Oh my goodness...life is busy and my writing has taken the back seat - again!  My goal upon returning from the conference was to be "writer selfish".  I don't mean this as I'm locking myself in a room with my manuscript, laptop and survival supplies (although that does sound like a good idea right about now) - I simply mean as look at the next day's agenda, writing is on the top of the list in INK, not pencil and shifted to the bottom! 

The good news is that I am craving my writing time - yeah!  Next week's commitments are much less and will be more writing focused - serving God with VBS this week, I'll serve Him next week with writing. 

I find it challenging to say "Sorry, I can't - I have a prior commitment to write!"  I'll have to pray and ask God to help me with that one - Is wanting to write for Him, to help others selfish?  Hmm...How is this for a blog entry - my goal is to inspire you yet I welcome some feedback in how you, you awesome writers that yo are -How do you keep your writing time prioritized and say no when people and events compete?  Am I the only one struggling this week? 

I'm off to finish writing lesson plans then a meeting - if my plans are done before the meeting I can work on my book after the meeting - my best writing is done late at night while everyone else is sleeping! LOL  :)

Thanks everyone!  Have a great day!
I look forward to reading your responses - agreeing, offering helpful hints or Scripture that would help me say focused on the goal - always want God glorified.  I pray my writing will always glorify Him.

Have a great evening!
Lisa :)

Well...One week from returning from my first writing conference and I've set up this beautiful website, started blogging and have my author Face Book page (Lisa M Buske - if you want to be my friend).  I've had a Christian Writer's Group critique and provide amazing guidance to help me in the revision process of my book.  My creative juices are the highest they've been in a couple years to finish this book.  Everything is in God's timing - I'm so thankful He waited for me to catch up to Him. LOL  Seriously - I had thought I was ready yet when I would start to edit/revise/ refine/ finese...BLAH would take over!  The conference inspired and motivated me - renewing my energy to write and strengthening my relationship with God and most importantly - listening to Him!  I hope you are enjoying the BLOG - tell your friends! 

If you have a question or would like to chat - you can respond to this blog - send me a private comment (which I have loved receiving) or send me a message via Face Book.  Either way - God is good and when He has called you to do something - with our eyes and heart on/in Him - we will survive.  (I feel a song coming on "I will survive...") 

Have a great week everyone!  Keep praying, reading your Bible and writing!  I'm going to!

Lisa :)

Have you ever had the desire to write and then the phone rings or the timer on the dryer goes off?  I know I've had those days. 

Here are some practical tips to help you carve some writing time into your schedule:
1)  Start your day in the Word - Read your Bible
2)  Spend some time in prayer - conversing with God (remember this is a two-way process, talking and Listening)
3)  Journal your feelings, something learned and how God responded to you
4)  Be a little selfish!  Set time aside daily (start with 3x week) to write!  Start each session with prayer and end with prayer .
5)  Be creative in modifying your schedule - You can do it!

I will confess I struggle to do these things yet God has renewed and inspired me to get focused on my writing.  I pray for those that will someday read my book as we as for myself to write for God and not for man. 

Writer's need to pray for each other - I'll pray for you and would be honored if you would pray for me.  Together in prayer and with God - He will be glorified.

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."  Acts 4:32

May God guide our pens, pencils and keyboards to "speak the Word of God boldly" to our readers. 

Lisa

I attended my first writing conference this past weekend at Delta Lake Conference Center, New York.  I attended seminars of how to become a better writer, how to market myself and my writing along with some time of worship and prayer in the tabernacle.  One of the things I learned in the marketing seminar was to have a Christian writer's Facebook (or similar social networking avenue), an Internet site and a blog.  Thanks to my daughter and a little research ~ I've accomplished all three.  If you would like to be my Facebook friend I am listed as "Lisa M Buske". 

I'm currently working on a book for other siblings affected by the loss of a sibling due to a tragedy.  While I am not working on my first book I have a couple devotionals I putter around with.  I used to write in my journal daily but that has gone on the wayside - praying to get back into the habit while also working on my writing for publication. 

I start and end my writing time with prayer.  I have found when I "rush" to write, nothing comes yet when I spend time in prayer and ask for God's guidance, wording and strength ~ my writing sessions are much smoother and more productive.  I encourage you to do the same, invite God into your heart and mind before you start writing and thank him when you end. 

Grab your journal, a pencil or pen and your Bible and spend some time praying and writing!  If you are stuck on what to write about the first few times, try writing about "My most memorable VBS (Vacation Bible School) experience" or "I never went to VBS because..."  Be creative and write about what you know...you'll be surprised!

Lisa