Before we become authors, perhaps we should all be required to take a class on rejection. I thought the more I was published, the more the fear of submitting would go away. Yet, here I am with several articles and a book under my belt and I still think twice about sending that article.
I do push the send button more often. Those fears no longer stop me from trying, but I'm surprised that there's still a little twinge just before the click. I thought perhaps it was a reflex that would melt away in time until I sat one dinner table away from Jerry Jenkins.
We were attending an awards banquet and Jerry and his new book Riven was up for Book of the year. He faced three ladies and a man whose experience and publishing popularity was small compared to him. The moment before the name was announced I glanced at his face and saw it. It was a small nervous twitch and an expression that questioned whether or not he had a chance. His wife took his hand. When the name was called (and it wasn't his) his head dropped. He took a deep breath, mustered a little more strength and raised his head and hands to applaud.
If someone whose done so much for our lives and created so many stories can feel that twitch before he knew he was accepted - why wouldn't I feel it? Why wouldn't you?
To be a good author I think we have to understand that it's enough to be on the stage talking. It doesn't matter if we are liked or even if we are published. It does matter that we are doing our best to perfect our craft and that we keep trying.
So today....here I sit....alone in my office...a little nervous....a little intimidated...but ready....yes, I'm ready....push the button. *Sigh* It's now out of my hands.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
HAPPY NATIONAL AUTHOR'S DAY!!!
In 1928 Nellie Verne Burt McPherson was president of the Bement Illinois Women's Club. She is recognized as the originator of the National Author's Day.
McPherson was a teacher and avid writer. She wrote a fan letter to the fiction writer Irving Bacheller explaining how much she enjoyed the story “Eben Hoden’s Last Day A’Fishin”.
Bacheller sent her an autographed copy of another story. McPherson decided to show her appreciation by electing for a National Author’s day to honor American writers. The National Author’s Day was recognized by the Department of Commerce in 1949.
Isn't that great! Now you can celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving and.....you're own personal work day.
I'm so proud of you!
God loves you and has called you to write!
Debbie
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Lord is my Shepherd...
When I wrote the last post I had finished talking with three different editors who were very discouraged. I was dealing with my own problems and about as discouraged as I've ever been.
Understand please... that the kind of discouragement I'm talking about isn't the kind that keeps you from working or distracts you so much that you can't write. I continued to press on and meet my daily writing goals. The type of discouragement I felt was like the little black cloud that seemed to hang over Charlie Brown. I had heard so much negative talk and had so many personal problems that writing was a chore. For the first time in my writing career, I wasn't excited about putting words on paper. I still had the ideas, still had the thoughts...I just didn't have the desire to write.
I'm feeling better now. My personal problems haven't disappeared. In fact, they have probably intensified. So why am I feeling better? Check out my Family Tracks blog to see what I've been doing the last two months. It's very exciting. Yet, I've discovered that acquiring a lot of exciting writing possibilities isn't why I'm feeling better.
I found out what I crave and need in this profession is interaction with people who are going through the same situations I have. My Dad is a minister and in our denomination we used to have a thing called, "Testimony Services". Every so often on a Sunday evening, Dad would open with "Testimonies". He would pray a simple prayer and then sit down. One by one people in the audience would stand and share something they were going through and give a short "testimony" about how God was helping them cope. Sometimes they were funny or sometimes they made you cry. Sometimes they were short and sometimes Dad would have to stand by the pulpit and give his comments to hopefully shorten the process.
I remember one older woman (in her 80's) that always gave the exact same testimony. She would use a cane to stand. She would steady herself and then smile. "The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I want." She would look around the room to be sure she had been heard. Then as if it were an Amen, she would tap her cane loudly and sit down.
As I talked with other authors and professionals this month, I began to understand how important "Testimonies" are. By sharing my feelings, I learned what other - more successful authors have done to fight those same feelings. If you are discouraged or having a difficult time with your writing - reach out to other writers. Share your concerns with them and be open to their wisdom. When we stand together and share our Testimonies, we will be stronger and our tasks will be lighter.
And yes....we will all come to understand that "The Lord is our shepherd and that's all we want."
