Persistence

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Aloha from Karen, At my first writer’s conference I won the persistence award. I wondered if I just asked the most questions and if that was a polite way to say I was a pest. But over time I realize writers need persistence to succeed and someone saw that in me. I looked at this year’s calendar and already see deadlines looming and contracts that look great-more than I ever expected. I look back and realize I persisted and years of hard work matter. Even more, I see other writers I knew from my early beginnings also finding more success…

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Jesus Prays for Us!

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                            Grace Fox here with a thought that's been on my mind lately. Hebrews 7:25 encourages me, especially on days when I’m frustrated, discouraged, or doubt-filled. It says, “Therefore he (Jesus) is able once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” The thought of Jesus praying on His followers’ behalf excites me! My hunch is that He prays a lot more than, “God, please bless So-and-So today.” My sanctified imagination tells me His…

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Are You Doing it Wrong?

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Jeanette here, with another crocheting metaphor. During this Christmas season, I crocheted six scarves and a set of coasters. Since I was on a roll, I crocheted three more scarves after Christmas to give to friends who I thought needed a lift. I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, but I do enjoy this pastime and those who receive scarves and coasters always love them. I have a confession to make though: I do it wrong. I hold my hook upside down. At first this frustrated my friend Marion, who taught me last year. No matter how many times she reminded…

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Newsworthy

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Dianne Neal Matthews here, hoping to encourage you with a Christmas-related message—even though it’s the second week of January. About a month ago, I heard a story at church that has stuck in my mind.

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Hope and Writing

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Aloha from Karen Whiting, CAN treasurer This week I received an email from an editor that surprised me. I met with the editor last March at a conference and submitted some requested manuscripts but heard nothing. Evidently my submission made it into the accepted folder but in changing secretaries the company missed sending me a contract. This week the editor checked for the contract before preparing to put the article into an upcoming issue, found the error, and emailed me. The article is a new twist on something they like to publish and I hope readers enjoy it. This unexpected…

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Getting Past Row 1

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Jeanette here, squeezing blogging between writing, Christmas shopping, practicing for the church choir’s Christmas concert, and crocheting scarves for friends and family. And you guessed it: I came up with a writing-related illustration while weaving my favorite crochet needle through some soft deep purple yarn.

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Decorating for the Holidays

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Sherry Kyle here, writing to you from my laptop in central California. Can you believe it’s almost December? Now that Thanksgiving is over for 2011, it’s time to decorate our homes for Christmas. I don’t know what it’s like at your house, but my kids can’t wait for the tree to go up and the decorating to begin.  Like embellishing our homes for the holidays, our manuscripts need that something special in order to capture a reader’s attention.

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Reasons to be Thankful for Books

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Aloha from Karen It’s already Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful today for family (especially my husband who continues to battle breast cancer) and many friends. My family keeps growing-five children and now eight grandchildren. But I also want to express thanks babout books, including thanks for past rejections and current contracts and for books in general. I’m an avid reader and books opened my mind to many possibilities.

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Writing and the Red Sea

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                              HI! Grace Fox here, newest member of the Monday blogging team.  As a writer, I believe God has given me the assignment of communicating truth through the written word. Some days I feel confident of my call. Ideas flow, and fingers fly across the keyboard. An editor accepts an article. A royalty check arrives. And a reader emails, “Your book changed my life. Please keep writing.” Other days…well, other days the computer screen stares at me in silence. My fingers hover over the keyboard awaiting…

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