Five Reasons to Call Yourself a Writer and How I Did It

I have been a writer since 1966. I was in middle school at the time. I wrote about two things that affected me then: entering puberty (and everything that goes with it), and science fiction. You can probably guess how those two went together. I asked my mom to read one of them, and, though she didn't show it, I am sure she was scandalized that her own daughter could write such things. It wasn't until the 1980s that I took the bold step of calling myself a Writer. I call it a bold step because I had very little self-confidence. But, I was tired of hiding my talent, gift, calling, whatever you want to call it. I decided that hiding my ability/desire was more painful and embarrassing than admitting it, and I wanted people to know. So, in conversations I began to say, 'I am a Writer.' (And, yes, I did say it with a capital letter.)

Usually, people were polite and asked me what I wrote, but there were some folks that would challenge me with: 'Oh, are you published?' Sometimes that means: 'I only believe you can call yourself a writer if you are published.' So, I would reply, 'Not yet, but give it time!' Then of course I would walk away feeling disgruntled because I was not published, and I could not rub it in their faces by saying 'yes' to their challenge. That did a couple of things to me:

First, it made me begin to analyze my reasons for writing and whether I ultimately had publishing as a goal.

Second, it made me look more critically at my craft, to determine how I could make it better, so I could be published.

There are many reasons to call yourself a writer, but if you are not calling yourself a writer when you know you are one, figure out why. Is it because you don't feel qualified to the title? Why not? Maybe through self analysis you can come to a decision that you are a writer, no matter what anyone else thinks, and that you deserve to be called the owner of your craft. The reasons below are the ones that freed me from censoring myself.

Reasons for calling yourself a writer:

1. You love to write, and you do so (whether you are published or not).
2. You read all there is (or all you can afford) about being a good writer and honing your craft.
3. You take those suggestions and learn how to use them in your writing.
4. You have partial or finished manuscripts laying in a drawer somewhere.
5. All of the above is true, even if you have no intention of sharing your work with anyone.

We are all afraid of something, but don't let owning the moniker 'Writer' be one of them.

How to Manage Stage-Fright while Speaking Before An Audience

Image by kibsri
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The first time I spoke before an audience I was in a little makeshift cafe at a Christian campground. I stood before the students who comprised the Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship in my area. I was, perhaps twenty years old. My motivation was to show the world, and everyone there, that I was good at playing the guitar and putting poetry to music. It was, of course, terrifying. There might have been sixty people there. They were all talking, most were not paying much attention to me, which on one hand was irritating and on the other it prevented me from running off screaming into the night.

My hands were sweaty, my mouth was dry, my voice wavered, my hands shook, but I was motivated. I was motivated by the desire to be looked up to, thought well of, and to receive affirmation. I received none of those things, of course, but it did one very important thing for me: it showed me that I could do it. No matter how badly or how well I performed, I survived. It began a trend in my life that I believe God used, not only to teach me, but to minister to others.

Now that I am more experienced, I can tell you some of the things I have learned:

• Everyone gets stage-fright. Even the ones who say they don't and the ones who look composed are afflicted with it. It tends to get better and less distressing with experience, but, it probably will not go away completely.
• There are ways to keep from being crippled by stage-fright. Mind games help. Such as: the old idea to imagine your audience sitting in their underwear or if someone is on stage with you, you can imagine that the audience is really looking at the other person. 
• Be prepared in the extreme. Make an outline (or list) of points you want to address and the tasks you are to complete, such as:
• Do you have to adhere to a prescribed agenda?
• Will you introduce another speaker?
• Will you interact with others who will carry out your directions?
• Make a list, in chronological order, to which to adhere.
• As you begin each one, check off the tasks you need to complete so that you don't forget where you are in the agenda or get the tasks out of order.
• Another way to manage stage-fright is to practice, practice, practice. If you know what you are going to say and are familiar with the list of tasks and points, your level of anxiety will be much lower. When I was to present a mini-seminar on professionalism and customer service, I practiced my outline over and over for two weeks. Doing this helped me remember what I was going to speak about and it helped me see where my subject was weak.
• Believe in yourself and believe in your message. It's not just cliché. You can change your self-image through self-talk. Also, the more you practice your presentation, the more you will generate self-confidence. 

Next week we'll explore the power the audience gives you just by attending your event.

 Have you ever spoken before an audience? What was it like the first time? How long have you been doing it? Please, comment and share your experiences.

 Thanks!


 

That for Which I Am Grateful

Courtesy of Nicholas Tarling. freedigitalphotos.net

We all benefit from gratitude. Sometimes we forget to think about what we are thankful for. The world and all of its noises, stresses, cares, and distractions often get in the way. 

We have to be reminded about the blessings that daily have been loaded upon us. That's when it is good to give thanks.

While I was drafting this list, I was reminded of so many other things I am grateful for that I did not list. They aren't on the list only because they would make the list so long that it wouldn't be feasible for a blog post, but for a book! So here is my small sampling:

• people who love me and accept me and my flaws
• for running hot water
• a God who keeps working with me and has never given up
• my husband of 42 years, who is still enamored with me, and tells me so
• the fact that I can still get out of bed in the morning
• that I can actually walk a half mile in one whack! (there was a time that I thought I wouldn’t be able to again)
• that our children love us
• all of the help I have received with my writing, my art, and my music
• the friendship of others, freely given

I could go on, of course, who couldn't?

More on Grass Wheels

I have been writing and revising the story called Grass Wheels for the past year, struggling with various aspects of the manuscript: wondering if the characters were right, concerned about whether it should be in verse or prose, tormented by the old desire to 'please' a traditional publisher, sometimes forgetting that I have determined to self-publish. I tried to rewrite it as prose and, though it might have worked, I felt that the charm of the story suffered, so it is back to the poetic style in which it emerged from my mind.

