God has perfectly qualified you

It is worth remembering-You are perfectly created to be the person God created you to be. Notice what I did not say there, you are not fully equipped but you are perfectly created.

If you look in Ephesians 4, Paul starts by giving a charge to believers:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” [Eph 4:1, NIV]

This is a verse we’ve read often enough for it to have very little meaning to most people. Okay, I’ll live a life worthy of my call. What does that mean exactly?

Here is how the Amplified says it.

“1I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service,…” [Ephesians 4:1, AMP]

This is a little deeper. We are urged to have behavior that makes God look good. We need to practice what we preach. We shouldn’t be judgmental hypocrites going about judging people and living by grace.

I think the Message Bible really gets to the heart of what God is saying to us through the Apostle Paul:

“1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” [Ephesians 4:1-3, Message Bible]

Look at that urging. We are told to walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called us to travel. What road is that? Well, we are told to spend time in God’s presence, not in a religious way but talking to a friend. God loves us just as our spouse or best friend loves us. He wants to know about what is on our mind. He want us to take the time to hear what is on His mind.

But—and this is where many writers miss it—once we know what He has to say about it we are to RUN! Most writers I know are barely walking. They read a novel then spend 2 hours a week REALLY writing and wonder why they aren’t published in a year. That is not the road God called us to.

The other thing we do is constantly question our call. It is good and right to pursue God’s will for our life, but many writers are simply stalling. When I prayed and asked God if I should go to college I didn’t wake up every day and ask if I should go to class. I didn’t say “God, would you rather me pray for 3 hours instead of do my homework?” No, I did all that was necessary to become an excellent student. God honored that with many awards, scholarships and honors.

Likewise, when I became pregnant with our first child I didn’t ask Him every day “God, do you still want me to be a mom today?”

It would seem ridiculous to most people for me to feel I needed to ask God if he wanted me to feed and nurture my kids. It is clear in scripture that God calls me to be a loving mom and to set a good example for my kids. Furthermore, it is clear that I am to teach them and care for them. There are specific issues I ask Him for guidance on, but I know I am called to be a mom. I know how to do it because God laid it out in His word.

The same is true of your call to be a writer. Once you know that is a calling you need to pursue it with all gusto. You shouldn’t turn in substandard work and say “But God gave me this story. You MUST publish it.” You wouldn’t allow a doctor to cut in to you simply because “God called them to be a doctor.” [Having had surgery last week that has a DOUBLE Amen coming from me today!!]

Why am I beating up on you today? Truly, I’m not. What has inspired me is the amount of reading I’ve done recently on highly successful people. The people who excel do it because they become obsessed. That is where we need to get. We are taking God’s call to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” as an excuse to do sloppy work. We say “I was too busy seeking God. I didn’t have time to do a good job.”

If we are seeking God first in all we do it means He is the first one we seek. Once we’ve sought Him we honor Him by doing Ephesians 4. Or we honor Him by doing Habakkuk 2:2 “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” God calls us to make it plain.

God calls us to honor Him with our work. God calls us to seek Him for our call, then work by the sweat of our brow and He’ll “give us all these things besides”.

The Christian life is one of activity. Even in the land of perfection [Eden] God gave Adam and Eve jobs. Each of us has a call on our lives and in those calls are God’s provision and fulfillment.

This week let’s all make progress rather than excuses. That includes me.

Ambassadors

You hear the term thrown around "We are Ambassadors for Christ". I have been abroad and I've been at an Embassy. I understand the unique nature of an Embassy compound. However, I think many times we get the idea of rich people having lavish parties in Paris at the Embassy stuck in our minds and it clouds the true mission.

See, being an ambassador is not about position-it is about calling. It is a representation of AUTHORITY. When the Ambassador speaks to a foreign leader he/she is speaking in the name of, and in the authority of, the nation that sent them. The ambassador can negotiate an agreement, sign it and it holds the same authority of the President's signature. The Ambassador must consult their Commander-in-Chief but once he has received direction his WORD has the authority of the country that sent him.

Furthermore, the Embassy [the home of the Ambassador] exists as a sovereign 'state' within another state. For example, when we adopted our daughter in Russia 4 years ago we had to go to the US embassy. Even though we were in Moscow once we stepped through those doors of the Embassy we were in America. It is a funny concept to wrap your mind around.

