The Power of Novels

When did you first start reading Christian fiction?

What kept you reading?

Here is my story… I was a very rebellious kid in highschool. A Christian friend of my mom’s loaned her some novels by Janette Oke. I was a big reader. I usually read stuff like Stephen King, but I loved those Jeanette Oke books. I read them over and over.

When I was 17 and pregnant out of wedlock, I gave my heart to the Lord. A few years later, when I was first married, I remember going to a Christian bookstore and glancing at their fiction section. We didn’t have much money, and I only had enough for one novel. I was looking through a few and someone pointed me to Bodie Thoene. I picked up Vienna Prelude and LOVED it! (And amazingly, people often tell me that my books remind them of Bodie’s.)

After that, I started reading more Christian fiction.

And then I started writing it. (Although it took about nine years for me to have a novel published from the time I first started writing.)

To me Christian Fiction became light, hope, and peace to my soul. There was tension, intrigue, and conflict but I felt good after reading those stories–unlike the angst I felt after books like Pet Sematary!

Christian fiction shared good news to me when I wasn’t looking for it or wanting it.

I once received an email from someone who said she read my novel, Night Song, and it was the first Christian novel she’d ever read. She was surprised she liked it!

It's my goal to share the hope I've found. So how about you? When did you start to read Christian fiction?

Holiday Gift Guide: For Readers and Writers

I pretty much love everything in this gift guide! These are such fun gifts for the reader, aspiring writer, or published writer in your life. These are fun twists on gifts that aren’t your typical fiction or nonfiction books (although those make great gifts as well).

For Readers and Writers

• The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression
• Olde Book Pillow Classics
• Great First Lines of Literature Mug
• Aqua Notes – Waterproof Notepad
• Moleskine Gift Box – Writing
• Please Don’t Annoy the Writer Mug
• LED Pen, The Pilot’s Pen, Night Writer
• Mashed Clothing I’m Writer Your Superpower? Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt
• Bag Ladies Tea presents Novel Tea
• Writers on Writing: Collected Essays from The New York Times
• One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
• Weddingstar Vintage Typewriter Card Holder
• Speedball Elegant Writer 6 Broad Calligraphy Markers Set
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
• Artists, Writers, Thinkers, Dreamers: Portraits of Fifty Famous Folks & All Their Weird Stuff

Why I Write Romance Novels

I’ve gotten the question more than once, “You write romance novels?”

I can see the confusion in the eyes of the person asking the question. She looks like such a sweet person. . . . Why would she write THAT?

First, I want to defend romance.

The Bible is filled with romantic stories—just look at Ruth and Boaz or Mary and Joseph! Romance isn’t just about butterflies in our stomachs and heart-pounding attraction. It’s about choosing another and expressing love in considerate ways. (And I won’t even mention Song of Solomon!)

Also, God is romantic!

My favorite Scripture verse is Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV 1984) which says, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

One of my favorite moments with my husband is when I curl next to his chest and he strokes my head and kisses my forehead. When I read this verse, that’s how I picture God, and someday I’m looking forward to being the Bride of Christ!

There is a difference between Christian romance novels and the secular romance novels we see on bookstore shelves.

In my novels, my characters get two kisses—maybe three—per book. Yes, I know some Christian romance novels are more “hot and heavy,” but you’ll have to talk to those authors about that! Personally, I don’t want to write anything that I wouldn’t allow my sweet, homeschooled junior-higher to read.

When I write my novels, I don’t create perfect characters. They have their own issues and struggles. I never want a reader to think, “I wish my husband was perfect, just like this character.” No one is perfect, not even the characters in my books!

Finally, my desire in every novel I write is for the main romance to be between my central character and God.

I want my protagonist to grow in her (or his) relationship with God first and foremost. I know not every reader will walk through a sweet romance with another person like in the pages of my books, BUT every reader can have a growing relationship with God. This is a love they can count on!

How to Influence Others with Your Story

Sometimes I’ve felt like my heart has been mangled with a wire brush. While most writers might want our books to sell more, many writers are surprised by the challenges that come with that kind of success.

