Writing From Home

Lamenting Limitations

I've never liked limitations. Diets, budgets, schedules. I despise them all. For some reason I think I should be able to do it all: eat what I want and be thin, spend what I want and have money in savings, do what I want and have time and energy to spare. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way.

Barbara Curtis said something at Mount Hermon that has stuck to me like poison oak, making me uncomfortable until I do something about it. She said, “As a writer, your life will not look like the life of other mommies who do not share your call.”

That’s true I thought, in addition to all the things my "normal" mommy friends do, I write, edit, lead a writers group, attend conferences, submit articles and book proposals, receive rejections and encouragement and spend a lot of time improving my craft. I write blogs, read constantly, critique other writer’s work and learn everything I can about the Christian publishing industry. Wow! No wonder I sometimes feel overwhelmed.

What I think Barbara was telling me was that if I am going to take my call to write seriously, I must do all of the above instead of some of the things my mommy friends do.

If I am going to be a fully-engaged mommy and fulfill my call to write, I have to take some things out of my life. That’s the part that itches and then hurts when I scratch it.

I’ve been wrestling with what to take out of my life.

Maybe I could cut out some of my daily chores. Did you know it takes about 24 hours a year to make my bed every morning? It’s true, I did the math. That’s a whole day! Just think of the time I could save by not making dinner and not doing laundry? Wouldn’t that be something? Right. That'll never work.

So, I have to look elsewhere for things to cut. And I’ve started by saying “no” to all new opportunities that do not directly benefit my marriage, family or writing. That’s right, “no” to watching TV--unless I’m ironing or cooking. “No” to going out to lunch with girlfriends. “No” to selling hot dogs at my son’s baseball games.  

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go overboard and live like a monk. I will still get the occasional pedicure and celebrate birthdays with friends. I’m not going to be legalistic about it, I’m just adjusting to make more room in my life for my writing. Without taking time away from my Jesus, my husband and my children. I’m learning to live within my limitations of time and energy. How about you?

Gratefully,

Beth

Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference Brain Drain

Attending Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference is like drinking from a fire hose. My mind is swimming in a whirl of post-conference thoughts.

For five glorious days, I learned fiction writing from Davis Bunn.  I took workshops taught by wonderful authors like Barbara Curtis, BJ Taylor, Brandilyn Collins, and many others whose names don’t start with B. I met agents and editors who are very intimidating by reputation, but very personable and encouraging face to face. Bill Butterworth taught every night. I laughed, I cried, it moved me!

I met several of my “virtual” friends from blogs, Facebook and Twitter. I enjoyed getting to know Mary Hampton, MelodeeMelodee (I never did learn her last name), Cheryl Ricker, Cheri Williams, Jan Kern, Tricia Goyer and Sharon Souza. It turns out they are all real people. And really terrific people.

Prayer was an important element in this year’s conference for me. I prayed with the Inspire writers constantly, even with one who didn’t come. We kept in touch by phone. I know the other members of Inspire were also praying for us.

I pitched my grief devotional book and received some very helpful feedback from one agent. She told me my writing was too safe and I need to put more of myself on the page. And you know, I did not take her words personally or feel defensive. I actually appreciated her comments and told her so. For those of you who know me well, you know this shows some growth on my part. So I will re-work the manuscript until it is permeated with my blood and re-submit it.

I also pitched a novel that I recently started writing and received a very favorable response from another agent. She wants to see the project when half the chapters are completed.

So, I have my marching orders. I will be a busy writer for the foreseeable future.

I’ll keep you posted.

Gratefully,

Beth

 

Mount Hermon Day One

Here we are on the beach in Santa Cruz, CA. The sunglass-clad cuties with me are Lori Sinclair, Dee Aspin and Joanne Kraft.

Praying on the beach was a great start to a full day. Our first official conference activity was lunch, which was fabulous. The food at Mount Hermon is always good. I'm glad we do a lot of hilly walking here to offset the calories.

Later I connected with several friends—real and virtual. It is fun to meet Facebook and Twitter friends in person.

It's always fun to meet the authors of really great books and there are quite a few of them here. The book-signing party will be a blast.

I met an agent today and will be pitching my devotional book to her tomorrow afternoon. (That's a cue for my prayer warrior friends to pray! Thanks.)

Thankfully, I am not the nervous wreck I have been at past writer's conferences. The editors and agents are just not as frightening as they have been in the past. Or maybe I'm growing thicker skin.

It's getting late and we have to get up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow, so I'm off to bed. More tomorrow.

 

Gratefully,

Beth

 

I’m Going to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Very early tomorrow morning, I will be heading to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference with a group of writers from Inspire. I am so excited that I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.

Why am I so excited?

• Well, Mount Hermon is a gorgeous place, located a short drive from Santa Cruz and some beautiful Northern California beaches.

   

• I love spending time with Christian writers. These are my people. Really. Something amazing happens when a group of people who love Jesus and love to write come together to worship God, seek his will and improve their craft.

   

• I get to travel with several of the Inspire Christian Writers! We will be praying for and with each other throughout the conference.

   

• I can't wait to meet several online friends (from Facebook, Twitter, and ShoutLife) and connect with them in real life.

   

• I get to spend five days alone with Jesus. (As alone as I can be with hundreds of other writers.) Every time I attend a Christian writer's conference Jesus shows up. He speaks to me and gives me direction, affirmation and lots of love. I need that.

   

• The classes and workshops and keynote addresses are always fantastic. I learn and grow and am stretched in ways I never imagined each time I attend.

   

• And I'll be meeting with agents and editors to pitch my books.

So, now I'm off to bed to try and sleep. My next post will be from Mount Hermon.

Gratefully,

Beth

PS: Thanks to those of you who are praying for me, Dee, Joanne, Lori, Chris and Kelli. We really appreciate it!