Think about the implications of scripture now. God gave us His word in scripture. He also speaks to us through the Holy Spirit as we spend time alone communing with Him. Once He has shown us the path, we speak on His authority. Our homes, though living in this kingdom are not subject to the laws of lack and need that exist in this world. Our laws are scripture. When we are obeying God with our tithes and offering. [Tithe is 10% of ALL increase. Offerings are more besides.] When we are honoring God with our time, our talent, our words, our actions. When we are honoring God by spending time with Him and in His Word to learn what his thoughts are on a subject, we then go out and operate on His authority. We are no longer limited to what this world has or says. We are subject to the laws of our Home Leader [God] and to His Kingdom's Laws!

If a president of a foreign country [let's say France to make it easy] ever came in to the US Embassy uninvited he could be removed. He has no legal right or authority to be there. He is on American soil and subject to American laws. Yet we allow Satan and the Kingdom of darkness dance all through our homes, our children and our lives. We say "well, in this world you'll have trouble". [John 16:33]

That is where we stop because we haven't taken the time to LISTEN to our leader. Look at this same verse in 3 different translations. [Verses Complements of Bible Gateway.

John 16:33 (New International Version)

33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


John 16:33 (Amplified Bible)

33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]


John 16:33 (New King James Version)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Footnotes:

1. John 16:33 NU-Text and M-Text omit will.


So, this isn't a matter of "That is Life" and acceptance. We have allowed an illegal invasion of territory that belongs to us and God.

It is not God who has failed us. It is us who need to walk in the authority we already have.

Go be REAL ambassadors!

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog. [http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com]
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

People want the truth

Recently I have begun to try to be "Real" with people who read my blog. While I always strove to give accurate and useful information I feel that sometimes my blog was not as forceful as it should have been. I know because I can give myself as many excuses as anyone else. I know every reason why I don't have the time to accomplish a particular task. I make excuses [offer REASONS] and essentially give up.

Then I decided that I needed to toughen up and work in a way that truly honors God. I need to fully use my gifts so God is collecting interest on the talent he gave me.

A remarkable thing happened. When I took a tough love stand on the issues people responded with overwhelming positive comments.

They also responded by making meaningful changes and working to improve-rather than excuse.

This got me thinking. So many times we want to make the life of a Christian nice and sweet. We want to show God's "Good side" as if He needs us to explain Him to other people. What I have decided is that God needs to be allowed to be God. That means where He says that he will judge, we need to take that message seriously and offer warning and guidance to those who are headed for judgment. We need to do this in truth and love, not in demanding and judging.

People want the truth. People want passion and conviction. They want individuals to move beyond making excuses for themselves and everyone around them. They want to know God cares and we care enough to warn them.

As you create your stories, show God as He is. God doesn't need us to explaing Him. He can do it just fine himself.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Tiffany is a speaker and teacher. Find out about available topics for your group's next event.
Tiffany is a National Examiner. Read her articles here.
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website. [www.TheBalancedLife.com]
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog. [http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com]
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.[http://writersrest.blogspot.com]

As unto the Lord

I've been doing a great deal of thinking lately. It seems that the 7 1/2 years ago when God grabbed a hold of me and let me know that He liked me and wasn't disappointed in me there was more that changed on my insides than I'd realized-and not all of it was good.

At that point I became so focused on giving God the credit and the glory for everything right in my life that I let the 'workhorse' in me die.

Let me explain.

Prior to realizing that God was actually involved and interested in my life I thought that I had to do it all myself. God only worried about me after I died. If I wanted to get anywhere in life it was up to me and me alone. I worked long hours. I punished my body. I studied. I strived. I was successful.

However, once I realized that God was working along side me I wanted to be sure He received all the glory. I never wanted someone from the outside to say "Well, of COURSE you made the best seller list, you worked hard, studied and had a great book."

See, in college I worked and studied long hours and felt I deserved and acolades I received. Of course I did because I'd earned them. During that time I'd beg God to help me remember what I'd studied but that was only after spending more than 16 hrs a week in lectures and more than 20-30 hours a week with my nose in a book studying. I worked hard and asked God to help me remember everything I'd done.

