Looking Back Ten Years!

By Debby Giusti      

   

Happy 10^th Birthday, Seekerville!

My debut novel released in May 2007 and our Seekerville blog went live five months later. It seems like only yesterday in some ways, yet when I think of where I was then as far as my writing journey and where I am today…well, you get the idea. In ten years, an author can cover a lot of miles.

Back in 2007, I was a novice. Yes, I had penned six manuscripts that will forever gather dust under my bed, but I still had much to learn about the craft of writing and especially about time management and the way I would handle deadlines and marketing and all the other sometimes unexpected hats an author must wear following publication. 

Church of the Transfiguration

For a number of years before I got “The Call,” I freelanced, writing for various magazines. The process of putting an article together became almost second nature. After my focus turned to full-length fiction, I kept striving to reach that same sweet spot when I would intuitively know how to create a 300 to 400 page manuscript. In prayer, I frequently heard the number ten. I had hoped to feel that same confidence after publishing ten books, but God was whispering ten years. Today after publishing twenty stories for Love Inspired Suspense and two indie stories for our Seekerville collections, I’m at a better place. I know my creative process and have a good understanding of story and how the various parts fit into the whole.

Peter's House, Capernaum, where the first Christians gathered
after Christ's death.

Trying to encapsulate some of what I’ve learned over the last decade into ten pithy statements is a challenge, but here are a few ideas to ponder. I’ve included photos from my recent trip to the Holy Land to add visual interest to the post.

 

Jerusalem as seen from the Mount of Olives.

  

Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God.

The quote has been attributed to both Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Augustine. In either case, it’s sage advice. God is in charge. It’s his book, and I’m his humble scribe. When I’m struggling with a particular plot point or character, I often chuckle and remind God that he should have chosen someone with more talent. Along those same lines is a quote from the Iron Nun, an 87-year-old religious who still participates in and wins Ironman triathlons. Her motto is, “I do my best. God does the rest.” Give your writing to God. Create stories for his honor and glory and he will bless your work.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The star marks the spot of  Christ's birth.

"Perfectionism is not a quest for the best."

The quote comes from Julia Cameron. She goes on to say, “It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough, that we should try again.” Her book, The Artist’s Way, which I read and studied long before publication, is packed with wonderful insights into the creative process, such as the statement on perfectionism that, in my opinion, is spot on. Consider a writer struggling to make the beginning of her story sparkle. She writes and rewrites, she edits and revises day after day after day, searching for perfection. I’ve done that far too many times. Now, I remember to distance myself from the pages for a period of time. Usually, the problem is easy to resolve when I return to the work.

Jordan River where Christ was baptized by John the Baptist

"Kill the negative voice."

Another favorite quote from Julia Cameron. We all have a little voice that tells us we can’t do something or we can’t do it well enough. “We won’t publish, we can’t complete a story, we are stupid or unskilled or unlovable.” Don’t listen. Override the voice with positive affirmation. “I am a writer! I can and will succeed!”

The Wailing Wall

You can’t do everything.

Nor do you need to do everything. Everyone else isn’t doing everything. They’re doing certain things that fit into their lifestyle or area of interest or expertise. I don’t have to do all social media. I just need to find the right forum for me. I like Facebook. Twitter not so much. But that’s okay. I know that now. Find what works for you, not what works for others.

Garden of Gethsemane. This olive tree is thought to be
over 2000 years old and could have been in the garden
at the time of Christ.

Appreciate your editor.

I have the best editor in the whole world. Really! When she speaks, I listen. Intently. She always—always—makes my stories better. Editors know story. They know reader demographics and reader likes and dislikes. Editors are pros at what they do. At least, most of them are. Note to indie writers: find the best editor you can afford. She/he’s a gift you give yourself.

Via Dolorosa, the path Christ walked on the
way to his crucifixion.

The writing comes first.

After my debut novel published, I spent the next six weeks promoting the story and ignoring my writing. It didn’t take me long to realize my mistake. Write the next story. When you have extra time, do promotion and marketing!

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The church covers the place of Christ's crucifixion and burial.
Golgotha is located behind the large windows, upper right.

Find your groove/pace/process.

Each of us has a unique way to tackle a story. The earlier you learn your process the better. I slowly labor over the first three-chapters and synopsis. Once they’ve taken shape, I grab my AlphaSmart and write a fast first draft. I need words on the page. Then I revise and rewrite. It works for me. Find out what works for you!

Golgotha.The spot where Christ
was crucified.

Remember Aesop’s Fables? The tortoise wins the race.

I write two books a year. That gives me enough time to enjoy life, to take trips with my husband, to attend writing conferences, join in church activities and relax over the holidays with family. Maybe you’re the hare. Ruthy is. Mary is. I’m not. Embrace who you are and how you write. Don’t try to be something—or someone--you’re not.

 

Boats like the one I took to cross the Sea of Galilee.

Be Not Afraid.

The phrase is found often in scripture. Christ wanted us to take his words to heart. Get rid of fear along with the negative voice. They go hand in hand. "Easier said than done," you say? True. But when you give your writing to God, he can give you the peace that is beyond understanding. Live in that peace and you’ll be walking in accord with his Holy Will. That’s where I want to be.

The Dead Sea

Live in God’s perfect time.

This dovetails with Be Not Afraid. God lives outside of time. We need to trust that he’ll provide the time and opportunities necessary to achieve our goals. If we give it all to him, he’ll work out the schedule. Even if we’re that tortoise, we can still get to the finish line. 

Mount of Beatitudes

Speaking of achieving our goals and reaching the finish, my eldest daughter completed an Ironman triathlon on Sunday. That’s 140 miles of swimming, biking and running accomplished within a 16 ½ hour time limit. She did a half-Ironman four years ago and spent the last nine months training for the longer event. Her determination and persistence paid off. 

My daughter achieved her goal. You can achieve yours too.

As writers, we need to train to achieve our goals. The Seekerville blog this month has been packed with valuable information, tips and techniques that can help all of us no matter where we are on our writing journey.

 

Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount

Share a tip or favorite writerly advice to be entered in two drawings. Winners will receive a copy of my Publishers Weekly Bestseller, Undercover Amish, the second book in my Amish Protectors series, along with a surprise gift or two!

Debby Giusti rides Jimmy, the camel. 

To celebrate Seekerville’s 10^th birthday, I’m serving ten cakes topped with ice cream…German chocolate cake, red velvet, carrot, spice, rum, lemon, angel food, sponge cake, marble cake and apple cake. The coffee’s hot. So is the tea. Grab a cup, along with a slice of cake, and let’s talk about writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

Undercover Amish

By Debby Giusti

After Hannah Miller’s mother is murdered and her sisters go missing, someone comes after her. Now the only way she can survive is to entrench herself in an Amish community…and rely on Lucas Grant, a former police officer who is planning to join the Amish faith, for protection. But finding refuge for Hannah— disguised as Plain at a secluded inn—pulls Lucas back into his old life. And when Lucas discovers the criminals after them may be the people who killed his partner, the mission to take them down becomes personal. With the assailants closing in, though, can Lucas stop them…and finally put his past behind him to start an Amish life with Hannah?

Order here!