American economist James M. Buchanan won a Nobel Memorial Prize in 1986 for his work on pubic choice theory. Two questions he reportedly asked job candidates were:
“What are you writing that will be read 10 years from now? What about 100 years from now?”
Has anyone ever asked you that? How did you respond?
Now that some holiday dust has settled, let me ask you something: Did you send fewer Christmas cards this year than last? Did you receive fewer?
Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I’m one of what appears to be a rare-and-vanishing-breed of old-fashioned souls who starts banging out a family Christmas letter each year just after Thanksgiving. Sometimes before. December without an annual family newsletter is like peanut butter without jelly, Aspen slopes without snow, Lucy without Ethel… Well. You get the idea.
Do you write letters anymore, even around the holidays? How many people read your letters? While I’m clunking merrily away on the keyboard, I’m fully aware that my year-end wrap-up of family news, vacation photos, sports events and special occasions will most likely be speed-read by a select few and ignored by most. How come? Here are a few possibilities:
A Christmas favorite – any time of the year:
Don’t you love autumn? Trees change clothes. Sweater weather chases away shorts and sandals. The season slows long enough to give us a chance to savor and appreciate what matters – family, faith, friends. A time for thanks. That’s one reason I’m once again offering my loyal readers a Thanksgiving gift, a free download of Isabella’s Torch: A Thanksgiving Memoir. It’s my way of saying thanks to you. (If you enjoy the short story, a comment or a review would be appreciated. Thanks!)
Good Monday and Happy Veterans Day!
“Okay,” you say, “‘Good’ and ‘Monday’ should never appear together in the same sentence.” Point taken. But hang on a minute. It gets better. Promise.
Writing about “good” on a gray, gloomy Monday isn’t an “oops.” It may seem like an “Oops.” But it’s not. No. Really. It’s intentional. Let me explain.
“Never mistake motion for action” – Ernest Hemingway
If you’ve been at the writing trade for longer than twenty minutes or so, you’ve probably noticed the “desperate doodlers.” These are the writer wannabees who are so desperate to break into print that they’ll pitch their work to anyone and everyone, even paying a third party to get “published.” Those who continuously stoop to submitting anything, anywhere, with little to no regard to a publisher’s reputation, accessibility or integrity aren’t Real Writers so much as they are Desper-Doodles. They’re dying to pad their scanty resumes with “publishing credits” from any Tom, Dick, or Harry that comes along and says “I’ll take that.” (This can actually hurt you in the long run if you make it a habit.)
Heads Up
A word of clarity here: In the publishing world, “small” or “independent” doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality or ill repute. Just because a publisher or literary outlet isn’t a household name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a boiler-plate, fly-by-night outfit. But it might. So heads up: “Come one, come all” publishers who prey on inexperienced novice writers are a dime a dozen. They’ll publish anything and everything, usually for a fee, regardless or quality or merit. Some of these “publishers” make a living at predating on hapless souls who are willing to sell their firstborn for a chance to see their name in lights.
Look before you leap. You may get your work “published” with some of these “snake oil” publishers, but good luck on finding anyone who’ll actually buy your book – let alone fall in as a loyal reader.
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Have you had an experience with a publishing “snake oil salesman?”
What did you learn?
Attention fellow writers and readers:
Check out: 7 Lessons in Self-Publishing I Learned in the Seventh Grade by Mainak Dhar. This guest post on David Gaughran’s blog,Let’s Get Digital: How to Self-Publish and Why You Should, is a bit long-ish, but it’s well worth the read. Plenty of practical tips, perspective and ‘food for thought’ here.
Speaking of which, have you self-published? If so, what was your experience? Positive or negative? What are some of the pros and cons you’ve encountered in self-publishing? Would you recommend this route for publication?
“Just a few more minutes” Dad whispered as orange tongues of flame licked the yurt’s wood-burning stove, “and we’ll be warm as toast.” He winked. Burrowed under a mountain of blankets, I winked back.
There was Something Big in Dad. Something you didn’t see at first. Something you had to look for.
These are the first two paragraphs in my true-life short story, The Monument. I just received word that The Monument won First Place in the Christian Creative Writer’s Short Story Contest.
Read the full story here. It’s short. I promise. Let me know what you think in the Comments section.
Connected?
Also – have we connected on Facebook? Like my page here. Don’t forget to connect on Twitter. Catch my tweets at Road Diverged. If you’re a writer or outdoor woodsy hiking type, I follow back!
One other quick announcement: I’m taking off the rest of August thru mid-September to focus on some family projects and priorities. See you back when temperatures start to drop and the winds turn chilly!
