By Melanie Rigney Is there a difference between giving up and letting go? That question was posed at a retreat I attended recently. The conversation was of particular interest to me. While others were spending the retreat in prayer, working on faith journey scrapbooks, or taking long walks, I was researching a nonfiction book that’s due to a Catholic publisher …
God’s Mighty Hero
by Maureen Miller “You need to be brave, like Gideon,” God said. “Who… me?” I replied, then busied myself. Maybe he’ll go away. But, of course, God didn’t go away. Instead, he repeated, “Be like Gideon.” He’s serious, I thought. Still, I argued. “But Father, I’m not courageous like Gideon. In fact, I’m really more like—” “Gideon,” God interrupted, “Remember, …
Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant
by Roxanne Hicks My husband and I live on the edge of the Rocky Mountain range and are blessed with abundant wildlife which also call this home. On any given day, we’re likely to watch a variety of animals scamper, or amble, through our pastures. One morning while sipping my coffee, I witnessed a good-sized flock of wild turkeys pick …
Small Things
by Lisa Kelley @LisaKelleyWrite Sometimes, it can seem nearly impossible to find time to put words on the screen. If you have a full-time job like me, the hours you have to devote to writing may be few. Often, I set aside my vacation time as dedicated writing hours. Such was my plan this past December. I struggled last year …
REST in Your Writing
by Susan Lyttek @SusanLyttek Today, as this posts, is my birthday. As with most of us, even if I vow not to, I compare the current me to the me of a year ago. Did I accomplish what I planned? (absolutely never) Did I grow closer to God and family? (almost always) Do I like the person I’m becoming? (never …
A Writer’s Yield
by Jane Kirkpatrick Today my writing project is a second book in an historical series. The first book, Across the Crying Sands, Revell, comes out in May. When I turn this second manuscript in, it’ll be my 42nd book. You’d think I’d know how to plant seeds of words that would lead to a harvest but I still struggle with …
Writing in Layers
By Loretta Eidson Chefs prepare some of the best tasting layered foods. We have lasagna, nachos, casseroles, salads, pizza, etc. Just the mention of those delicious dishes makes our mouths water. Not to mention topping it off with extra cheese. All the ingredients, appropriately measured and blended, result in a lip-smacking delight. We won’t forget the satisfying taste that tickles …
Let Down the Nets
by Lisa Kelley @LisaKelleyWrite Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Even so, the quest most of the time is rewarding. But sometimes the doubts mushroom, and I think my efforts are futile. Have you felt this way? Maybe you, like me, have said, “Lord, I’m done. I have nothing more to give.” Like me, you may have had …
Singing the Song of Thanksgiving
by Christine Sunderland There is a white cross on the hillside of Angel Mountain, aka Mount Diablo, the setting for one of my novels. I have learned recently that it is a place of prayer and meditation, a light in the dark. We can see the cross from our house, a moving reminder to pray and give thanks, and on …
The Sweet Agony of Waiting
By Glynn Young @gyoung9751 A publisher asks to see your full manuscript. You read it three more times, trying to eradicate all typos, missing words, unclear passages, and confusing lines. You attach it to a politely professional email, which you hope disguises what you’re experiencing in equal measure: hope, fear, and anxiety. You hit send. And then you wait. Waiting …