If you have a writing testimony you would like to share, please send it to debbie@debbiejansen.com. I would be happy to post it.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Understand please... that the kind of discouragement I'm talking about isn't the kind that keeps you from working or distracts you so much that you can't write. I continued to press on and meet my daily writing goals. The type of discouragement I felt was like the little black cloud that seemed to hang over Charlie Brown. I had heard so much negative talk and had so many personal problems that writing was a chore. For the first time in my writing career, I wasn't excited about putting words on paper. I still had the ideas, still had the thoughts...I just didn't have the desire to write.
I'm feeling better now. My personal problems haven't disappeared. In fact, they have probably intensified. So why am I feeling better? Check out my Family Tracks blog to see what I've been doing the last two months. It's very exciting. Yet, I've discovered that acquiring a lot of exciting writing possibilities isn't why I'm feeling better.
I found out what I crave and need in this profession is interaction with people who are going through the same situations I have. My Dad is a minister and in our denomination we used to have a thing called, "Testimony Services". Every so often on a Sunday evening, Dad would open with "Testimonies". He would pray a simple prayer and then sit down. One by one people in the audience would stand and share something they were going through and give a short "testimony" about how God was helping them cope. Sometimes they were funny or sometimes they made you cry. Sometimes they were short and sometimes Dad would have to stand by the pulpit and give his comments to hopefully shorten the process.
I remember one older woman (in her 80's) that always gave the exact same testimony. She would use a cane to stand. She would steady herself and then smile. "The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I want." She would look around the room to be sure she had been heard. Then as if it were an Amen, she would tap her cane loudly and sit down.
As I talked with other authors and professionals this month, I began to understand how important "Testimonies" are. By sharing my feelings, I learned what other - more successful authors have done to fight those same feelings. If you are discouraged or having a difficult time with your writing - reach out to other writers. Share your concerns with them and be open to their wisdom. When we stand together and share our Testimonies, we will be stronger and our tasks will be lighter.
And yes....we will all come to understand that "The Lord is our shepherd and that's all we want."
If you have a writing testimony you would like to share, please send it to debbie@debbiejansen.com. I would be happy to post it.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Friday, June 17, 2011
Don't give up!
Since I last posted, I've been working with several authors and publishers. It seems we all need to cling to Galatians 6:9.
"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."
It is hard to maintain our writing tempo when we feel sorrow, pain, stress or we just plain feel persecuted. It doesn't matter if it's coming from Satan or another person or even if it's just a part of life. Going through trials or difficult situations can cause us to lose our "passion and heart" for writing. We still care. We still want to help. We still feel the desire to make a difference. Yet, something is wrong. We lack the "spirit" that once drove our passion. We feel like we are hydroplaning. In other words we are moving through our normal routine but in that routine we feel helplessly out of control.
As I've told my friends, we all need to cling to the verse that I've quoted over and over these last few months. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." Isaiah 43:2.
In other words....don't be afraid! Hold God's hand and push through the darkness. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
It's also important to surround yourself with encouragement. Read your Bible, listen to good music, read an inspirational book. Center your mind on the fact that "With God all things are possible!" The more we can quote that to ourselves, the better our chances of actually believing it.
I am convinced that there are powers at work in the supernatural world that are trying to discourage God's people. Not only must we continue the fight to keep God's church encouraged...we must be encouraged in our own work. We are God's voice. We are God's hands. Don't give up! Keep working and soon....very soon....you will reap the rewards of a disciplined and dedicated life.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."
It is hard to maintain our writing tempo when we feel sorrow, pain, stress or we just plain feel persecuted. It doesn't matter if it's coming from Satan or another person or even if it's just a part of life. Going through trials or difficult situations can cause us to lose our "passion and heart" for writing. We still care. We still want to help. We still feel the desire to make a difference. Yet, something is wrong. We lack the "spirit" that once drove our passion. We feel like we are hydroplaning. In other words we are moving through our normal routine but in that routine we feel helplessly out of control.
As I've told my friends, we all need to cling to the verse that I've quoted over and over these last few months. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." Isaiah 43:2.
