Today’s the 1st Tuesday, so it’s the day for writing instruction, call-outs, and a book give-away!
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Let’s start with some encouragement and instruction for writers with Me & My Big Mouth!
I’ve always had a big mouth. Even as a little girl, I realized that speaking up when others wouldn’t, talking louder than the crowd, and trying to persuade others to my side often resulted in getting what I wanted.
At least it did until I decided to be a writer.
During my first several years of writing, the critiques of my work–whether delivered by my unpublished critique group members, published authors, or professional agents and editors–were often met with my own push-backs. After all, pushing back had worked for most other things in my life.
But it didn’t work with writing.
The truth is, I wasted years on the road to publication by defending my work. I was determined to convince others of their inability to grasp the brilliance of my great American novel, now bleeding on every page. Couldn’t they recognize a good book when they saw one? That hardheaded, self-centered, know-it-all attitude cost me years in reaching my writing goals.
Now, as I teach at writing conferences around the country, my heart aches when I sit face-to-face with the headstrong version of my younger writing self. With only 15 minutes to glean the wisdom of those who’ve already traveled this road, the younger me–whether male or female, blonde or brunette, regardless of race or age or experience–wastes our time together by arguing every point.
“Don’t be like me!” I want to shout. “Don’t follow in my footsteps. The journey doesn’t have to be this long!” But in an effort to defend their work–often believed given word-for-word by God–the minutes have soon passed and very little, if any, words of wisdom have been transferred from teacher to student.
If you’ve been working at this writing goal for a while and have been to conferences to learn the craft, but still haven’t made progress, consider this:
FreeDigitalPhotos/Iosphere
*Could you and your big mouth be in the way? Mine certainly was for me.
*Friends, please know this is stated with all love and respect. 
Thanks for Sharing!
Me & my big mouth stood in the way of my writing goals. What about you? (Click to Tweet)
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It’s Time to Share Kudos of YOUR Successes!
Hey there, writing friends. We want to know what you’ve been up to. Have you had something exciting happen recently in your writing or speaking life? Maybe you’ve had an article published, signed a book contract, released a new book, got an agent, or started a new blog. If so, we want to hear from you!
It’s really simple, but I do ask that you contact me with the info in this format and order ONLY:
**Your name
**Your state in two-letter abbreviation
**Link to your website or blog
**Your good news
**Link to your good news, if online (online bookstore, online article, etc)
I can’t wait for us to celebrate with you!
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Who MoGo’d in February?
If you wrote at least 7000 new words on a book project in February, you can receive an entry in the drawing for the 2015 MoGo7000 $100 cash prize! It’s open to everyone who qualifies.
To report your February results, please leave a comment below with your total new words written on a book project in February. (Please do not send your totals by email or through the Contact page. Totals must be left as a comment here by next Sunday).
If you missed out on last year’s money-winning writing challenge, don’t worry, the 2016 challenge has just begun. Here are the MoGo7000 Challenge rules. All you have to do is write at least 7000 NEW words on a book project in any month and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100.
Get started now and you could have and extra $100 next year. And it doesn’t cost you a cent.
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Who Won Marilyn Turk’s Book?
Drumroll, please. The winner is…
Nan Jones!
Congratulations, Nan! Please contact me with your snail mail address and Marilyn will get the book right out to you!
And friends, I know you want to get your own copy, so here’s a direct Amazon link to Lighthouse Devotions, by Marilyn Turk. Enjoy!
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Thank you for joining me today on our 1st Tuesday edition of Christian Writer’s Den. I hope you are encouraged by your visit. Love and blessings to each of you!
Vonda
