Bursts of Inspiration

by Jean Kavich Bloom



Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places, at the strangest times, without notice. When it does, it often taps into the river-like currents that already flow through our emotional and creative—even practical—veins.  

For instance, I like a neat and organized home; I’m just wired that way, preferring everything in its place. So naturally, I'm motivated to tackle a drawer or closet that’s become unruly when I see clutter somewhere, like on a TV program.  (Naturally” is a categorization I’m sticking to, so please don't shake your head in dismay!) 

And in church this week, despite our reading from the New Living Translation Bible, it suddenly came to me that I’d like to make reading through The Message paraphrase a 2018 goal. That inspiration probably came from God, for his own reasons, which is not so strange. Still, the thought came out of the blue and I recorded it right then so I wouldn’t forget to follow through. By the way, I'm convinced church bulletins were invented so we can discreetly record sudden inspiration (and be honest, stray thoughts about lunch or a work assignment) but look like we’re documenting sermon points.

We all know stirring inspiration is inconsistently accessible and forthcoming for most writers, so bursts of inspiration for our writing are decidedly welcome. Writing is work, just as subject to procrastination and paralysis as any other task. Writing is often most enjoyed once it’s accomplished. Sometimes we have no idea how to start or where we're going. But other times we are blessed with an uplifting revelation that compels us to transfer its lessons from our minds and hearts to where others can embrace them too, via the written word. And for novelists, fresh thoughts from surprising sources can inspire a unique twist for a story line or greater character depth.

Best of all, a sudden “I want to write now!” inspiration is a joy, even if we’re not sure where it came from or what will appear on screen or paper as we begin. It just comes and we feel it. For me, such bursts of motivation can come from amazing music, from a meaningful book I’m reading, or from a right-into-the-heart message my pastor delivers. They can come from precious words spoken by my children or grandchildren. They can even come from writing deadlines or disciplines like NaNoWriMo, which for perhaps the strangest of us (naturally) causes those river currents in our veins to strengthen and flow more freely.

My question for you today is this: How have you experienced sudden and unexpected inspiration to write?

Jean Kavich Bloom is a freelance editor and writer for Christian publishers and ministries

(Bloom in Words Editorial Services), with thirty years of experience in the book publishing world. Her personal blog is Bloom in Words too, where she sometimes posts articles about the writing life. She is also a regular contributor to The Glorious Table, a blog for women of all ages. Her published books are Bible Promises for God's Precious Princess and Bible Promises for God's Treasured Boy. She and her husband, Cal, have three children (plus two who married in) and five grandchildren, with foster grandchildren in their lives on a regular basis.

Photo credit: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=31916&picture=autumn-colors; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?   image=22856&picture=evening-dawn

Why Christian writing is more important than ever

I don't know if you've noticed, but we're living in perilous times.

Wars, rumors of wars, crashing meteorites, earthquakes, and volcanoes in diverse places: Jesus spoke of these things.

As in the days of Noah, when Nephilim walked the earth, and fallen angels tampered with the sacred genes of humankind, those created in God's image today splice genes, implant chips, and embrace the future of singularity.

If there was ever a need for us to be the light that Jesus said we are, it's now.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14)

 Notice this scripture doesn't say you should be the light. It says you are the light.

What are you doing with it?

Are you hiding it because you're afraid of failure?

Are you hiding it because you're lazy?

What is your excuse for hiding your light, Dear Writer?

The world needs Light in this dark, dark world.

Where and when will you let yours shine?

Tweet this: Where and when will you let your light shine?

Karla Akins is the author of The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots and countless short stories, biographies and other books for middle grades. She currently serves as Vice-President of ACFW-Indiana Chapter and resides in North Manchester with her pastor-husband, twin adult sons with autism, and her mother-in-law with Alzheimer's. Her three dogs and two cats are attentive editors.

Authors Need Love Too

by Jean Kavich Bloom

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and this week I made up some packages to mail to my five grandchildren, ages nine to three. They all live close enough to visit, but because I know they like to get mail, envelopes and stamps were part of my plan. 

