*PERSEVERE* God’s Word for the Year

GREETINGS, and Welcome to the New Year! As someone on a writing loop I belong to said,

“New year, new hope, same Jesus to walk with us every step of the way.”

And that’s the truth, right?

How many of you actively seek a ‘word’ from God for each new year? Or does God somehow give you a word or phrase to encourage you in whatever it is you wish to accomplish through the next 365 days? Many do. Last year, I did neither: no word whispered in my ear, nor did I specifically seek one.

But this year, on Saturday, one word kept niggling at the back of my mind: PERSEVERE

It’s a good word, especially for me at this time in my life. I didn’t come to writing until after I reached the half-century mark, and didn’t see my first book published for almost 20 years after that. Now, having passed the three-quarter-century mark, I’m feeling the crunch of time closing in on me.

Through all the intervening years, there were…and still are…so many times I felt like giving up, telling myself:

• I’m wasting my time


• Nobody will want to read this


• I’ll never be able to compete with other writers


• I can’t write like [fill in the blank] so why bother?


• There are so many great books out there, who’ll read something from an unknown?


• Writing is too hard…too much work.


• Where will I find new ideas.

And so on—all the lies and self-doubt the enemy throws at us, and not only writers. Anyone who wants to find purpose in their lives, their career, other responsibilities…that old wolf keeps prowling, seeking whom he may devour.

I’ll bet you can add to the list above.

Yet, because I didn't give up, in the last four years since my first book debuted, I’ve had one more novel published, five short-stories in several compilations, and am currently writing a series of my own…the first two published, the third in edits, and am one-third of the way through the fourth.

So, take that, you big, bad wolf. Your lies won’t stop me nor deter me from doing God’s work with the stories He gives me.

Here’s a closing scripture to think about:

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Yes, God is good…all the time!

Blessings to you and yours in this Year of Our Lord, 2016

Don’t forget to leave your comments. I love reading them. If you wish to contact me privately, use the Contact Me button above.

TWEETABLES:

[bctt tweet="Don't let satan's lies deter you from God's purpose for your life. #writing #persevereance #amwriting"]

[bctt tweet="God has a #purpose for your #writing life. If you believe that, satan can't stop you. #amwriting #persevere"]

Darlene Franklin on Writing Talk Tuesday w/Giveaway

My bio starts out saying, “My greatest claim to fame is that I write from a nursing home.” People seem to find that amazing. I’m not sure why--I talk with authors struggling with cancer, heartbreaking family situations, crippling pain and arthritis—and they think I have it hard.

Here are my insights from inside. He, he, I’m a poet and don’t know it.

People are right. Writing from a nursing home is difficult, and not only because of the physical problems that landed me here. My time is not my own. I’m never sure when I’ll have meals, a shower, or a doctor’s appointment. I’ll show up for an activity only to learn that it’s been postponed or cancelled. Access to the internet and social media depends on the home.

And yes, at times I don’t feel well.

But I spent most of my life working full time, raising an emotionally disturbed daughter, traveling by bus. So I just see the nursing home as a different setting for the same challenges that face every author.

How do I do it? A few lessons learned:

• · Keep my priorities straight. Keep God first. For instance, I thought about skipping parts of my devotional time during NANO (National Novel Writing Month.) God reminded me to keep Him first. My writing will be stronger for it.


• · Use time wisely. I strive to have devotions before breakfast. After that, I’m never sure when interruptions will come. For projects that require privacy, like listening to audio recordings of my books, I remind myself to start when I roommate leaves the room. Otherwise she might return in the middle of a chapter.


• · Set realistic goals. I wish I could write 2000 words a day easily. I’ve learned the hard way to aim for 800-1000 words a day, with time built in to catch up each week. Judge your capabilities by your abilities, not someone else’s.


• · Consistency. I have a lot of days like today, when I feel blah. Whatever I write feels wooden and worthless. But if there’s nothing with me, I don’t stop. I write, 15 painful minutes at a time. Over time, I’ve learned the process works.


• · Choose wisely. That means I have to say no to some things I would like to do. Just this week I had the unpleasant task of telling my editor I would have to pull out of one project. Much better not to agree in the first place.


• · Write when I can. I write when I can, even if it’s for only ten minutes. I used to write longhand while riding on the bus. I’ve also eliminated my pre-writing routine, and just jump in.


• · Work in short spurts. I plan for write 15-20 minutes at a time. I may be able to write for fifteen minutes four times in a row to reach an hour. Or I might be interrupted. If I make it through fifteen minutes, that’s 200 words less to meet my daily goal.


• · Be realistic. Every year for the past five, I’ve spent weeks in the hospital. I never know when it will happen again. So I keep my goals and schedule low enough to allow me to catch up if necessary after a hospital stay. Again, lesson learned the hard way: publishers are less eager to work with me after a couple of missed deadlines.


• · The Internet is my lifeline. It allows me to research anything I need to know, although an onsite trip might be better. Social media keeps me in touch with the world and prevents isolation.


• · Structure my time. This is similar to using my time wisely. I work on my “big” project (writing or editing) until I’ve reached my goal. Once that’s done, I work through my list of “do as often as possible” projects—book promotions, writing devotionals, short contracted projects, listening to audio tapes of my books.


