Five Ways to Make Creative Writing Happen

One thing about it, writers have to write. We have to write it right. It’s in us. If we don’t write, our head might explode with all those stories locked up inside. Whew, what a collective mess that would be . . . and what a sad day for the world in wasted talent.
 
Below are five ways to help make creative writing happen for you.
 

1. Observe Life — Live out loud . . . And take notes. Be a people watcher — listen to dialog. Writing is a solitary act, life happens, be a part of it. Then, write about it.

2. Journal— regularly — about any and everything. Never leave home without a writing journal. Inspiration can hit you when you least expect it . . . be ready for it.

3. Record your dreams — as soon as you wake up. It’s fresh in your mind. Jot down all the details, in detail. Keep a dream journal by your bed.

4. Polish your skills — study to show yourself approved. Let your imagination run wild as you develop your grammatical skills. Take a course. Study online. Do whatever it takes to learn the craft.

5. Read, Read, Read — For pleasure, to see how the best of the best does it, to keep your finger on the pulse of the book industry. Read. And Write. Write, write, write. And don’t stop. Ever. Never, never, never give up ~ Winston Churchill

 Write creatively. Think outside the box. In fact, Smash the box ... then you will be forced to think outside of it. Oh yeah, smash it! Smash that box! And don’t build another one and don’t let anyone put you into one.

As for me, I’m going to keep on doing the write thing children. What about you?

See you on the creative side of life,

Guyanne

Fasting . . . The Breakfast of Champions

Okay, okay you’re frustrated because you can’t figure out what to eat for breakfast. Right? Every other meal is coming together, but that breakfast thing — it’s a problem.

Breakfast means to break the fast. “Break Fast” get it. That’s funny considering WE’RE ALL FASTING! Anyway, forgive me for shouting, but it’s true. And it’s funny that every morning we have to get up and break a fast within a fast. Humm, Is that sort of like a dream within a dream . . . but I digress.

“Break fast” — breakfast, puts you on the fast track to a new you during this 21- day Daniel fast experience as you draw closer to the heart of God. Don’t skip it. Here are some breakfast ideas:

Ø  Smoothies add finely chopped nuts

Ø  Bananas and almonds

Ø  Apples and peanut butter

These are quick, easy and oh so yummy. They contain much need protein and make great snacks.

So now, let me ask you this . . . are you reading your Word? What did you read this morning? May I suggest you put a daily helping of the Word on the menu for “break fast.” If you don’t know where to start, go to Ephesians. It’s a jewel. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to pray. Pray over that banana, pray when you are making your smoothie, and pray over your apples and peanut butter. Thank Him, praise Him, just talk to Him and before you know it, you have entered into His holy presence.

And don’t forget to jot down your experiences, answered prayers, and thoughts during this journey — share them and encourage others to do the same. Connect with someone new, reach out to help someone in need. Help create a place others can connect with God and each other and let’s bring change to our homes, church and community.

Reading the word, coupled with prayer and praise while you’re fasting . . . It’s the Breakfast of Champions.

Keep on doing the write thing children,

Guyanne

The Power of the Fast. . . Are You Hungry?

By now if you attend King’s Way Fellowship in Batavia, Ohio or watch online at www.kingswayfellowship.com you are aware that we have started a 21-day Daniel fast. If you are fasting with us that’s great! If not, join us. There is power in corporate fasting.

We are well underway as this is Day three of our journey to a deeper walk with the Lord. So before we get too far into this thing let's stop and take stock or, “Look the sitchyation over” as my daddy use to say.

What are you hungry for? Don’t say food. And don’t throw anything at me! What are you really hungry for, you know, down deep in your soul? What are you passionate about? Do you long for a closer walk with God? Do you have prayers that need answers? Or are you just going through the motions and need God to ignite a hunger in your heart?

Have you really given this fasting business some thought? The why, I mean. Seeing it in black and white is sobering, exciting and will motivate you in the hard times. Oh, sorry there will be hard times. It is a FAST after all. Our flesh doesn’t like to be denied. But the benefits, the victories are worth it. Isaiah 58: 6 says, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"  

I urge you; clearly define your reasons for fasting. Write down your prayer requests and spend time in prayer over them every day. And remember, fasting without prayer and time in the word and time with the Lord . . . is just a diet. You are only starving yourself. Then, journal your experiences, write about the amazing things God is doing in your life. You’ll see prayers answered right before your eyes. I have.

So, are you hungry . . . hungry for Him . . . hungry enough to fast?

Keep on doing the write thing children,

Guyanne

Just Another Manic Monday . . .

I would like to think that as excited and inspired, as I am at times that words would just pour onto the page. But alas, that is not the case. Regardless of how inspired and excited one can be, writing is hard work.

I stare at the preverbial page, my mind goes blank, and my inspiration begins to wane. My excitement begins to die. I begin to wonder what I was so excited about in the first place. And my creativity . . . forget about it. Sound familiar?

I desperately search my mind, pushing back the panic that so easily creeps in, and I realize I haven’t a clue what to write. It sounded good when I first uttered the words in my mind but now they’ve vanished. It’s a blur. I should have jotted them down, taken notes, something.

Now it’s just another manic Monday and I’m scrambling — scrambling to put words to paper as it were. Now I have to dig in. The hard work truly begins. Word by word. Line by line. Thought by thought. Until suddenly a spark, and the right idea collides with the right words. It’s a beautiful thing. And a sentence is born, a chapter, a book or perhaps just a note to someone to say, “Don’t give up Jesus loves you and so do I.”

Whatever that spark produces, keep on doing the write thing children,

Guyanne  

Aspiring to be published — Destined to be read.

