With God, all obstacles serve His purpose. We all have mountains in our lives. Problems great and small that seem insurmountable, hindering our progress.
That job we hate, the personal problem we can't seem to overcome. Relationship problems, all seemingly unconquerable.
Not so, God can remove all and any of our problems, but, He can also make us what He wants us to be through them. Sometimes He puts the mountain there. However, we know, God will never fail to keep His promises.
He understands the way we take, and when we come to the foot of the mountain, we shall find the way.
The meaning of trial is not only to test worthiness, but to increase it. As the oak is not only tested by the storms, but toughened by them. So the mountains in our lives test and toughen us.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Trees
Trees are beautiful, and so diverse. From them we receive oxygen, shelter, wood for homes, furnishings and so much more.
Some grow quickly, some more slowly. There are those which are shallow rooted and others with deep roots, equal to the size of their topmost branches. What is below, shadows what can be seen above.
There is a Chinese tree, that comes from a very small seed. When planted, for four years all that can be seen is a tiny sprig and bud.
However, in the fifth year, it suddenly grows eighty feet.
In those four years, it has been putting down an incredible root system, strong enough to support its amazing growth.
We too must be patient and make sure we are firmly planted in the word of God. The seed of life.
The trees with the deepest roots and the most flexible trunks are those which survive the storms of life.
Patience is maturity.
Trees are beautiful, and so diverse. From them we receive oxygen, shelter, wood for homes, furnishings and so much more.
Some grow quickly, some more slowly. There are those which are shallow rooted and others with deep roots, equal to the size of their topmost branches. What is below, shadows what can be seen above.
There is a Chinese tree, that comes from a very small seed. When planted, for four years all that can be seen is a tiny sprig and bud.
However, in the fifth year, it suddenly grows eighty feet.
In those four years, it has been putting down an incredible root system, strong enough to support its amazing growth.
We too must be patient and make sure we are firmly planted in the word of God. The seed of life.
The trees with the deepest roots and the most flexible trunks are those which survive the storms of life.
Patience is maturity.
A magnificent young eagle stood on the edge of his nest, stretching and flapping his mighty wings. He gazed into the cloudless blue sky and then launched out onto the warm thermal.
His parents followed, and as his confidence and expertise grew, the three of them soared together, enjoying the freedom their wings gave them.
The sky is the eagles home, and the heavenly heights their domain. They are safe, not flying too low, always keeping that skyward look' Created to soar above the winds and storms
We too must keep our eyes heavenward.
Keep our faith and hope strong in Jesus. He is the one who enables us to soar above the storms and trials of this life.
Soar like the eagle.
Keep looking skyward.
His parents followed, and as his confidence and expertise grew, the three of them soared together, enjoying the freedom their wings gave them.
The sky is the eagles home, and the heavenly heights their domain. They are safe, not flying too low, always keeping that skyward look' Created to soar above the winds and storms
We too must keep our eyes heavenward.
Keep our faith and hope strong in Jesus. He is the one who enables us to soar above the storms and trials of this life.
Soar like the eagle.
Keep looking skyward.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
'Valley of Shadows' survey
Some of my writing friends have put together a survey of their latest book. I thought, "what a brilliant idea." So decided to have a go. They chose to leave out certain questions, I may well do the same, but anyway here goes.
Valley of Shadows
1] What's your word count? 70,645
2] How long until you finish? How long is a piece of string. Seriously though, I am finished, bar the editing process.
3] If finished, how long did it take you? I guess in all, around three years.
4] Do you have an outline? Not as such. I generally have a good idea of the story, where it's going, and how it will end. I do make a list of characters with their with their distinguishing features. Mind you, that often changes as the stories progresses. But on the whole, I like to write like a mad thing, and follow my imagination.
6] How many words do you write a day? I suppose, a thousand, maybe more.
7] What was your greatest word count for one day? About 5,000.
9] What inspired you to write? You will think this strange, and it's certainly sad. But it was the death of my sister.
10] Does your novel have a theme song? Not really, but if it did, it would be 'The Lord's my Shepherd.'
12] Which character is most like you? I guess there is some of me in Cyella.
13] Which character would you most likely be friends with? That would have to be Mary.
15] Who is your favourite character? Sunrise.
16] Have your characters done something completely unexpected? Not really, everything they experience is unexpected.
17] Have you based any of your novel on personal experience? My whole novel was born out of the tragic death of my younger sister.
18] What is the best line? The wide path panders to mankind's incessant desire to reach their destination as quickly as possible. no matter the consequences.
28] Summarize your novel in under fifteen words. What Cyella faced in the valley, messed with her mind.
29] Do you love all your characters? Goodness, no! some of them are awful.
32] Describe your main character in three words. Plucky, Strong Willed, Sensitive.
35] How many romantic relationships take place in your novel? Two.
36] Are there any explosions? No
45] Who has pets in the novel, and what are they? The Mistress, and Remstiss the Necromancer both have black cats.
