Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 23

Weekend Edition

  






If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes.  Please send to Seekerville2@gmail.com. If the winner does not contact us within two weeks, another winner may be selected. **(All winners' emails will receive a response within a week. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we may not have received it. Please leave a comment in the following Weekend Edition.)

Monday: Jaime Wright was our hostess
Tuesday: Dana Lynn spoke about listening to the Will of God when chasing dreams. Kaybee and Lisa Jordan both won a copy of one of her True Large Print editions. 
Wednesday: Ruth Logan Herne was our hostess
Thursday: Fresh off of the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in St. Louis, Mindy Obenhaus shared some tips for post-conference evaluation.




Monday: Jan Drexler, realizing that not all of us are as energetic as Ruthy or as analytical at Pam, will be sharing her experience as a hybrid author. Is it as doable as those two Seekers make it look? And there will be a giveaway!
Tuesday: Pepper Basham will discuss learning how to manage expectations after getting your first book published. - The Juggle is Real! 
Wednesday: Debby Giusti will discuss how writers can find peace on this International Day of Peace. Be sure to stop by and see what Debby is giving away!
Thursday: Pam Hillman is our hostess today. Join us to see what all is in store.    







RELEASES OCT 25th

IN A SNIPER’S CROSSHAIRS

By Debby Giusti

An assassin’s loose in Amish country…

and she’s not the only target.

When a radio broadcast describes taxi driver Lily Hudson’s passenger as an armed criminal, she becomes his immediate target. Narrowly escaping, Lily accepts Matthias Overholt’s offer to hide at his Amish family farm for Christmas—until evidence reveals the gunman’s plan is tied to Lily’s past. Now to prevent an assassination, Lily and Matthias must unravel a years-old conspiracy…and evade a sniper who has them in his sights.

 

Pre-Order HERE!
RELEASES NOVEMBER 8
DANGEROUS AMISH MEMORIESA 2-in1 featuringHER FORGOTTEN AMISH PASTBy Debby GiustiandHIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEWBy Diane Burke

Pre-Order NOW!

Now Available! Welcome to Hope Crossing, a brand-new series from award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus.
She came home to make things right Will she be given a second chance?Gloriana Prescott has returned to her Texas hometown to make amends—even if the townsfolk she left behind aren’t ready to forgive. But when her mother’s ranch manager, Justin Broussard, is tasked with saving the struggling rodeo so his teen daughter can compete, Gloriana sees a chance to prove she’s really changed. But can she prove to Justin, and the town, that she’s trustworthy? Get your copy today!Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target

Available on September 28th!

The new art gallery in town is causing quite a stir, and Emma is in the middle of it!
The Sweetbrier Inn is filled with guests, and the town is teeming with tourists who have come to celebrate Paragon Days, the official kickoff to the summer tourist season. But even before the festivities begin, amateur sleuth Emma Blackwood stumbles upon a dead body. With no visible signs of violence, Deputy Cal determines the death is from natural causes, but Emma isn’t so sure. Why would a seemingly healthy woman drop dead? And what does the picture she was holding have to do with it? If Emma doesn’t solve this puzzle soon, a killer may get away with committing the perfect crime.
Watch for a preorder link coming soon!



Disclaimer: Any blog post that includes an offer of product purchase or service is NOT to be considered an endorsement by Seekerville or any of our authors  (please see our Legal page )

Free Historical Romances offered by BookFunnel. Offer ends soon.
Not Just Another Post on POV by Lori Freeland at Writers In The Storm
Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 4: World Building by Becca Puglisi at Writers Helping Writers
The Necessity of Mental Layovers in Your Writing Career by Lisa Jordan at Learn How To Write A Novel
Grow Your Writing Business by Stepping Away from Your Computer by Alexander Lewis at Jane Friedman
Lessons from a Twenty Year NaNoWriMo Run by Kathy Kitts at NaNoWriMo blog
Welcome to the Future, Part 1 by Lisa Norman at Writers In The Storm
How to Hone Your Writing Process with a Step Outline by Mel Lee-Smith at Well-Storied
Techniques to Improve Your Book's Amazon Rank by Susan U. Neal at The Write Conversation
Beginnings - Not Just For Page One by Terry Odell at Kill Zone blog

ACFW in-person conference has returned

 Hello from St. Louis!

