Reminder: Free Writer's Conference

Yes, this Saturday is the FREE writer's conference in Ephraim I wrote about a few weeks ago.

If you live near Ephraim, Utah, or want to take a splendid trip to Utah, now's the time. Here's the details:

Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 7:45 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Place: Snow College, 250 E. College Ave (100 N)

Door prizes and Published author instruction.

I will be teaching two classes: The first is on outlining your novel, (a simplified, easy way to get your outline finished and get you on to your book) the second is on Conquering Your Writing Goliaths--a two-part class. If you decide to attend either or both of my classes, please come up and introduce yourself and let me know you read my blog. I would LOVE to meet you!

Learn how this book can help you to
conquer your writing Goliaths

For more information on the conference visit: www.writehereinephraim.com or www.thebestandfunniestever.com.

Courage Writers, Courage!

This morning I am thinking about the courage it takes to be a writer.

For many years I didn't let anyone, and I mean anyone, read my stuff. When I did, it was my husband and family. They nodded their heads respectfully, but years later I realized something.

I really wasn't any good. And that was okay.

I had the courage to write, first. And then I had the courage to share it. And through the years of sending my work to editors, agents, other writers, and yes, even more family members, I have been able to grow as a writer. Has this affected my confidence?

You bet it has.

Photo by: kathyse97, courtesy of Flickr

But that doesn't mean I have 100% confidence in every aspect of my life. As you grow as a writer, so do those experiences in your life. Like a box with flaps, you step out, then walk down the drive, then get in your car, then travel to places you've only dreamt about.

Photo by Comrade Foot, courtesy of Flickr

It takes courage to be a writer. It takes courage to keep writing after multiple rejections (and you will still be getting them even after you've been published). It takes courage to revise and revise again. It takes courage to hear, "I really didn't like that part of your book," when you know you've worked hard to make every scene count. It takes courage to speak in front of other writers and readers and it takes courage to keep writing when it would be easier to get a "day" job.

Being a writer means sharing your heart, your feelings, your strengths and weaknesses. It means going for the gold when all you see in front of you is a set of broken blinds. It means letting go of fear and saying how it is and being a writer no matter what anyone else tells you.

Being a writer takes courage and I know you can do it!

Love,

Kathryn

Climbing that Writing Mountain

This morning my husband and I were fighting. You know the kind. You say something, he says something, and you end up taking on the silent treatment for awhile.

Photo by nateOne, courtesy of Flickr

Another thing happened this morning. My niece and nephew were found up in the mountains after a long night of being in the wind, snow and cold without even coats to protect them. They had been hiking since early that morning.

Yes, it snowed yesterday, and they were caught unprepared.

No hypothermia, amazingly. Just some cold teenagers needing a warm bath and a warm bed.

I am feeling very grateful this morning for the tender mercies of God. Often, when things don't make sense and protection is given up and beyond what seems "feasible" we look to God for answers and realize he was our protector.

Climbing our writing mountain is a bit like that. Our writing may be eased at times, but I don't think the climb is ever easy (at least not for long). True writers walk the trail and when the snow falls and the trail is covered, they may lose their way for a time, but there are always others to help them find their way back to writing again. Especially God who knows the trail no matter how many layers of snow has covered it.

When my niece and nephew lost their way they had their cell phones on them to call home, there was search and rescue and there was God.

God wants us to succeed when climbing our writing mountain and preparing ourselves will help us to finish the trip. Writers prepare themselves to scale the mountain by listening to feedback and learning all they can about writing by attending writing classes and conferences. And  they never giving up on their writing, even when the terrain gets rough and they've forgotten to pack their coat.