The packages contained Valentine’s Day–themed coloring pages, activity sheets, jokes for kids, and customized coupons for hugs and games, all of which I downloaded free from the internet. Hey, I did not say I was a generous grandmother, but at least I didn’t completely forget to send them something as I sometimes do when my head is deep into an edit for days at a time before I realize a holiday is upon me! My hope is that even these small gifts, also customized according to their ages and interests, will remind them that their grandparents know them and love them.

I got to thinking, though, about how writers can use a little love too. Yes, buying their books is a winner.  Voting for an award is fantastic. (Anybody remember actress Sally Fields winning her Oscar in 1985? “You like me! Right now, you like me!”) An encouraging word, a “Like” on a Facebook or other social media post, a fan letter or email, a comment on a post, a review on Goodreads or Amazon, a publishing contract are all great. Okay, granting that last lovely is not in everyone’s power, but most of us can come up with some small action to show appreciation and love for a writer’s work.

Though I try to sprinkle praise throughout a manuscript I am editing, I admit I am weak when it comes to intentionally making an effort to let an author know I enjoyed his or her work in some of the ways noted above. But on this Valentine’s Day, I am thinking perhaps I need to change that, because I do so love authors! 

What about you? What ways have you found to show an author your appreciation? Or as an author, what expressions of appreciation for your hard work have meant the most to you?

After twenty-four years with publishing house Zondervan in Grand Rapids, Michigan, most recently as an executive managing editor, Jean Bloom returned to Central Indiana to be near family and take her freelance editorial business full time (Bloom in Words Editorial Services). Her personal blog is Bloom in Words too, where she often posts articles about the writing life. She and her husband, Cal, have three children and five grandchildren. 

photo credit:  http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=141065&picture=love

Free Pass into ACFW 2015

For those who didn't attend the national ACFW conference, it can be a bit painful to read about all the fun folks had. But try not to think of it as missing out. Think of everyone sharing their experiences as your FREE pass to an inside scoop on what conference provides.

I've always been grateful for the opportunity to attend an ACFW National Conference. They get better and even less overwhelming each year I go. And this year? For some reason, there was a gracious peace that settled over me. I don't know how many others felt that at this conference, but I know I did. God's presence was felt by me both in the atmosphere and in the people I met.

I learned a ton from the classes as I always do. And I think I even came back home with a little more clarity as far as the direction the Lord wants me to take in my writing. This is something I've been wondering about. What better place for the fog to lift than at a writer's conference?

Here are some of my most fun highlights.

Night One: Genre Dinner. I dressed as a Steampunk Biologist. I've only written a few short stories in the Steampunk genre, but it's such a fun way to dress up, I couldn't resist. I put the outfit together myself and rediscovered how much I enjoy working with costumes. (More than 32 years ago I spent my fair share of time in theater costume shops.)

The second night I got to have dinner with my fabulous agent and meet my crit partner, Tom Threadgill, and his beautiful wife, Janet, for the first time. We joined other clients of my agent, Linda Glaz.

Glazites

The last night is the highlight of the conference--the reward banquet. I have no idea how or why, but somehow I ended up on the front row in the middle. I've never been that close to the stage before. In the past I've always been in the very back in the corner, barely able to see even a screen.

It's been a difficult 2015 for me, and this gift from God was precious. It was if He was reminding me that He's got my back. He's there. And He's guiding my steps. I only have to trust.

To be inspired by so many authors is an overwhelming blessing. To be just feet away from Francine Rivers as she gave her speech while accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award left me, well, speechless.

It was great fun listening to people give their speeches for their awards and imagining what it must feel like for them. Congratulations to fellow Hoosier, Denise Hunter for wining the Carol Award for her book, The Wishing Season!

Denise Hunter accepting the esteemed Carol Award

And the meal? So delicious. All the food all the time was the sort that you dream about when you get home.

The Salmon was amazing. I wish I could have eaten the steak, too!
Too much food!

I need to learn how to make Creme Brulee

Huge berries in Texas! And so delicious!

Next year's conference will be August 25-28 at the Omni in downtown Nashville. And the Keynote Speaker is Ted Dekker!

Excuse me for a minute.

::::SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!::::

I'm going to start saving my pennies now. Nashville is one of my favorite places in the world, and to get to hear Ted Dekker speak?

Is it greedy to hope God gives me another front row seat?

Would you be so kind to tweet: Free Pass into ACFW 2015!

