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Do I Really Have to Fit In?
“Fitting in is killing me,” Halley wailed. It was obvious she was frustrated. Halley was a twenty-something, single registered nurse who had given her life to Christ during her college years. She was smart, well spoken, and stylish. “What do you mean by ‘fitting in’?” I asked, certain that I knew exactly what she meant.…
St. Patrick: The Man Behind the Holiday!
I don’t think I really started to think about St. Patrick, the man until I got married to an Irish/German/American, and had kids. Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was all about wearing green and drinking beer. Yet, if St. Patrick was alive today, I think he’d be heartbroken over what his name has come to…
Teen Fiction Online Writing Course Next Week!
I’m excited about the teen fiction online writing course I’m offering next week. I’ve wanted to offer online writing courses and webinars for a while, but time, lack of tech-know how, and my personal perfectionism has prevented me from doing so. Last summer I offered THIS writing course in my home to four eager…
Peace in the Waiting
“I’m confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6) Sometimes waiting is not about being denied what we want, it’s about molding, and shaping us into who God wants us to be. Doesn’t make it an easier,…
Hobby Loss interpretation for writers
A lot of writers wonder if their writing business will be considered a hobby by the IRS. The IRS has specific guidelines for determining whether or not a business is for profit, but some of the rules can appear confusing, especially as they relate to writers. While the following list can’t replace sitting down with…
Should You Be Writing?
“All initiative to write is not inspired.”This is my thought reading February 16th in My Utmost for His Highest. “Arise from the dead,” Chambers quotes (Ephesians 5:14) and then uses it to draw a distinction between divine and human initiative. I sense a key here, another connection to the journey of authorship. And I want this wisdom…
Being Great for God
When we think about being “great” for God, most think about participating in great programs and projects while greatly utilizing our talents, abilities and natural strengths. We think of doing. But I don’t think that’s right. It seems to me WHO we are as individuals is of greater importance than WHAT we try to do.…
Fighting Through Insecurities to Reach Your Dreams
Every since I can remember I’ve dreamed of being a dancer. I remember watching Flashdance, Footloose, Fame, and all the other fun dancing movies and thinking how much fun it would be to do that. But to achieve that goal would take hard work, discipline and talent. We didn’t have a lot of money growing…
To Sleep or Write?
by Tanya Dennis The kids are finally asleep. I just kicked off a second load of laundry, straightened the living room (for the fourteenth time today) and cleaned the bathroom. Exhausted, I ignored the dirty dishes in the sink. It’s 9:27 PM, but it feels like 11. I should write. I should work on that…
So You Think You Have Nothing to Say?
Last month I drove an hour and a half to my first speaking engagement. I knew this day would come. The day when I couldn’t just hide behind my computer screen. The day when I would have to take my writing on the road and share everything I’ve learned as a writer so far. And…