46] Are there Angels, demons, or any religious references? No Angel, but yes, to the other two.
51] Is there humour? A little, yes.
52] Is there tragedy? Yes, I'm afraid so.
57] Has your novel provided insight about your life? In some ways I guess it has. Probably because I buried my grief over the death of my sister within its pages.
59] Has your novel inspired anyone? From what I have heard, yes.
68] How would you react if your novel was erased entirely? You don't want to know, and nor do I! But, such an horrendous idea is not likely, as it is backed up all over the place.
71] What advice would you give a fellow writer? Stay committed. Make it as good as is humanly possible. And don't allow rejections to put you off. Stay confident, and keep believing in yourself.
72] Describe the ending in three words. Romantic, Positive, Victorious.
75] Was it worth it? You bet it was!!
Valley of Shadows
1] What's your word count? 70,645
2] How long until you finish? How long is a piece of string. Seriously though, I am finished, bar the editing process.
3] If finished, how long did it take you? I guess in all, around three years.
4] Do you have an outline? Not as such. I generally have a good idea of the story, where it's going, and how it will end. I do make a list of characters with their with their distinguishing features. Mind you, that often changes as the stories progresses. But on the whole, I like to write like a mad thing, and follow my imagination.
6] How many words do you write a day? I suppose, a thousand, maybe more.
7] What was your greatest word count for one day? About 5,000.
9] What inspired you to write? You will think this strange, and it's certainly sad. But it was the death of my sister.
10] Does your novel have a theme song? Not really, but if it did, it would be 'The Lord's my Shepherd.'
12] Which character is most like you? I guess there is some of me in Cyella.
13] Which character would you most likely be friends with? That would have to be Mary.
15] Who is your favourite character? Sunrise.
16] Have your characters done something completely unexpected? Not really, everything they experience is unexpected.
17] Have you based any of your novel on personal experience? My whole novel was born out of the tragic death of my younger sister.
18] What is the best line? The wide path panders to mankind's incessant desire to reach their destination as quickly as possible. no matter the consequences.
28] Summarize your novel in under fifteen words. What Cyella faced in the valley, messed with her mind.
29] Do you love all your characters? Goodness, no! some of them are awful.
32] Describe your main character in three words. Plucky, Strong Willed, Sensitive.
35] How many romantic relationships take place in your novel? Two.
36] Are there any explosions? No
45] Who has pets in the novel, and what are they? The Mistress, and Remstiss the Necromancer both have black cats.
46] Are there Angels, demons, or any religious references? No Angel, but yes, to the other two.
51] Is there humour? A little, yes.
52] Is there tragedy? Yes, I'm afraid so.
57] Has your novel provided insight about your life? In some ways I guess it has. Probably because I buried my grief over the death of my sister within its pages.
59] Has your novel inspired anyone? From what I have heard, yes.
68] How would you react if your novel was erased entirely? You don't want to know, and nor do I! But, such an horrendous idea is not likely, as it is backed up all over the place.
71] What advice would you give a fellow writer? Stay committed. Make it as good as is humanly possible. And don't allow rejections to put you off. Stay confident, and keep believing in yourself.
72] Describe the ending in three words. Romantic, Positive, Victorious.
75] Was it worth it? You bet it was!!
Monday, 3 January 2011
Editing
Well, the finish post is in sight. My part of the editing process is done. Pretty much anyway. My next move is to send the manuscript to my editor. Once I have followed her corrections that's it, I begin my hunt for a publisher, and that's when the fun begins. I am joking, it's about as much fun as chasing a Greyhound round the race track!
But with God, all things are possible. So, I keep hope and anticipation alive.
I have been busy putting together my proposal, I was dreading it, but thanks to a great book by Terry Burns "A Writers Survival Guide To Getting published." It turned out to be easier than I had anticipated, in fact I quite enjoyed it.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Devon Holiday
Our weeks holiday in Devon was lovely. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, with warm sunshine most days. Branscombe is such a pretty village, very quaint and oldie worldie, most of the houses are thatched.
We have spent many happy holidays in this village, using the holiday house as a base to visit the surrounding coast and countryside.
This time we had some friends staying with us, and we all got on extremely well and enjoyed a brill time together.
It was a holiday complemented by good friends, good food, and wonderful surroundings. Can't be bad.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
I'm quite pleased, my editing is going reasonably well. Okay, I have to send the manuscript to my editor for a final check, but God willing she should find things greatly improved.
Slowly, but surly, I am learning.
English was never one of my better subjects at school. I have all the imagination in the world, but getting it down on paper, so to speak; In a way which is intelligent and readable, is something else entirely. I confess, where grammar is concerned, I am a little dyslexic. So, whether I will ever find myself in a position, where I can safely trust my own editing, is rather doubtful. Sadly, my work may always need some sort of check, as I want it to be as good as it can be, for God, for me, and for my readers.