I’m not talking about fame, notoriety, and greater demands. (Although those are challenges, too.) I’m talking about God’s sanctification process. It seems to me the greater influence one has, the more God’s really going to dig in and help you dig out the junk in your own heart. Why? As Luke 12:3 says, “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”

I also like how The Message puts it:

“You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.” (Luke 12:2-5)

Or in the Tricia Goyer version: “The more influence you have, the more you’re going to reflect what a Christian is all about—for the good and the bad. And God is a God who doesn’t want anyone giving Him a bad name. But instead of giving His children the boot, God sets to work at scouring us out—transforming us into a vessel worthy of use.”

I’ve experienced this personally and I’ve even seen it happening in the lives of my author friends. Over the years God has dealt with me concerning past relationships, unhealthy longings, pride, the need for approval, and materialism. (To name a few!) I’ve had more days than I want to admit where I’ve relinquished things to God, only to go back to my unholy ways the next day. Yet God doesn’t give up. He knows that I can only be a good influence—through my words and my life—if His goodness is in me. That means scrubbing out the bad.

Sometimes I’ve felt like my heart has been mangled with a wire brush. Sin doesn’t release its grasp freely. But on the other side of that cleansing is a freedom that’s hard to describe. The freedom is worth the pain. God knows this. He knows I’ll thank Him in the end, even if it’s through blurry tears.

The thing is just when one area of my life gets cleaned up, God sets His gaze on another area I’ve been trying to ignore. Lately He’s been dealing with me about my struggle with daily habits and behaviors. The more I dig into God’s Word, the more I see it’s a spiritual issue. It’s yet other area where I want to please self instead of turning to God.

I know the journey’s going to be hard—with this issue and the other issues God will faithfully reveal. The battle against sin is always, well, a battle. But I’m looking forward to a greater freedom at the end.

I’m also looking forward to those who God will connect me with during the process. And just maybe my influence will touch them in ways it never could have before. That’s what I’m counting on. If something’s going to be shouted from the rooftops through my life and my witness, I want it to be about how faithful, loving, and dedicated God is about transforming me into the likeness of His Son.

How to Get Past the Blank Page

One of the most common questions I get from aspiring writers is, “How do I start?” The ideas are in their heads, but the problem is getting them on paper.

Whether you are writing magazine articles, story stories, novels, or even homework assignments, here are some tips for improving on the blank page.

1) Sift Through Your Ideas. Realize some ideas will remain just that . . . ideas. When I first began writing in 1994 I wanted to use everything—every cute thing my children did, every Scripture verse that stirred my heart, and every flash of inspiration. I soon realized that although my ideas were good ones, I didn’t have enough time in the day to use them all. So what did I do instead? I began keeping a journal. It’s just for me, and I don’t worry how it looks. I use regular, spiral-bound notebooks, and I have them on hand to write down my prayers, favorite Scripture verse, to-do lists (I always start these on a clean page in case I need to tear them out), and writing ideas. Sometimes the words stay in there as just ideas. Other times I’ll go back to them, ponder them, and jot down more notes.

Then, if I can’t shake it, I know it’s time to take a closer look, and I ask these questions:

• Is this something God wants me to write?
• Who is my target audience?
• What are the needs of this audience?
• What would be the best format for my message?

As much as we don’t like to think of “publication” in these early stages, this is an important step. To be effective as writers, we need to mold our message into a medium that will reach people. Many times I think of two or three different venues such as how-two articles, personal experience articles, or books.

The next step is to consider prayerfully where God wants me to share my message. And when. I still have ideas that God gave me years ago I hope to use some day. Some, perhaps, will “come to life” after a long hibernation. Others might not, and instead they might just be message that God speaks to my own heart.

2) Open the Page and Start Writing. Once you know you want to write—or have to write—the next step is to begin. Yes, that means opening a blank page and just starting. Once I start typing I’m often surprised how much is already in my head. I refer to this first step as “cleaning the pipes,” and I pour everything in my head and heart onto the page. For articles or non-fiction these might be paragraphs of writing mixed in with various ideas. For fiction, it may be character description, story ideas, research notes, or any combination of the above.