• · Take Care of Myself. This one’s probably the hardest for me. Yup, get up, exercise, walk, shower, leave my room—take a break from writing.

Wisdom learned over twenty years of writing helps me continue even now. Now, as then, writing keeps me sane.

: Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over fifty books and more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere at http://darlenefranklinwrites.com/, http://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Franklin/e/B001K8993A/ and https://www.facebook.com/Poet.Darlene.Franklin/, Twitter: @darlenefranklin

Giveaway for a minimum of 5 comments: An Advent Journey through Matthew 2015

Take a step away from the busy days that fill Advent. Begin with the miraculous birth and get caught up in the story which adds layers of understanding of Jesus’s extraordinary life.

http://www.amazon.com/ADVENT-JOURNEY-THROUGH-MATTHEW-2015-ebook/dp/B016NIEJLI/

If there are more than 12 comments: I will also give away Tobogganing for Two, which is a Thanksgiving romance.

Notes about the Giveaway: To enter, just leave a comment in the section below, leaving contact information so we can let you know if you are the winner.

There will be two (2) winners. The first winner will be selected from among the first five (5) entries, and will win An Advent Journey Through Matthew. The second winner will be drawn from all other entries provided there are a total of  12 or more, and will receive a copy of Tobogganing for Two.

Giveaway ends one week from today, on Tuesday, November 24, at Midnight, Central Time, and the winner/s will be drawn and notified the following day.

TWEETABLES:

[bctt tweet="Writing from a Nursing Home, with Darlene Franklin @darlenefranklin on #WhispersinPurple #WritingTalkTuesday"]

[bctt tweet="Proof that you can write anywhere #writing #nursinghome @darlenefranklin, #WhispersinPurple #giveaway"]

 

5 Tricks for Finding Time to Write–Ralene Burke on Writing Talk Tuesday

5 Tricks for Finding Time to Write

These days, writers are busy people. Not only are we expected to, you know, brainstorm and write and edit, but we’re also expected to do social media and marketing and networking. To top that off, our families expect that we will participate in daily activities like cleaning, meals, and talking/sharing. Other people expect us to be involved in church and the community. Those of us who tend to run on the edge even throw in crazy stuff like jobs or homeschooling.

Wait—what are we supposed to be doing again?

As one of the crazies involved in all of the above, I can relate to losing myself, my priorities, and my direction. In fact, I’ve been so confused and lost that I freeze and block out the world, veggin’ in front of the TV as I shut it all out.

The good news is this: there is hope.

Here are 5 ways to help us all find more time to do what we were called to do—write.

1. Pray. This is my most important suggestion when trying to figure out ANYTHING in our lives. If anyone knows our path best—and the right path at that—it’s God. Why wouldn’t we seek His leading? Pray, and listen. Listen to what the Holy Spirit lays on your heart. The Holy Spirit will reveal where things are going wrong in your life and what you need to do to fix it.

2. Set priorities. During the time of prayer, ask God to show you what your priorities should be. Sometimes our priorities change based on the season of our lives. Sometimes we put emphasis on the wrong priorities, letting society or well-meaning family and friends influence what we should be doing. Get your priorities straight!

3. Set goals. Now that you have priorities, use those to form goals for yourself. These goals will not just be in writing, but in all areas of your life. Take what is important to you and set goals to make those a reality.

4. Create a unique-to-you schedule! This is key. Take your priorities and goals and evaluate what you’re doing in your life. Do all the activities, all the chores, all the extras line up with your new priorities and goals? If not, get rid of them. Free up your time for what’s really important. Take the time to fill in a schedule with your top priorities first, and then fill in as you are able AROUND those. If you try to fit in your priorities around your schedule, you’ll always be stressed and unsatisfied.

5. The FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes—and I agree. If your writing goals seem to outweigh your available time or the season in your life, find ways to put in a few minutes here and there.

• a. Get up 15 minutes earlier (go to bed 15 minutes later).


• b. Use the 15 minutes while the kids are finishing up breakfast/lunch/dinner.


• c. Use your breaks at work.


• d. Set the kids up with a quick activity.


• e. Take an extra 15 minutes in the car when you get home to jot down ideas/write a scene.

These are just a few ways to find time in our busy schedules for writing. “If it’s important, you’ll find a way. If it’s not, you’ll find an excuse.” (Author Unknown) Take the time for the priorities that are most important—and only God can tell you what those are. Live IN the lift that you’re supposed to be in.

What are ways you work in some extra writing time? Does your family help you find the time?

Don’t forget to join the conversation in the comments section below!

[bctt tweet="5 Tricks for Finding Time to Write w/Ralene Burke @RaleneB on Whispers in Purple Blog"]

About the Author:

Whether she's wielding a fantasy writer's pen, a freelance editor's sword, or a social media wand, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer's world. And her goal is to make it SHINE! She spins fantastical tales to encourage people to SHINE BEYOND. She has worked for a variety of groups/companies, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and as an editor for a number of freelance clients.

Her first novel, Bellanok, is being published as a 5-part serial starting in October 2015! Bellanok is a haven for myths and legends . . . until a demon finds a way in.
When her head's not in the publishing world, Ralene is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . .

You can also find her on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.