However, I do have a grip. It seems to me, that publishers and even editors are becoming very pedantic. What ever happened to reading a novel and simply enjoying it. These days a submitted novel has to be word perfect before it even gets a look in. No longer do publishers read a submitted manuscript and think, 'I like this, warts and all, it has potential.'
In all honesty, why employ editors if they are not going to edit. Publishers could save a lot of money by firing them and leave it the author, which in all honesty they do anyway. The whole thing seems crazy to me.
For example J.K. Rowling's first book apparently was not perfect. But the agent saw it's potential, and what potential!! He took a risk and it payed off.
Lets face it, like most things in life, there is no such thing as a perfect book. I have read many books by well known authors and found glaring mistakes that have been missed. I heard on the news recently, that a well known author with one of the larger publishing houses, had to have his books withdrawn due to glaring mistakes, oops!! how expensive is that, money and reputation wise. Again what were the editors doing, not a good job obviously.
Imagine, this author's embarrassment, while doing a public reading he had to stop and apologise to his listeners because of all the mistakes he found in his own work. Poor man, it must have been awful.
Sadly, these days I sit down to read a book and find myself noticing the mistakes in the text. Again I say, what happened to reading a good book and merely enjoying it. Let's face it, half the time our amazing brains ignore the mistakes anyway. Hence the problem that they slip through the net. But does the average reader really care? I don't think so. If they enjoy the book that's all that matters to them. That's what my readers tell me anyway.
I am self published, after struggling to find an agent/publisher and coping with the innumerable rejection letters. However, due to a publisher interest in my second published book, I have tentatively put my toe in the water once again. I totally agreed with her that my book needed work in the grammar department, hence all this editing. But even though she was the one who approached me, I'm still not sure if it's the way I want to go.
Like all of us authors I love to write, and enjoy the freedom and lack of pressure that goes with self publishing. Also, I do believe it will be the major way to go in days to come, with all the new technology available.
Not only that, I'm no longer a youngster and don't feel I can afford the long drawn out process attached to main-stream publishing. I have many books buzzing around in my head, all demanding to be birthed, while there is time.
I want to live each day God has given me to the full and achieve all I can for His glory and praise.
That said, I firmly believe my work must be its very best, before it's held in a readers hands.
So, here we ago again, edit, edit, edit. :)
Slowly, but surly, I am learning.
English was never one of my better subjects at school. I have all the imagination in the world, but getting it down on paper, so to speak; In a way which is intelligent and readable, is something else entirely. I confess, where grammar is concerned, I am a little dyslexic. So, whether I will ever find myself in a position, where I can safely trust my own editing, is rather doubtful. Sadly, my work may always need some sort of check, as I want it to be as good as it can be, for God, for me, and for my readers.
However, I do have a grip. It seems to me, that publishers and even editors are becoming very pedantic. What ever happened to reading a novel and simply enjoying it. These days a submitted novel has to be word perfect before it even gets a look in. No longer do publishers read a submitted manuscript and think, 'I like this, warts and all, it has potential.'
In all honesty, why employ editors if they are not going to edit. Publishers could save a lot of money by firing them and leave it the author, which in all honesty they do anyway. The whole thing seems crazy to me.
For example J.K. Rowling's first book apparently was not perfect. But the agent saw it's potential, and what potential!! He took a risk and it payed off.
Lets face it, like most things in life, there is no such thing as a perfect book. I have read many books by well known authors and found glaring mistakes that have been missed. I heard on the news recently, that a well known author with one of the larger publishing houses, had to have his books withdrawn due to glaring mistakes, oops!! how expensive is that, money and reputation wise. Again what were the editors doing, not a good job obviously.
Imagine, this author's embarrassment, while doing a public reading he had to stop and apologise to his listeners because of all the mistakes he found in his own work. Poor man, it must have been awful.
Sadly, these days I sit down to read a book and find myself noticing the mistakes in the text. Again I say, what happened to reading a good book and merely enjoying it. Let's face it, half the time our amazing brains ignore the mistakes anyway. Hence the problem that they slip through the net. But does the average reader really care? I don't think so. If they enjoy the book that's all that matters to them. That's what my readers tell me anyway.
I am self published, after struggling to find an agent/publisher and coping with the innumerable rejection letters. However, due to a publisher interest in my second published book, I have tentatively put my toe in the water once again. I totally agreed with her that my book needed work in the grammar department, hence all this editing. But even though she was the one who approached me, I'm still not sure if it's the way I want to go.
Like all of us authors I love to write, and enjoy the freedom and lack of pressure that goes with self publishing. Also, I do believe it will be the major way to go in days to come, with all the new technology available.
Not only that, I'm no longer a youngster and don't feel I can afford the long drawn out process attached to main-stream publishing. I have many books buzzing around in my head, all demanding to be birthed, while there is time.
I want to live each day God has given me to the full and achieve all I can for His glory and praise.
That said, I firmly believe my work must be its very best, before it's held in a readers hands.
So, here we ago again, edit, edit, edit. :)
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