Well, actually, the ACFW 2022 conference ran from Sept 8 - 10. We're all home now, but the memories created will stick around forever! Many Seekers attended the long awaited in-person conference. Nothing beats seeing old friends and making new ones; giving hugs; sharing laughs and stories over chips and dip. Here are some highlights of the conference.

Post-Conference Evaluation

 by Mindy Obenhaus

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference in St. Louis. Something we haven't been able to do since 2019, so there was a whole lot of this going on.

Writers' conferences can be exhilarating and uplifting. They can rejuvenate your writing. But they can also be overwhelming. With so much information packed into just a few days, one can come home wondering what to do and where to start implementing all that you've learned. So here are a few tips for wading into those post-conference waters.

Rest - This is number one not only because you've been put through the paces physically, running from one workshop to the next, but because it's important for your mind. While you sleep, your mind processes all of that information you took in so when you finally review your notes, your recall will be better.

Break it down - Instead of reviewing your notes as a whole, focus on the workshops you attended one by one. Otherwise, they'll all blend together. By recalling individual sessions, you're apt to trigger even more recollections. Questions someone asked that you failed to write down (I'm the worst at notetaking). Comments from the presenter that weren't on the PowerPoint. 

Try out what you learned - Once you've reviewed the sessions you attended, contemplate how you can apply your new knowledge to your writing/publication process. Strategize each one by asking where it might fit or how you can best utilize them and then test them out.

Be realistic - I've been to a lot of writers' conferences over the last sixteen years and heard many stellar ideas. Ideas other people raved about. Yet didn't work for me. Everyone has to find their own writing process. What works for someone else might boost your productivity, or it might styme you. And no writer wants to feel stymied. So don't beat yourself up, simply set those notes aside and move on.

Writers' conferences can be beneficial no matter where you are in your writing career. We never stop learning. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into a workshop to find well-known, multi-published, best-selling authors among the students. Yet we all learn differently. So gather all the information you can, evaluate it, try it, then take what works for you and set aside the rest. Because we're always evolving, always moving forward, pressing on to that which God has called us to. 

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com

Feeling So Blessed!

 

Yes, I'm late getting my post up.

Yes... I knew it was my Wednesday!!!

And with all the good intentions of a strong Christian woman, I intended to have this all done last Friday.

And then life happened and the post didn't happen and it's pumpkin season here on the farm and I might be stretched in a few directions.

But...

Oh my stars, there could be worse things!

DRAGON LAIRS!!!!! Dragons were invited to live at the farm to help protect the fairies (because they're quite small, you know) and there are seven new dragon lairs tucked here and there.... because dragons, while misunderstood, are a cool thing to have on a pumpkin farm!

Worse things than having two lovely careers, writer and farmer. 

Worse things than being surrounded by grandkids and customers and joy.

Worse things than dusty shelves and dustier floors.

In Ruthy world, busy is vital.

In Ruthy world, if you've got time to rest you've got time to write, get ice cream, walk, make something, bake something... notice that cleaning didn't make that list, LOL!

I love being busy. (I also love the peace of winter, of being able to write several times/day, of being a little quieter because I know the season of busy looms again... happily.)

I've finished two Guideposts novella romantic mysteries, one full-length Guideposts mystery and a new 80,000 word Wishing Bridge book this year, and plan to finish a mystery before year's end.

So that's exciting! 

And we have more gorgeous pumpkins and mums than ever....

Also exciting.

