“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Eventful events

The past seven days have been pretty eventful for me "writing-career-wise." I've taken some pretty big steps (to me, anyway), and I figured I'd share them with you.

A week ago today, the professional edit of my non-fiction manuscript Ailing Body Nourished Soul was finished, and the manuscript returned to me. I've been waiting for this for a LONG time. Woowoo. :)

On Thursday, after reading it all the way through one more time (and yes, I still really like it LOL), I emailed it to a literary agent's assistant who requested the full manuscript a bit ago. Yeah, I'm shaking.

And then on Sunday, I entered the first 15 pages, and a one page synopsis, of my Biblical fiction Handmaiden to a Princess, in one of the, if not THE, most prestigious unpublished Christian fiction contests around: The American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis contest. (By the way, the deadline to enter this one isn't until March 4, so it isn't too late to get yours in as well! I highly recommend it!)

Now, I need to get back to actually writing Handmaiden to a Princess. For whatever reason, I seem to be avoiding working on this manuscript. NOT a good thing. I know better than anyone how easy it is to get out of the habit of writing. I've probably got half the words of this book written, and I'd LOVE to have it mostly, if not completely, done by the time Genesis winners are announced in September (not that I think I'll win - but I do SO much better with a deadline!). So I guess I need to get back in the habit again. It's a great story, and I SO want to tell it. Just have to get my rear in gear!

How do you get yourself back into a habit you've dropped?


Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

9 comments:

  1. Yay for entering genesis! I think I will again this year but mine isn't ready yet--better work on it!

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  2. These are AWESOME pieces of news for you Joanne! Keep us posted! :-) And when I get out of a habit, I sometimes just self-talk my way back into it. Or in the case of writing, PRAY...then drink LOTS of caffeine. Chocolate comes in handy as well!

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  3. So proud of you Jo!! You're doing fantastic!

    How do I get back into a habit I've dropped? LoL--I'll have to get back to you on that. LoL

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  4. Hurray on all of your accomplishments. Totally cool. How do I get back into the habit of doing something? I follow the advice of the Godfather Pizza dude when he says, "Just doooooooooooooo it." That's the only way I know how, just do it. (Sorry, I'm not the best at giving advice. Oh well.)

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  5. Yay, JO!

    Do you want me to get out the wet-noodle?

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  6. ooo well you know I review books Joanne, you've got me intrigued! lol
    and as far as habits I've dropped, let me know when you figure it out.. I've started running again this year after I haven't done it in about 6 years and it's about killing me.. so I'll go with the desire to "want" to do it and some hard core determination not to fail! lol

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  7. I read it. I read it and read it until it becomes a part of me again. And sometimes, that doesn't happen the first or even the fifth time. Those days, I let it go. Clean out a closet. If I force it, it just pushes me away.

    Good luck with your reunion!

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  8. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Love you!

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  9. Congrats, Joanne on the great progress you've made.

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