Most people want “perfect writing” from the moment they start typing. This just doesn’t happen. Instead of striving for perfection, give yourself the freedom to “play around with the words.” Your first draft will NOT make it to publication. You don’t need it perfect when you begin. Don’t think about grammar, about your theme, about crafting perfect sentences. Instead, just let the ideas take you where they will.

3) Write Fast. Once you allow yourself to start writing, keeping going and don’t stop! I find my best writing comes when I let the ideas flow. I don’t stop to read what I’ve just written. I don’t pause to think. I don’t worry what an editor would think about my grammar. I just let the thoughts continue uninterrupted. The funny thing is . . . this fast writing usually ends up as my best stuff!

After you get all your thoughts on paper, close your document and give yourself a break. Refuse to go back and read what you just read . . . instead carry around your notebook or journal and write down any ideas you can add to your work-in-progress. Think of this as a pot of soup simmering on the stove and add in whatever ideas come to you during the day.

I get ideas when I’m in the shower, while I’m driving, or when I’m cooking dinner. The ideas will do their own work in your head. Just make sure you’re ready to jot down further thoughts. (This also means keeping a notebook and pencil beside your bed!)

Why Your High School English Teacher is a Terrible Editor

Mrs. Gentry, my high school English teacher, wore pleated denim skirts and black leather loafers that padded along with her about the classroom. She taught poetry to our 11th grade American Lit class as if it were truly a weighty matter. And even now I can hear the ringing of the gavel, a front-and-center witness to the Salem witch trials, as we listened to a dramatic audio of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. 

I grieved with her when she missed more and more school days to care for her husband as he fought cancer. I didn't want to let her go when I moved across the hall to Mrs. Barnes' senior English Lit classroom. Before I graduated high school, Mrs. Gentry wrote my first-ever college recommendation letter, allowing me to see her glowing remarks before sealing the envelope that held my college applications, what felt like my future. 

After my freshman year, I changed my major from psychology to English because I remembered how Mrs. Gentry encouraged my love of words and made a difference in who I was becoming. 

She was a brilliant teacher, one of the finest I ever had.

But she would be a terrible editor. 

I mean no offense to Mrs. Gentry and all beloved English teachers everywhere, but here's the thing: 

High school English teachers are trained to educate their students in the study of literature and writing, namely the skills and know-how used for academic writing. This is the kind of writing students and professional scholars use in an academic setting—high school, college, and graduate school—or to seek publication in a scholarly journal. 

I was an English teacher and taught academic writing for years. It is the foundation of all my early training and I credit it for a love of research and an ability to spot a faulty argument or a weak hook in a manuscript.

But when I set my sights on working in publishing, I knew my skill set was incomplete. 

I needed to study the craft and the industry just like any other publishing professional or writer must do. I needed to understand what it takes to publish and write for the market and for a specific audience of readers who buy and enjoy books. 

I needed to become a student once again. And so do you.

When you do your homework, you'll discover the important differences in academic writing and writing for the general market. You'll then realize that not just anyone with writing or teaching experience will do to edit your book. 

If you have a fiction or non-fiction manuscript or book proposal ready for editing, resist the temptation to ask your beloved high school English teacher—or your high-school-English-teacher-neighbor, or that friend-of-a-friend-high-school-English-teacher—to be your editor. 

Instead, continue to do your homework to find the right professional editor for you. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Ask other writers and colleagues for referrals and recommendations.  
• Scan the acknowledgements for editors' names in books similar to your own. 
• Attend writers' conferences where you will have access to agents, editors, and writers who will be happy to give you recommendations.
• Check out the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).  

Finding the right editor may take some time but is crucial to the success of your book. Your dreams of being published are worth it!

Bookstores DO Judge Books by Their Covers

In 2009, Zondervan hosted an open cover design contest for best-selling author Rick Warren's book, The Hope You Need. They received over 3,500 entries from across the globe. The winner, chosen by the publisher and Warren, was a design firm based in Italy. 

Scrolling through pages of entries available, a huge range in skill and design quality is evident. It serves as a reminder that how a book is packaged is critical to the success of the book.  

Here is my best advice on book covers to writers, especially those who are self-publishing:

• Put yourself in the mind and shoes of your reader.