So forgive me for being late! Forgive me for waxing on.... And I still have to mail books from August. That's my bad... but I am so blessed to be healthy, busy, focused (again, cleaning doesn't seem to rank high on the focus-meter)... :)

So while this post isn't filled with great writing substance, it is filled with love... for you, for life, for God, for all the blessings that are showered on us every day, even in these trying times of mega-inflation and division...  The blessings of another day, a new day. Of faith, family and friends. Of food on the table and a faucet that brings us clean, fresh water, 24/7/365.... The blessings of plumbing and electricity, of Internet and Abbott's Frozen Custard. :)

Sending you hugs and blessings on this mid-September day! God bless you!

Multi-published, bestselling inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne is busily arranging orange, yellow, white, green, striped, beige, caramel-toned, speckled, red, ivory, cream, blue, silver, gray, pink, coral, dappled and yes... even other pumpkins!!! She is co-owner of a pumpkin farm in Western New York and the author of over 70 novels and novellas. Ruthy loves God (cool dude alert!), her family, her country and kind of bleeds red, white and blue while loving on dogs and miniature donkeys. She loves to hear from folks... you can email Ruthy at loganherne@gmail.com or stop by Facebook (if she's not in Facebook jail) and chat it up with her or visit her website ruthloganherne.com. 

One More Year

Good morning, friends!

I woke up to the realization that I am one year older today. I look in the mirror, and I still don't believe it. I don't feel 52. But then, I never felt like I was 51, either. I'm grateful for this day, and for every birthday that came before. My maternal grandmother made it to 50 before passing away from cancer. She'd had a hard life and had eight children, one of whom died as a child because they couldn't her to the hospital fast enough. In contrast, I have been blessed with three healthy children and have watched them grow, in both faith and in years. I have a husband I love, a good job, and a gift of storytelling that I try to nurture and use well. 

There's no doubt I'm lucky. Someone asked me recently if I thought I was successful and what it meant.

I had to think for a moment. Was success winning awards? I've won a few. And I've been on bestselling lists. Again, exciting. but if that was all that measured success, it would still feel hollow. 

I guess it all comes down to my why. Why do I write? Why do I spend hours upon hours struggling to find the words? It all comes down to using the gift God gave me in the way He wants me to. I will admit, I got sidetracked this year. I became anxious and considered chasing dreams that were born out of the "Fear of Missing Out", otherwise known as FOMO, rather than seeking His wisdom. 

It led to anxiety. Subconsciously, I knew I was not on the right path. 

Then I went to ACFW. It was a time filled with friends and great learning opportunities.

I had no appointments. I had an opportunity to make a few. In the end, I let God handle it. I wound up having three very unexpected conversations that helped me to see that I needed to let go of some of the things I'd been chasing and realize God had placed me where I was for a reason.

Obedience. That is the grace I learned the last week of my 51st year. I cannot tell you how much peace I woke up with this morning. My heart is full of joy knowing that I will be writing another four Love Inspired Suspense books and a Guideposts novella in the next 12 months. I am renewed with excitement, wondering who God has in mind for the books to touch. Because we don't write in a vaccuum. God gives us gifts to touch hearts. 

What has God taught you recently? 

I will be giving 2 commenters their choice of one of my true large print editions.

Dana R. Lynn is a USA Today and Publisher's Weekly Bestselling award-winning author of romantic suspense and Amish romance who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. Although she grew up in Illinois, she met her husband at a wedding in Pennsylvania and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania and are entering the world of empty nesters. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. 

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray with the Steve Laube Agency. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. 

Readers can contact her or sign up to receive her monthly newsletter at www.danarlynn.com.

