Finished

I am completely finished with my course through the Christian Writers Guild. This past Wednesday, October 22, 2008, I sat in the St. Cloud Hospital and waited while my husband had tests run. He was put to sleep while they ran a camera down his throat. We have to wait for the results from the tests. While I waited, I read Words to Write By: Author Devotionals coomplied by Robin Bayne. Those devotionals reached out to me and gave me hope, hope to continue writing about the family I love so much and about my hero husband and all he's done for me. Thank you God for my family, friends, and my wonderful husband, whom you sent to my front doorsteps. The devotionals gave me hope to write for God and glorify Him as he so richly deserves. When I reflect back upon my entire life, I can see God's hand working miracles so many times. God is a miracle worker, and I'm praying for Him to work a few more in my life right now. I've been sick with a bad head cold for two weeks. The cold is better in the sense that I don't feel so bad anymore, but the cough still lingers and is so miserable. I talked to the doctor after my husband's tests, and she said the pictures looked pretty normal, but they sent off pieces for tests to rule out cancer. Please pray for our family at this time. Dear God, please touch, bless, and heal our family in its health and spiritual needs at this time. My youngest son is also sick with a cough. I spoke to him by phone yesterday and heard it in his voice and found that over 700 miles away in another state, he sounds much like his mother, since he's coughing, too. The good news is I've finished my writing class, and I'm a believer in God and all He can do. I realize if it is His will, and He so chooses, He will guide and direct me in what He wishes me to write for Him. In His own perfect timing, after much hard work and learning on my end, if it be His will, my writing will reach out and touch and inspire others, as so many other wonderful writers for God have done for others, including me. Jerry B. Jenkins says Riven is his life works. I pray God shows me how through His blessed Holy Spirit to craft a novel that will be a legacy of love for my family, a legacy showing them my love for Jesus and the personal relationship I enjoy with Him, in Jesus's name I pray, AMEN. My writing mentor through the Guild says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I begin each morning with a prayer and spend time talking to God. There is power in prayer and God. Wishes don't come true, but God's no fairy tale.

Nearly Finished

One more writing lesson to go, and I'll have completed the writing program I've been working on with Christian Writers Guild. Eva Marie Everson has been my writing mentor, and she informs me that I have what it takes. I pray she's right. I've been down sick with a bad cold, but I made myself complete two lessons, and I've only one more to go. I've finished reading Jerry's book, Riven, and I've found it to be an excellent model for reading as a writer.

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins with The Christian Writers Guild

Paperwork never ends. It seems like it steadily increases from year-to-year and there's a mountain. There's an old saying that woman's work never ends. So it is with teachers' work. The good news is I just finished reading Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins. What a story he told! I'm nearly through with my Christian Writers Guild classes, so mayble I'll find more time for writing once I complete them. I have only three more to go! My writing mentor says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I've been reading different books on writing and put my book on a back burner until I complete my writing class and the reading of the writing books. I've finished reading the books and have built a small reference library with them for writing. I've read Writing a Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr, and Creating Fiction edited by Julie Checkoway. After reading these fine books, I can spot areas of my writing I need to revise and improve. Jenkin's novel is an excellent one of illustrating how he moves from one scene to another and switches back and forth to keep the reader hooked. He's also not afraid to hurt his characters. I have written three book reviews for his latest novel. One may be found on Amazon, and I think I have one at Barnes and Noble. I read the Left Behind series years ago. Those books really had an impact on me. I feel Riven, which he deems his life's work, will have an impact on many others. If you're a reader who loves great fiction, check out his new novel! I finished it last week. As you can see, I've been busy reading instead of writing lately.