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Whether you’re looking for a Christian women’s event speaker, an author, or a writing instructor, you’ve come to the right place! Go ahead, take your shoes off and get comfortable. Let’s get to know each other!

And while you're here, I hope you'll check out my new book trailer for Seeing Through the Lies. ;-)

The Christian Writer's Den Blog

Welcome to The Christian Writer's Den! If you're a writer, ever thought about writing, or just like to hang around writers, I hope you'll join us! I post every Tuesday, but you can visit and comment anytime. Here's the schedule:

1st Tuesday-Encouragement from the Bible with application to the writing life.
2nd Tuesday-Writing instruction and kudos for recently published readers. 3rdTuesday-Writing instruction and list of writing opportunities.
4th Tuesday-Visiting author interview and book give away.
5th Tuesday-We'll have a guest blogger--and it could be YOU!

Please don't be shy. This blog is for you, whether you're just considering writing, have been writing for years, or just enjoy hanging around writers, so please leave a comment or question any time. It's my prayer that this blog will help each of us grow in God's calling on our lives.

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Owning Your Talent by Guest Blogger Marilyn Shipe

Do you know what today is? Yep--it's the fifth Tuesday, and that means it's guest blogger day! I'm thrilled to introduce my friend, Marilyn Shipe. Marilyn is an aspiring magazine freelance writer. She's a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the CBI Clubhouse. She enjoys attending writers conferences and is currently working on an historical novel, a young adult mystery novel, and enjoys writing poetry. Marilyn is editor of three monthly newsletters. She also enjoys knitting, cooking, scrapbooking, and reading. Be sure to check out Marilyn's daily blog.

Welcome, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today!

Owning Your Talent by Marilyn Shipe

Aarti Sequeira is or was a food blogger.

I'm not sure she has much time right now for blogging since she recently won the coveted title of the Next Food Network Star on Sunday, August 15th. I watched her debut show the following week, and she did a fantastic job. Her rise to stardom and dream job began with blogging which is nothing more than another word for writing.

I never even heard of Aarti before I began watching the Next Food Network Star show, but I suppose our paths were destined to cross since she has become an inspiration to me and it all began with writing. I'm sure she had no aspirations of becoming a cooking show host when she penned her first comments on food. Her blog opened a door of opportunity of immense proportion for her.

The show pits twelve contestants against each other through various challenges and competitions I'm sure might even make Paula Deen cry Uncle. At various times, Aarti expressed hesitation and a lack of self-confidence in winning. Her cooking skills of her beloved Indian cuisine were repeatedly applauded by the show judges. But her camera comments strongly revealed she wasn't owning her talent as a chef or her ability to host her own show.

I've only been writing seriously for sixteen months, and I am truly in my writing apprenticeship time. Thankfully, I've had several articles published which proves there are people out there who will publish someone who doesn't have a lot of skill. I'm grateful for those people.

Even though I adore being a writer and all of the excitement and fun that accompanies the craft, I struggle with a lack of confidence. Perhaps this is due to my inexperience. I am aware of the fact that when I write something, I do believe God can and does work through me, but I'm also aware that it's my name on the piece I've created.

In the parable of the talents in the New Testament, the unprofitable servant was given one talent which he buried because he was afraid of the responsibility to produce anything from that talent. When I pondered this, I began to realize this is my problem as well. I have three friends who, whenever I'm around them, constantly tell others I am a writer. I began to wonder why I am embarrassed at their expressions of happiness and joy over my becoming a writer. I believe it is because I am fearful of owning whatever writing talent God may have given me. I play it safe by denying I'm a writer. But doing this is risky business. It's not that I'm afraid of rejection, but failure. It takes courage and faith in God to be a writer. Not only are there opportunities to succeed, but to fail as well.

One of my favorite quotes from Aarti Sequeira, after her "Ah-ha" moment on the show, was when she said, "Through these trials, I have discovered I deserve to be here, I have something to offer, and I know I can do this." Last year, I believe God called me to be a writer. Today, after much soul-searching, I can confirm what Aarti said, "I, too, deserve to be a writer. I know I have something to offer others who may be struggling with life issues, and I know, by God's grace, I can do this." My prayer for tomorrow is to fully use and own any God-given writing talent for His honor and glory.

