Archive for November, 2007
Writers are a peculiar lot, and I’m not just talking about how we look. For the most part, people who choose writing for a career don’t worry about what other people say about them. They wouldn’t survive long if they did.
My two older boys recently entered a local writing contest. It was the first year that the younger one qualified (because of his age) and he was excited. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the success his older brother had. To try and comfort him, I dragged out my file of rejection letters. I encouraged him to jump right back in and even found some more contests for him to enter. When he stopped laughing (at all MY rejections) he seemed ready to go again.
That’s the attitude all writers must have about their work. You can’t take no for an answer or you will never get any where. Think of all the “great” writers who were rejected with their first submissions (Dr. Seuss was rejected 27 times, Steven King was rejected too many times to count, and John Grisham was rejected over 46 times). To be successful in this industry, you have to take the rejection and turn it into something positive.
1. Really read the letter, don’t stop at “I regret to inform you.” There may be some valuable information in there about WHY they rejected the letter. Use it to tweak the piece and then find another market to try again.
2. And do keep trying. For every rejection, put out five more queries. Make sure that you follow the basic guidelines (knowing the market, good grammar, etc), but be persistent in your pursuit.
3. Take some classes – online, through the local community college, or at conferences – to hone and develop your skills. No matter how talented you might be, you don’t know everything. Taking classes will work muscles you didn’t even know were there.
4. Stretch your genre. If you write novels, then do some short stories, news letters, letters to the editor, or personal essays. Don’t just stay with the one writing area. There is so much to learn from the different writing fields.
5. Make your novel into a short story. It will help you with your synopsis and might give you a whole new insight into your idea.
6. Start on the next novel. Don’t wait until the first one is published to dive into the second one. Many working writers today had their second work published first. It seems that the more you write, the better you get at writing.
Writing is a skill like any other art. It must be practiced and perfected. Even those with a natural gift still have to learn the industry and the rules. If this is your career of choice or just a hobby for the weekend, keep pushing yourself to the next level. Eventually you will find your way to the top of your mountain.
November 17th, 2007
To plant a successful garden, you must prepare the soil, know what you are planting and how much space to allow it, and keep the weeds out. Most people I know that play around with a garden try to skip or ignore steps. By the end of the summer, the grass is covering the garden, and they don’t know what is where (it’s not like I haven’t done it myself).
This morning I was reminded by an article from Heart of Wisdom that everything in life falls into the same pattern as gardening. She wrote:
“Timely planting and on-going care (watering, weeding, pruning, etc.) will bring forth good fruit. There’s no quick fix for training children. If we neglect them now, we can’t expect positive results later. As I explained to my sons, we can’t expect daffodils if we don’t plant the bulbs.”
No matter what you are doing (starting a business, cleaning the house, or schooling the children), you have to prepare for the task, plan out what you want to do and know the space (or time) to do it, and above all else, you have to keep the weeds out.
1. Be prepared – make a schedule, draw out a map, sketch a plan. You have to know what you need to do and when you need to do it in order to be able to get it done.
2. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Weeds have a way of digging into the ground the more time they are given. If you want the task to be easier then pull the weed when it first shows itself.
3. Take care of your tasks. You can’t clean the house just once (maybe once a day if you have kids) or wash the dishes expecting them to stay clean. This is an ongoing effort (what ever THIS may be in your life).
4. Be consistent with your tasks. Do things at the same time in the same way and they will become habits in your life. Before you know it, you’ll be folding and putting away laundry with out a thought about it.
5. Delegate but don’t forget. There are times when I pass on tasks to others in the family, but they forget (or haven’t gotten use) to the task. Depending on the time and the circumstances, I will gently remind and even offer to help, or I will do it myself. Getting upset just wastes even more time.
6. Get rid of all the unwanted or unneeded in your life – whether it’s unused toys, old clothes, or club meetings you really don’t enjoy. The time you have is all the time you get – make the most of it everyday.
