flies until my maximum pages are reached. Presenting it hesitantly to my group, I look up when I finish reading it aloud, which is our custom, and see their smiles and hear their positive comments. Gee, maybe it wasn’t so bad, after all. They make suggestions that help me over the parts where I had felt bogged down, and give me the little pat on the back that is the sparkplug for my next month’s writing.

And what fun it is to listen to the next writer’s manuscript and be able to help her wade through her own bogs!

Thanks, group!

Shirley Shibley

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