My journey to the writing 'habit'
I grew up in a Christian home and made my decision for Christ at age 8. But for many years of my adulthood, I took the road MOST travelled—while I deeply desired to make an eternal impact with my life, I walked by sight (not by faith), working for the same good company for 20 years.
God began really dealing with me, and I could not refuse Him any longer. I left my comfort zone, entered seminary, and joined my church’s staff leading the Children’s Ministry.
While in seminary, not knowing really where and how God would want to use me, I tried several programs: counseling, social work, education. They all were energizing to me, but then I saw this course on the schedule of classes: “Writing for Publication in the Christian Market.”
“Poof!” The pilot light ignited just seeing the name of that class. I took the class, not at all confident that I would have what it takes to be a writer, much less a paid writer. But we were encouraged to submit some of our assignments for publication.
To my delight and amazement, my first opinion article (a short one), was selected for publication in the Dallas Morning News. Then the first feature I ever wrote, “To Tell the Truth” was accepted for publication in a popular Christian magazine, Discipleship Journal. I was paid $700!
Then, encouraged by my master’s thesis committee to submit my creative thesis to a publisher, I went to my first writer’s conference to pitch my book. I was disappointed at first—the editor representing the publisher for whom I had written my book had no more appointments available.
But God’s Providence was at work. Walking to dinner at the conference, I happened to be right behind her on the sidewalk. Me, the editor, and no one else (except for God!). That still small voice said, “This is your appointment!”
A year later, I had a contract with Baker Books for my Christian self-help book for stepfamilies! After months of editing and re-writing, in 2004, I became a published author with a check to boot!
For the next 10 years, I served on a church staff and wrote a lot in my job. But there was little time to write on the side.
Urged by God to step back into a “non-religious” environment, I worked 7 years for a community college, writing student support materials and providing academic and career advising to college students, sharing my faith when doors opened.
Today, I am retired from my 'day job', and writing as I feel inspired--enjoying some of the things on my bucket list, like a 'reset' trip to Baja for whale watching, and trying my first (and last!) raw oyster on the half shell (see banner picture). And I am going on adventures with God, learning to really hear His voice, joining Him in His activity more and more, and hoping He can use my writing in His Kingdom work!
My inspiration:
"I will stand my watch, and set myself on the rampart and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the Lord answered me and said, 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'" Habakkuk 2:1-2
Will you allow me the privilege of writing YOUR Kingdom vision?
God began really dealing with me, and I could not refuse Him any longer. I left my comfort zone, entered seminary, and joined my church’s staff leading the Children’s Ministry.
While in seminary, not knowing really where and how God would want to use me, I tried several programs: counseling, social work, education. They all were energizing to me, but then I saw this course on the schedule of classes: “Writing for Publication in the Christian Market.”
“Poof!” The pilot light ignited just seeing the name of that class. I took the class, not at all confident that I would have what it takes to be a writer, much less a paid writer. But we were encouraged to submit some of our assignments for publication.
To my delight and amazement, my first opinion article (a short one), was selected for publication in the Dallas Morning News. Then the first feature I ever wrote, “To Tell the Truth” was accepted for publication in a popular Christian magazine, Discipleship Journal. I was paid $700!
Then, encouraged by my master’s thesis committee to submit my creative thesis to a publisher, I went to my first writer’s conference to pitch my book. I was disappointed at first—the editor representing the publisher for whom I had written my book had no more appointments available.
But God’s Providence was at work. Walking to dinner at the conference, I happened to be right behind her on the sidewalk. Me, the editor, and no one else (except for God!). That still small voice said, “This is your appointment!”
A year later, I had a contract with Baker Books for my Christian self-help book for stepfamilies! After months of editing and re-writing, in 2004, I became a published author with a check to boot!
For the next 10 years, I served on a church staff and wrote a lot in my job. But there was little time to write on the side.
Urged by God to step back into a “non-religious” environment, I worked 7 years for a community college, writing student support materials and providing academic and career advising to college students, sharing my faith when doors opened.
Today, I am retired from my 'day job', and writing as I feel inspired--enjoying some of the things on my bucket list, like a 'reset' trip to Baja for whale watching, and trying my first (and last!) raw oyster on the half shell (see banner picture). And I am going on adventures with God, learning to really hear His voice, joining Him in His activity more and more, and hoping He can use my writing in His Kingdom work!
My inspiration:
"I will stand my watch, and set myself on the rampart and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the Lord answered me and said, 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'" Habakkuk 2:1-2
Will you allow me the privilege of writing YOUR Kingdom vision?