Keeping a healthy life garden is possible for everyone. It is the one time you don’t need a green thumb to get it right. Just make sure you prepare, plan, and weed and you will be alright.
November 16th, 2007
During bible study this morning, I nearly stumbled over the statement about how God wants me to be in joy during the different stages of my life. I went back and read it again – be in-joy. So I have decided to injoy my life from now on.
1. I will make time to play, whether it’s a board game, or kickball, or tag there will be time in my busy schedule to just have a good time.
2. Be in the here and now, not focused on the yesterday or tomorrow because the wrong focus will make you miss all the good in your life right now.
3. Take pleasure in the things that are provided for you (like food, home, land, pets, etc) and actually take the time required to fully appreciate them – just patting the dog on the head as you walk past into the house doesn’t count.
4. Do it right now (or as soon as possible) instead of putting it off (this includes the chores as well as the fun) because you don’t know what tomorrow may hold. How many people do you know that have put off everything until retirement only to have one of them pass away BEFORE they could enjoy retirement?
5. Laugh – a lot – with your children, with your spouse, all alone because the simple act of laughter can life up any day.
There is only one life for me and it is going to be one worth talking about. It won’t be special because I will do great and wonderful things (although I do intend to do a few of those) but simply because I lived, I laughed, and I injoyed!
November 15th, 2007
Interesting - maybe. Eye catching - for some. People Magazine has announce that Matt Damon is the “Sexiest Man Alive,” but I have to admit that I don’t get it. He’s too brotherly to be sexy – if that makes sense. These kinds of things don’t really interest me all that much, but it did get me to thinking. Are there universal ideals that make a man stand out from the crowd? Is there really something that truly makes a man sexy to the world, or is sexy in the eye of the beholder?
· There is something in the eyes that scream sexy – deep, burning, intense eyes that make you aware immediately that he is watching. Just the thought of those eyes will make your knees buckle. The “eyes” definitely have it.
· If he walks the walk then he’s sexy. Real sexy men hold themselves in a particular way. It exudes confidence but at the same time rejects arrogance. It makes you want to be around them with just the hope that some of it (or maybe him) will rub off on you.
· The body can’t be counted out. He doesn’t have to be an athlete or have perfectly sculpted abs, but you have to believe that he could sweep you off your feet (literally) if the moment called for it.
· Uniqueness will get bonus points. There are a lot of cookie cutter beauties out there, but that’s not sexy. Sexy is an individual – unique in all his ways. He will stand out in a crowd (even a crowd of superstars).
Maybe Matt Damon was the right choice. From what I read, he’s a good dad and a good guy. Those unique qualities in the world of Hollywood may have been enough bonuses to push him over the top. I’m not going to spend much time wondering about him. Instead, I’m thinking about my own husband – and I know for me that he truly is the Sexiest Man Alive!
November 14th, 2007
The banks are trying to pull a fast one on the consumer. Even those of us who are trying to save are having the wool pulled over our eyes. It’s a conspiracy, I tell ya.
Yesterday a friend asked me to help with some finance articles – one about savings accounts in particular. Over the years, our family has had several “savings” accounts (in traditional banks and in other financial institutions as well). The ones that we opened away from traditional accounts had much higher interest rates – or so I thought.
As I began to dig out information for her article, I discovered some interesting facts. It made me aware that like many things in life you have to know exactly what you are getting in order to compare it to other things like it.
1. What is the monthly or quarterly interest rate? Most traditional banks accrue interest on the quarter, so that’s easy enough to figure out. The other institution (an insurance company “bank”) gave us a nice interest, but it was a total yearly interest. In other words, that rate was divided by 12. When I did the math (after having the account for ten years), I felt like I had been had. All this time I was bragging about how much more interest that company was giving me. Although the interest rate was still a small amount better, it was no longer worth the hassles that came with not having a physical location to use.
2. Know the minimums. Every single bank will have different requirements for a minimum balance – but most will charge a fee for going below that balance. You are better off just closing out the account than to go below minimum. The fee will eat up every penny you may have earned (and then some).