With my writing I felt that somehow my effort would cheapen God's glory. My success would be viewed as having been achieved through my own effort. No one would say "Wow, look what God did in/for/through Tiff."

How silly!!

In January I spent a month praying, fasting and digging deep in to scripture. I asked God for wisdom and favor. I asked God for breakthrough and provision. I asked God for understanding and success.

Over the last few months I've felt gradual, incremental revelations. As if windshield wipers clearing dirt from the glass. The first swipe revealed a murky path ahead so I sprayed on more prayer and Bible reading. That lead me to a few books, a few scriptures and a few messages at church that swished back and forth to wipe off more and more of the haze.

Now I'm beginning to see a clear path ahead of me. While it is exciting it opens up a second set of questions. I know God will reveal each of these in time as well. I simply need to grow where I'm planted with the revelation He's given me.

So as yourself the tough question. Are you using God and His grace as an excuse to do less than your best in ANY area of your life? Are you lazy in your parenting knowing that God will pick up the pieces? Are you lazy in your marriage knowing that you're comfortable with each other? Are you lazy in your call to write knowing you have an excuse in a 'bad economy'?

The Bible tells us to do everything "As unto the Lord". I sometimes fear that the body of Christ doesn't take that as a call to excellence but rather as a call to 'good enough'.

I've issued a challenge on my writing career coach website to set out 3 main goals for this week. Pop over to writing career coach and look at the Friday May 29 and Monday June 1 blogs for more information.

Resurrection of your dream

This past Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of our savior, Jesus. Jesus' death and resurrection meant the victory over our enemy the devil.

This had me thinking this morning of my life as a writer. It has been a tough road. I'm in the 7th year of being a full-time writer and just as I got to the "publishable" level the floor dropped out of publishing. It doesn't mean that hope is lost, it just means that I have to shift my writing focus for a bit.

I think that this writer's life can be overwhelming at times. There is so much of US in each book we write, every article we put together and every topic we teach on. There has to be...the reader won't go to those emotional depths unless we go there first.

The disciples thought all was lost that Friday. The sun was gone. There was an earthquake. Their leader was dead. One of the 12 was found to be a crook. Rome was still in power.

They'd given up 3 years of their life...for THIS!!

What they didn't know was what we now know. Sunday was coming. Jesus was taking the keys from the devil. A takeover to shake the entire universe was in the process.

But they had to pass through Friday and Saturday first.

God already sees our victory. He may be allowing your dream to die at this moment and you wonder what it was all about. Why did you sacrifice so much to write. Did you miss God some how?

Don't worry. God is still full of the resurrection power. Your Dream...hold on to it.

Sunday is coming.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

Tiffany Live on Dancing Word Tonight!

Hello everyone!

Soon I'll be running free webinars on my two websites [WritingCareerCoach.com and TheBalancedLife.com] but tonight I will be at Dancing Word answering questions and teaching on how to stay successful, and become more successful, in today's economy. These chats are free and, since you type everything, they might be friendlier for people with dial-up. I hope most or all of you will come and check out the chat. Transcripts will be posted later but get your questions answered tonight!!

Dancing Word offers these great opportunities throughout the month. Go read some of their archived chats and see what is coming. Use them to help you build your writing business and learn from others.

Here is the official announcement from Dancing Word.

Are you concerned that these hard economic times will prevent you from moving forward in your writing career? Get some career tips from Writing Coach Tiff Colter on Tuesday, April 7th, beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific in the Dancing Word chat room.


“History shows that times of downturn are the fertile soil that produces exponential growth,” Colter states. “Aspiring and newly published writers can capitalize on these changes. We will talk about how writers can prepare their writing business in this time of slow book sales. We will also look at opportunities to build the business you have now. To get you started I will give away a free month of coaching to one lucky participant and a special discount to all who come.”



To join the chat go to:

http://www.centralchat.net/chatrooms/channel/dancingword type in your name where you see "enter nick" and then click on the "connect" button. Please test out the chat room ahead of time.



