First-Class Creative Work

Psychotherapist Eric Maisel is a creative coach for artists and writers, a regular contributor to Writer's Digest, and a published novelist in his own right. Dr. Maisel believes we writers seldom realize our creative potential because we allow our minds to dwell on what he calls "second-class work."

It's easy to go down innumerable rabbit trails instead of stalking an essential fact. We come across a bit of trivia that fascinates us, so we convince ourselves that it's worth a few minutes' detour. Before we know it, the library is closing and we still don't have what we need.

Our brains are always active, even while we sleep. They can make grocery lists, solve crossword puzzles, and memorize World Series statistics. They can also devise peace treaties, discern complex mathematical relationships, and write books that change the course of human history. We are free to choose where we'll focus our mental energy. We do choose, moment by moment, whether we realize it or not. Maisel says:

...The brain will do second-class work unless it is ordered or invited to do first-class work. Why? Why won't it do first-class work automatically? For the same reason that you and I take the elevator and not the stairs. For the ease of it (Deep Writing, 18-19).

Any serious writer knows that writing isn't easy. In particular, writing a novel requires laser-like disciplined concentration. If we occupy our minds with Facebook posts, weather forecasts, game shows, and innumerable other distractions, we won't make much progress on our writing.

So how will you employ your mind today, first-class work or second-class work?

Rivals to Our Work

This month marks the 50th anniversary of C.S. Lewis' death, so for my daily devotional readings, I've been using A Year with C.S. Lewis (HarperCollins: 2003). The reading for October 22 came from Lewis's essay on "Learning in Wartime," which he addressed to university professors and scholars. But I feel it's a timely message for us writers as well:

There are always plenty of rivals to our work. We are always falling in love or quarrelling, looking for jobs or fearing to lose them, getting ill and recovering, following public affairs. If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come...

I see myself in every line of that, don't you? I want to write, feel called of God to write, and have been granted experiences and insights worth writing about. Yet too often I allow the clamor of daily living to drive writing to the margin. I let the rivals take over.

Joanna Davis writes, "I have been brought face to face with the demands of discipleship: total love for Jesus Christ above all else. He doesn't merely want my service; He wants my whole heart...As I have come to Him, acknowledging my absolute dependence on Him, and His sovereign right to rule the throne of my heart, He has always conquered every rival love that had a stronghold in my life."

O Lord, keep my mind and heart focused on the work You have given me to do. Let me not yield to the temptation to allow good things to crowd the best things from my daily agenda, especially when Your work is difficult and demanding. It is Your work indeed, and I yearn more than anything else to be Your faithful servant. Amen.

__________________

Joe Allison and his wife, Judy, live in Anderson IN, where Joe serves as Coordinator of Publishing for Church of God Ministries, Inc. Joe has several nonfiction books in print, including Swords and Whetstones: A Guide to Christian Bible Study Resources. He's currently writing a trilogy of Christian historical novels set in the Great Depression.

Visit Joe's blog at http://hoosierwriter.wordpress.com

Interview with Heidi Glick

by Jeff Reynolds

Today, my interviewee is from outside the state of Indiana -- just barely. Heidi Glick hails from the Cincinnati area. I discovered her on the large ACFW critique group, and her stories were among my favorite to read (including the one that's the main topic of conversation). We're also co-contributors on the Sleuths and Suspects blog -- me at Heidi's invitation.

Jeff Reynolds:  Heidi, welcome to Hoosier Ink. I know this is an eventful year for you. I believe your second most exciting achievement of 2013 is the release of Dog Tags, your first novel. Please give us a story summary. What inspired it?

Heidi Glick:  The story is about a marine, the woman he loves, and the stalker who is obsessed with her.

At first, Dog Tags started out as a romance novella. I subbed it to a publisher, and it was rejected. But the story wasn't ready for publication. I revamped it as a suspense novel. I wanted a hero with real struggles, and I wanted a villain who would capitalize on the hero's weaknesses. The book's themes include forgiveness, loss, and fear. Because these are common themes that most people deal with, I'm hoping that the book will speak to many readers. In 2011, my father died from ALS, and so I've used that experience to help me write this book as well as another work in progress (Ten Degrees from Normal).

JR:  You might disagree with me, but I believe the real star of your novel is Sparky. Could you tell us about him and his real life counterpart? Is he involved in the marketing of the book? If I remember correctly, he had been interviewed once, correct?

HG:  In the novel, the hero owns a Schipperke named Sparky. In real life, I have a Schipperke named Sparky. He is a rambunctious dog, hence the name. He is involved in the marketing of the book. You are correct. I did interview him once:  http://queencityquill.blogspot.com/2012/09/interview-with-schip.html


JR:  Are you an outliner, a blank pager, or somewhere in between?

