Deadlines
What is a writer to do with time constraints?
By participating in NaNoWriMo last year, (National Novel Writing Month) I personally learned that I write best when I have a certain goal to accomplish each day. That goal helps me push myself to complete it. Even if I’m too tired or getting discouraged, I know I have a goal in mind and I want to meet it.
Things like NaNoWriMo and signing up for a writing class will help with writing under pressure. In a writing class, the teacher gives you a deadline. If you miss that deadline, you can’t participate in any assignments concerning that piece of writing; deadlines have consequences when not met. You could even assign your own deadlines. Maybe three thousand words in one day or a chapter a week or any other deadline you want to create!
Also, finding a writing buddy helps. Whether you can meet in person or just online, you and your buddy can make personal goals and then discuss each day (or week, or whatever you choose) how you accomplished that goal. Meanwhile, you can discuss ideas, encourage each other, and find support in knowing that someone is working with you.
The best option, in my opinion, is a class in which you’ll lose percentage points if you turn in an assignment late. I’ve taken classes through my local community college. Search around where you live; you might find a good program.
Once again, it’s entirely your decision what to do. I’ve provided some examples that have worked for me and hope that other writers will find something useful from them.
Visit the Nation Novel Writing Website: http://www.nanowrimo.org/
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
A Life of Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1 NIV)
Fall leaves, pumpkin pies, and fires in the fireplace are just a few of the things that make Thanksgiving my favorite holiday. Of course the best thing about Thanksgiving is spending time with family, telling stories, laughing, and eating together. Something about Thanksgiving fills the heart with such warmth. Maybe it’s the warm colors of the leaves or the coziness of the living room when the air is wintry outside. Maybe it’s just that inward warmth that comes from a love that fills the house when family is together in one place.
Sometimes I wish thanksgiving could last all year! Then decorative pumpkins would always be on neighbor’s porches and pumpkin puree would have a permanent place on Kroger’s shelves. Most of all, my heart would always be filled with the warm feeling that results from thankfulness.
Why can’t it be thanksgiving all the time? We don’t need the decorations and desserts every day; why can’t we have that warm feeling of thankfulness? I realized there is only one thing that truly makes my heart warm with thankfulness, and that is God’s goodness and love.
God is good all the time, and His love endures forever—not just when the autumn spice candle is burning or when the turkey is hot out of the oven. Every day is a day of thanksgiving because of who God is and what He has done. Let’s celebrate a life of thanksgiving.
ASHLI ROUSSEL
Ashli Roussel, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Harding University, is passionate about sharing the truth and love of the Lord through writing. She loves camping, running, playing the piano, and participating in missions. Most of all, she is passionate about knowing, following, and serving her Lord and Savior. Without Him, her stories would mean nothing.
Ashli has battled and overcome an eating disorder, which God used to teach her great truths about who He is and how He is involved in our struggles. Now she desires to comfort others with the comfort that she has received from God. Keep an eye out for Ashli’s regular articles on iBegat.com! (read more…)
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