The (True!) Joys of Having ADD with Member Blogger Dawn Crandall

Most people aren't very surprised when they find out I have ADD. 

It probably (and hopefully) answers most of their questions as to why I am the way I am. I'm a tad out-going, think differently than almost everyone else I know, I'm a little unfiltered, and a bit talkative.

And do you know what? I thank God everyday that He made me this way. Because of my having ADD, I get to do what I like to do more than anything else in the world. 

WRITE.

I started taking the medication for ADD when I was seventeen years old and a junior in high school. It's true, I needed it pretty badly. I would never would have made it into college, let alone graduate from college, without it. It's rather unfortunate that I didn't learn much in school (like grammar and punctuation--I apologize now for any mistakes you might find in my comma placements!), as I was just scraping by before my junior year, getting my only good grades in the classes or subjects that had anything to do with Art or Creative Writing. But I suppose God had a specific reason for that too. I was also seventeen when I became a Christian, which was the true reason I ended up going to college and majoring in Christian Education.

I stopped taking the medication about thirteen years later. You'd think the medication prescribed to help me pay attention would help me focus on writing a book, right? But alas, no. It did the very opposite. I hadn't thought much about writing at all during those years because I was so entirely focused on everything else. When I did finally stop taking the medication, I realized that it was what had been blocking so much of what any writer needs most! My ability to think outside of what was going on in front of me was literally shut off for all those years. All along, I'd remembered how I had once LOVED writing from as far back as I could remember. It was after reading books like Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell and Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier as a teenager I knew I wanted to create a book someday. 

For the last five and a half years I've been off the medication and spending my time developing my voice and my brand of writing. After figuring out how to hone my "day-dreaming" into actual stories that I wanted to write, it didn't take me very long to figure out that this was what I was made for. I wrote my book and got two agent offers within a week of sending my proposals. I've completed another now, and I am on my third. It's a long waiting game to find out what's going to eventually happen with these books, but I'm happy because I'm writing. And truthfully, I really have never been good at anything else... because drawing doesn't count.  

It's true, I'm a bit scatter-brained. In everyday life, I pretty much need to be told what to do and where to be. But I sure can focus on what interests me... and that is brain-storming plots and writing ultra-complex, involved love stories that teach a multitude of spiritual life-lessons, not only to my main character (which I write in first person point of view), but also the reader.

I'm very much like the kitten (and yes, I love kittens and jump at the chance to use them whenever possible) in this picture, who's, in essence saying, "Who cares what everyone else is looking at or paying attention to? I've already found what I love most... and it's this amazing, green jingle ball!"  

Writing books is my amazing, green jingle ball. There's nothing in the world I would rather be doing than paying attention to the plot of my current Work In Progress.  

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{About Dawn Crandall}

(Updated since 2012) Dawn Crandall is the author of The Hesitant Heiress (August 2014), The Bound Heart (November 2014) and The Captive Imposter (February 2015), all part of The Everstone Chronicles series from Whitaker House. A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming traditionally published, he encouraged her to quit working in order to focus on writing. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Apart from writing books, Dawn is also a first-time mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014) and also serves with her husband in a pre-marriage mentor program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter.

The Everstone Chronicles is Dawn’s first series with Whitaker House. All three books composing the series were semifinalists in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Writing Contest, the third book going on to become a finalist in 2013.

A Time to Create...and A Time to Rest

I have a lot on my mind right now (just as I’m sure we all do). I’ll let our other fabulously-talented Hoosier authors be pithy, witty and erudite. Using that last word is about as good as it gets for me right now. I’m in a fog, a haze – part euphoria, part contentment, and – yes, part exhaustion. Aside from the fact that it’s nearly 1:30 a.m. as I’m writing this, I’m tired. Every now and then, we need to pause and reflect and simply rest in the Lord. I mean really rest, taking comfort in His promises and that beautiful peace that truly surpasses all human understanding. Even the Lord rested and understood this business of creating is exhausting business. I need to ponder His word and refresh my engines before continuing on with my current project and starting on the next one.

