International Christian Writers Report

Stanley Baldwin, Founder and Editor This is a sample of the free monthly email publication sent to members of ICW, ICW NET and ICW Prayer Fellowship. ARCHIVES: previous reports January 2007 How to Maintain Success as a Writer Brave Souls Writing Clinic: About Nate’s Homegoing Want Your Work Critiqued? A Call for Devotionals Writing for the Soul Conference Ghost Writer Wanted Amanda Bird Back From Tajikistan

1. HOW TO MAINTAIN SUCCESS AS A WRITER
On February 17, I am to serve as a panelist at the Salem winter conference of Oregon Christian Writers. The first article I wrote for publication appeared in “Eternity” magazine 45 years ago and my 21st and latest book was published in 2005, so I guess the conference planners figure I have something to say on their theme: How to Maintain Success as a Writer
I was a pastor when I wrote that first article for “Eternity,” and I addressed the subject of powerless preaching. I pointed out that, according to the Bible, when God spoke, worlds were created, light shined in darkness, mountains shook, the dead came to life. Often we say we are preaching the “Word of God,” but so little happens that people daydream or go to sleep.
What is wrong with this picture?
Now I am back in the pastorate after a 31-year career dedicated mostly to writing instead of preaching. I’m trying to demonstrate by my preaching that the Word of God is still sharper than any two-edged sword.
Meanwhile, if there is a secret of maintaining success as a writer, I have, after all these years evidently forgotten it since I haven’t been published lately.
Don’t tell the OCW planners. They might disinvite me (or would a real writer say uninvite? deinvite? “Word” redflags all of these, so I guess they can’t dis-un-de-invite me ‘cause there’s no such word).
Here’s a thought. Maybe you can come to the rescue. Please! Give me something to say. Don’t let them find me a fraud after all these years!
I’ll be looking for your email. I’ll pass along the best suggestions in the next ICW Report. Wow! That will be valuable to us all, won’t it —to learn at last how to maintain success as a writer?
Stanley Baldwin (address me at scbaldwin2@yahoo.com).

2. BRAVE SOULS WRITING CLINIC
Stan, here is my submission for the writing clinic. It was written for a memorial service. I am very new at this and am struggling to focus all the material I have down to manageable pieces. I'd like to keep this anonymous. I can't think of anything witty for a bio.  I am a single mom of, now, three adult children.  I have joined my recently-widowed daughter-in-law and grandson in Texas to begin yet another new life, and am warily eyeing the world of screenwriting.
Upon Nate’s Homegoing…
Not long ago I read a portion of Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven. I remember him discussing C.S. Lewis’ metaphorical portrayal in The Silver Chair of our confusion over the reality of heaven. The Queen of Underland sought to deceive Prince Rilian, Jill, Scrubb and Puddleglum regarding the existence of Narnia and the Overland, speaking words of denial with a soothing, comforting voice.
We, as they, have been lulled into a forgetfulness and befuddlement regarding the greater reality of what we cannot see. Jesus told us that this solar system and earth will pass away. And Peter tells us it will be replaced by a new heaven and earth, undamaged by selfishness and uncursed by God. The writer of Hebrews continually contrasts the realities of this planet with the realities of heaven, indicating things here are only shadows, or copies of a greater reality – elusive, faded, hazy representations of a crisp, vibrant, intense and meaningful existence.
I don’t think of heaven as something I hope exists. To me, heaven is more of a sure thing than this life. Nate’s fearless manner of living demonstrated he felt that way, too. Mankind is continually discovering our own confusion and the limitations of our understanding of the world around us. Remember when margarine was considered a healthy substitute for butter? Or baby formula was considered superior to breast milk?
I’ve recently spent a few months living on a tropical island, and it amazes me how much we’ve deluded ourselves about paradise. We want that perfection so badly, that we’ll accept a sub-standard substitute. I’ve had a number of people insistently proclaim our island to be a true paradise. And I think: wild fires, black snow, pollution of the fresh water with herbicides and pesticides so that people become sick, pollution of the ocean water with human waste and toilet paper that washes up on the lovely beaches, shark attacks on swimmers, prickly cactus, congested traffic, outrageous property costs resulting in a high rate of homelessness, AA meetings six mornings a week, centipedes, scorpions, giant flying cockroaches, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and vog - not to mention broken, self-focused and empty people. If this is the true paradise – we are truly without hope.

But thankfully, Nate, Jesus, Peter, C.S. Lewis and I know better.

Father, may I never become complacent, and satisfied with the token offerings of this world. May I ceaselessly yearn for my heavenly home. May I continue to raise my sights toward the solid, sure realities of eternity.

My Critique:

Death is one of the most emotionally loaded subjects in the language. It offers an opportunity for sober and heartfelt reflection, and you provide that. You draw a nice contrast between earthly “paradise” and heaven.

However, your first paragraph bogs me down. Remember, leads are critically important. When the lead is complicated as this one is, I start out befuddled—and less likely to think the rest will be readable. The attributions comprise much of the problem. My mind has to process Randy Alcorn and his book discussing C.S. Lewis and his writing before I even get started. Giving credit is good and often necessary, but here I’d just cite the original source, C.S. Lewis. Original sources are always best anyhow. (First, you go to the original source to make sure it is correctly represented.) Then, start your article with the “message,” not with who said it and where. Put the attribution to Lewis after the message in parentheses or a footnote.

It might be even better to omit the first paragraph altogether (or even the first two.) Literary allusions are effective when the reader is familiar with them, but many, probably most, people are not familiar with this one. Why not start out with something of your own more immediately related to Nate and his passing? And what is vog?

(Writers, you are invited to send your writing for a free Brave Souls critique.)