In other words....don't be afraid! Hold God's hand and push through the darkness. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
It's also important to surround yourself with encouragement. Read your Bible, listen to good music, read an inspirational book. Center your mind on the fact that "With God all things are possible!" The more we can quote that to ourselves, the better our chances of actually believing it.
I am convinced that there are powers at work in the supernatural world that are trying to discourage God's people. Not only must we continue the fight to keep God's church encouraged...we must be encouraged in our own work. We are God's voice. We are God's hands. Don't give up! Keep working and soon....very soon....you will reap the rewards of a disciplined and dedicated life.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Friday, May 20, 2011
Does Pain influence your writing?
I am pleased that so many authors are finding their way to this blog. Many of you have shared the blackest fears your are facing. I understand completely. Authors are strange people and we need all the emotional help we can find.
That statement was not a criticism. Authors must twist and turn every thought we have. We must look at situations and problems in a different way. We don't have the luxury of "spouting off" (although some do). If we take our job seriously, we must be logical and analytical. We need to find the little details and shine a bright light on them. Most people don't look for hidden meanings, wooded bunny trails and possible dire consequences. Authors are the voices that yell into the darkness -"Hey yawl! I found a new trail and I think it's gonna be a good one!"
People follow authors and that's a huge responsibility. We know that we have the potential to change the world - or at least our little part of it. That responsibility weighs heavy on "good" authors minds and often pain comes along for the ride. That pain is both good and bad. Like fire - it can help us light the way and inspire our readers to move forward. Also like fire - out of control pain can devastate the reputation and productivity of an author.
Let me explain.
It is part of an author's job to keep up with the news so our writing will be fresh, contemporary and help our readers to either escape the problems of today or find new ways to deal with those problems.
Authors have to face rejection letters, weeks and often months without a paycheck, criticism from so called friends, attacks from strangers who don't know anything about our research or point of view, mounds of research and that cluttered desk that calls in the night - clean me, write me, answer all your e-mails. Our mind is constantly rumbling with ideas because we know that we are only as good as our next sale. Even when the desperately needed check arrives - at that moment we are unemployed again. Add to that the fact that we don't sit in some ivory tower waiting for a waitress to bring food or a maid to clean our home and you will find the breeding ground for excuses. Nope, we are not a privileged group. We also deal with all the personal issues of health, family, finances and faith - juggling our lives in the same way non-writers do. About the time we are inspired and pounding those keys at our computer....mother calls and needs to go see the doctor - immediately! Susie calls from school to say she forgot the notebook for her class project and without it she will get a failing grade. The pastor calls wanting to know if you will take soup to a sick shut-in.
Finally at 10pm you sit down to write in peace and suddenly you are overwhelmed with pain. I personally don't like to call it depression. I'm not convinced that properly describes what I feel. Instead, when I think about the news - I feel pain. It's a sense of loss that others just can't see the truth. I see where certain philosophies lead and I know that individuals are about to walk off a cliff. That hurts me! It pains me to know that evil is so busy influencing the world. It feels as though devious people who only want to make a buck - have no problem leading innocent readers down a dark and evil path. I don't understand how some people sleep at night. How they can write such obviously wrong things and then get on TV and try to defend them. I hurt for their readers.
For me....that pain leads to sorrow and to prayer. I beg God to show me how to have a greater influence. I lift teary eyes to heaven sobbing for God to lift my burden. I feel so alone, overwhelmed and just not capable of finishing my task. And that pain influences my writing. How? Either I pound the keys with anger - which thank goodness I never share those writings:) or...I am so discouraged/careful that my writing lacks power and inspiration.
It's at that point that I have to ask God to help me find middle ground. I can't allow my circumstances to keep me from writing. I can't allow the tidal wave of other's pain to weigh me down and keep me avoiding the door to my office. I have to shake it off. Not with an "I don't care" attitude, but rather with the knowledge that I am laying those problems at the feet of Jesus and asking..."Can you watch these for me, while I do the writing you've called me to do?"
I have to take a walk, listen to a song or a writers class, exercise or just call a friend. I have to remind myself that for this moment everything is okay and the most important thing I can do is write the words God is placing in my mind.