Those who cannot use the java program will need to use the central chat mIRC program. Go to:

http://www.centralchat.net/chatrooms/cgiirc.php?c=dancingword Type your name in the "nickname" box and click on the "Login" button.


If you need help getting into the chat room, please contact me at dancingword @ gmail (dot) com [without the spaces and replace dot with .]

--
Blessings!

Annie McDonald
Dancing Word Writer Network
www.dancingword.net

Upcoming chat guests: Tiff Colter, DiAnn Mills, Jill Williamson

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

Finding Balance

It can be tough some days to know where to start.

The last 5 weeks have been busy and most mornings I hear the chirp of the alarm and click the snooze bar. During those 9 precious minutes I lay in the quiet and ask God "So, where do we start today?"

It can be overwhelming at times when there is so much, good and bad, coming at you all at once. In Church this past weekend I sat and said "God, my cup is running over with opportunities to expand. Which way should I go?"

There are opportunities that will help me expand my base. They don't pay money at the moment [in fact, they'll cost a good bit of money] but they will substantially increase my platform and help MANY people. So, God, do I go that way?

There is my speaking. That is really taking off and I'm being invited to speak a variety of places later this year. I'm also teaching webinars online for writing groups. I'm offering them at a VERY low rate because everyone is hit with the economy right now. I want the information out. I only allow 10 people per webinar. With the goal of 10 webinars per week that is 100 people I can mentor, encourage and bless. It is a wonderful ministry and I'm excited about it. [And people also tell me I'm very good at it.] I love it. So, God, do I go that way?

There is TheBalancedLife.com This website offers encouragement, money saving tips, and common-sense money management skills to people who are facing sudden and/or long term income loss. Not only that, it helps people who want to stop living paycheck to paycheck. I want to reach at least 2,000 people per month with this. I know what it was like for us 3 1/2 years ago when my husband was suddenly diagnosed with Cancer. He was our only source of income. We had 4 little girls [7, 5, 4, 2]. One we'd adopted only 6 months earlier...and she was special needs. I know the choking fear that squeezes your chest and rips tears our of your soul. So, God, do I go that way?

And I'm a writer. I write novels. Yes, the floor has dropped out of publishing but there are still books selling. I know I can do it, but writing a 55,000 word book takes time. Even when I can write 2k-3k words a day...that's not every day. I simply don't have the time. So, God, do I go that way?

And I'm a wife/mom/homeschooling mom/daughter/friend...

How do I find the balance?

As I turn my day over to God I feel peace. As I stop worrying about HOW and focus on DOING, things get done. As I seize opportunities and praise Him, instead of grumbling about all I have to do, the stress melts and I see the goodness of God.

And when I worry about where the money will come from, I remember that God rewards us when we faithfully obey. I simply have to walk in obedience and keep God FIRST [Which is why I spent time reading his word before posting this blog...even though it was late] everything else seems to work out.

Instead of asking God "So, God, do I do this?" I recognize the favor of God and do it with excellence. Somehow, my time begins to multiply. The money shows up. The energy is there. The kids cooperate.

And God is glorified.

Quit worrying. Start walking.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Common-sense money management is free at The Balanced Life website.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

Confident Expectation of Good

Tuesdays with Tiffany
by Tiffany Colter

Yesterday I was scanning the web and I ran across an article summarizing the civil unrest around the world. When I read articles like this one my heart hurts inside. I realize that so many people have relied on other PEOPLE for their security that now they don't know where else to turn.

I know what it is to face sudden income loss. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer 3 1/2 years ago we were faced with the "what if" and the "how will we". I know how frustrating it was to realize that my tax dollars did not make me eligible for state benefits when our sole income was no longer there.

I had to face a moment where it was us and God.

The difference in our circumstance and what others around the world are facing is the subject of this blog: hope. Hope is a confident expectation of good.

And now, as I'm on the cusp of publication it seems the industry is imploding. This past Saturday I had three different projects rejected. It hurt, but it wasn't the end.

See, I serve a God who knew it was coming. He knows the perfect timing and I need to keep pushing forward with the same gusto I had before my triple strike out. I'm still working on book 6. I have to. I'm a writer. I'm also a child of the King who is called to write. I have to keep pushing forward.