As your reader stands in front of a bookshelf where a book like yours would be slotted, most likely displayed spine-out, what stands out? If they reach for your book, what sets it apart from every other historical romance on the shelf? Or every other memoir, devotional, parenting, or marriage book? 

Your book has seconds to make an impression. What kind of impression will it make?

• Bookstore shelves are prime real estate. 

With limited shelf space, booksellers can only carry so many titles, unlike Amazon.com. You could offer your book digital-only through Amazon.com where authors potentially catch the majority of the pie, but consider an interesting recent development.

This fall, Amazon opened its first brick-and-mortar bookstore, Amazon Books, in Seattle. And get this: the books they carry are displayed face-out. 

This tells me two things: 

1) Amazon sees the potential brick-and-mortar stores still have. 

2) They know the power of a book cover that nails it. 

And even if you decide to only offer your book digitally, the cover still matters to the reader. The last thing you want them to think is: Oh, that looks like a self-published book. 

Translation: That looks like a book that would have inferior content and is not worth my time or my money. 

• Put your best work out there and then pay a designer to cover it with their best work. 

You may have worked for years to write a book that meets a felt need in the market, but if the cover is not able to compete with the high quality designs traditional publishers create, it may never reach the hands of your reader. 

You don't have to spend a ton of money on a cover. But if you're serious about publishing, and you want booksellers and readers to take you seriously, you must give them a cover that compares to what they see in the marketplace.  

• Bookstores and authors are partners. 

Together we get your best work to people who love to read and buy books. 

Authors handicap booksellers when they put a mediocre cover on their book. Don't let a "good enough" or "just okay" book cover be a hindrance for your reader or bookstores. Give them every reason to open your book and discover what's inside. 

How to Interview for Non-Fiction Books: 17 Tips for Ease and Success!

I’ve been honored over the years to interview hundreds of people for articles, blogs, and books! A few of my non-fiction projects are Life, In Spite of Me and Plain Faith. Throughout the years I’ve learned how to create a better interview—one that will make the subject comfortable and help me as a writer. Here are my tips!

• Prepare. Have a short list of questions you want to ask, but don’t be afraid to follow rabbit trails. Sometimes the best stuff comes from windy, unfocused answers.
• Meet face-to-face if you can. There’s nothing like sitting across the table from someone to start a good conversation.
• Be at ease. When you first meet, start with small talk. Talk about the weather, the latest news, or about what happened so far in your day. Be friendly to loosen things up.
• Start with a brain dump. When I’m working on a longer project, I don’t slam the person with questions right away. Instead I ask question that will bring about a “brain dump.” Questions like, “Tell me about your childhood” or “Where did you grow up, what was it like?” Details can be nailed down later, but it’s always interesting how someone explains the narrative of his or her life. What the person chooses to tell (or to hide) is very revealing.
• Use a digital recorder. I record all my interviews, and I take very few notes. Make sure you always have extra batteries.
• Keep eye contract. Using a recorder allows me to keep eye contract with the person I’m interviewing. It lets the person know I’m not only interested, but I’m willing to build a connection.
• Use a notebook or pen for brief notes. I’ll jot down dates, important people, and sometimes the beginning of a quote. It just gives me an idea of what to watch for later when I’m transcribing the interview.
• Keep “off the record” off the record. If the person wants to tell you something—but doesn’t want it public—honor that. Turn off the recorder and just listen. Even if you can’t use those words, you’ll receive context.
• Don’t fill in the silence. If the person you’re interviewing pauses, don’t rush in with words. Give him or her time to think. The best stuff comes out of what’s hardest to say.
• Debrief yourself. When you return home ask yourself, “What impacted me most?” “What made my cry?” “What made me laugh?” Then ask why.
• Tell someone else. Find someone you trust and relate what you learned. If it’s important enough to repeat, it’s probably important enough to make it into the article or book. Then ask that person, “What stands out to you about this story?”
• Focus on universal themes. The people we interview have interesting lives, but what part of his or her story will resonate most with others? Considering this will help you ask more-detailed questions as you progress.
• Look for breath and depth. As you interview, don’t focus solely on the book or article. Get to know the person’s heart, message, and passion.
• Create a character sketch. After the interview, create a character sketch of the person. What stands out? What are his or her life themes?
• Write what’s compelling. When you sit down to write, focus on what’s compelling. Will part of the story bring others to change . . . or help them see a situation in a different light?
• Consider your audience. What will they appreciate most? What details will mean a lot?
• Write from your gut. You’ll have time to edit later, but write from your gut. Create scenes—like on the movie screen—and take your reader with you. You’ll be amazed by what you come up with. Your subject will be amazed, too!