Making it Through

It's the season of school. Homeschool. And a super tight deadline looming overhead. AND a myriad of life stressors that make daily life challenging. My face looks pretty much like my son's in this photo. Intensively concentrating and focused. 
Do you find yourself going through stages of life like this? When balancing it all feels like more than a juggling act and instead, a complete plea for some miracles?
People ask me how I do it all? I usually respond "who says I do?"  LOL! But truly, my prayer is consistently that the Lord will redeem the time for me. That I will be centered in His grace and strength. That I will prioritize what He wants me to prioritize. 
I think sometimes we have a dream--at least I do--of that perfect writing day or week. Rainy. Comfy sweater. Coffee. Silence. A slow morning. Then curl up for a long concentrated period of time to whisk myself away into the world of imagination. 
It's been a long time since that's happened for me! As it is, I'm up before the rest of the family this morning. Yes, there's rain and a comfy sweater, but my task list in my project management software is long. My Virtual Assistant/Social Media Management business demanding me to meet a different set of deadlines. So while my characters lurk in the back of my brain and keep pounding "don't forget us and this deadline", I've already made coffee and am plugging away on the task list.
There's no simple checklist to maintaining a peaceful balance. I wish there was. Just prayer and lots of it. Some days, I just want to cry. Others, I feel like I can do this forever. Most days, I muddle through and wonder what it will be like in eternity ... will we have deadlines there too?
Are you in a season where you could use some extra strength, wisdom, and faith? What do you do to make it through? 
_____________________________
Jaime Jo Wright loves to read—and write—fiction with elements of mystery, faith, and romance from her home in Wisconsin. She's a coffee drinker by day and night, lives in dreamland, and exists in reality. 
Find her at www.JaimeWrightBooks.com or www.MadLitMentoring.com

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Jesus eats with sinners and publicans by Alexandre Bida, 1875.
[PD-US]
 

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,

but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them he addressed this parable.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:1-10

The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below. 

Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime.
Together, let's pray we can, once again, become a unified nation. Also, please join us in praying for the protection of our military and for law enforcement officers and border agents.   
Join us in praying for those who gave their lives on 9/11 andfor all the first responders who worked to save them.God bless those who grieve for loved ones and those whostruggle with the memories.GOD BLESS THEM, AND GOD BLESS THE USA!
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! 

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.       

Weekend Edition

  






If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes.  Please send to Seekerville2@gmail.com. If the winner does not contact us within two weeks, another winner may be selected. **(All winners' emails will receive a response within a week. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we may not have received it. Please leave a comment in the following Weekend Edition.)


Monday: Labor Day - Seekerville Closed
Tuesday: Mary has a new book coming in October - A Model of Devotion - bringing to a close the Lumber Baron's Daughters. Mary will also be in St. Louis this week for the ACFW conference. If you're there, look for her!
Wednesday: Winnie stopped by with a playful post on Acrostics.  Winners of their choice of any book in her backlist were  JCP, Karen Jennings, Connie Porter Saunders and AA Haynes. And for trying their hand at penning an original Acrostic JCP and AA Haynes each also win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Thursday: Christina Suzann Nelson talked about The Writing Life in Chaos
Friday:  Connilyn Cossette offered a powerful look at health and crisis as she talked about Writing Through the Valley


Monday: Jaime Wright will be our hostess today
Tuesday:  Dana Lynn will be our hostess today
Wednesday: Ruth Logan Herne will be our hostess today
Thursday:  Mindy Obenhaus will be our hostess today  



Mary's Adventures in St. Louis L-R Audra Harders, Erica Vetsch, Candee Fick and Mary the Selfie Queen???

Here's one without me (mercifully) Liz Curtis Higgs made us laugh and touched our hearts as the keynote speaker



Pepper Basham and Mary

Erica and I caught Pam Hillman running past. We about had to tackler her to stop her from the hard work she's doing to help run the ACFW conference. For long enough to smile for the camera!



Beth Erin! I found you!Okay, she found me.
Carol Moncado and Kate Breslin and Mary
Mary with Seekervillager Karen Jennings!Thanks so much for saying hello!




Mary with Jenn TuranoRockin' the Jimmy Johns


DANA!! Mary with Dana LynnShe found me, too.I seem to have brain fog and can't even find myself!
Fellow Nebraska Author Tasha Hackett and Mary


Carol Moncado, the famous Cookie Lady of ACFW

Oops! How did that incredibly adorable granddaughter of Mary Connealy's sneak onto this blog?She wasn't at ACFW!!!