I'm not the Savior of the world - God is. Looking for instant results, crowd pleasing words or the next best seller isn't my job. My job is to accept the Holy Calling of Writing and do the work God has placed before me. If I do that...then I am pleasing to the one person that really matters - God.
Dear God,
Help me to do your will today. Help me to shine a light into this dark and depraved world. Help me to handle the "situations" of my life with grace while I also find time to follow your Holy Calling. I ask you today to bless my writing friends. Help us to unite in the great task of spreading your word. Bless our efforts and may they join together creating a sea of voices that will overwhelm evil and unite in the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Give all of my writing friends a productive and peaceful day....
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
That statement was not a criticism. Authors must twist and turn every thought we have. We must look at situations and problems in a different way. We don't have the luxury of "spouting off" (although some do). If we take our job seriously, we must be logical and analytical. We need to find the little details and shine a bright light on them. Most people don't look for hidden meanings, wooded bunny trails and possible dire consequences. Authors are the voices that yell into the darkness -"Hey yawl! I found a new trail and I think it's gonna be a good one!"
People follow authors and that's a huge responsibility. We know that we have the potential to change the world - or at least our little part of it. That responsibility weighs heavy on "good" authors minds and often pain comes along for the ride. That pain is both good and bad. Like fire - it can help us light the way and inspire our readers to move forward. Also like fire - out of control pain can devastate the reputation and productivity of an author.
Let me explain.
It is part of an author's job to keep up with the news so our writing will be fresh, contemporary and help our readers to either escape the problems of today or find new ways to deal with those problems.
Authors have to face rejection letters, weeks and often months without a paycheck, criticism from so called friends, attacks from strangers who don't know anything about our research or point of view, mounds of research and that cluttered desk that calls in the night - clean me, write me, answer all your e-mails. Our mind is constantly rumbling with ideas because we know that we are only as good as our next sale. Even when the desperately needed check arrives - at that moment we are unemployed again. Add to that the fact that we don't sit in some ivory tower waiting for a waitress to bring food or a maid to clean our home and you will find the breeding ground for excuses. Nope, we are not a privileged group. We also deal with all the personal issues of health, family, finances and faith - juggling our lives in the same way non-writers do. About the time we are inspired and pounding those keys at our computer....mother calls and needs to go see the doctor - immediately! Susie calls from school to say she forgot the notebook for her class project and without it she will get a failing grade. The pastor calls wanting to know if you will take soup to a sick shut-in.
Finally at 10pm you sit down to write in peace and suddenly you are overwhelmed with pain. I personally don't like to call it depression. I'm not convinced that properly describes what I feel. Instead, when I think about the news - I feel pain. It's a sense of loss that others just can't see the truth. I see where certain philosophies lead and I know that individuals are about to walk off a cliff. That hurts me! It pains me to know that evil is so busy influencing the world. It feels as though devious people who only want to make a buck - have no problem leading innocent readers down a dark and evil path. I don't understand how some people sleep at night. How they can write such obviously wrong things and then get on TV and try to defend them. I hurt for their readers.
For me....that pain leads to sorrow and to prayer. I beg God to show me how to have a greater influence. I lift teary eyes to heaven sobbing for God to lift my burden. I feel so alone, overwhelmed and just not capable of finishing my task. And that pain influences my writing. How? Either I pound the keys with anger - which thank goodness I never share those writings:) or...I am so discouraged/careful that my writing lacks power and inspiration.
It's at that point that I have to ask God to help me find middle ground. I can't allow my circumstances to keep me from writing. I can't allow the tidal wave of other's pain to weigh me down and keep me avoiding the door to my office. I have to shake it off. Not with an "I don't care" attitude, but rather with the knowledge that I am laying those problems at the feet of Jesus and asking..."Can you watch these for me, while I do the writing you've called me to do?"
I have to take a walk, listen to a song or a writers class, exercise or just call a friend. I have to remind myself that for this moment everything is okay and the most important thing I can do is write the words God is placing in my mind.
