GUIDANCE

The wisdom of God lives within me.

As a child, I saw life from a perspective of innocence and naiveté. With age, education and experience, I gained wisdom. Some of the things I know now I couldn't possibly have understood as a child. Some of my wisdom, however, has been gained not by experience, but by tapping into a greater source of wisdom within me, the wisdom of God.
Just as plants know how and when to push through the soil toward the sun, just as birds know to migrate hundreds of miles to their nesting grounds, I, too, have an inner wisdom. Closing my eyes to the distractions of the outer world, I find direction when I feel lost, inspiration when I am ready to hear, and a closeness to God as I open my heart. The wisdom of God lives within me.

For the Lord gives wisdom.--Proverbs 2:6

Forgive

 

As I forgive, I recognize God's goodness expressing in and around me.

Life lessons bring me closer to knowing the peace of Christ within my heart. When I experience a hurtful exchange with another person, I allow forgiveness to release me from the pain. Forgiving does not condone unacceptable behavior; it gives me permission to break free from the hold people or situations may have on me.

With compassion, I forgive myself for doing something I regret or for neglecting to do something I wish I had done. Through self-forgiveness, my capacity to forgive others increases. Judgment is released.

As I forgive, I gratefully accept the peace of Christ within and see the goodness of God expressing.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.--Luke 6:37

Trim a Query Letter

How to Trim Your Query to 250 Words (or Fewer): Advice from Agent Janet Reid

Section One:

1. Back story.
2. World building.
3. Character roll call.
4. Telling.
5. A synopsis.

Section Two:
1. Academia – classes, teachers, degrees, dissertations.
2. Conferences you’ve attended.
3. Self-published novels, or traditionally published novels with poor sales.
4. Personal information.

Section Three:
1. Begging, flattery.
2. Arrogance or self-deprecation.
3. Offer of an exclusive.
4. Your marketing plan.
5. Quotes from rejection letters, paid editors, critique groups, your mom.

TWO THINGS TO KEEP

Section One:

1. Title, genre, word count.
2. The essentials of your novel. (Every time you think you know, ask yourself “So what? And then?” until you’re left with your main character, conflict, and consequences.)

Section Two:
1. Published short stories or novels.
2. Published magazine or newspaper articles.

Section Three:
1. Why you chose this agent.
2. A connection you have from a conference/workshop.
Start from the bare bones and build from there. Infuse each section with your book’s personality. Consider every word. Don’t forget your contact information.

And close with

“Thank you for your time and consideration.” Now get trimming!

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Query Letter

  Well, this will be my hundredth  Query letter...
 Dear, Agent/Publisher. This is serious business. I really didn't realize the art to this. To capture an Agent/ Publishers attention at a glance.

Can you imagine, hundreds upon thousands of letters they get in a single day? To read.

  Dear Jane,
 Blah, Blah, Blah... and guess what?,  my mine was one of them. Shriek, ( I thought ), gosh does mine read like THAT!. Well, it most certainly did. So!, back again I write.

   Dear Jane...
 Well this time, I hope, that I have done my home work and research on HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER, wow, now that is saying something.  Yes it's an Art form, you bet you're bottom dollar it is just that, an Art. I've received so much information from The Query Shark. On how to write a  Query letter.

I do hope it gets past the desk, and they like what am writing about. See, I have big hopes, just like millions of  Authors do, Getting Published. There is so many pros and cons on Publishing.

I've learned Not, and I mean not to take it Personal. About being declined. I have to keep at this. Glad I have my blog so that other writers can comment. So please fill free to post- say yeah or nay

. A great friend of mine is getting his book published, he went with self publishing, went great lengths with re-writes. He liked the whole Idea of that ( self publishing ), Once again, Pros and Cons.

I would love to see my book get published, I believe it will.