And I found the Arch.The St Louis Arch.No one has arms long enough for this selfie

Mary, Pepper and Audra in the Lobby

L-R Audra, Mindy, Mary, Beth, Pam hanging out at the Starbucks

Mindy, Erica and Audra finding a quiet place to talk


# # #
RELEASES OCT 25th

IN A SNIPER’S CROSSHAIRS

By Debby Giusti

An assassin’s loose in Amish country…

and she’s not the only target.

When a radio broadcast describes taxi driver Lily Hudson’s passenger as an armed criminal, she becomes his immediate target. Narrowly escaping, Lily accepts Matthias Overholt’s offer to hide at his Amish family farm for Christmas—until evidence reveals the gunman’s plan is tied to Lily’s past. Now to prevent an assassination, Lily and Matthias must unravel a years-old conspiracy…and evade a sniper who has them in his sights.

 

Pre-Order HERE!
RELEASES NOVEMBER 8
DANGEROUS AMISH MEMORIESA 2-in1 featuringHER FORGOTTEN AMISH PASTBy Debby GiustiandHIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEWBy Diane Burke

Pre-Order NOW!

Disclaimer: Any blog post that includes an offer of product purchase or service is NOT to be considered an endorsement by Seekerville or any of our authors  (please see our Legal page )

The Second Most Important Thing by Greer Macallister at Writer UnBoxed
Flesh Out Your Character with Want vs Need by Jessica Flory at Live Write Thrive
Five Ways Readers Can Help Their Favorite Authors by Patricia Bradley at Learn How To Write A Book
Is the Biggest Publisher the Best Publisher for You? by Tamela Hancock Murray at Steve Laube Agency
Do You Need Personal Experience to Write About Something? by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
Book Marketing on Repeat by Codi Gary at Book Brush blog
5 Fresh Ways to Interact with Your Readers by Claire Bradshaw at Writer's Edit
Stay Connected to God on the Writing Journey by Julie Lavendar at The Write Conversation
20 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Through Difficult Times by Mary Jaksch at Write To Done
Creative Spaces by John Gilstrap at Kill Zone blog

Writing Through the Valley - Connilyn Cossette

When I received a diagnosis of breast cancer a little over a year ago, my world was turned upside down overnight. Not only was I facing extensive chemotherapy, major surgery, and radiation but all my plans, both personal and professional, were thrown into disarray. The news came at the end of June when the first book of my new series was due in October and had recently taken on an additional (super-secret) project that was due in December. I’d started both projects but neither was anywhere near completion. Low-level panic ensued. 

In the past six years since being published, I had never missed a deadline. My perfectionism went haywire as I realized I had no choice but to ask for more time to complete both books. Of course, my publisher was more than understanding of my situation and allowed me to stretch the deadline of the first project out a few months—but due to the special nature of the extra project, they were unable to give me more than a few extra weeks. Therefore, I had no choice but to push forward while I was undergoing treatment to finish that project on time. The idea of writing a book during chemotherapy was really daunting and I honestly was not sure I would be able to complete what I had been contracted to do. But I was determined to fight, both cancer and the temptation to give up as I entered the deepest valley I’d ever faced.

However, “chemo brain” is a very real thing and it is hard, my friends. There were days when I literally could not find more than a few words inside my fuzzy brain and times when I would try to read pages from my manuscript and they made absolutely no sense to me. There were days when I was so sick I couldn’t even get my nauseated self out of bed. And days I was just too tired to even pick up a pen. But in this past year, I learned some very important lessons. The first is that I really am stronger than I ever believed I was.

