From the Writer’s Heart (This Is Me)

 

Here I stand ready to be a vessel that God can use for His glory.

At this present moment in 2022, I embrace my Word of the Year, RESILIENCE.

I have withstood the writing storm and came out stronger for it.  Am I happy that I have abandoned my novel, no.  But, I am filled with joy that God is allowing me time and space to fulfill an “I Wish” prayer I had some years ago.

My writing devotions journey is off to a young, slow start, but I am ready to go forward.

At some point, I will try to work on my fiction writing.  That is part of my DNA as a writer.  When I do, I will be reminded to listen to where God wants me to be and remain there with no remorse or hesitation.

Short Writer's Prayer...

 

Heavenly father,

Grant me the words to weave worlds.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

From the Writer’s Heart (You Have Been Writing All Along)

My eyes were finally open to what God was doing in my life.

I am a Christian writer.  God gave me my gift and I promised Him that I would always use it for Him.  My joy is writing Christian Fiction.  I write what I call Church Drama.  It is a genre that tells stories of the drama that happens in church, but with a message of love, forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation.

When I first became a writer, I told God… “Lord, I want to use my gift for you.  Always let me write what will glorify You, edify the body, bless those who read it, make people cry, laugh, sing, praise, and love You, and help somebody.  Whatever fiction I write, You will be first and center in it.”

I have always done that with my fiction.  In everything I have written, you can see God in it.

See some of my work…
Writing A Novel Once A Year
Lady Boone Writes A Novel

Well, in 2020, I was not writing any fiction, as I have mentioned earlier.  I was upset and bewildered because I was not writing, especially since I had these lofty plans to do all of this writing in 2020.  It was in June of 2020 that I realized I had been writing all along.

I had written a Lent devotion for a Christian group I was in.  I had written a faith journaling prompt plans for this same group.  I was also doing some other faith-based things within the group.  I was writing.

I went to the mirror, smiled at myself and said, “You’ve been writing all along.”

My muse smiled back at me and said, “Yeah, you have.”

I know we as Christians quote Proverbs 3:5-6 all the time, but there are times when we need to remind ourselves that we need to live this out in our lives.

 

Short Writer's Prayer...

  

Heavenly father,

Bless me with creativity's spark.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

From the Writer’s Heart (Hush Child… I Am God)

I was writing texts and works that would edify the body of Christ, but I did not recognize it.

In late February, someone posted to a Christian and Faith journaling group that I was in asking if the group had created a Lent scripture reading plan.  I served as a moderator in the group, and I did the graphic design work for some of the plans that the other moderators created.

I can honestly say what happened next was out of my comfort zone and a bit unlike me.  Not fully being serious, I replied… “No, we don’t have one, but if you want me to, I can create one.”  And there it was, out in the world for everyone to see… me putting myself out there in a way that I had never done before.

The person replied back… Yes, please do!

And there it was… John 14:14 present in my life.

I ended up creating it just before the pandemic happened, and I also worked on it during the pandemic.

I did not realize it until 2 weeks later that God had answered an “I Wish” prayer.

In like 2010 or 2011, I said out loud, “Lord, I want to write a devotional one of these days.”  In all honesty, I was not totally sold on the idea, but I did mean it from my heart.

I was writing a devotional… And on top of that, it was one about Jesus, the Shepherd.  Click here to read more about this endeavor.

Short Writer's Prayer...

  

Heavenly father,

Help me paint emotions with ink.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Short Writer's Prayer...

  

Heavenly father,

Guide my pen with Your wisdom.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

From the Writer’s Heart (Why Can't I Write)

 

I finally got to a place of peace with where God had me as a writer…

At the time, it is a month into the pandemic. I have not written anything.  I am going crazy because I have created this grand plan to finish my novel… and NOTHING!!!  Since I have been a writer, I have never had a moment where I could not write for more than two weeks.  Even during allergy season (March through May), I could always write at least once a week.  But, it had been more than two months and no writing.

I was so devastated. I honestly felt like a failure.  I posted to several writers’ groups I am in and many of them said the same thing… they were struggling to write.  That gave me no consolation because… I had grand plans, I had God on my side, and I was a “Madkins” and I can do what I set my mind to do.