Now that the manuscript is finished, the next struggle is in the form of illustration. Illustrating a story is (for me) just as hard as writing the manuscript. Questions abound:

• What color palette should I use?
• In what setting should it take place?
• What composition would be best?
• What should the characters look like?
• At what angle should the pictures be?
• How can I make the art as important as the text?
• How can I make the art lively and funny at the same time?

As I have sketched for days on end I have been assailed by frustration over my artistic skills, and that I can't 'just do it' like Nike™. Just doing it requires skill and practice, both of which are in short supply here, but not impossible to gain eventually by the said action. So, I'll keep you posted and post some of my art so you can see it, like the picture next door to this post. Never give up!

Children's Picture Books

Children's Picture Books

Justin's Question
My new children's book  is available for sale right now!  
 "Justin's Question" is a children's christian picture book about a boy who is searching for God. He asks the trees and rocks and other creatures if they have seen God. Their rousing answer is "Yes, yes! We have seen Him!" He wants to ask them something more, but they respond with loud praise, verbal and otherwise, preventing him from asking his question. Everyone becomes so loud that Justin has to shout to be heard. He keeps asking his question until he finds himself standing before the mountains, asking them for help.
Don't miss "Justin's Question," an excellent bedtime story of discovery. It is a book full of brilliant and colorful illustrations. Inspiration is taken directly from scriptures of the Holy Bible. "Justin's Question" comprises 36 pages of large print and colorful illustrations. 8.5" x 8.5." Soft-bound.
Get yours gift-wrapped here!
                                                   

                                

My Daddy the King is Very Busy!

This story is about a little girl who loves her heavenly father because she sees that He makes time for her even when He is very busy.  
Her story tells about how He interacts with His creation and the many things He does every day, yet He thinks about her and looks for opportunities to interact with her as well. This is a great tool for teaching children that God loves them unconditionally and that they can trust Him to be there for them.  
Newly revised, it is decorated with scroll work and large type on pages opposite brilliant color illustrations. 8"x6" in size.  42 pages.
Get yours gift-wrapped: here! 


ALSO: you can get My Daddy the King as a FREE e-book by going here!

The Elephant in the Room - #Flash Fiction

Hi. Here is a little story about a metaphorical elephant in the room. An 'elephant in the room' story can be metaphorical or literal. It could be about the thing in the room that everyone tries to avoid or the thing that commands attention: a thought, feeling, an actual elephant ; ). It could be anything.

  

Image courtesy of Simon Howden at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone moved around the room nervously taking care not to come too close to the coffee table in the center. They pretended not to notice the glass enclosure sitting there, but their movements were stilted and forced. If it weren't for the fact that the soiree was the most important social event of the season, and that the host was a multi-billion-dollar tycoon, capable of financing anyone's and everyone's business dreams or non-profit needs; the attendees would have been out of there in a New York minute. It was one thing to look at that which sat calm and composed in the enclosure but another thing entirely to have to talk about it to each other, and even praise the owner of the horrid creature, but praise her they did, while suppressing as much of the shivers that shimmied up their greedy little spines as possible.

   Shirlee enjoyed watching their discomfort and listening to their pretenses and polite, deceitful compliments. She had waited for almost three hours, searching for that one person who was in every crowd; that one person who was ingenuous, but shy and retiring. She watched for that one who might be a social moron but was drawn by fascination toward the glass enclosure. Whoever it was tonight, was controlling his or her excitement well. Shirlee's impatience was beginning to get the best of her. It was always a surprise to her, when her beneficiary revealed themselves. Typically, she would think she had guessed their identity before they came forward, with a shy but intense request to interact with each year's diversion. But, no one had come forward. Finally she would wait no longer.

She approached the coffee table and the enclosure that everyone else wouldn't look at, but found their eyes drawn to anyway, and opened the top of the container. The nervous movement of the crowd suddenly stopped, they stood transfixed, wide eyes watching in horror, some making little shrieks, and others groans of disgust. She slowly put her hand inside the tank and withdrew the hairy-legged, black thing that clung upside down to her hand, as counterpoint to the glittering rings on her fingers and the sparkling soft fabric of her cocktail dress.

Then she heard it. A soft intake of air that sounded like awe.

GRASS WHEELS

Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have a new idea for a book. It's working title is "Grass Wheels." It is about a boy who goes on a road trip with his family, and on that trip he is so bored that his imagination begins to take over. Every time he sees a 'grass wheel' on the side of the road it turns into an animal of some kind. His imagination is sometimes surprising, sometimes humorous. And just wait for the fun surprise ending! 
My inspiration for the story is the actual hay bales here in North Dakota. They are almost all round, not rectangular. While living in California, all of the hay bales I had ever seen were rectangular. The 'grass wheels' here are intriguing because of their different shape. You can see them on the side of the road or in a field. They are wonderful in the fields during the golden light that casts their shadows at the end of the day. After living here for over 15 years, I still love to see them.
cw

Love Them Clouds!

Excellent cumulonimbus.

When we arrived in North Dakota, I was entranced by the excellent cloud formations. Not only  are there big puffy clouds like the one at left, but when they become storm clouds they are absolutely awesome! 

Because I come from a relatively quiet area of the country when it comes to lightening and thunder storms, I was delighted to learn that there's more than enough to go around in North Dakota! We live at the upper extreme of tornado alley and so, tornadoes are rare, but still a concern. We do have sirens that sound every day at certain times, just to be sure that they are in working order. One of the little towns just 16 miles from us had a tornado visit the summer of 2007. I have had the dubious honor of being just a mile from one that showed up at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in 1996. That was the first one I had ever encountered. It was scary. 
Cw