Creativity + Focusing

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Aloha from Karen, CAN Treasurer So far this had been a crazy year for me with lots of writing (contracts) and lots of family activity. And then I cracked a rib sledding with one of my grandsons. In the midst of it all someone asked how I can keep up, be creative, and focus on writing with lots going on (plus pain).  I’ll chat about that today.  

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Hug a Writer

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Jan here, writing on a drizzly but pleasant evening from northern California. Did you know that yesterday was Hug-A-Writer Day in Canada? I’m wondering how many people knew about it—in Canada or anywhere else. I mean, did you get a hug yesterday? For being a writer? As writers and speakers we enjoy those hugs once in a while, don’t you think? If not physical arms wrapping around our shoulders, at least someone in our corner who is willing to encourage us from time to time and say, “Hey, keep going! You can do it! You’re on the right track.” But many days…

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Brand New Year, Same You!

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Hey, friends! It’s time to usher in a brand new year. Now, I know you’re expecting me to jump into a nice little story about making a new resolution to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Sorry, not happening. Instead, I want you to take a minute to celebrate who God created you to be — who He saw before you were created in your mother’s womb. The potential He sees today, in the midst of your failures, trials, and shortcomings. Search for what God sees in you, underneath all the influences of this world. That’s…

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Pressing Forward

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Happy 1st Monday of the week (and year) from Dianne Neal Matthews! In the past, I’ve felt inspired by Karen Whiting and others who shared how they ask God to give them “theme” or mission verses at the beginning of each new year. So a few days ago, I decided to follow their example. A Scripture passage rushed into my thoughts before I even finished the prayer. When I returned home last night from a holiday visit with my parents, I sensed God confirming His choice for my 2010 theme verse. I discovered that Kathi Macias used the same passage…

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Merry Christmas from CAN

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Aloha from Karen, the CAN treasurer, Only a few days to Christmas and the end of another year. As you contemplate the miracle of God becoming flesh, God incarnate, it’s also a time to believe in your dreams and know that with God all things are possible. I end the year with two unexpected book contracts although some I’d hoped for have not come through. God has such a greater plan that I have. Take time as the year end’s to thank God for the gifts he has given you this year and the writing opportunities. Then pray for the…

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“This Feels like Homework”

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Happy December 21 from Jeanette. Today I spent a chunk of my writing day on a project that felt like homework. Usually I enjoy the type of assignment involved but this just wasn’t clicking. On top of that, my head was foggy from a cold, both sons are off school, and four days before Christmas all I want to do is bake and watch movies. Can you relate? Then maybe you’ll benefit from how I dealt with it.

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A Season for Trust

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Jeanne Dennis here. Since June, I’ve been a member of the CAN Board. Even though you haven't heard from me personally for several months, I post the CAN book releases on this blog every Tuesday and help keep the CAN website up to date.  During this holy season, I wanted to touch base with you again and express what’s in my heart. We live in a time of personal, political, and financial uncertainty. Countless people now struggle with poor health or finances; suffer the loss of loved ones, jobs, or homes; or deal with other crises. Pain and loss often…

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Live to Write about it

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Hello from Jeanette! Today my family woke up to our first major winter storm of the season. It closed schools (including the University) and kept most people home shoveling snow. My sons and I had to scoop the driveway twice before my husband got home from work and then he still had to clear more. Early in the day we got hit with another type of storm—the news that the store where my husband works will be closing in four weeks. They promised to transfer employees to other stores but we know there is a chance that some will find…

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Joy in the Midst of Messy Situations

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Dianne Neal Matthews here, taking a break from decorating the tree. Last night I helped with a Christmas party for the women in my church. Since the theme was "Christmas Memories", we invited the ladies to write down and turn in favorite Christmas memories to be read throughout the evening. As always, my mind returned to a long-ago scene that still helps me keep my focus in the right place during this hectic month of December.

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Free Gift Available!

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    Hey, friends! Jennifer Devlin here, wishing you a wonderful season of joy and peace. I love this time of year, especially these few weeks between thankful celebrations and the anticipated gifts under a tree. As Christians, we’ve so much to be thankful for, and we’ve so much to celebrate — much more than a mere trinket under a tree. In this season God has me thinking of gifts. God places gifts inside the body of believers that glorify Him and build up the Church as a whole all year long! Not just a quick tearing of paper and a glimpse…

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