HG:  I'm somewhere in between but more of an outliner. I'm a planner by nature, and so I like an outline. When I first started out as a writer, I was more of a blank pager, but as I studied the craft of writing, I found that outlines save me time because I rewrite less when using an outline. Nonetheless, I still like to allow my characters to speak to me, and I like a few surprises.

JR:  I've had the honor of critiquing this and a couple of your other stories in the ACFW's large critique group. Could you share how both the critiques of others on your writing and your critiques on your writing peers have helped your work on Dog Tags?
 
HG:  Singlehandedly, crits have helped me grow the most as a writer. I would not be published were it not for the crits of others. Other writers showed me areas of improvement.

JR:  People compare finishing and releasing a book with childbirth. Which brings me to your most exciting achievement of 2013. Would you like to tell us about that? How does this affect your writing and marketing? What is Sparky's take on this?


HG:  Let's back up a year. In 2012, I signed a contract with a publisher, but even more exciting than that was finding out I was pregnant (after infertility). In Februrary 2013, I gave birth to Aaron Samuel Glick. For more info. on the miracle baby:  I'm leaving my job to spend time at home with my son. He is my priority right now, so writing takes a backseat, which is fine with me. I still jot down ideas and work on writing while he naps, but I am allowing myself time to enjoy being a mother. Sparky whimpers when Aaron cries and likes to rush into the nursery to check on the baby. 

JR:  Okay, enough about the important things in life and back to writing. Am I correct that you have three blogs that you work on? Could you tell us about these, and how do they help you develop as a writer?

HG:  The Ohio State Parks blog is about some of my experiences visiting Ohio State Parks with my dogs. The Queen City Quill is a hodgepodge (posts on writing, authors, book reviews, etc.). Sleuths and Suspects is about mysteries, suspense, romantic suspense, thrillers, and anything related (book reviews, author interviews, and book giveaways).

JR:  I know you've been working on a couple of other stories. Do you work on multiple stories at the same time? How do you prioritize which one to focus on? Is there any "separation anxiety" with the stories you set on the shelf?

HG:  Sometimes I work on multiple stories at once. I prioritize by working on the story that I'd like to submit to a publisher next. So for example, I love working on my "Ten Degrees" novel, but I need to work on the Dog Tags sequel/spin off. I feel separation anxiety from the Ten Degrees characters.

JR:  Thank you for your time. Please share any websites you have, and any other information you'd like us to know.

HG:  I'd be glad to. Here they are:

• http://heidiglickbooks.com
• http://sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com
• http://queencityquill.blogspot.com
• http://buckeyebeautyparksofsouthwestohio.blogspot.com
• http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick
• https://twitter.com/sheglick
• http://pinterest.com/sheglick/

Also, be sure to check out the trailer for Dog Tags at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRQPwihJMrI

No. 1 Priority for the New Year

Hello Fellow Hoosier Ink Followers. The past few years I urged you to set goals, (The Story of You , Goal Setting for Dream Getting Part 1, Part II) and gave pointers on how to make them achievable. After all, nobody wants to fail. Review and evaluation of old goals is important before establishing new.

In reviewing my goals I’ve become more aware of my priorities. There was even one goal that I did nothing about all year long. I recognize now that I set that goal because I thought I should, not because it was what I needed to do. This year, I’m letting that go. It was important at one point in my life, but not for who I am now. God is doing a new thing.

Don’t you just love God? He’s always up to something fresh and extraordinary:

* His mercies are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22, 23)
* He is a very present help in time of need! (Psalm 46:1-3)
* He is faithful to complete the work he has begun. (Philippians 1:6)
* He instructs us. (Isaiah 28:26)
* He makes a way through difficulties, trials, and terrors. (Isaiah 43:16)
* He provides for us. (Psalm 65:9)
* He removes our sin when we ask him and reshapes those sinister places of need that compel us to repeat our errors. (Hosea 14:4)
* He heals us. (Exodus 15:26)
* He guides us. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
* He plans good things for us that will bring us joy and fulfillment. (Jeremiah 29:11)
* He never leaves us. (Hebrews 13:4-6)
* He sings over us. (Zephaniah 3:17)
* He loves us. (John 14:23)
* He stirs gifts up within us, including our creativity. (Romans 12:6)

This year, as you set writing and personal goals, make God your top priority. If you set no goals, still make God your top priority. Let praise be your first conscious thought. Let him permeate each moment and every decision. Let love toward him be your final good night. He deserves this place of honor for the Lord is your full portion. (Lamentations 3:24)

Thank you, God for 2012’s gains and losses, gifts and lessons. I let it go, because I can do nothing to change the past. I turn my eyes to 2013 and seek your plan and purpose. Help me embrace every moment as a God-moment. I ask the same for my writer brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Happy New Year! May God live big in you!

Mary Allen is a lifelong Hoosier. She loves words and wordplay. Her favorite Bible verse from childhood is " In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God. The Word became flesh and dwelled among us."

