Digging Deep Foundations

Hello, friends! I was so impressed by author Mary DeMuth's last e-zine, titled "Writing: Dig Deep Foundations Today." Mary offers some excellent advice for authors and also touched on some vital issues -  many of the same issues that I have been dealing with in my own writing life.

 

I have learned so much from reading Mary's book Authentic Parenting. It's excellent! I plan to apply many of her principles when I become a parent. I discovered when I taught 8th grade English last year that today's kids and the school environment are radically different than they were when I was in school. It was quite a rude awakening! :) But I loved my kids, of course, and I also coached girls' volleyball, which was really fun.

 

I also think what Mary said about celebrating accompishments and milestones is really important. I had always thought I would be on cloud nine and celebrate for weeks after I had signed my first major book contract. I WAS absolutely thrilled, no doubt! My husband and I praised the Lord for His goodness. However, then I had to move onto the next thing. I think a lot of writers find themselves in a constant search for the BBD... (the bigger, better deal). Instead of doing that, we need to take time to celebrate each door that God opens.

 

When you have a number of writing and editing projects on the table at any given time, it can be difficult to focus on celebrating the positives of each one, because you also experience struggles with some of them. Oh, the ups and downs of the writing life! I see why God made me such an "even keeled" person. I think being positive, maintaining a sense of humor and clinging to the ability to see the glass as half full are absolutely crucial to our success as writers. First and foremost, we must trust the knowledge that God has given us a unique message (and, hopefully, at least a smidgen of giftedness at writing) that He wants us to offer the world. I might be tempted at times to give up on MY message, but I will never give up on HIS message.

 

If you would like to sign up for Mary's e-zine mailing list, click on the following link and enter your e-mail address: visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101740695204. Enjoy!