If you would’ve told me two years ago that I was going to battle stage three breast cancer and write two books during treatment I absolutely would have laughed at you. I am a classic procrastinator by nature and, like every other modern American, struggle with the idolatry of comfort. And yet, I did it. I dug into reserves of perseverance that I did not know I possessed and fought fear, doubt, and bone-deep-fall-on-the-kitchen-floor weariness to finish my stories. Cancer taught me to take each day as it came, to not dwell on things I could not control, to give my body and mind rest when it called for it, and to keep moving forward even when I felt like pulling the covers over my head and giving in. It showed me that I am a warrior. 

But of course, I did none of this solely through my own strength. The second lesson I learned in vivid technicolor was the sustaining nature of my Father in heaven. Honestly, when this all began I was absolutely terrified of the suffering I was facing, but as I took each step through the valley of the shadow of death, I experienced a depth of peace I never thought possible. And on days when I had no words in my chemo-addled brain, it was my pleas to the Great Author that provided them. And when I needed help with cleaning my house or folding laundry or providing meals for my family, He sent the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet of Jesus to us. I literally felt the prayers of His people lifting me up from start to finish and keeping me motivated to write stories that would bring glory to the name of the God Who Hears and the God Who Sees. 

However, even when the first book was complete and submitted and I had a whole six months to complete the second one, new challenges surfaced that would test my hard-won perseverance and strength. My parents fell severely ill, which also revealed that both of them were suffering from much more severe dementia than we knew and that my father was in late-stage metastatic cancer. Two weeks after my deadline, I flew to Washington to help move my dad to a memory care facility since he no longer recognized anyone and relocate my mom to Texas near me so I could oversee her care. It’s been a long period of adjustment for all of us, none of it easy, but through it all, I continued to write. 

The bonus lesson in all this was what an incredible gift writing can be in seasons of hardship. Just like books invite readers to immerse themselves in a different time and place, writing allowed me to take the focus off my difficult circumstances and instead take regular vacations to my storyworld. Letting my imagination whisk me away from the realities of sickness and pain and grief, even for an hour or two a day, was a huge blessing and kept me from falling prey to depression, even when my Dad ended up passing away two weeks before my second deadline extension for the next manuscript—leading to yet another request to my incredibly patient and understanding editor for a few more weeks to finish up the book while dealing with funeral arrangements and multiple cross country trips with my Alzheimer’s stricken mom, all while I was undergoing my last two weeks of radiation…

Yeah, it’s been a tough, tough year. 

But I am happy to report that I am now cancer free (woohoo!), my mom is finally settled and stabilized, and both the super-secret project and Book One of The King’s Men Series is finished. Were they the best or cleanest manuscripts I’ve ever turned in? Nope. Not by a long shot. But thank goodness there is plenty of time to edit (which is where the true magic of writing happens anyway, in my opinion).

So here’s the thing, fellow writer. You and I are called by God to share Hope with the world through our stories. We can rely on the Father to not only give us inspiration to craft those stories but to carry us through whatever circumstances we face as we do so. Whether you are enduring health challenges, grief, a major move, struggles with children, a broken marriage, financial issues, or anything else…  He will sustain you. When we are scraping the bottom of our own strength reserves and fighting lack of motivation or inspiration, He will make up the difference. All we have to do is ask. Trust Him to provide. Listen for his Voice as He guides us through those shadowy places. And because I think someone out there really needs to hear this: give yourself grace, my writing friend. If you need rest for your body or mind or both, take it. If you need to ask for that extension, ask for it. There are times to push through with the Lord’s help and times when it’s all right to set the project aside and come back when you are refreshed and rejuvenated. Sometimes strength is saying no and simply being still. 

Whatever the case may be for your current life and writing season, I pray God gives you the discernment He’s faithful to provide. May you rest in knowing that even in the midst of suffering there can be joy, fresh inspiration, and new depths of faith. May the steadfast love of the Lord be your strength and may your stories shine the light of the One who strengthens you as He carries you through even the darkest of valleys. 
______________________________

Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-five years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas their home. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com

The Writing Life in Chaos - Christina Suzann Nelson

Hello all!! We have a guest blogger today, and we're pleased to welcome Christina Suzann Nelson of Bethany House Publishers! 