I'm regrouping those rejections [none of which were based on craft...it was all market] and coming at it another way. I listened to the advice of my agent and trusted his insight. I keep plugging forward. Keep building platform and, in light of this 'set back', I'm spending even MORE time reading the foundational lessons of my writing business: Writing, Marketing, Speaking.

Each of us has a decision each morning. Will I write? Won't I write? What will I allow to block me from writing? How big can I dream? How much will I limit myself?

Will I press on? Will I give up?

Will I be a writer or a quiter?

Today, I'm choosing to be a writer?

What have you chosen?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

God is my market

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter

As I continue to build my writing business I have encountered a few different kinds of people. The one I'd like to hone in on today is Christians. I am a Christian and I know that there are times where we hold up our hands in frustration and want to scream "God, what in the world are you asking me to do?"

The trait that I'm noticing more and more is "Well, if God wants me to write He'll bring the projects my way."

Excuse my irreverence but that is like saying "If God wants me to give He'll cause my wallet to jump out of my pocket."

The reason I act so strongly to that statement is because most of the time when I am talking to someone and they say that they've done virtually NOTHING to improve their craft. They've submitted very few queries [if any at all] and they're "Waiting on God."

Anyone who knows me knows that I want to live a life of obedience that honors God. I also know that He knows how to get my attention. Once He told me to write I went full speed ahead except for the eight months when God CLEARLY told me to stop for a season.

Other than that I have taken classes, read books, written words, learned to market and any number of other skills to grow as a writer.

Spend time in His presence to find out if He wants you here...and if you know He does then get out there and do it. Even the Israelites in the desert had to walk out of their tent to collect the Manna God sent.

Do we think we should do any less?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

God of the Harvest and of rest

Tuesdays with Tiffany
by Tiffany Colter

As writers we are on a constant path of self-discovery. We wonder what it is that makes us tick. I do this quite a bit when I'm in moments of quiet. Last week I was spending time reading my Bible when I came across this verse:

"Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest." (Exodus 34:21, NIV)

It is tempting as authors to work ourselves silly once we finally come in to a season of harvest. It is not enough to sell a book, we want a 3 book deal. We sell an article and suddenly start writing articles every day imagining that we will finally make a living that way.

God was prepared for us. He said, even when we are in a time of plenty I want you to rest. That means in a time of lack we ware to rest as well.

I realized that I was seeing so much success with my writing and the Writing Career Coach that I wasn't taking the time I needed to rest. I saw my productivity go down dramatically and my stress level go up.

It goes back to trust. Do we trust God with our time enough to believe that we will have enough time to get stuff done with a day of rest?

When God wrote this he was preparing people to enter the promised land. If this is how God prepares those he's about to bless, I want to be on board.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

A willing Vessel

Tuesdays with Tiffany

by Tiffany Colter

If you read this blog or my Writing Career Coach blog you know that I'm a person who focuses on planning-then executing your plan.

As important as that is the month of January for me is about being a willing vessel.

Are you opening yourself to be that willing vessel? Are you willing to put in the effort to pursue His call for you? Are you willing to learn the marketing skills to help advance your writing career?

These are the questions I've asked myself as I began 2009.

As you look at 2009 are you preparing the year to be obedient to God's call to write?

Be ready to step out of your comfort zone-and be a willing vessel.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

One smart chick

Last week I was sitting at the kitchen table and I had a moment where I said "God, I want to hear from you. I'm going to Esther and I want to know what you have to say to me."

Immediately my eyes fell on a verse in Esther I'd highlighted a long time ago:

Esther 2:20 "But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up."

This struck me because I've seen so many people begin to walk in to their blessing and then they quit doing what made them successful. I've seen honors students get a full scholarship and maintain only the minimum to keep their scholarship.

I've seen writers get published and stop studying the craft.

I've seen business people neglect customer service once they become profitable enterprises.

I don't want to fall in that trap. In the verse God led me to we see Esther who has found the favor of a powerful king. She took wise counsel and listened to the advice of her uncle as well as the man in charge of the harem.

Once she became Queen she didn't think she could 'go it alone'. She still listened to wise counsel.

Then the time came where her obedience put her in an uncomfortable place. Obedience isn't always fun but it DOES always promise great rewards.