I'm not the Savior of the world - God is. Looking for instant results, crowd pleasing words or the next best seller isn't my job. My job is to accept the Holy Calling of Writing and do the work God has placed before me. If I do that...then I am pleasing to the one person that really matters - God.
Dear God,
Help me to do your will today. Help me to shine a light into this dark and depraved world. Help me to handle the "situations" of my life with grace while I also find time to follow your Holy Calling. I ask you today to bless my writing friends. Help us to unite in the great task of spreading your word. Bless our efforts and may they join together creating a sea of voices that will overwhelm evil and unite in the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Give all of my writing friends a productive and peaceful day....
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A safe encouraging friend
Maybe the children are sick or your husband didn't get that raise. Maybe you receive that dreaded rejection notice or you find out your pastor is leaving. The worst of all is when an "un-safe" friend whose only read two books in her life decides to tell you all the things she felt was wrong with your last published work. Her opinion shouldn't be that important and yet...today....it reaches into your life and turns off all your creativity.
You begin to ask yourself if writing is worth it. You begin to question if you can complete your goals. That one little bud of doubt has encouraged an entire garden of fears.
When you feel this way, you need a drummer. A friend that will beat the drum of encouragement and keep your eyes focused on your goal. You need a safe encouraging friend to counterbalance the fears you face. Every writer should have at least one encouraging friend - outside relative status - that can keep you motivated. I am blessed to have several of those types of friends. Each of them seem to sense when I'm down. They don't call and keep me on the phone for hours or try to counsel or talk me out of my doldrums. Instead, they send me a ray of sunshine by e-mail.
"Thinking of you today. I love your writing."
"Keep it up Debbie. I know it must be hard but I love your work."
"I was praying for you. I know it must be hard working like you do - and most of it for free. Just want you to know that I appreciate all your writings. They mean so much to my life."
Each one of those precious friends share in any success I may have. Their encouragement has kept me going when I wanted to quit.
It's a chilly day with gray clouds and rain. I'm staring at a desk covered in piles of papers and red important stickers that announce - "Do me first!" We've just returned from a hard and difficult trip. I have to have a root canal and dentists scare me. I was praying for God's strength when I received the following e-mail.
Jeremiah 29:11
"for I know the plans I have for YOU," declares the LORD..."
Never give the devil a ride, he will want to take over the driving.
Dear Woman of God
Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness
God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally.
Dear God: This is my friend, whom I love and this is my prayer for her
"Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations.
Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe."
Love you Girl!
It is very important that writers cultivate safe and encouraging friends. Thank you Pat for your encouragement today! God bless you!
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Hard work is important
This blog is about the "soul" of a writer. It's not my job to teach you how to write...but rather to keep you writing. Since we all receive those dreaded rejection letters....I thought we should take a moment to laugh and realize that we probably are doing better than we think. Imagine if the following letter was a proposal for a writing assignment.
Resimay
To hoom it mae cunsern,
I waunt to apply for the job what I saw in the paper.
I can Type realee quik wit one finggar and do sum a counting..
I think I am good on the phone and I no I am a pepole person,
Pepole really seam to respond to me well.
I no my spelling is not to good but find that I Offen can get a job thru my persinalety.
My salerery is open so we can discus wat you want to pay me and wat you think that I am werth,
I can start emeditely. Thank you in advanse fore yore anser.
hopifuly
Yore best aplicant so farr.
Sinseerly,
BRYAN
Now don't you feel better? At least you know how to use spell check. As we all know, working hard at your craft does pay off.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
Resimay
To hoom it mae cunsern,
I waunt to apply for the job what I saw in the paper.
I can Type realee quik wit one finggar and do sum a counting..
I think I am good on the phone and I no I am a pepole person,
Pepole really seam to respond to me well.
I no my spelling is not to good but find that I Offen can get a job thru my persinalety.
My salerery is open so we can discus wat you want to pay me and wat you think that I am werth,
I can start emeditely. Thank you in advanse fore yore anser.
hopifuly
Yore best aplicant so farr.
Sinseerly,
BRYAN
Now don't you feel better? At least you know how to use spell check. As we all know, working hard at your craft does pay off.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
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