Busy!

If there is one thing I've learned during the past few years about writing, it is that it comes in seasons.  The last two weeks have been like a downpour of ideas, opportunities and tasks.  I'm quite excited about it!  I'm working on the Francis Chan article and queried a popular journal to ask if they are interested.  Guess what?  I got a 'maybe'!  While this might not seem all too promising, just the fact that I got feedback was miraculous.  I've been querying editors for years now and the most I've gotten is a form letter rejection--usually at least a year after the submission.  Can you think of anything more depressing?  Needless to say, a 'maybe' was well-taken.  Today I'm working a new article query for another idea (top secret :) and wrapping up some other loose ends.  It's kind of a 'pick up the pieces' day... And considering the fact that it's raining outside in the middle August, I think that suits me just fine.

Wall!

I am sitting at Panera, attempting to finalize my query for the Francis Chan article that I'm writing and suddenly, it is like I haven't a word to say about anything!  How does that happen?  I think it's time for some lunch.

A Step in the Right Direction.

Yesterday was a crazy, weird, emotional day.  However, I made great strides in my writing goals, so I count it as a win!

Some of you may know Francis Chan, the former pastor of Cornerstone Church...  He has had a great impact on my life in various capacities.  I first heard him speak at my college, then at Hume Lake and then at his own church.  He's really something.

Yesterday I got the amazing opportunity to interview him about his current ministry.  I will be writing an article about my findings and submitting it for publication in Leadership Magazines!  It was INCREDIBLY generous of him to give me the time...  I don't expect to get that lucky again!

Still, I cannot express how out of my comfort zone this was!  I get very nervous on the phone!  But it was such a good experience for me to step out and talk with a man who is doing innovative things to spread the gospel.  ( I won't say too much, since I will be writing about it!  I will keep you updated!)

Anyway, I feel as though I'm taking a step in a new direction and I CAN'T WAIT to write the article!

:)

Just the Right Angle.

Most recently, I have been learning about finding an angle for an article.  It's funny because in all the TV shows I've watched about reporters, I've probably heard them say "I gotta find the right angle for this story" a million times or more.  And yet, in my writing, it never occurred to me that I needed one.  I've always written what I know and what I've felt like writing. In some ways, this has fueled my writing.  I don't think I'd do well in a writing job where I was constantly assigned something to write which I had little to no interest in.  And yet, there is something about learning to craft your writing in a certain direction to meet a specific audience.  While an 'angle' is not as emphasized in novel writing as it is in article writing-- I think that's what I've been missing!  What a revelation!  Now I can just figure out how to find an angle...then I'll be on my way.  Suggestions are always welcome. :)

"Write What You Know"

The cliche "Write what you know" is rearing its ugly head in my life this week.  I recently consulted a Christian writer whom I have known for years, asking for wisdom and advice on 'breaking in' to the writing world.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure got the answer I was looking for. It's tough out there and unless you already are someone, it's unlikely people will want to hear what you have to say.  One suggestion he gave me was to begin writing articles and submitting them for publication in journals.  Though I cannot say I was thrilled by this prospect, I must admit, I think it's a good idea.  And yet once again, I find myself swimming through an unknown corner of a market I know so little about.  Writing articles is quite different than writing books, I'm coming to find.  Not only so, but in a time when I'm barely hanging on to my 'writing voice' I'm now trying to change it to match the more serious and (sometimes) impersonal tone of a magazine or journal.  I feel like I just sucked in helium. I think my only hope in this magazine world is to write about my own life experiences (at least) and write about subjects that I'm at least familiar with (at most). Anyway, I look forward to the day when I can put a link on my blog to an online journal with my name in it! ;)

Momentum

Well hello there.  I'm afraid I've been a bit out of sync with my blogs this past week and half.  I blame it on momentum.

Writing is all about keeping in step with your own thoughts and getting them down when they come.  If you don't, I promise they will slip away like last night's dream.  And that has been my pattern lately. I get an idea and then get distracted by life and details and bills and sickness.  And then I'm left with nothing. 

Writing is like working out.  Sometimes you go to the gym and have an awesome work out.  Others, you are limping on the treadmill, half-dead.  Today, my foot is stuck in that conveyor belt of my own thoughts.  

BUT, like working out-- the most important thing is that you show up and stay consistent. And that's where I'm at today.   I may be out of breath, but I'm here.  :)