In our writing there are times where we have to take advice. There are also times where we have to do things that make us uncomfortable [for many people that is marketing].

Take the example of Esther.

She's one smart Chick!

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer's Rest.

Get paid to learn

Tuesdays with Tiffany
by Tiffany Colter

One great thing about being a writer is there are so many opportunities for you to be paid to learn skills that will build your marketability.

Even if you don't make much money [or if you do it as a volunteer] these are still skills that will serve you well as you grow and develop as a writer. I'm going to point out three today. Take some time to research these areas and see how you can build your writing business while helping others.

Short articles
Many people know that they can donate articles to the church newsletter or to the small gardening group they participate in, but have you looked in to the free local papers that are available at businesses and the library? Contact these editors and see if they have need of freelancers. Then include your blog/website in your bio at the end of the article.

Newsletters
Putting together a newsletter can do a great deal to build your readership when you speak at events or even distributing an e-newsletter periodically. If you can find a small business who wants to hire you to do these for them then you can practice and build your skills by working on someone else's publications. Get paid to learn. [It should go without saying that you still want to produce high quality work.]

blogs
Blogs are a great way to build readership but many people don't have the time or don't have the skills to write an engaging blog. If this is something you can do then get paid ghostwriting blogs. While you may not get bylines on these kinds of blogs, they will be a source of revenue for you.

So start thinking of things you'd like to do in your business plan, then look for ways you can be paid [in cash or exposure] to develop those skills. That is called working smarter rather than harder.

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

The works of our hands

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter

12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. [Deuteronomy 28:12, NIV]

So, what are your hands doing?

I've heard many writers talk about the years they've been writing and how they aren't published but when it gets down to it you'll learn that many of these people only spent a couple of hours a week writing and doing the things a writers needs to do to succeed.

All of us were required to write essays in school as children and teenagers and somehow we think a book should require the same effort. While a term paper written in an all night cram session might earn you a C in college, a book that warrants a second glass cannot be a first draft.

I ask you again, what are your hands doing?

If you take the time to watch your hands you'll see that God is blessing it. Your clothes are folded, your children are safely shuttled around, the bills are getting paid, the remote control is well worn. Even your email box proves that you have many friends.

But what about your book? What about the articles? What about the story growing deep inside you. Are you sitting down and giving God an offering of your words on paper so He can bless you? Are you only willing to write if He'll promise publication? Are you only interested in stories if they'll give you applause.

Are you only willing to try if you'll always get acceptance on the first draft?

So as your hands are busy this month think about what your works are. Can God bless them? Do you really want Him to?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

Leave an inheritance

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.[Proverbs 13:22, NIV]

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. [Ecc 7:11, NIV]

The Bible has a great deal to say about leaving an inheritance. If you type the word in to a search engine in the NIV version you get literally HUNDREDS of hits on the word.

As I was doing my daily reading recently I came across the word "inheritance" and it quickened in my spirit that this word could also mean a legacy.

What will my kids have when I die financially, spiritually, emotionally? What will the world remember about me?

And how does that line up to the gifting and call that God has placed on my life.

It is hard to believe some days but God planned on us being born.

In America we will celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. There is a great deal of planning that goes in to making a meal of that size. Groceries must be bought. Homes must be cleaned.

What if you made that meal and no one showed up? Or what if everyone showed up but there was no Turkey?

That is what we do to God all the time. We either don't bother to come with our gifts and talents to sit at His table of provision OR we show up but don't bring all of our gifts with us [like the Turkey] and so the plan is incomplete.

There is someone here that God sent you to reach. Maybe many people. But until we focus on God and His giftings there will be an incomplete picture.

So as you're sitting with family, whether this week or next month, consider whether you're showing up in God's family.

What you do is leaving an inheritance to your kids. You're modeling to them the kind of person you'd like them to be.

What is your legacy?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

A Christian Excuse

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter


Philippians 4: 13 " I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Look at this verse above. This verse has been twisted and warped and quoted and memorized. Today I want to apply it. I want to look at it as it pertains to writers.