She's grateful for the words God has given her in 2012, for the warm welcome of Journey to Christmas, and anticipates new, bolder  words in 2013.

Is It Time to De-Stress?

In the past month, responsibilities layered one on top of the other until I found myself barely surviving. At the end of each day, my biggest challenge was keeping my eyes open long enough to watch an hour of the Winter Olympics. Forget about meeting my writing goals.

I didn't step away completely, but I did learn that certain times in life require me to say "No", so that I can say "Yes" to my most important priorities. For me, that meant saying "No" to attending every Mom's group and blogging at a frenetic pace, so I could say "Yes" to my physical well-being, my family, and my writing goals (which have adjusted as a result of my down time).

I recently did a Google search on de-stressing, and I found a site called "100 Ways to Reduce Stress". Take the time to read it. You'll feel yourself de-stressing just looking through the list. And since writing is still a high priority for me, I think doing many of these activities will serve to make me a better writer in the process.

Where is your stress level these days? What can you cut out or add to your life to make you a more effective writer?

Can Writers Do It All?

I admired the author who spoke about her eight hour writing routine which is only interrupted when her husband brings lunch, afternoon tea, and the housekeeper comes in to say good-bye. That may not be fiction, but it certainly is fantasy as far as my life is concerned.

I suspect it’s fantasy for most of us who track the market, polish the proposal, peruse how-to books, write for cash, maintain daily word counts, update blogs, strive to meet contest or requested manuscript deadlines as dear hubby pokes his head in and says, “I have no clean clothes and, seriously, are we eating cold cuts again?” or #1 wife says, “Junior can’t find his way back from the sandbox. When are you cutting the lawn?”

How does anyone do all the things that a writer is supposed to do?

Well, don’t ask me, I was hoping you’d have some solutions. No, just kidding. It's an on-going dilemma and one I wrestled with for years. The answer depends on your own unique circumstances and placement on God’s path. In the meantime, here are three tips.

Everything does not have to be done now. We try to microwave our success when it should be more like preparing a luau: Build a deep pit, lay a good fire, prepare the food, lower the clay pot of goodies, cover it over and bake for hours and hours, then feast. Did you notice how many steps there were leading up to the feasting? They each build on the other otherwise you’d be eating raw, sandy food. There is a time for everything.

If you are spinning out of control, stop. Truly. Simply stop. The world will not fall apart, even if the kids are screaming bloody murder. You take time for absolutely everything else so make it a priority to stop and ask God what he wants to do with your life. Then plan small orderly steps to accomplish that.

Exercise those trust muscles. God is in control. If you believe that, than you can relax and simply ask God, “What am I to do this day?” In James 1:5 God invites you to ask him and is pleased to give you wisdom. If you are burning out, it’s sure that you are moving in your own strength for God will empower you to do what needs to be done, including caring for spouse, children, and the sick dog.

I’m interested. How do you manage all the things a writer must do? What tips do you have to add to these basic ideas?

The One True Publishing Priority

I’m very excited to blog for Hoosier Ink. I love Indiana and I love writing. I love those odd and wonderful creatures called fellow writers and I love to encourage. Most of all, I love our mutual Father God. What a privilege to stir together all these delightful ingredients to form what I hope is a delectable and nourishing devotional tidbit.

In Daniel 3:18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego gave up their lives rather than worship something other than the One True God. Heat from the furnace radiated in waves and killed the guards who threw them in the fire. How did they find courage to endure for God?

Scripture hints that a myriad of tests preceded that fiery furnace. Our Intrepid Three had been ripped from their homeland after their families were murdered. They were neutered and forced to serve those very conquerors. They had daily choices to make about how they felt, forgave, trusted, and obeyed. We do, too.

The writing life consists of myriad decisions. As Christian authors we may be in the fires of contention over writing priorities, in competition for publication, or in confrontation with jealousy, pride, or laziness. Yet, God provides ways of escape before, during, or after each trial.

For instance, God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego after they were in the fire. They counted him faithful while walking in the flames. Do we? Or perhaps we start with an I-can-do-it attitude but by evening, sometimes by breakfast, like Charlie Brown, we moan, “I’m a loser, I failed again.” Is it that we want to be successful without effort or discomfort? Do we hope to be a giant of faith without the proving ground of battle?

No one succeeds by proxy. No one succeeds alone. God was the fourth man in that furnace and he is faithfully with us, too. He is able to save us out of the fire of our publication problems and the confusion of career choices.

Of all the decisions this day, week, month, year, make this one top priority: Be it known we will not serve gods of popularity or position, nor worship the golden image of publication and best seller lists. We will worship God alone.

I’d sure like to know what writing decisions concern you in 2010. What godly choices can help you overcome these hurdles? Have you had a writing related trial-by-fire? How did God sustain or provide for you?