Today we’re getting to know Carol Stratton, author of Changing Zip Codes: Finding Community Wherever You’re Transplanted. Carol has moved twenty-two times and has a passion for newcomers, “as I’ve been one many times.” She says, “I started out in the SF Bay Area and now live in North Carolina.”
Carol has kindly offered Roads Diverged readers a sweet slice of her book via the following devotional excerpt, All Dressed With Somewhere to Go. Her bio and contact info. follow. Enjoy!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not
be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:4-6 NIV
All Dressed With Somewhere to Go
Out in front of his Bible school, David Weaver perched himself on top of a suitcase that held most of his worldly possessions. Even though he was sure he wanted to be a missionary, he didn’t have next semester’s tuition. Consequently, he found himself moving out of the dorm room and onto the school’s front lawn.
If it had been me, I would have been kicking the side of my suitcase, calling home to cry on my mother’s shoulder, or writing a very self-righteous letter to the president of the school.
Not David. A man of strong faith, he sported a large smile and a positive attitude. He had tried every other means to raise funds and nothing had worked. So he just sat outside with a grin, knowing God would come through with a miracle.
Maybe you need a housing miracle. It might be selling a home and finding temporary shelter before you can move on. It might be an affordable mortgage. But whatever it is, know that God is paying attention. Even though heaven seems mute, He has not forgotten your need. But our part is spelled out clearly in Philippians: we are to rejoice, rejoice again, and rejoice always. After we do that we are to present our requests to God in a thankful manner. So let’s review. Rejoice, rejoice again, and pray with thanksgiving—end of discussion.
But when we are talking about a major relocation in our lives, it’s a very difficult thing to do. That’s when we bring God our “sacrifice of praise.” It’s a sacrifice because we have to give up our normal way of handling things—whining, worrying, and stressing. But to use David as an example, getting our attitude right opens the door for God to work. Want to hear the rest of the story?
As David perched outside the administration building, a lady from the office ran out to tell him they’d found him a place to stay. Two bachelors had a room in their house and David could room there for free. In addition, the house was right behind the school, within walking distance.
As he hauled his gear into his new home, the phone rang. One of the owners picked it up and with a puzzled look, motioned to his new roommate, “It’s for you.” Someone from the school’s office had called to tell him there was a job available and he’d better get over there, pronto. David explained how he was in a grubby T-shirt and jeans, but the caller insisted he needed to get there immediately. He rushed over to the employment office. Standing in line with other applicants, he felt foolish in his grungy work clothes among the suits and ties of the other young men. Suddenly he saw one of the interviewers pointing at him. “Hey you, come up here right now.” Shocked, he walked to the front of the line. “I need someone in construction and see you are dressed for work. Can you start right away?David shook his head in amazement. In one day he’d gone from being homeless to landing a good roof over his head and a job. What an awesome God.
Today as we feel overwhelmed with a move, let’s remember God does pay attention. Our part is to keep a faithful attitude. You might try pulling out a suitcase and putting it by the front door as a reminder that God does provide.
Taken from the book: Changing Zip Codes: Finding Community Wherever You’re Transplanted
Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Available at Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ox3nxrj
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Carol G. Stratton has been a freelance writer and speaker for over a decade in publications including InTouch magazine, CBN.com, Kyria, Forsyth Women Magazine and the Grand Rapids Press as well as two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different (Wine Press) and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers (Guideposts).
She speaks to MOPS and other women’s groups about life transitions and personality temperaments. She is currently under contract for a women’s inspirational novel called Lake Surrender.
Contact Carol at: carolgstratton@gmail.com or through her website: ChangingZipCodes.
You can also find Carol on Facebook at Changing Zip Codes, or on Twitter at @CarolGStratton.
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Interested in being a featured author? Shoot me a comment. Tell me a bit about yourself and your work. I’ll get back to you by email. (Anonymous comments will not receive a response.)
A Likely Story: When Spiritual Abuse Comes Knocking is coming soon to Kindle!
Controversy clouds the departure of women’s ministry director Rhoda Pemberton after her sudden exodus from Maple Glen Community Church. No is talking, least of all Pastor Pearson.
Rhoda shows up at her best friend’s door in a downpour, desperate for healing from something she scoffed at until it happened to her. Can two lifelong friends – a soul-sick skeptic and the founder of LightLife Christian Counseling – battle an unseen darkness and fight their way through to health and hope? Or will shame and stonewalling short-circuit their quest for truth?
Includes ‘What Is Spiritual Abuse”‘, 13 Tips for Healing and Hope, and Resources.
Coming soon to Kindle:
A Likely Story:
When Spiritual Abuse Comes Knocking.
By yours truly.
Keep an eye out!
Pages & Paws 