How about you? Have you interviewed others for your writing? What tips do you have?

How to Research Place for Your Book

One of my favorite things about writing is research. I love finding facts, understanding world views, and stepping into a unique story world.

And one of my favorite parts of research is researching the settings/locations of my novels. You may consider setting to be the physical location, but it’s so much more than that. The place of your novel includes the physical location, but it also includes the attitudes of the people of the region as a group and as individuals.

For example, my co-author Ocieanna and I wrote Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska. We travelled there, and we hung out with the locals. The independent spirits, tight-knit community, and resourcefulness of the people were unlike anything I’ve ever known. Many of the attitudes and even comments from the residents made it into the novel. The book had a bit of quirkiness and resoluteness that isn’t seen in many of my novels, for the simple reason of what I’ve discovered when I researched the place.

Place is more than landscape, street names, and natural features. Place even changes as times change. I live in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is completely different now compared to the violence and struggle of the days of the Civil Rights movement. One place, but different “places” in history.

Places I’ve “lived” in my novels:

• Female pilot’s training base on the homefront during World War II
• Pearl Harbor
• In the jungles of the Philippines during World War II
• The battle fields of Europe
• In a concentration camp
• On the Titanic
• On the unsettled plains of Montana in 1890
• In Madrid, Spain during the Civil War
• In a small community in Alaska
• In Seattle, Washington near a B-17 bomber base
• On a “modern” farm in Nebraska
• In Amish communities in Indiana, Ohio, and Montana

Through research I’ve been able to experience each of these places.

How I research

1. Study the region through maps and photos.
2. Visit if possible. (I’ve bee able to visit most of my settings.)
3. Meet people and talk to residents who live there. Here are some questions to ask:
   1. What is this place known for?
   2. What type of people live here?
   3. What do you like best about living here?
   4. What’s difficult about living here?
   5. Tell me about the types of people who live in this area.
   6. What would surprise an outsider about this area?
   7. Where do the tourists hang out?
   8. Where do the locals hang out?
   9. Are there any local myths or legends?
   10. Do you have a historical society?
   11. Who are some of the more well-known residents past or present?
   12. What stories do you find yourself telling others about the area?

When I talk to folks, I like to audio record them so I can go back to the conversation later. I also have a notebook to write down key words of things I want to remember. But the best way to interview is to write as little as possible and just make eye contact with the person you’re talking to. This is the best way to make him or her feel comfortable. It’s then that the stories start to flow.

If you’re writing historical fiction, the best thing to do is find memoirs or biographies. Memoirs are the best because they give an “insider’s view” into the thoughts of the people during that time period. Some of my best research finds were self-published WWII memoirs. The thoughts and attitudes captured often mold my novels. (Remember that memoirs are just one person’s opinion. Make sure they match up the recollections with the history books because memory can’t always be trusted when it comes to actual dates and events.)

Scroll through Google images. 

People’s vacation photos make great research . . . and are often much more accurate than the travel brochures.

Make sure you document where you got your information. Even brief comments in a notebook will help. And if you find information in books, photocopy the page the information is on and the title page of the book, and staple them together. You never know when you’ll need to go back to this information.

Don’t feel you have to research everything

Like author Jody Hedlund says in her blog post “4 Tips for Researching a Novel,” Go deep but stay narrow. “I try to narrow down exactly what I need to know for my particular story. I don’t have to learn everything about England after the Restoration. I lay the beginning foundation . . . but I don’t need to acquire a PhD in English Civil War history in order to research the pillory and its usage for the poor of the 1600s. I dig deep for what I need and don’t get side-tracked by all the rest.”

This is wise advice. After you get a general knowledge of the area, figure out what you need to know about the most, and focus on that. Does your novel center around the old mill, the high school, the governor’s mansion? To read more of Jody’s advice go here.