Karla Akins is the author of The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots and countless short stories, biographies and other books for middle grades. She currently serves as Vice-President of ACFW-Indiana Chapter and resides in North Manchester with her pastor-husband, twin adult sons with autism, and her mother-in-law with Alzheimer's. Her three dogs and two cats are attentive editors.

Writing in New Jersey

Today I got to meet an Internet friend I've known for more than 10 years.

I live in Indiana. She lives in New Jersey.

We've shared hundreds of emails, conversations, broken hearts and celebrations.

And now we're together at last!

We had a fantastic lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant where the owners and servers all spoke Italian. And the food was absolutely amazing. I want to take the entire restaurant and staff and bring them home with me to Indiana!

This friendship would have never occurred except for the written word. What a powerful thing writing is. All these little symbols add up to business transactions or love letters or two moms with autistic kids (like my friend and I) venting and sharing encouragement via the Internet.

My friend is having major surgery tomorrow. I'm here to help her through it and to help care for her children, three of whom have autism, two of them quite severe.

Will you do me a favor and pray for her? And as you pray, thank God for the power of the written word, and God's gift of communication through it.

So many amazing things happen all because we write. Friendships are formed, people are encouraged, some escape into a story. Words are quite amazing, aren't they?

We shouldn't be surprised when the Creator Himself used words to create this amazing universe.

But it still makes me giddy to think about how powerful this gift of words is.

Makes me excited enough to write about it.

Tweet this: The power of words makes me giddy! How about you?

Karla Akins is an award-winning, prolific writer of books, short stories, plays, poems, songs, and countless nonfiction articles. Her biography for middle grades, Jacques Cartier, went #1 in its category on Amazon. Her first fiction novel, The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots, was released in 2013. Her short stories have been published in several magazines including Havok and Splickety. When she's not reading she's writing. When she's not writing she is zooming along on her motorcycle looking for treasure. Learn more at KarlaAkins.com.

So you want to be a writer? Then you better get a thick hide.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a writer.

And for as long as I can remember I've had issues with rejection.

We all have them, really. But my issue is more pronounced since I was abandoned at birth, and for other reasons I'd rather not share, I feel rejection to the core.

Of all the occupations to long for, I managed to pick the one where rejection is more the norm than the exception. Especially when starting out.

If you want to be a writer, you're going to have to grow a thick hide. You're going to want to be a writer more than you hate the feeling of rejection.

I started submitting stories back in the 1970s (you know, when the ice was just beginning to thaw from the ice age). I received more rejection letters than acceptances. In fact, I'm not sure I received any acceptance letters from any magazines of major importance. But I continued to write. I enrolled in writing courses. I kept practicing the craft. The passion was still there. The rejections hurt, but my unction to write was stronger than that hurt.

I truly believe that it's not the most talented that get published but those that are the most persistent. It's the ones who refuse to give up and who are open to criticism and willing to learn how to master

their craft that make it.

Get yourself in a critique group that will filet you, and you'll learn to write well. It will do you no good to surround yourself with people who pat you on the back. Iron sharpens iron. Pens sharpen pens. Create an environment for yourself that stretches you and demands more from you.

Recently I was asked by a major magazine to do an article. I had longed to be published in such a magazine during the 1990s but my submissions were consistently rejected.

Now the magazine has come to me, not me to them.

I do not boast in myself. I only share this to say that it has nothing to do with my brilliance, but it does have to do with my work ethic and my willingness to learn all I can and to work like a dog. When I'm not doing something else, I'm writing. I'm not kidding. When I'm not writing, I'm usually researching or learning about writing. (I'm also a full-time college student, pastor's wife, Mama, caregiver of a mother-in-law with Alzheimer's...) But when I'm not doing those other things in my "other life," I'm working on my craft. I sacrifice personal free time to do so. (Naturally, in balance with keeping God my God and not putting the writing before Him.)

My point is this: Work Hard. Learn to take it on the chin. Grow a thick hide.

And never, never quit.

This post is cross-posted from Karla's Blog.  

 

Karla Akins is the award-winning author of The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Books due out August 9, 2013. Her ebook, Jacques Cartier went #1 in its category on Amazon and one of her columns was featured on the CNN homepage.