Yeah… And… -This is what my muse tauntingly said to me day after day as I sat at my computer to write.

One day… someone posted this to one of the groups I am in and I saw it…

This so blessed me and helped me.  I understood what was going on.  I felt better, but I still wanted to write.

I took this and posted on the computer that I sat at everyday to try to write.  I pasted a copy of it in my journal.  I made sure to read it to myself every day.  I need this to be settled in my spirit.

After a couple of weeks of reading, I calmed down.  It was after I calmed down that I realized God had opened a door for me to write… not what I was used to, but what He wanted me to write.

2022 Writing Calendar and Goals

I am focused on writing this year.  I am not sure what I will be writing this year, but I will be writing.  I am focusing on getting back to writing novels by next year.

It is time.

My goal is to write at least 500,000 words this year.  To write at least 250 days out of the year.

Here’s my calendar…

Month	# Words	# Days
Jan	20,000	20
Feb	50,000	20
Mar	60,000	23
Apr	60,000	20
May	60,000	22
Jun	70,000	22
Jul	70,000	21
Aug	40,000	23
Sep	40,000	21
Oct	50,000	26
Nov	50,000	20
Dec	20,000	18
Projected Totals	590,000	251

 

Not sure how I am going to do this… but I WILL!!

Short Writer's Prayer...

  

Heavenly father,

Let every sentence be a masterpiece.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

2022: Lord, Have Mercy! I HAVE SOME RESILIENCE!

 My word for this year (2022) is resilience.

I cannot even tell you how far off the rails 2021 went.  It all went downhill after Snowmageddon in February of 2021.  Read all about that here.

As I stated about my word for 2021, I struggled with the pandemic and I wanted to regroup and begin working on the plan I had for 2020.  I had everything set for 2021 and then, I broke my arm.  Once again, everything thundered to a halt and I was left wondering… “What is going on with my life?”

In December of 2021, I was almost ready to say… “Forget a Word of the Year.  This stuff is cow dung!”  But, I couldn’t let myself do that.  I said, “If I get a word, good.  If not, good, too.”

 

Once again, I thought of completing my project from 2020.  I laughed it off and moved on from it.  I have concluded that I need to wait on God to know when to finish it.  The last week of December, I was writing on my dry erase board to write some notes about the Pauline Epistle Bible Reading Plan I worked out for this year, and I said to myself, “Man, listen, I am one resilient person.

That’s when my word came to me… Resilience!

I will use my resilience to be strong and better this year!

 

Michael Rutter told me what resilience was.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. is my inspiration for this year.

 

As usual, I created an ACRONYM for RESILIENCE.  This reminds me of 2 Peter 1:3 CEV (We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.)

 

I am ready to be resilient and accomplish some great things this year.

 

Nelson Mandela reminds me that it doesn’t matter how many times I fall, it’s getting back up that makes me successful.

 

Mark Nepo sums resilience up brilliantly.

 

And the Apostle Paul directly tells us in God’s Word that we are resilient!

Learn how to use Your Word of the Year

Short Writer's Prayer...

  

Heavenly father,

May inspiration flow like a river.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Power of Prayers Before You Write

 

In the quiet moments before we put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard, there exists a profound opportunity—one that goes beyond mere words and sentences. It's the chance to connect with a higher source of inspiration, to tap into the limitless well of creativity, and to infuse our writing with purpose and meaning. This opportunity lies in the practice of praying before we write.

In a world often bustling with deadlines, distractions, and doubts, taking a moment to pause and seek divine guidance can make all the difference. Here, we explore why praying before you write is not just a ritual but a powerful tool for unlocking your writing potential.

The Importance of Praying Before You Write:

1.    Finding Clarity: In the realm of writing, clarity is key. Before embarking on your literary journey, offer a prayer to seek clarity of thought and vision. Ask for the words that will convey your message effectively, and you'll find your ideas flowing more effortlessly.

2.    Overcoming Writer's Block: Writer's block is a common adversary, but it need not be insurmountable. Through prayer, you invite inspiration into your creative space. Those moments of silence can lead to breakthroughs, where ideas blossom and words pour forth.

3.    Connecting with Emotion: Writing often involves delving into the depths of human emotion. Praying beforehand can help you tap into those feelings more profoundly, allowing you to craft characters and stories that resonate deeply with your readers.