Other things to research: religion, climate, economics, and social norms. All these can be used in your novel to craft conflict.

Which leads me to my final point.

Don’t think of setting as simply a backdrop, as in a play.

Through every step of research ask, “Can this bit of information bring conflict in my novel? Does this conflict fit with my story?”

Novels are about characters overcoming problems, and setting/place has numerous ways to provide conflict and make your novel seem true-to-life, not only by those unfamiliar to the area, but those who know the place. There is no greater praise than to have a local tell you that you got it right. It’s then you know your research paid off—not only in your story, but also by honoring the locals who call the place home.

Now your turn: What are your best tips for research?

For photos of my novel research, go here.

Example of my research on Lebensborn homes in Nazi Germany, go here.

How to Write a Novel

I’m sure all my fiction writer friends agree that one of the questions we get asked the most is, “How do you write a novel?” First, because readers are curious as to how a story that is fresh and exciting and filled with true-to-life characters comes out of an author’s mind. Second, because they have an inkling to do it themselves.

The truth is that almost anyone can write a novel . . . but (did you guess that was coming?) it takes a lot of time, persistence, and skill. Much more than I thought when I first started writing.

I sat down to work on my first novel in 1994. I had a notion for a story, and the first three chapters came pretty fast—fast enough for me to submit it at the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference. I was worried when I attended because, “What if more than one publisher wants my story?!” The story was fresh in my mind, and the writing was exciting. I thought I was well on my way. (I laugh at myself now, but at least I did it. I put the words on the paper!)

The truth is, I was dipping my toes in a tide pool when the ocean of publication awaited. I had a lot to learn, and it took me almost ten years to learn it. My first novel From Dust and Ashes was published by Moody Publishing in 2003, and it’s still in print.

How do you write a novel? 

You have to start. 

If you’re waiting for permission, here it is: Sit down and begin that book, even if you don’t know much about fiction writing. The best thing you can do is to start getting words onto paper. 1) You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it, and 2) you’ll also be surprised by how much you need to learn.

How do you write a novel? 

Pick up a few good books on novel writing. 

These are ones I recommend:

• The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• A Story is a Promise by Bill Johnson
• Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass

How do you write a novel? 

Attend a writer’s conference. 

Here is a list of hundreds of them all across the country.

Why should you attend a writers conference?

• There are professionals who tell you want you need to know. Yes,they are literally training you to be their future competition.
• You can often submit your writing for critique and key advice you can trust . . . unlike hearing from your friend, spouse, or mother who tells you it’s perfect just as it is.
• You start to build relationships with key people in the industry. Need I say more?
• You can build a network of friendships with other writers for support and help.

I have become good friends with many of the editors, agents, and professional writers  I met at my very first writers conferences. Knowing the right people has brought me work. When an editor gets a project from me on their desk, I have the upper hand over someone they’ve never met.

My writer friends have also been my support throughout the years. We’re encouraged one another and prayed for one another. We’ve critiqued our work and brainstormed books. I guarantee I wouldn’t be where I am today without attending conferences.

Think that writing a novel will take time, money, and effort? You’re right. But I’m here to tell you that if you put in the investment, you just might be holding your own book in a few years . . . and you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling a dream and launching a career!

So, what are you waiting for? Today is the perfect day to start a novel!

Balancing Writing, Family, and God

Busy schedule? I understand.

I have book deadlines April 1 and May 1 (with another project of devotions due April 15). We’re moving to a new house on April 1, and I have a 2-day trip this week and a 3-day trip next week. And that’s just the beginning of my to-do list! I have a grandma to care for, a wonderful husband, and three kids still at home: one in college, one in his last year of high school (who I homeschool), and a toddler! We also have another family living with us for a few more weeks. Five more people including kids ages 10, 7 and 5!

In addition to that there is the daily stuff of being a writer: emails, phone calls, my weekly radio show and social media (Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), which I insist IS work. Okay, to me social media is super fun and doesn’t seem like work, but I do have some marketing stuff too because By the Light of the Silvery Moon released March 1 and Beyond Hope’s Valley is releasing April 1.