The life of a writer can be excruciating with all of the rejection, perfection and trying again. We pour months of our life in to a manuscript that may only get a 15 second glance from an acquisitions editor or other designated gatekeeper. So this verse is very encouraging. It says God strengthens us.

Recently the ACFW was talking about how a person knows they're called to write. Every writer who serves Jesus will ask that. When we feel overwhelmed or rejected we'll ask again and again "Did you actually call me to do this?"

I was thinking about that and I remembered a few other people in the Bible who had it a little tougher than me.

Samuel was taken from his mom to live in a church where the priest [Eli] was not living the faith. So he was in an abusive church. He was hungry for God's presence and trying to grow in faith while having no example [other than the mom he saw once a year]. Then he spoke over Saul who ended up being rejected by God. He was only trying to do what God said and look at the mess he made.

Sometimes I feel like Samuel. I'm trying to pursue writing but no one in my family is really in to the writing thing. My step-mom who lives 1,200 miles away is a voracious reader of fiction but, like Hannah with Samuel, our rare visits don't allow me a chance to really talk about craft.

How about Jeremiah? He has that great verse in Jeremiah 29:11 where God says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

But, did you read first in Jeremiah 20 where Jeremiah was beaten? God was reassuring Jeremiah because the prophet had gone through of the ringer.

Sometimes I feel like Jeremiah. I see what is going on around me. Everything is falling apart. The industry is slowing down. Things aren't selling. I need to know what is going on. Why was I called when there is so much destruction? So God reassures me! Like Jeremiah God says "I'm still protecting you."

And then there is Isaiah. He lived through the death of a righteous king. When a king died the future of the prophet was uncertain. King Uzziah died and Isaiah faced an uncertain future, but God was reassuring. When Isaiah was worried-God appeared. Isaiah 6:1,8 "1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Sometimes I feel like Isaiah. I have an uncertain future in this writing thing. Sometimes I work hard with no results and sometimes a project comes easily and sells just as easily. I never know what result I'll have until I try.

And then there was Paul who endured beatings, stonings and loss of all he'd ever wanted to win others to Christ.

We need to pursue God, no matter the result. We need to do EVERYTHING as unto God. We need to pursue perfection and trust God for the results. If we are giving God our best He says He'll keep us on the right path and lead us to a wonderful future [no matter what we feel based on what we see around us.]

So is our lack of publication due to a lack of preparation on our part or a lack of God's call? Are we working to improve or looking for escape? Are we inspired to pursue our dream no matter the cost?

Or is the statement "maybe I'm not called" nothing more than a Christian Excuse?

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

Do you follow me?

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter

I remember when I was younger [as in during the 80s] the expression "Do you follow me?" was synonymous with "Do you understand?".

With the advent of social networking sights this expression has a whole new meaning.

There has been a recent influx of chatter about twitter [yes, I love that alliteration!!]. It seemed to all explode at once. I heard one person talk about it [Michael Hyatt of Thomas Nelson] in a blog that was not related to Twitter. I decided that since I respect Michael Hyatt on other things, maybe I should check this out.

Within less than 5 days I had literally 10 articles [as well as an entire discussion on the ACFW member loop] on this topic. It seems people are all starting to do this.

After only 2 weeks I guess you'd call me an expert. Laugh. While not that, I have already begun to see a marketing benefit to this program. I'd encourage you to consider the following:

1. I tried it first as a time management/accountability tool. That didn't work after the first day because as soon as I scratched it off of my to-do list I was on to my next project [without letting Twitter know]
2. Then I realized the true value was to point out things of interest to others. This has actually served me well. As I stumble upon articles that interest me I can quickly put out a tweet that says "If you're interested in Regency headdress check out this article..." Since you have about 100 characters or so you can't copy and paste a giant URL. I go to www.tinyurl.com and change it to a short one and post it. It is one more way I can provide information to people who might be able to use it.
3. Trisha Goyer mentioned on her blog about Twitter that she keeps her finger on the pulse of the CBA by following certain people on Twitter. I think that is brilliant.

So what do you think? Twitter, friend or foe? Has anything I said changed your mind? Do you have other ideas of ways to benefit others by using this social network version of flash fiction?

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

Expectations of your readers

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter

You have a certain expectation when you read this blog, don't you? I am a writing career coach who teaches on craft, marketing and the writer's life.