Here we are at the end of another year. We’re on the brink of crossing over into a new season, a brand new year. Thanksgiving is a happy, delicious memory. Christmas lights, glitter, and tinsel still twinkle as another merry holiday flies by in celebration of the birth of our Savior. It’s such a busy, miraculous time. Still, it’s a time to reflect and look ahead . . . all at once.

What a unique opportunity — The New Year. It’s when we let go of the old as we embrace the new. It’s the only time really that we can do that with the whole entire world! We can revamp, revise and resurrect hopes, dreams, and unmet goals for 2011 — with an eye on the prize for 2012 . . . whatever that might look like. Enjoy the big and small victories in the fast approaching New Year.

Choose just the right title for your book, achieve a certain word count, send query letters, find an agent/editor or publisher that believes in you, and find the courage to believe in yourself. Find God. Discover that He believes in you and has a plan and purpose for your life. It could mean writing the next great American novel or simply writing a right ending to that current work in progress. On the other hand, it could mean writing a right beginning. Try writing a note of encouragement to someone. Whatever the goals, whatever the hopes or dreams look like to you, go for it. Go all out, give it all you got, don’t stop, don’t quit. As the late great Winston Churchill said, “Never, Never, Never give up.”

In the coming year, may you allow your hopes and dreams to take flight. In faith may your words dance across the pages into 2012 on the wings of the wind. As for me, I will press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. After all, I am aspiring to be published, because I am destined to be read. How about you?

And no matter what happens in 2012, keep on doing the write thing children,

 Guyanne                

. . . down the dusty road.

Ten lepers, the outcasts of society doomed to cry, “Unclean, unclean,” wandered in despair, until hope broke over the horizon and walked down the dusty road. All ten healed by the Master’s touch — miraculously healed. Yet, only one turned back to give thanks. Only one. Overjoyed, nine turned their backs and ran toward the shadow of a life they once knew. Only one turned back to praise Him. Only one.

Plagued with an issue of blood for twelve long years, doctors gave her no hope and society shunned her. She heard of a healer coming down the dusty road into town, the crowd push in around Him, his closest pushed back. She, taking her life in her hands crawled through the tangled masses and touched just the hem of His garment. Withn the throngs that came that day, she was one that recognized He was the only way. Her only way to healing, her dusty road to life. He was her only hope.

Food was being prepared and the finishing touches applied. Everything had to be perfect. Just Perfect. Guests arrived dusty from the road and Martha was swamped — frazzled to be exact. Things were not going as she had envisioned. And where was that sister of hers. Mary! She should be serving! How dare she sit in a room filled with men at His feet! At the feet of Jesus. Humph! Scandalous!

I say, "Be the one to turn around on the dusty road and praise Him for healing. Be the one to push through the crowd just for the chance to touch the hem. Be the one that does not worry about the dishes and the dinner party and allow the King of glory to sit in your living room — ignored . . . but is the one that has “chosen that good part. . .”'

I say, "Just be the one."

This Thanksgiving be the one to give thanks to the Lord for all He has blessed you with this year. If nothing else, you are still breathing — hello. Now, that’s something to shout about right there. Be the one to take time and thank others. Be the one to be Jesus, to someone along the dusty road.

I would like to give a special thanks to my pastor, Pastor Troy Evrin for preaching the sermon series entitled “Be The One.” Thank you for your obedience and dedication — "Love you pastor."  I am inspired to be the one to praise, worship and give thanks to The One — Jesus.

Oh, and be the one to write. Write your thoughts, feelings, a note to someone, a letter, email — something. Anything. Write in a journal. Write down your dreams, your hopes, wants, desires, your hurt, pain . . . all of it. Write a blog, write a book, just write. The good, the bad and the ugly. Whatever comes down the dusty road — write about it all, because that’s what writers do . . . we write.

Happy Thanksgiving. Be the one to keep on doing the write thing children,

 

Guyanne

In the spirit of Thanksgiving . . . give thanks and BE THE ONE.

Yes! It is that time of year again. It’s the season for giving thanks, reaching out to others, and reflecting. Ponder all the reasons you have to be thankful in your life and in the spirit of Thanksgiving . . . give thanks. Thank the Lord for all the many blessing in your life.

Take the time to commit as many random acts of kindness as you can. It feels good. And, it is addicting. Time. It is short, we have to be about the Father’s business, and He is pleased when His children reach out to help each other. Give your time this busy holiday season.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of holiday magic, turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie take time for yourself (write something awesome) and take time for each other. More importantly, take time to be the one that praises the Lord for what he has done in your life. Be the one that takes time to tell the Lord how thankful you are for what He has done in your life and the lives of your family. And lastly, be the one, be the one that sets everything aside and worships the One. Be the one who loves the One who gave His all for you.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving . . . give and give thanks and BE THE ONE.
And in the spirit of give, give, giving . . .

As a writer, I love books. My favorite, of course is the Bible — not just because I am a Christian, but because of its beauty and strength and truth. There is no other book like it. Not too long ago I read something and thought . . . I want to write like that! It literally brought me to tears, I didn’t know it was from the Bible. It is a beautiful book. I thank God for His word. Thank you Lord.

Next would be Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is based off the book of Hosea in the Bible. I finished this book in one sitting in a storm by candle light and a dim flash light. I could not stop reading. I prayed for my candle and flash light not to fail me as I finished this incredible book.
Take the time to start reading your Bible this season and pick up a good book. Writers need to read.

You’ll be glad you did.  
How would you like the chance to WIN . . . 19-signed-books-plus-swag-and-more! How? Easy . . . click on the graphic on the sidebar and follow the directions.

And remember, thank the Lord for your many blessing, and keep on doing the write thing children,

 

Guyanne