Sharon Norris Elliot offered her wisdom on getting your words in print.
“Live significantly!” That’s the inspiring message of Sharon Norris Elliott, award-winning author, popular conference speaker, and astute Bible teacher. Sharon loves Jesus, wants her life to count, and encourages everyone who will listen to live a life that matters. She walks out this calling in many ways. As an author, Sharon is excited about the release of her latest book, Why I Get Into Trouble, the first in her children’s series. Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children, is her second parenting title, and follows her second women’s title, Power Suit, the Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame. These three bring the total of her published works to ten (10). Her books span genres from parenting, to women’s, to teens’, to children’s, and to general Christian interest. Sharon also serves as Editor-in-chief of Gospel Roads online magazine. Check her ministry website,www.LifeThatMatters.net for updates, and read her devotional blog, “A Heart for the Word,” at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com.
Why would a Christian want to write? Getting published requires herculean effort.
Consider Psalm 102:18.”This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.” God wanted the Israelites to know and remember his marvelous works. That’s one of the reasons the Lord instituted the Passover every year. During that ceremony, they recounted the mighty deeds the Lord during the Exodus. And God told the patriarchs to build an altar to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan River. When children asked what the pile of stones meant, they could hear stories of Jahveh’s faithfulness. Even if a believer never intends to publish, someone might read his/her diary or letters and receive encouraged. Written words can impact lives.
Why should a Christian writer persevere?
Jennifer Slattery gave the keynote speech at the 2015 Atlanta Christian Writers Conference Banquet. She offers advice and encouragement to those who aspire to be published. Listen and share with others.
Publish Your Book? Today you have lots of choices, and it seems easier, until you know all the issues. Athena Dean Holtz of Redemption Press can advise you. She’s been in the industry for twenty-five years. Learn more about Redemption Press here and Athena here.
Christian Authors Guild Sponsors Atlanta Catch the Wave Conference every year in the fall. This year the conference offered a short story contest open to anyone. This short segment is the Award Ceremony.
As a single mom, Mary Kaarto got laid off from her job.
Her first layoff lasted from 1994-1996, and looking back it seems as if she lived and learned a lifetime of lessons during that period. Little did she know that she’d write and have a book published about helping others during their own layoff experiences. But, that’s exactly what happened.Two weeks after she was laid off the second time (2002-2004), she was trying to save money by pruning my 30-yr old tree, by myself. When you are a single mother and you’re without work, you do what you have to do! She lost my balance and fell off the top rung of her 16-foot ladder, ‘breaking myself’. Her right leg was broken, she’d torn the meniscus in her right knee, injured her right elbow and arm.
She just couldn’t believe this was happening. “God, WHY are You allowing me to go through this AGAIN? WHY did You allow me to lose a job I enjoyed, and then allow me to have this accident that leaves me housebound and howling at the moon in pain?” Really, she can’t describe how she was feeling, other than to say, confused. she wasn’t necessarily angry or sad, because she’d learned from the first layoff experience, that everything was going to be OK. She had peace this time but only because she knew if her daughter, Emilie and I got through the first layoff, that we could make it through another one.
Mary shares how she survived and tips she learned. Now she offers help to others who are laid off. Reach Mary at www.MaryKaarto.com
Contact Cynthia at Heart of the Matter Radio: Cynthia@clsimmons.com