If I suddenly wrote a blog that told you how to make a pumpkin pie you might find it interesting...but it wouldn't reach your expectations.

If you paid money to hear me speak and instead of teaching on ways to grow as a writer I told you about my flight, how they lost my luggage and the shuttle to the hotel-would you leave satisfied?

The same is true for your readers. When they read your book they have a certain expectation of your level of craft, the topic, genre and tone. The more books you write, the stronger that expectation. Your readers will feel betrayed if you don't meet expectations.

Likewise, don't build up expectations for a heart stopping thriller when you're going to write a literary novel.

Knowing your reader, setting expectations and delivering on those promises will help build loyal readers who will market future books for you with their recommendations.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Learn more about Tiffany's Marketing techniques on her main blog.
Read Tiffany's award winning manuscript "A Face in the Shadow" on her fiction blog.

Romans 14:12 for writers

Tuesdays with Tiffany
By Tiffany Colter


Romans 14:12 [Amplified]
12And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.

We will have to give an account one day.

That's what the Bible says. This past sunday my Pastor was teaching on this verse [among others] as he talked about what Jesus taught on finances. [My pastor is actually blogging so if you'd like to check him out click here.]

He was talking about what we invest. And when he came to this verse he said "We should make the most of every opportunity."

I scribbled that down and decided "I must blog on this."

Think about this, authors. God has given us a gift and one day we will have to give an account to Him. What will your accounting look like?

Played computer solitaire-3 hrs
emailed friends-4 hrs
thought about writing-7 hrs
talked about writing- 1 hour
Prayed-5 minutes
Bible study- 10 minutes
Watched TV-2 hrs
Wrote-??

I tell you one thing. I'm ready to write! I heard pastor's message and I was excited to write. I wanted to write. I realized this was a gift He gave to me and He not only expects me to do something with it. He's COUNTING ON ME!!

Yes, God is COUNTING on us to use the gifts He's given us.

And we will have to give Him an accounting.

Guess I should stop blogging and get back to work....How about you do the same.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Read Tiffany's full novel "A Face in the Shadow" one chapter at a time by going to http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com

See you next Tuesday.

As unto the Lord

Right now I'm in a time of harvest. I have many opportunities to write stories I love. My creativity is flowing and life is getting back to normal.

However, as I've walked out this Christian life these last few years I've also learned that I cannot allow my confidence to remain in what I'm seeing now. Things can and do change.

Also, I can't be afraid of the changes that are coming.

As I was thinking about what to blog today I thought about the phrase "As unto the Lord". God tells us to do everything as if we're working for Him. I really think that is the key to not being overly confident in the good times, or being fearful in the bad times. We have to do everything for Him.

By that I don't mean "okay, God. This is yours." What I mean is if you were turning it in to God. If you walked in to work and told your boss you'd do your job "When you got a chance"-how long would you have that job?

I think many times we convince ourselves that God will wait forever on us-that we can put Him off.

But what if I got up tomorrow and I recognized that the creator of the universe has said "Here is your assignment. I'm going to give you the provision. The ability and the opportunity. I need you to work hard on this-be focused. Give me 120% of your efforts and abilities. Then let me multiply them."

How would your day look different? Your week?

If your kids come home tomorrow night and say "The teacher gave me a project. I have to make a paper mache volcano by tomorrow." Would you say "Well, let's sit down and think about the volcano." Then start watching TV. Play online solitaire and answer 27 emails. Then send your child off the next day.

NOPE!!

Whether a volcano or studying for a test...you'd have them do it.

Will the pay off be at the moment they turn that assignment in? Nope.

It could take years. A decade. More.

I spent 13 years in school [K-12], then 4 years of college and six years of studying writing. Most of my time was spent learning, trusting, asking, being rejected...and starting over again.

When we are writing for the Lord NOTHING is wasted.

But when we put Him off, you're wasting everything.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

I hope that you will all come over to my new fiction blog. I am posting an entire novel there, one chapter at a time. This is the book that won the Daphne du Maurier award for Excellence in Suspense/Fiction Unpublished Division in 2007. It is also the story that turned my writing around.