3. Look for hidden costs. One of the accounts we have only allows for 6 withdrawals (in any form) each month. Every one after that costs a fee. It wasn’t a problem for us because we didn’t plan to withdraw that often. It is still important that you know and understand the terms of your account.
4. Ask for discounts or upgrades. Some banks will match competitors’ accounts, if you prefer to work with one over another. Few will go up on the interest rate (but it doesn’t hurt to ask) unless you have a substantial amount of money. You may be able to get fees waived if you do an automatic deposit each month or something along those lines.
Savings accounts are not where you want to build your nest egg. They are designed for short term, easy access storage of funds that you don’t want co-mingled with checking funds (either because you lack the discipline or because it’s easier for record keeping). No matter which savings account you put your money, you will not make a fortune from the interest. Even in the prime of savings interest rates, I don’t think they went much over 3%.
If you do choose a savings account then shop around. Read the fine prints. Ask for things to be explained out for you – month to month – so that even your ten year old could understand. It’s your money. If the bank employee isn’t willing to take the time to explain it (or to find someone who CAN explain it) then you don’t want to bank there anyway.
November 14th, 2007
Gas is going up. Milk is going up. Everything seems to be increasing - at least a little at a time - except for incomes. Cost of living increases will need to 10% just to catch up (although I’m not holding my breath). It’s really tough for the self-employed. Giving ourselves cost of living increases just isn’t feasible.
As one of the self-employed (with three boys to boot), I have to stay organized to stay on the budget. That means that I not only plan the meals – but when and how they will be served. For example: Mondays is choir practice over an hour from our home – right about supper time. Either I have to stop and buy something at a fast food place or else I have to plan a portable meal. These are the days I LOVE my sandwich maker. It seals all the goodness right up.
There are a few things you have to do to make this work:
1. Make a calendar of ALL the activities you and your family members have going on. Sometimes it helps to color coordinate (have a different color for each member). It is extremely important that you include times for the events (from start to finish). You will need to know where you are going to be and for how long.
2. Make a list of all your favorite meals (and get the family involved). Ideally you will need at least 21 ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
3. Fit the meals into your schedule. If there is a day that you will be gone most of the afternoon, but home for dinner time then you will need a crock pot meal or some other quick and easy meal. If you will be gone in the evening, then fix a picnic for you and your clan (it can be sandwiches, or hotdogs, or leftovers).
4. Use the outline to make a meal calendar. Plan what you will cook, but also any prep work for upcoming days (like thawing meat).
5. Check the pantry for ingredients and then make a shopping list. Cut coupons or print coupons from online services to go along with your shopping list.
6. Plan a day to do your shopping AND precook any ingredients that you can (brown meats, chop ingredients, boil eggs, etc). If you want, take it to the next level and prepare casseroles and other one pan meals that can be stored in the freezer.
7. One last tip. Get some canned foods or packaged foods that will last in the pantry for those days when everything goes wrong. (Sunday, I had nothing ready for lunch. I opened two cans of “lasagna,” added shredded cheese, and topped it with pepperonis and black olives – presto, pizza lasagna.
Just because the entire consumer world is going nuts doesn’t mean that you have to follow in line. By taking some time to get organized and putting some thought into your day, you will be able to save money (even without a cost of living increase).
November 13th, 2007
The pastor at First United Methodist Church was on fire. “We are in this world, but not of it.” He was calling me peculiar, but I don’t know if he realized it yet. I’m not supposed to be normal. I’m designed to stand out – to point to a better way. He recently took a sabbatical, and the fire and passion and the heart he returned with, to help the congregation find their uniqueness in Christ, it really showing through. Last week he talked about how God wants me to experience the fullness of HIS joy. This week, he had the steps to get me there.