How do I manage a schedule like that?

The thing that helps me handle a schedule like that is to put everything (as I think of it) into slots on my schedule (on my computer). I use iCal and when I put everything into my computer it looks sort of like this:

I include EVERYTHING in my calendar:

• Morning quiet time
• Time with my husband and kids
• Meetings
• Phone interviews
• Bible Study
• Blogs I need to write
• Grocery shopping
• Daily writing goals
• Phone calls I need to make
• Emails I need to answer
• Date nights
• Small group
• Church events
• Housecleaning and laundry

Putting everything into my calendar gets it off my brain. I don’t have to think about it because I know I’ll get to it–each thing will get it’s turn and each thing has to learn to be patient.

Then in the morning I prayerfully hold my schedule up to God and ask what He thinks of it. Sometimes I feel the need to just scoot those to-dos off to another day and take my grandma to Wal-mart. Sometimes the list gets done quicker than I thought and I have “space” for a nap. And I take that nap, too, because all those other things I have to do are still in their space and are still waiting patiently!

Sometimes my heart is moved in a different direction during morning devotions, or my mind is moved in a different direction by a book idea that won’t leave me. That’s important, too. I’ve learned NOT to let my daily to-do list take control of the creative part. If there is a new idea that I feel the Holy Spirit is directing me to I stop and listen to that. God knows my to-do list, too. I figure if He wants me to pause and redirect my creative energy then He has the rest of the items on my to-do list figured out, too.

God has also provided me with wise advisers. I’ll often adjust my daily calendar after talking with my husband. John’s great about helping me pick out what’s really important. I also heed the advice of my agent Janet Grant who is great about telling me what idea can wait and what idea needs to be acted on NOW. I trust Janet and her advice has been right 99 percent of the time. (I personally can’t remember the 1 percent when she wasn’t right, but maybe there was a time?) Janet acts as a wise counselor to me, and it’s important to have someone who can “see” the bigger picture when I tend to get focused on the daily little stuff.

I also keep my heart tender to the needs of my kids. There are some days Alyssa (2) needs more interaction and direction. There are days she’s not content playing with play dough, sitting next to me, as I answer emails. There are times when she doesn’t want a nap and I’ve had to reschedule phone meetings that I set up to be during her nap time. There are times she’s sick and I’ve had to ask for a few extra days on a writing deadline. There are some days (nearer to book deadlines), when I find a babysitter so I can go to Panera to write.

My older kids need attention too. When my daughter wants to sit down and talk or my son asks if we can go to lunch–just the two of us–I know I need to make time. Sometimes I’m able to adjust my schedule that day, but if that’s not possible then I move other stuff aside and “write them into my schedule” as soon as possible. For example a few weeks ago Nathan wanted to go to lunch. I had a few phone meetings and some important errands that day, but we set a time for two days later. Knowing we were going to spend quality time together in a few days made us both happy.

As you know, “life” isn’t always great about sticking to a schedule BUT it’s worth an effort to try to give everything a spot. Life happens, things change, and that’s okay. It’s just easier for me to have everything written down where I can see it. Because iCal manages my to-dos, I do a better job of loving and caring for the people and tasks in the moment.

So, what about you? Any tips or advice on how you manage your schedule?

How to Ruin Your Writing Day

1. Look at the New York Times bestseller list. Or better yet the top ten Christian books. Consider how happy those authors’ publishers are and how much more effective they are at spreading the good news of Jesus.

2. Compare your daily word count with those folks that write a new book every month.

3. Pick up that Pulitzer prize winning novel. Read it side by side with your most recent offering.

4. Look through other authors’ websites and compare. Especially note those that have flash video and cool gadgets.

5. Start editing the book you just finished. Tell yourself you’re not going to turn it in until everything is perfect.

6. Put together your ideal media/publicity package that you’ll pour money into once your book hits the New York Times Best-seller list.

7. Read Amazon reviews, especially everything under 4-stars.

8. Picture your book as a movie. Pick out who would represent your characters. Imagine how sales numbers will skyrocket when it’s released.

9. Do your taxes. Make income goals. Read your royalty statements.

10. Stare at the blank page.