3. WANT YOUR WORK CRITIQUED?

Susan Moss writes from Australia: 
Do you know how I might access information / schedules about Christian Writing conferences in Australia...particularly in Perth and the south west of Western Australia?
I believe the Lord is calling me to write my testimony.
 
ANSWER: What about it, Australian members? Any suggestions how we may help Susan? There is an organization in Australia called Christians in the Media, led by Dominic Steele (email dominic@christiansinthemedia.com). However, it is primarily for professional people employed in secular media.

I know you haven’t asked about a means to get your work critiqued, but I want to suggest that, whether you find a conference or not, few things benefit a writer more than a small critique group. A group would not only give you feedback (of the type above) on your work but would also, in effect, give you copy editing. Inquire around your area for other writers. Check churches, libraries, extended education offerings from local schools.

4. A CALL FOR DEVOTIONALS
Marilyn Beaty of “The Upper Room” writes to ICW:
It's that time of year!  This is my cue to write you and plead for meditations written by men. Usually, like the Red Cross, our supply is dangerously low and we are in need of an infusion!  But guess what?
For the past two years, you have worked diligently to keep us supplied with meditations.  You have written well, you have submitted often (some regularly!), and we are most grateful. 
So this time, I simply want to say "Thank you!"  "Enjoy the holidays!"  "Have a blessed Christmas."  "Take care of yourselves." 
I trust that I will hear from you in the New Year! 
P. S.  Please keep on writing and submitting.  You are appreciated.

5. WRITING FOR THE SOUL CONFERENCE

Jerry B. Jenkins and the Christian Writers Guild invite you to attend
Writing for the Soul conference

Feb. 15 – 18, 2007 at the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs

Sessions that will sharpen your skills.  Speakers who will stir your soul.

Opening speaker will be Dr. Tim LaHaye, co-author of Left Behind. Jerry B. Jenkins will serve as host and emcee. You’ll make appointments and speak with literary agents and editors from prominent magazine and book publishers — also join them for mealtime conversations. Friday and Saturday morning you’ll attend an intensive continuing class in your choice of eight tracks (one just for teens). Then attend one of seven afternoon elective workshops, including our exclusive Thick-skinned Manuscript Clinics.
Register now to reserve your place.

Call 1 (866) 495-5177 or go to www.ChristianWritersGuild.com/conferences

6. GHOST WRITER WANTED
Hello,
I am looking around within the Christian writing arena and looking to hire a ghost writer to help me with my autobiography. My story is unique and really deals heavily on biblical principles.
Can you help me?
Lou Carlentine
720-365-7329

AMANDA BIRD, back from Tajikistan, writes
Happy New Year! We hope you have all enjoyed a blessed holiday season with family and friends. We are finally settled back in our own home in Eugene. Brian is resuming his programming job and graduate studies, and I am turning more attention to preparing for Baby Bird—due January 23.
Tajikistan: Sometimes we ask each other whether we really were on the other side of the world six weeks ago. Lifestyles and circumstances in the village of Dughoba seem so far removed from the everyday reality of our little condo in Eugene. Living with a Tajik village family was a rewarding but far more intense cultural experience than the two years we spent in Dushanbe from 2001 to 2003. Negotiating the protocols of family life gave us firsthand exposure to things we had only heard about or been exposed to superficially before. An additional challenge was that a combination of factors (pregnancy, high oil content in food, unfamiliar microorganisms) conspired so that I underwent frequent bouts of nausea and upset stomach—up until and including the flight home.
Nevertheless, we enjoyed our Tajik family. Every evening we would sit and visit for an hour or two after dinner. Our stay encompassed the country’s independence day, Ramadan (the Muslim month of fasting), a major religious holiday, a presidential election, a wedding, and (sadly) three deaths in the extended family, all of which provided rich opportunities for exchange of ideas and information. We also made significant progress on our academic work. I was able to concentrate on my translation and thesis without the distractions of maintaining an independent household in the city, and Brian was able to spend an hour or two nearly every day consulting with the father of our host family—the country’s sole professor of Yaghnobi, the minority language Brian was researching.
Another great blessing of this trip was being able to connect with Tajik and expatriate friends made during our previous stay in the country. I had several meaningful encounters with the young women I had become good friends with, and we were so thankful for the fellowship and support of our house church and former co-workers.
 What’s Ahead: I completed my master’s project, and thus my course of study, in December. I hope to continue work on the book I began translating in Tajikistan, although I have yet to act on this ambition since returning. Brian plans to work on his thesis this winter and finish his MA degree by June. We are also thankful for God’s providing a part-time contract, expected to last through November, through Axian, the software consulting company Brian has worked for in the past.
Meanwhile, we will be preparing to return to Tajikistan long-term. The details of this return are a little murky in our minds, and everyone keeps reminding us that we can’t even begin to envision how a baby is going to change our lives! But we are trusting God to lead us along the right path in His timing.
Blessings: Back in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (we are currently sitting in our friends’ beach house, overlooking a drizzly ocean view), we are reminded of the many blessings showered on us: a warm house, indoor plumbing, a wide variety of tasty and nutritious foods, good medical care, a wealth of informational resources, secure financial status, a warm and supportive church, the proximity of family and friends. We count you, who pray for us, communicate with us, and extend your friendship, among the greatest of blessings—regardless of where we are in the world. May God bless you richly in 2007!

Until next time, keep writing.
Stanley Baldwin, Director

For email address changes, reply to Jane Foard Thompson at this email address.
For all other communication contact Stanley Baldwin directly: scbaldwin2@yahoo.com

Copyright © International Christian Writers. All rights reserved. Revised: April 6, 2004