1. Jesus must be the authority in my life. The pastor was talking about becoming a Christian – the moment when you turn your life over to Christ. The day of rebirth. As he spoke, I wondered if I truly accept His authority. Some days (and for most situations) I would say definitively yes. There are those times when I want to be in charge – regardless of what it might cost. I think I still have a ways to go before I can honestly answer that Jesus is the authority in my life.
2. With new life comes new purpose and direction. The pastor asked me to examine my life and see what has changed. Eight years ago, I would probably say not much. I have been trying to find God’s place for me and God’s way of doing things. I’m reaching for that new purpose – most days.
3. Things lose their importance. The more I change, the more my idea of what is important changed. I keep a list of my needs, wants, and desires tucked away in my journal. Every month (or every couple of months) I rewrite my list. It seems that the more I grow, the more things shift from needs all the way down to desires.
4. People grow in importance. I was a stubborn child (some might even suggest that streak still runs through me – although I would argue with that). As my life continues to switch, my need to control and always be right diminishes – and the feelings and life of the people around become the important things.
5. Money becomes away to help. Instead of looking at what I want or need, I begin to look beyond myself. Money becomes a way to help others and expand the purpose and direction that I have been guided in.
6. Peace and joy come from a focus beyond self. As I see the purpose and direction, and I put people above things, I find a sense of peace and joy that can no longer be disturbed by circumstance.
7. A new life requires new ways. Old habits will have to die (some times a slow and painful death). New habits will be formed to take their place. I’m finally beginning to see that this is one of those processes that will be ongoing.
8. To know the purpose and direction, I have to know the Person. The only way to know anyone is to spend time with Him. I need to have time each day for prayer (talking with God) and study (learning His word).
9. The more I know the map, the more I will use it. The Word of God must become so ingrained in my heart and mind that it becomes the default direction.
10. Last, and most certainly not least, I have to have a firm understanding and grasp on where I am headed – in an eternal sense. (I can’t help but imagine how blessed my life would be if I could come to this firm of an understanding for all the promises of God).
The pastor was using his own guideline based on John Wesley’s 10 things that happen in your life at the point of regeneration. I think it’s a good start, and one of those sermons that I will be referring to again and again. There is so much that I need to do and learn to live the life that God desires for me. One thing is certain, God’s ultimate goal for me is that I live a life that complete reflects who HE is.
November 12th, 2007
Writers, as a group, are peculiar people. They talk differently. They dress differently. They hide in caves and do things like read and write. Who else, on their own initiative, would come up with the idea of writing 50,000 words (actually formulated into sentences and paragraphs and coherent thoughts) in just ONE month.
November is National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write an entire novel by the end of the month. That means that from start to finish, you have just thirty days to write a novel. If you are a procrastinator then you now have about 20 days to get it done.
No matter when you jump into the pool, here are some ideas and tips to get you to the other side.
1. If you get stuck, don’t give up. Make a new plan and jump back in. Jim at Irregular Times Diaries: Unfit Discussion talks about doing just that with his article about hopping back on the novel writing bandwagon. He may be taking a little different turn than I would, but I love his idea of breaking the novel building down to a specific time line.
2. Here to Create has really done some research. There are 85 links to help you in your fiction writing covering everything from structure to character development and everything in between.
3. Shawn’s suggestion at dcist.com is about as basic as it comes. Just get to writing is one of those ideas that have been around forever, but still holds true to this day. You won’t get anything finished if you don’t get anything started.
4. There are 10 Steps for writing a novel at Fallen Words. I like that it reminds us that we ARE writers and encourages us to follow through.
5. How Not to Write has one of those keys that every would-be novelist needs to grasp. You can’t edit as you write. Finish your first draft (and I mean completely FINISH) before you try to edit. Otherwise, you’ll spend all of your time re-writing that first chapter. I know many authors who have just given up because they couldn’t get past the first part of their novel (all because of an uncontrollable need to edit).
6. Meg, at Victorianwriter.com, is all about the synopsis. It might be a good plan for me to utilize some of her tips since the synopsis is often my stumbling point.