4.    Staying Focused: In a world full of distractions, finding focus is challenging. Prayer provides a moment of centering, helping you stay dedicated to your writing goals and tasks.

In the world of literature and storytelling, there's a profound beauty in acknowledging that our abilities are not solely our own. By taking a moment to pray before we write, we open ourselves to the boundless source of creativity that surrounds us. We become vessels through which stories are told, emotions are conveyed, and messages are shared.

So, whether you're a seasoned author or a budding writer, consider making prayer a part of your writing process. It's a simple yet profound act that can transform your words, infusing them with purpose, inspiration, and a touch of the divine. In those moments of stillness, as you connect with God, you'll find that your writing journey becomes not just a craft but a spiritual journey, one that can inspire, motivate, and change the world—one word at a time.

 

From the Writer's Heart (The Pandemic Stopped My Flow)

 

I had not written anything, so I say, since 2019. (At least this is what I had been telling myself for awhile.)  Should I say, I have not written any nonfiction, which is what I like to write since 2019.

Before the pandemic, I had written up an amazing schedule that would carry me through 2020 and have me finishing up one of my books.  I was all excited.  I am sure that I prayed and talked to God about my plans.  I live by Proverbs 16:3 as a writer.

I was not able to even focus on writing once the pandemic hit.  Things were all kinds of crazy because I had to go from teaching 6 classes on campus to teaching 6 classes online.  The transition was relatively easy for me because most of my class items were online.  I thought it would be easy for the students, too.  From all the emails I got, it was not.  Writing… went out the window and my full focus became teaching classes.

I struggled with not being able to write.  My outlet had been taken away.  And during spring 2020, is when I needed my creative writing outlet the most.  -but- I did not have it.  I cried.  I pleaded.  I even threatened.  –but, my muse was gone and so was my creativity.  I felt like a rudderless ship on a rough sea.  I even tried to sit at my computer and write… but, all that came were tears.

As I type this now, tears fill my eyes.  This is my first time writing this out.  I have held this in for 2 years.

I was a writer without a muse… without words to express myself… without thoughts to fill my mind… without characters to keep me company.

When I needed it most… writing had left me. -And I did not know why.

From the Writer’s Heart…

Since God has me writing texts and works that will edify the body of Christ in this season, I thought each week I would post some thoughts from my heart to my writing blog.

I will call it from the Writer’s Heart!

Prayer for the Beginning of the Year

 

Heavenly Father,

As a new year dawns before me, I humbly seek Your guidance and blessings. Grant me the strength to embark on this journey of words and stories once more. Bless my pen with creativity and my heart with inspiration.

May the stories that lie ahead be a testament to Your grace and wisdom. Lead me to new adventures, characters, and experiences that will shape my writing and touch the lives of those who read my words.

Grant me the perseverance to overcome challenges and the humility to learn from each word I write. Let this year be a canvas for my imagination, a stage for my characters, and a vessel for Your messages.

In Jesus' Name, I begin this year with faith and gratitude. Amen.

Walking through the Pauline Epistles (Table of Contents)

As a writer, God has my focus on creating texts and works that edify the body of Christ.  Most of my work is posted on my Faith Journey Blog.  You can view it here.

My Word of the Year...

My word of the year for 2022 is...

RESILIENCE!

Read this post to find out more.

My acronym for RESILIENCE IS…

Happy 2022…

It is 2022.  I must say, 2021 was one of the hardest years I have had in a long while.  But, I made it through.  My faith journey was a little hard, and I did not always keep up with it like I wanted to.  That is okay.  As I tried to remind myself that I was reading my Bible and I was praying, so I was doing what I was supposed to do, so if I did not write out a Bible verse or write out a devotional, it was not bad.

I was struggling at work and at home.  I was having troubles at work and at home.  I had to give myself some grace.  I had to read my own blog post… “5 Keys to Successful Bible Journaling.”

I am excited about 2022.  I have decided to go through the Pauline Epistles in chronological order.  I am starting with Acts to get some background, and then going in order from Galatians to 2 Timothy.

I am looking forward to studying Paul and his writings.  He is probably the most prolific person of the New Testament after Jesus.

I will write about my journey.

Looking forward to 2022 and studying the Bible.