Candee Fick's Blog, page 17

Six Writing Lessons From Crochet

I’ve been editing a novel…which also means I’ve been procrastinating.

And in the disguise of looking like I’m actually doing something, I picked up an unfinished crochet project. Not anything especially fancy like a delicate baby afghan for a niece, but rather one whose sole purpose was to use up extra yarn and provide another warm throw to use while watching television or a movie on the couch. Or even better, while reading a book.

But as the stitches added up, I noticed a few things that app...

Meet My Critique Partner Laura Hilton

Longtime readers of my blog may have an inkling of how long I’ve been on this writing journey, but here’s a quick recap. I started writing in 2005, beginning with non-fiction articles and two book manuscripts before turning my attention to fiction. My first attempt at a novel in 2008 was truly awful but the rewrite in 2009 actually went on to be Runner-Up in ACFW’s Genesis contest. That same year I started blogging…and connected with the critique partner I still have today as I’m working on m...

Writing As Warfare To Push Back the Darkness

 

Earlier this year, an agent made a few predictions about the writing industry in 2017 and triggered a great debate about the future of Christian fiction. In a Facebook group I’m a part of, Mary Weber, author of the Storm Siren series, hammered back at the questions with the truth that Christian fiction will continue as long as there are Christians who write. She eloquently stated that we use our writing as warfare. That we personally soak in God’s truth through our personal devotional times...

Paralyzing Procrastination

So much to do and so little time. And what do I do? Almost nothing, except sit around guilt-ridden for how little has gotten done in the last month. (Please tell me someone out there can relate to this paralyzing procrastination!)

This year started out with such high hopes. My list of goal projects was ambitious but certainly doable, especially since I had discovered a new plan that would help me get the main things done while holding on to my precious sanity. Then I found myself fighting a b...

Learning To Abide

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 ESV)

When I started thinking about this new year, my mind immediately jumped to a list of things I’d love to accomplish. Books I’d like to write or publish. A business idea to launch. Financial goals...

Too Much Stuff

Everywhere I look, I see too much stuff. And not just stuff, a lot of dust-covered stuff. Which tells me two things. First, I hate dusting, especially in and around the nooks and crannies of all my stuff. And second, all that dust tells me that the items in question have not been used or moved in way too long and I should probably get rid of them so I don’t have to dust them anymore. Not to mention, dusting empty surfaces is so much easier than cluttered ones and then maybe, just maybe, I wou...

Get Your “But” In Order

Do I have your attention? When I say to get your “but” in order, I’m not talking about prying mylazy book-reading carcass off the couch and heading to the gym. (Although this time of year, that might be a good idea too!) The “but” I’m talking about is a mental shift. An attitude adjustment that will make all the difference in your faith walk this year.

Let’s see if I’m the only one who has ever said something like this. “Dear God, I know that You arefaithful and loving and own the cattle on a...

Goal Setting 2017 Style

Can you feel the anticipation a New Year brings? The blank pages of my calendar are loaded with days just waiting for a taste of the adventure 2017 holds. And if you’ve spent any time reading my blog at all, you know that I am big on goal setting so that those days get filled with meaningful activities that bring me closer to my Big Picture Dream. Because while I might not hit the target or reach the destination, having goals keeps my eyes focused on the things that matter the most. Not to me...

Christmas Came Early This Year

Every year, I find myself struggling to get my to-do list accomplished so I can finally sit down, relax, and enjoy the season. In the scramble to finish this year’s projects and brave the stores for those remaining perfect gift ideas, it’s sometimes hard to remember the blessings.

But Christmas came early for me this year and I’m excited to share the highlights. (In other good news, my house is already decorated, the traditional cheese balls and salamis are made, the shopping is complete, and...

Behind the Scenes with Author Marian Merritt

In a world where authors invest hours creating complex characters with unique quirks and set them loose into an adventurous romp through the pages, well sometimes the author becomes anonymous. And yet, we authors have our own unique likes, dislikes, and fun facts. So today, I’d like to take you behind the scenes with Marian Merritt with what she calls “Ten Things.”

Ten Things she likes a lot:

Jesus My Family Sunshine Rain Snow – only when it’s falling Baby Giggles Puppies (who doesn’t love p...