C'est La Vie!: August 2014

Saturday, August 23, 2014

So, You Say You Want to Be a Writer...

The words burn at your fingertips, rumbling passionately within your soul, ready to explode like an array of beautiful fireworks. You look up, visualizing each letter, each word, each sentence, each paragraph, each chapter, and finally, you have birthed your book. Compelled to manifest the vision, you begin writing. However, have you prepared for the journey?

“Journey? Where am I going? I’m just sitting here penning words,” you say.

I’ve come to tell you, if you’ve a desire to share your creations with the world, you’re going on quite the trip. Buckle up and hang on!

So what should you pack for this trip?

1. First and foremost you are going to need God’s Grace. Pray. You cannot do this alone.

2. Second, preparation. Prepare your love ones, especially if your writing might take some attention away from them.

3. Third, network. Talk with other writers and gather their experiences.

4. Fourth, broaden your knowledge. Attend a writer’s workshop, or class. If possible, go to a writer’s conference.

5. Fifth, think it through. Consider how you will publish you work.

6. Sixth, build fortitude. You’re gonna need it! Not saying agents and publishers will repeatedly reject your work; but they might. Be prepared for the NO, while expecting a YES. What I mean by that is, if you receive a no, allow it to motivate you to seek your YES even harder. Don’t give up!

7. Seventh, develop a support system. You’ll need someone in the business to turn to for guidance, friends to pray for you, family to support you. No one is an island.

8. Eighth, create harmony. Writing can easily consume you. It can create discord in your life. Some days I don’t want to stop. Yet, I can’t have a productive life typing away at my computer all day. Make sure the other elements in your life do not suffer. Church, Work, Family, Friends and Rest.

9. Ninth, take courage. The day will come when you will have to verbally introduce your work to the public. Don’t lose heart. Be brave!

10. Tenth, read books and watch movies. Yep, I said it. Reading is FUNdamental. Reading increases your analytical and writing skills. Watch movies that make you think, or think about the movies you watch. Every movie began as a script. Somebody wrote that!

Well, that’s my top-ten list. Hope your bags will soon be packed, and you’ll be off on your journey. Bon voyage!

Hope to hear from you. I love your comments and want to learn about your writing journey!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three – www.Taylormadenc.com)

(Novel Four - Coming 2014)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Monday, August 11, 2014

Freely Give, Freely Receive

I’ve read the best way to get your book into the hands of the readers is to venture into the world and introduce yourself. After taking a long break from my journey, I decided it was time to get moving again.

As soon as I made the decision, an opportunity presented itself. I immediately secured it, and participated in a local vending event.

Loaded down with inventory, ready and willing to share my work, I hoped and prayed I would make good connections. As soon as the doors opened, I began to engage with the public.

I felt so honored strangers would take an interest and investment in my work.

What really awed me was one particular customer. She wanted to purchase a devotional. I explained, however, I had given all my change away. She handed me the twenty-dollar bill and said, “Keep it.” Shocked, I lifted another devotional, asked, “Would you like another book?”

“KEEP IT!” she said more firmly. Her friend reached out and I handed her the book.

Stunned, I stood, watching the woman walk away. What manner of generosity was this? I didn’t even get the opportunity to ask her name, or sign her book. She freely gave, looking for nothing in return, and walked away.

Rolling the moment over and over again in my mind, I understand now. This woman demonstrated the premise of my latest novel; “Forgetting Betrayal.” The story teaches; we must not only forgive, however, we must forget as well. Giving the first, without the second, binds us.

Imagine if my customer would have demanded her change. I would have had to search and work for her forgiveness until I satisfied my debt. This would have caused me stress, and her time. This did not happen. She was kind to me, sensitive.

My heart wonders about the offender sometime. Although they may plea for our forgiveness, we may stand in demand of their efforts. We expect them to continue to work for our forgiveness. We misunderstand; misuse our power. Forgiveness requires no exchange of work. We must freely give. We must freely receive.

My customer chose not to waste her time demanding my efforts. She forgave the debt and moved on. How liberating for us both!