7. Writer’s Block can mean death for your novel. At Loosepgs, they have come up with five sure fire ways to break writer’s block forever and for anyone.
8. Many authors prefer to follow a method when they write. Randy Ingermanson has some great tips on writing with the Snowflake method – building on one sentence until you get to your end. There ideas are better explained and expanded on in the article on mywritingmentor. It’s in depth, chalked full of ideas, and will definitely get you going in the right direction.
9. If you need some more steps to get your novel written then check out 3greenfish.net. There are seven steps here that will help you get the writing done (or at least get it started).
Writing a novel, or an essay, or a letter is not easy for most people. It helps to have some steps to follow, some guidelines or a map to get you to your destination. Use these tips and sites to keep your focus on point and your motivation up so you can finally reach the goals you have been dreaming about.
November 11th, 2007
Every church facility I have ever attended had players – actors even. These are the people who wear the right clothes, know the traditions and customs, and have just the right words for the right moment. Some of them even know the scripture inside out. They play the part of churchgoer like their lives depend on it.
Unfortunately for them, they don’t know the Playwright.
In modern usage, the word “hypocrite” has come to mean a pretense of virtue or piety. Scripturally, it was used to describe stage actors – people playing a part and wearing a costume. If you really look hard at the church today you will see that the biblical description applies so much stronger.
The hypocrites in the church aren’t trying to be better than the person next to them – at least not for the most part. They are just trying to do what and how they PERCEIVE their actions and words need to be to be “right.” Maybe they grew up watching grandma cross her self or saying “amen” at a certain point in a sermon. Maybe they were brought up with a church uniform – suit and tie or dress suit with hat. What ever the custom or tradition or action, they do it now because this is what church people do.
The world is watching the performance and it’s not giving the church very good ratings. That would be bad enough in and of its self. But it is far from the worst of it. The truly sad thing is that by focusing on the hypocrisy (putting on the masks and the costumes and playing a part), people miss out on the relationship. It is the relationship that makes the life here and now worth living.
November 11th, 2007
There is a certain picture that most people get in their minds when they think of freelance writers. I always pictured my uncle – wild hair, free spirit, just a little off. It wasn’t until I launched my own writing career that I began to see freelancers in a whole new light. Not only are there many types of people out there who write, but there are just as many venues and genres as there are people.
The art of Grants writing is something that has been brought to the forefront of my life in the last few months. It is something that I dabbled in (starting in college) for many years, but not something I ever viewed as real “writing.” After all, you don’t get a byline, so it doesn’t count, right?
Grants’ consulting is all about research, writing, and reaching out. If these things appeal to you, then it might be a path you can take with your writing.
1. Research – you have to be able to find the sources to fund your activities, and that’s not always as easy as it might seem. The ones that are easy to find (government grants) have lots of competition and are harder to get. The ones that are hidden from the view of the world (private, foundation, and corporate grants) are easier to get, if you can find them. You have to have the desire to hunt down the money. Then you have to be willing to hunt down all the information you need to present to the grants committee. Two hunts in one.
2. Writing – finding the information is just the beginning. You have to present it in a light that will make your proposal stand out among all those that have been received. In many ways, it is a lot like a query letter – and we all know how creative we have to get with those. Writing the actual grant will pull on all your creative writing juices and test your structural skills as well.
3. Reaching out – every writer out there knows what it is like to be underpaid and under appreciated. Grants writing can be the same. Most of the organizations that need help with grants really can’t afford to pay for the assistance. Fortunately, most freelance writers are use to living on tiny bits of pay. Plus, there are grants out there that will allow the organization to include administrative costs (that would include the grant writer) in the proposal.
If you know nothing about writing grants, don’t fret. You probably didn’t know all that much about writing essays, or books, or blogs before you began. There are lots of places you can go to get yourself started (ed2go.com has some great classes). After that, you just have to bombard the community with your ideas the same way you do with all of the other areas of your writing.
November 9th, 2007
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