What a great reminder, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

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Only One More Week to Reach Our Goals! Will You Win A Prize?

How are you doing on reaching your September 7 goal? I'm finally making progress and am confident I'm going to do it! Don't give up!

And as an extra incentive, I'm going to have a special gift for one Goal-Reacher. Will it be you? Be sure to check back next week for details.

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Who's the Winner of Jan Coates' Book?

"Simply" Sue Falcone! Congratulations, Sue! All you have to do is contact me with your mailing address and your autographed copy of Set Free will be on its way to you!

And to those who didn't win, be sure to check out Jan's website, where you can get your own copy.

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The End is Near!

The end of the Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price Sale, that is. Today, August 31, is the last day to purchase one downloadable writing class or book and get another item of your choice for half price. Quick--check out the details before it's too late! 

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It's Not Too Late to Plan for the North Texas Christian Writers Conference!

I'm looking forward to being back at the North Texas Christian Writers Conference September 17-18 in the Dallas area. I'll be teaching four classes:

• Five Fatal Flaws of Fiction
• Teaching Children Biblical Truth through Secular Fiction
• The Non-Fiction Book: Concept to Contract
• Plays and Sketches: Biblical Truth from the Stage

I'll also be presenting a keynote, New Writer Bloopers--a hilarious look at some of my early mistakes as a new writer. It'll entertain and encourage you!

I'd love to see you there!

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Today's guest blogger, Marilyn Shipe, challenged us to accept our giftings and use our talents for the Lord's glory. Paul encouraged us to do that same 2000 years ago with these words:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Accept the challenge. Be what God created you to be.

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

August 31, 2010 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

Interview and Book Give-Away with Author/Speaker Jan Coates

Happy Tuesday to you! Today I'm thrilled to introduce my friend, Jan Coates. God uses Jan as a Difference-Maker within His Kingdom to help others experience a new perspective filled with positive change from the inside out.

A non-denominational Christian, Jan has served in ministry for more than 25 years. She is a savvy, highly-respected sales/marketing/motivational professional with more than 20 years Fortune 500 experience as well as a Christian speaker and author.

That is a remarkable bio, but it's not the part that I feel makes Jan so special. Unlike some motivational encouragers, Jan's family of origin was not filled with stability, love or nurturing. In fact, her testimony alone is enough to take your breath away:

• Raised by a mentally ill mom.
• Endured a childhood filled with unthinkable abuse.
• Married at age 17-a divorced mom at 19.
• Experienced the death of her only biological child to a drunk driver.
• Battled depression.
• Faced life-threatening cancer.

After all that, you'd think she would have nothing to give . . . no hope to share. But Jan is just the opposite.

God mended her and then transformed her pain into positive passion so He could use her to help transform others. She's a "good as new" vessel, pouring out the love God continually pours into her. And she couldn't be happier!

Jan loves what she does: writing and speaking--encouraging, motivating, and equipping others. Her refreshing writing/speaking ministry has changed thousands of lives. She's a frequent guest on national radio and television broadcasts, including Campus Crusade for Christ, Faith Broadcasting, Hope for Today, The Harvest Show, Family Net TV/At Home, Total Living Network, Moody's Midday Connection, and many others.

Her book Set Free is endorsed by Steve Arterburn, Neil Anderson, Chuck Smith, Jr., as well as The Salvation Army. She also has a Set Free small group program and Set Free Today e-zine. Jan is a contributing writer to several anthologies and her articles have appeared in Crosswalk.com, CBN.com, Significant Living, Together, Women Alive! Faith and Friends, Christian Women Today, and many other Christian magazines and e-zines.

Jan and her family reside in College Station, Texas. I hope you'll check out her website, www.jancoates.com. And she'd be happy to hear from you at Jan@JanCoates.com

Would you like to win a copy of Jan's book? Don't forget to leave a comment on this interview and you'll be in the drawing. Be sure to check back next week to see if you're the winner!

