A Step of Success

I write for Keys for Kids and today's story "Behind Castle Walls" is one of mine. Check it out here: http://www.cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php. I love listening to Uncle Charlie read them. His voice brings the story to life.

House of the Interpreter

Every Pilgrim comes to a place in the writing journey when he or she needs advice.

Early in Christian's journey he stopped at the House of the Interpreter. This wise, experienced man invited Christian into his house with the promise he would show him "excellent things." The Interpreter "took him by the hand and led him" through rooms of instruction giving him "profitable" advice and caution.

I'm preparing to enter my first writing contest. I've labored over my manuscripts to such great lengths, I quote them in my sleep. I slaved over the opening, created conflict, killed stray adjectives and adverbs, tightened prose, established POV. But then I came to a dead end; I'd done all I could. I needed more help, but where?

This week God brought me to the House of an Interpreter. Tiffany Colter of Writing Career Coach is offering a Writing Contest Special on her blog http://www.writingcareercoach.com/. Since I've never paid anyone to critique my work, I entered this House with mixed feelings—fear and anticipation.

Tiffany took my hand and led me through my entry word by word, paragraph by paragraph. Like the Interpreter she gave me an enormous amount of profitable advice and caution. And now like Christian I must continue on my journey, using the wisdom to guide me.

"So Christian went on his way saying: Here I have seen things rare and profitable; things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable in what I have begun to take in hand; then let me think on them and understand."

Have you used a critique service? If so, which one? What was your experience? I'd love to hear.

Inspiration

John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress in 1672. Amazingly he penned this classic during a twelve year incarceration in a small, damp prison. He wasn't a murderer or thief. His only crime was his preaching. As a poor, uneducated tinker, he sought religious freedom during a time of great intolerance by the Church of England. He attempted to share the Gospel and refused to give up his calling even when threatened with banishment and prison.

John Bunyan persevered. He stuck to the path God had placed him on. He didn't veer off when hardships came. He continued preaching and writing against incredible adversity.

Christian, the main character in Pilgrim's Progress, mirrors Bunyan's personal journey. Christian presses on against numerous trials, temptations, and obstacles until he finally reaches his goal: the Celestial City.

The lives of John Bunyan and Christian are an inspiration to me as a writer. Often I expect the writing road to be smooth and easy. I want to make it to the City of Publication right away, forgoing the hard work and the difficulties, passing by the steep uphill climb.

I pray for God's grace and wisdom to keep me on the hard path. John Bunyan said: If you can hear and bear the rod of affliction which God shall lay upon you, remember this lesson. You are beaten that you may be better.

Fellow Pilgrims, what troubles have you faced in your writing journey that have made you better?

This Pilgrim

I've been writing since I could hold a pencil and pad of paper. . . which writer hasn't? But serious writing? That didn't start for me until after college when I realized I didn't like the degree I'd spent thousands of dollars on.

So after I got home from the job I didn't like, I spent my free time writing (and it really was free back before kids). I completed no less than five novels, sent them out, and garnered plenty of rejections.

Then I got the call. An editor was interested. Could I make changes? Definitely. I tried, really tried to polish up the book. But, no amount of editing could sell it. God had different plans. He pulled me off the writing path, put me in the den, and closed the door.

In hindsight I understand God wanted me to mature, educate myself, experience life--all of those wonderful things that happen with parenthood. He was enriching me, deepening my reservoir, readying me for the journey.

After ten years, God is opening the door and pushing me out of my little den. He's set my feet on the writing path again.

With trepidation and excitement I wait to see where He leads. . .

Venturing Out of the Writing Den

Today I'm venturing out of my private writing den. Like Christian in Pilgrim's Progress, I'm leaving behind a comfortable life. In today's publishing climate, the private writing den is a City of Destruction—destruction to a writer's career. A writer can't hide behind a computer screen in anonymity. A writer can't just write a good book and send it to agents. A writer has to get out of her cozy den and move out into the big, wide world.

I'm stepping out, slowly, tentatively. A difficult writing journey lies before me. The path to the City of Publication, like Christian's path to the Celestial City is wrought with dangers, obstacles, fears, and incredible hardship. But I must trust that the One who has called me will be faithful to guide me every step of the way.

I know I'm not the only Pilgrim on this writing path. Many, many others are struggling along it. I hope and pray this blog can be a place where Pilgrim writers can join together to encourage each other on this hard journey. And I hope those who've already gone before can share their wisdom too.

So here I go one step at a time.