Blog Entries for: February, 2010

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Interview and Book Give Away with Mary DeMuth

Dear friends, have you suffered abuse, hurt by those who are supposed to love and protect you? Has your past followed you into your present? Does it whisper words of defeat and failure in your ear? If so, then you're at the right place today.

I'm honored to introduce you to my precious friend, Mary DeMuth. Mary helps readers turn their trials to triumphs. Author of eight books, Mary mentors writers at The Writing Spa and through the popular blog Wannabepublished. Her writing is authentic, truth-filled, and full of redemption.

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February 23, 2010 | 21 Comments | View or add comments

Grits, Bacon, and Writers' Conferences

Last week I talked about the need to see the writing journey as an investment. And since this is the time to gear up for the writer's conference season, I decided to share one of my favorite conference stories. Some of you have heard it, but many of you haven't. Either way, I hope it will encourage you to take the leap and register for an upcoming conference. 

I sold my first article over grits and bacon at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I arrived early for breakfast and claimed my spot at Jesse Florea's table. As an editor at Focus on the Family, Jesse was sure to see that my article, Catch Your Child in the Act...of Being Good, was a perfect match for Focus' parenting newsletters. I was the first one at his table that morning and claimed two places--one for him and one for me. My heart pounded as I watched Jesse enter the dining room and head for his spot.

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February 16, 2010 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

Writing is No Different

This week I received an email from someone I'll be meeting at an upcoming writer's conference. She was discouraged because she had been going to conferences and working hard, but so far had only received only $25 for her efforts. She ended the email by saying that if it weren't for encouragement from a few people, she would just quit.

She's not alone. I know exactly how she felt. I remember working year after year, paying for postage, buying books and magazines on writing, and going to conferences...and I didn't even have $25 to show for it.

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February 9, 2010 | 15 Comments | View or add comments

Looking Out for Number One

In today's world, it's all about me . . . and it's all about you. It's all about what we want and what we need and what we'll do to get it. While game shows demonstrate how to wheel and deal our way to financial freedom, reality TV delivers a one-two punch of alliances and backstabbing. It's done in the name of entertainment, but if we're honest, we all secretly dream of being the top dog. Numero uno. The big cheese.   

Well, I hate to brag, but, well, I've been number one, and . . .let me tell you . . . it feels good! When I was ten years old, I won first place in the 4-H Talent Show for my rendition of the song, "Side-by-Side." My partner, an upside-down broom with a construction paper face, shared the spotlight. We won ten dollars together. It was a heady experience, and I was hooked.

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February 2, 2010 | 7 Comments | View or add comments

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