Welcome to The Christian Writer's Den, Jan. Set Free is written from your perspective as a childhood abuse victim. How emotionally difficult was it to write this book?

During the Set Free five-year writing season, I frequently argued with God. "I really don't want to do this, God," I pleaded. "Can't you give me something easy to write?" The temptation to trash this project and forget what God had called me to do entered my mind more than once. At times, the daily pain of reliving the agony of my past, as well as bearing the indescribable pain of the other survivors in this book, shrouded me like a dark cloud. However, we all must get through the valley of facing truth in order to gain entrance to the doors of freedom. I've discovered the truth about writing for God: Set Free is not about me. It is not about the survivors. Set Free is about reaching one more woman broken by the abuses of her past and sharing God's healing power. 

There are some shocking statistics in the book about abuse and how widespread it is. Please share some of the statistics to help us see the impact of abuse.

Here are just a few of the childhood abuse statistics:

• One in three women sitting on the pews of our churches has experienced some form of childhood abuse.
• Every two minutes a child is sexually assaulted.
• 80% of substance (alcohol, prescription and illegal drugs) abusers were abused as children.
• 93% of female prison inmates were abused as children.

Who will benefit by reading Set Free?

Set Free will speak to anyone who has experienced childhood abuse. This book will also help counselors, pastors, friends, and family members comprehend the ramifications of childhood abuse and help those they know who are seeking to begin a journey of victory and healing.

Whether we're fifteen or eighty-three, if we've experienced childhood abuse, the child inside us needs healing. Regardless of where we are, we will find new freedom as we release our pasts and pursue our futures through a personal healing journey.

The book is very personal in that you address the readers as friends. Why do you do that?

I refer to readers as my friends, because John 15 tells us to love one another and to share everything we have learned from the Lord. As I sacrifice and surrender details of my life and the lessons of truth found in God's Word, I do so eagerly in the hope that all readers, my friends, may also begin to overcome their own difficult pasts.

What role does hope play in overcoming abuse?

Hope is the critical healing ingredient. Hope in Jesus inspires us to look at our own lives in the light of God's love. This hope gives us the strength to endure this life-changing healing journey and be set free from our pasts to pursue our hope-filled futures.

Jan, please share a couple of truth nuggets for someone who has experienced childhood abuse.

First, if you are a survivor, please know that you did not ask to be abused. You did nothing to cause the abuse. The abuse was not your fault. The perpetrator is the guilty one-not you.

Second, the abusive experiences of your past are what happened to you-they do not define you. John 1:12 tells us that to all of us who believe in Jesus, he gives the right to become children of God. This is forever our identity-daughters and sons of Christ. Understanding that we are members of God's family eternally helps us to let go of the labels of our past and move forward as a Daughter or Son of the King.

For more information on this topic, please visit www.setfreetoday.com.

What are you currently working on?

My new book, working title: 10 Secrets to a New Life, will release 2011. It is written to everyday women who want to get their inside world-heart and mind-put right so they can achieve and maintain a godly, positive perspective.

Thank you, Jan, for sharing your story, your life, and your book with us. I know there are many out there who have struggled with letting go of the past, and your book sounds like just the thing to help them do it!

Now, don't forget, my friends-when you leave a comment on this blog, you'll be in the drawing for an autographed copy of Jan's book! Don't forget to check back next week to see if you're a winner!

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September 7 is Quickly Approaching! Are You Working on Your Goal?

Don't give up! I've had a crazy couple of weeks and am a long way from reaching mine, but I will do it! Let's reach our goal together!

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Hurry! Only One More Week! The Back to School Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price Sale on Books and Downloadable Writing Classes Ends August 31

Want to learn How to Have Magazine Editors Calling YOU? Wondering how to Write for Children? Want to learn about Writing Opportunities for Christian Writers? Need some books for you or your kids?

Purchase one item and get a second for half price! You can get details here. But you must hurry--sale ends August 31st.

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As Jan reminded us, we do not have to go through life wearing the scars of abuse. Praise God our past does not have to predict our future!

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

August 24, 2010 | 21 Comments | View or add comments

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