___________________

When I stepped into this writing journey, I was a homeschooling mom of four, and I thought I was busy. I managed to learn and practice the art of storytelling in ten-minute segments in the car as I waited for kids to finish activities. It was tough, but I had a dream, and I was willing to make the time to move toward my goals. 

By the time I signed my first contract, the kids had begun launching into adulthood, and I thought it would be smooth and simple with my focus squarely aimed at my budding career.

That’s just not how life works on the Nelson Farm.

My husband and I soon found ourselves the parents of six as we were blessed by two “unplanned” adoptions. Then Covid filled our house to bursting with four kids doing school from home and my husband working wherever he could set his laptop. My foolish heart continues to believe this was only a season and soon I would be working without interruption again. 

But BRCA.

A diagnosis of the BRCA 1 mutation, the breast cancer gene, quickly turned my plan upside down, renaming 2022 as the year of many surgeries. 

When I began to write, I found myself focusing on King David’s words from 2 Samuel 24:24: “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” NIV Why had I assumed serving the Lord with my writing wouldn’t include sacrifice? It does. It always will. And, it should.

To follow the path God has designed for our lives, we all must give up things that look tempting. At times, we may struggle with the envy as a friend takes a long cruise through the Mediterranean while we stare at a screen, hoping just one person might be turned toward God through our stories. We might find ourselves tapping away at the keyboard while an eager child rips a brush through our hair to make it “pretty.” And, we may need to change our expectations for how our homes look to others, how often we manage to get a haircut, and how quickly we see to that leaky faucet. 

Life is filled with chaos. It’s messy and full and made to point us toward an eternity where we will no

longer have to make choices between writing time and a homecooked dinner. 

Here are a few things I’ve learned that help me write in the chaos. Take what works for you and ignore what doesn’t.

Make your children your first ministry. For me, this means I step out of my office when they arrive home from school. I take time to hear about their days and spend time connecting with them. However, when they are home all day long, this doesn’t mean my writing ceases. My children are served well by learning they are not the center of the universe. I am available to them, but my work is important too, and so is having balance in my life. Now, my little girls are nine and eleven, so they’re old enough to understand that practicing their own creativity and time management is a skill I want them to work on. If they were babies, I’d likely be writing at naptime and after bed.

Priorities rule. I heard many years ago that a person can manage three things well. By sorting out my top three, I’m able to make decision for my time with greater ease. When life is busy, I say no to anything that doesn’t fall within my three priorities.

Embrace the planner junkie lifestyle. I love my planners, especially detailed paper planners. Whether you’re into the digital scene, or like me, you trend old-fashioned for time management, be sure to keep your commitments marked in one place. It’s so easy to miss deadlines, author events, school commitments, etc. when you don’t have them right in front of you. If you’re a digital planner, set reminders. If you’re a paper person, keep that planner near you with the current day open. 

Simplify the menu. This little trick has saved me so many times. When chaos crowds in, we go back to a rotating menu. That means we have the same dinners each week. If spaghetti is on the table on Monday, you can count on seeing it again the next Monday. Not only does this relieve my brain from having to figure out meals, but it also makes our grocery shopping list nearly the same each week. 

Take regular breaks. Maybe it’s just me, but I find sometimes the chaos is living inside my own head. When I take breaks to be still, I’m able to see what’s going on around me with better clarity. 

I’ll be finished with my surgeries sometime in the first part of 2023. The little girls will be at school, and my adult children will be managing their own lives. My husband will continue to leave for the office each working day, and I will have long quiet hours to write. At least that’s what appears to be on the horizon. Only God knows what’s really next. 

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Christina loves to read and write stories that touch the heart and change lives. Represented by Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such Literary. You can learn more about her and her writing at her website, www.christinasuzannnelson.co