My first book literally just released, and of course, I’m overjoyed. To be perfectly honest, I held my breath throughout this journey, praying (1) my new, small publisher would stay in business long enough to actually publish my book; (2) they wouldn’t wake up and realize they’d make a horrible mistake; and (3) it would actually happen and I’d someday hold my book in my hands. Only a few minutes ago, I saw those magic two words on Amazon.com, “In Stock.” It’s the realization of a dream come true, the culmination of many hours of writing, reading, editing and praying. But, sometimes you simply have to see the humor. For one thing, under the tags on Amazon for the book, it’s listed as “historical” romance. Since when is 1997 historical? Anyone under the age of 25 need not answer. I shot an e-mail to the publisher to see if we can get that tag removed since we don’t want to deceive or anger anyone.

For those who don’t appreciate the pure joy derived from writing, we authors are enigmas. I’ve always written for enjoyment, as a creative release and to help me maintain my sanity. But let’s face it, every writer dreams of one day getting their work published. We become so focused on the pursuit, and don’t stop to think about walking through to the other side of the door. Now, I’m crossing over to the “other side” and learning that publication is only the beginning. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. But now I’m dealing with the “other end” of the spectrum: marketing and all the details of post-publication. Blogging, guest interviews, book signings and giveaways... I’m reading blogs and articles about how shameless we can/should be in order to market ourselves and our books. It’s all about branding and creating a name for ourselves. My head is spinning. How much is too little? How much is too much? Is there ever a happy medium? Even if there were 50 hours in a day, would I ever be able to get it all done? Lots of decisions need to be made, but I'll let the One who's led me this far continue to open those doors of His choosing. He hasn't steered me wrong yet, and I know He never will.

Writers, especially Christian writers, are some of the most productive people I know. Most of us are involved in some type of ministry, work a full or part-time job, and have many day-to-day responsibilities with families or friends. Yet somehow we find the time to write. Because we love it. Because it’s what we’re called by the Lord to do. Keep at it, my friends. You inspire me. Blessings to you all during this most joyous season of the year. Rest assured, I’ll awake tomorrow, refreshed and renewed, ready to go again. And, uh, check out my book on Amazon.com, but only if you're so inclined. It's called Awakening. But for now, this tired writer is going to bed.

What They Don't Tell You About the ACFW Conference

I came back from the ACFW conference in Indy bound and determined not to write about my observations of the conference. I figured fellow Hoosier Ink bloggers would have already covered that territory. They have, and I've enjoyed every posting for their unique insights. Hoosiers rock! However, I can’t resist sharing my insights. If you couldn’t attend this year, maybe you experienced a greater blessing for staying home, as Nikki Studebaker Barcus shared in her post. Rest assured, you will be there in God’s timing – the time when you’re ready, and He’s paved the way. This year was my first conference, and it was, in a word, spectacular. Next year? Who knows…one at a time.

My situation in attending the ACFW was unique in that I already have a book contract (but am still in the “not published” category), and don’t have an agent. I went into the conference with no expectations other than to meet, greet, absorb and glean. I didn’t think I was nervous, but my nerves surfaced in the form of a major reflux attack (also a first) after eating the bacon at the Saturday morning breakfast (hugs to Millie for guarding my things and taking care of me, Beth V. for praying with me, and Darren - I should have given you that bacon). I figured my day could only get better from there. Oh, it did…and how.

The entire cost of the conference was justified when I met for a pre-arranged lunch with a multi-published author. I met her at the author signing table, and she “happened” to be speaking with the internet product rep from CBD (Christian Book Distributors) at the time. We used to live down the road from CBD in Peabody, MA. I struck up a conversation with this woman, and we talked CBD, Red Sox and all things Massachusetts. That paved the way. Then I told her, “I have my first book coming out with a new, small publisher.” Then the hard-hitting question: “How can I get my publisher - and my book - in your fiction catalog?” She smiled, handed me her card and said, “Get in contact with me after the conference, and we’ll work together with your publisher to get you in the catalog.” I’d heard you have to jump through hoops, but turns out, it’s not that hard. But the Lord put me literally where He wanted me at that point in time. That’s God’s providence, my friends. If you don’t know, CBD is one of the biggest online retailers of Christian fiction on the planet. This is huge in terms of marketing my book and could put my publisher on the proverbial map.

