It was a joyous birthday present: Cross and Quill, the hard-copy Newsletter from the Christian Writers Fellowship International, e-mailed me that they wanted to use both (!) articles I sent them in November 2008. One article, “For the Love of History” is about writing Historical fiction; the other a 400 words, edited version of an article about Writer’s Software that was published on the Website of the Long Ridge Writers Group. The news surely made my day!
I sent in a column proposal to the Jerusalem Post Christian edition. Thought they could use some history pieces about Israel and the Jewish people and sent in a few sample stories that I had re-written from the radio pieces. The editor turned the table on me and wrote back the same day that he was interested in a certain article, but could I flesh out some more info and give it a broader scope. The deadline for the article was within 2 days, and I had only one day to get it done. Still waiting if it will be published or not, but I decided not to do this kind of ‘stunt’s again. I’m can’t handle the stress that is involved.
JournEzine, who has published one of my biblical stories, sent their new Submission guidelines. On their page I noticed an advertisement calling for stories for an anthology called “Echoes of White”. Deadline: February 2009! Because I already had a general story ready, I sent in a short version to give them an idea. The same day I received a very enthusiastic reply: please, please, please! Send your story! Writing our life’s story and seeing how God’s mighty hand guided each step of the way, was already such an encouragement to me. But also the editor of the anthology was also touched, and wrote she recognized so much from her own life! She surely wanted to have the story included in the book!
A private message waited for me in the FaithWriters postbox. After reading my profile, the editor of an e-zine called “The More Excellent Way” wondered if I would be willing to be one of the contributors. I sent in an example of one of the articles I had written about the children, and wait and see what happens next.
Don’t know where this all is going to lead, but I have the feeling God is beginning to open the doors – unbelievable! The only problem is that my next book is on hold, as I first have to get the Dutch MS ready to be sent to a publisher. The English version of “First Fruits in Jerusalem” is waiting to be read at SunPenny Publishing. I still can’t believe it I wrote that!
In the meantime, I stumbled upon another wonderful network: “Christian Women Take Root”. Check it out for yourself – a wonderful opportunity to bless and encourage others, even when you’re often ‘stuck’ at home, like me. My problem now is that I have to ‘guard’ my hours even more, as these networks are wonderful, but can also keep you from using it for other, important tasks. Like getting that article ready, with a deadline breathing in your neck!
Monday, 26 January 2009
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Writing a novel is hard work
… but also lots of fun.
My first Historical/Biblical novel consisted of 78,000 words, and was written in 4 months. Don’t bother to look for it, it needs a lot more revisions!
I know that now, because I just finished the Novel Course from my favorite organization - the Long Ridge Writers Group.
The second novel was written simultaneously with the Course, which promised to have 3 complete chapters ready by the 8th assignment.
My wonderful teacher, Mary Rosenblum, gave me free reign, and therefore I was able to finish the complete book – 120,000 words.
Now, THIS is a manuscript that will be revised till it’s ready to be sent out to an agent.
This book is about Huram-Avi, the skilled craftsman from Sur (Tyre) who is called to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Solomon’s Temple.
I started doing serious research for the story in February 2008, wrote the first chapter around the end of that month, and typed “THE END” in the third week of July this year. Pffff! At least it was out off my system.
The next step was to let it “cool down”, begin major (!) revisions and find people willing to “critique” the manuscript.
God is so good!
I’m blessed with three people willing to read the chapters and give me feedback – “critique” is positive, constructive feedback, to help make the book stronger.
I’m waiting for my second diploma to arrive and will post a picture of yours truly, with my “trophy”.
In the meantime, I’m debating whether to start revising the first novel (the blundering attempt) or start researching the other one that’s cooking in my mind. Ah! The wonderful, creative writer’s life. Never a dull moment!
My first Historical/Biblical novel consisted of 78,000 words, and was written in 4 months. Don’t bother to look for it, it needs a lot more revisions!
I know that now, because I just finished the Novel Course from my favorite organization - the Long Ridge Writers Group.
The second novel was written simultaneously with the Course, which promised to have 3 complete chapters ready by the 8th assignment.
My wonderful teacher, Mary Rosenblum, gave me free reign, and therefore I was able to finish the complete book – 120,000 words.
Now, THIS is a manuscript that will be revised till it’s ready to be sent out to an agent.
This book is about Huram-Avi, the skilled craftsman from Sur (Tyre) who is called to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Solomon’s Temple.
I started doing serious research for the story in February 2008, wrote the first chapter around the end of that month, and typed “THE END” in the third week of July this year. Pffff! At least it was out off my system.
The next step was to let it “cool down”, begin major (!) revisions and find people willing to “critique” the manuscript.
God is so good!
I’m blessed with three people willing to read the chapters and give me feedback – “critique” is positive, constructive feedback, to help make the book stronger.
I’m waiting for my second diploma to arrive and will post a picture of yours truly, with my “trophy”.
In the meantime, I’m debating whether to start revising the first novel (the blundering attempt) or start researching the other one that’s cooking in my mind. Ah! The wonderful, creative writer’s life. Never a dull moment!
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
FINISHED!
It was Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 that I was able to type “THE END”.
It was finished, the first draft of my novel about Huram-Avi, the artist from Sur (Tyre) who was sent to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Shlomo (Solomon’s) Holy Temple.
It was such a wonderful feeling, to have it finally “out of my system”.
The first finished draft contains 120,000 words in 29 chapters. I began seriously researching in February 2008, wrote the first chapter the end of February, and finished 5 months later.
I did it, but know that it wasn’t my doing for…
It was God Who put the story in my heart
Mary Rosenblum, my wonderful teacher, taught me to write strong prose
And again it was the Lord who gave me the desire, will and stamina to work hard and get it all on paper.
But this isn’t it. More work needs to be done. Tons of work!
I have to let it rest for a while, begin another book in the meantime, then return to the manuscript and revise, revise, revise. Then have to find some people willing to proofread a historical novel, do some more revisions, and when it’s finally presentable, the long, arduous journey begins of finding a literary agent willing to present me.
I have to trust the Lord to open the doors, for it’s quite a jungle out there.
We’ll see. First I’ll take another, very critical look at the manuscript of the “Eliyahu and the widow of Zarephat”, for I’m sure that, after this novel course that is almost finished by now, there will be more revisions on the way…. Sigh. A writer’s life isn’t easy.
But how I love it!
It was finished, the first draft of my novel about Huram-Avi, the artist from Sur (Tyre) who was sent to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Shlomo (Solomon’s) Holy Temple.
It was such a wonderful feeling, to have it finally “out of my system”.
The first finished draft contains 120,000 words in 29 chapters. I began seriously researching in February 2008, wrote the first chapter the end of February, and finished 5 months later.
I did it, but know that it wasn’t my doing for…
It was God Who put the story in my heart
Mary Rosenblum, my wonderful teacher, taught me to write strong prose
And again it was the Lord who gave me the desire, will and stamina to work hard and get it all on paper.
But this isn’t it. More work needs to be done. Tons of work!
I have to let it rest for a while, begin another book in the meantime, then return to the manuscript and revise, revise, revise. Then have to find some people willing to proofread a historical novel, do some more revisions, and when it’s finally presentable, the long, arduous journey begins of finding a literary agent willing to present me.
I have to trust the Lord to open the doors, for it’s quite a jungle out there.
We’ll see. First I’ll take another, very critical look at the manuscript of the “Eliyahu and the widow of Zarephat”, for I’m sure that, after this novel course that is almost finished by now, there will be more revisions on the way…. Sigh. A writer’s life isn’t easy.
But how I love it!
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