A couple of hours later, my 15-minute appointment with Angie Breidenbach somehow extended to nearly 50 minutes. She had tons of ideas for me in terms of marketing, even for my next book which isn’t contracted – yet. Then I had a longer-than-expected mentoring appointment with Lena Nelson Dooley and she advised me on various aspects of getting an agent and contract negotiation. Instead of going to a keynote session, I ended up having a 45-minute private conversation with a published author who shared great insights pertinent to my genre. Those extended meetings took me out of scheduled events, but they were invaluable. And that’s why you buy the conference materials. Sure, I missed valuable teaching sessions, but I learned more from those one-on-one meetings, and know the Lord helped orchestrate those incredible moments at the right time in my writing journey. And, I must say that praising Him by singing in Rachael’s choir was one of the highlights of the conference for this singer.

One of the sweetest moments occurred on Saturday night. I sat next to a woman from Hershey, PA, at Steve Laube's agent panel. Afterwards, we chatted and discovered we both write contemporary romance. I mentioned that I'd sent an e-mail to someone on the ACFW first-timers loop to welcome her since not many on that loop shared our genre. Her eyes lit up. "Were you the one who wrote and said you had a Hershey bar with almonds sitting beside the computer as you wrote to me?" Yes, that would be me. She said, "I prayed I'd somehow meet you here!" Next evening, I walked back to my hotel with a big bag of Hershey bars. Life's little unexpected treats are often the best. Another woman tapped me on the shoulder that evening and thanked me for the room at the Hyatt, telling me how it blessed her life. I gave up the room due to the generosity of another Indiana writer sharing her room at another hotel down the street, and it blessed my life immeasurably. Seeing the Lord work in unique and marvelous ways is so exciting, isn’t it?

So, what they don’t tell you about the ACFW? Some of the biggest blessings come even when you falter (the reflux attack); step out in faith (talking with the CBD rep, connecting with others on the ACFW loops before meeting in person at the conference); expect a little and receive a lot in return (the unexpected, extended one-on-one meetings); accept a blessing (the hotel room down the street), and share a blessing (the room at the Hyatt and singing in the conference choir). Our Lord is so great there’s nothing He can’t do. He can literally move mountains. If it’s your turn to attend the ACFW conference next year, He’ll pave the way to make it happen and you'll be there. In the meantime, keep writing, keep praying and trust Him to guide you every step of the way. Blessings to you! Matthew 5:16

Caution! Discouragement (Maybe) Ahead...

Let’s face it: discouragement besets all creative souls from time to time. Inspiration can be an illusive “gift” by itself, a pretty flimsy foundation in the face of ordinary everyday reality—much less the “character-building” events that hit all of us in this writing life. That’s why we appreciate the importance of being around other writers. Of lifting each other up. Of being as gentle as possible with any criticisms or negatives. (Well, okay, for some of us that’s—er—a little more challenging. I’m working on it. Honest. :-))

Seriously speaking, we all know that many of the “letdowns” of life itself—never mind writing!—come from factors we really can’t control. But if we do our best, let God take care of the rest, and praise Him for all of it, we’ll help counteract those bumps in the road and bless those around us. Right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Sometimes, the way some of us choose to praise God in our writing lives can come across as careless…or thoughtless…and can even be devastating to another writer. If you doubt this, let’s listen in as Ms. Martha Multipub shares her latest success:

“I’m soooooo thrilled with God’s blessings on my writing! Why He chooses to honor me with these great stories—and He just gives them to me, they’re not from me at all!—I don’t know, but praise Gawd! And people are being blessed—why, just yesterday, I got this wonderful, wonderful letter from a fan about how 137 of her friends got saved because of my little book . . . !”

Some of us just smile at this: we know Martha, and we know she tends to go a wee bit (!) overboard in her exuberance. But what about newbies among us who don’t know Martha—or even not-so-newbies with a few setbacks—and who find themselves wondering if being a truly Godly writer means your stories will automatically “write themselves,” sell themselves, and bless people?

Can you see where this is headed? Yep. And it’s not pretty.

We as Christian writers tend to be very conscientious about our behaviors, language, and subject matter, lest we cause a brother or sister to stumble. But I would submit that we need to do the same due diligence on our words of praise—our “jargon,” if you will—so that we don’t inadvertently throw a “block” in front of someone by making a successful writing life look too easy, too perfect, or too pat. We don’t need to be cheerleaders in front of the pack, flaunting dazzling smiles or perfect cartwheels; nor do we need to err in the other extreme and denigrate our own efforts toward our success. But there is a happy medium; it’s called humility, honesty…and truthful encouragement.

That, we can all do—no matter how dizzyingly successful, or even maddeningly average (!), our writing lives are at this point.

Thoughts?

Janny