Tessa Emily Hall ~ Christ is Write: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

When God Takes Over The Steering Wheel

About a month ago, God changed my plans. I was heading one direction, then God took the steering wheel and lead me somewhere completely different.

The thing is, I thought I was going where I was supposed to be going. Yet I never really sought God's guidance for this decision. And right when it was about to happen, God showed me that He had other plans in mind.

Has this ever happened to you? Sometimes it doesn't even make sense. Why would God change what we had planned and instead choose this other path for us?

What I've learned is this: we don't have all the answers. But we know The One who does. And when he changes our plans, we should trust rather than question him. Sit back and see where he leads rather than fight for the steering wheel.

Because when God's in the driver seat of your life, you can be rest assured that He won't ever let you go (Matt. 28:20). Whatever path he takes you on next, remember this: if he lead you, then he's with you.

I don't know about you, but I feel much more confident when God's the one behind the steering wheel of my life. Why worry, when he knows what he has planned for your life? Why should you be scared, when he promises that his plans are to "propser you and not to harm you" (Jer. 29:11)?

God sees the bigger picture. We don't.

So the next time that He takes you in a different direction other than the one you had in mind, don't be angry. Instead, thank him! You don't know what could have been on the path you were about to take. He always sees what you don't. Including your future. And when God changes your plans, remember that it's always for your good and His glory.

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."
~Proverbs 16:9

~~~

Has this ever happened to you? How did you react? Did you later find out the reason why He lead you somewhere different?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

My Writing Journey Timeline - Part 1

With Purple Moon edits halfway through and the cover and back cover blurb of my book in the works, it's starting to feel a little more real for me now. My first book is going to be published! And once it starts getting closer to the release date, I'll host a virtual blog tour. Then the promotion for Purple Moon will officially begin.

In case you were wondering, the writing process isn't easy. And it's not a quick either. You can't just one day decide you want to be published, send in your MS to a publisher, then they fall in love with your work and immediately want it published. Not quite like that for most people. It's a slow process, especially the beginning of it when you're still learning about the craft and trying to get your feet wet in the industry.

(Yes, I like to write standing up sometimes.)

But it's finally going to happen - Purple Moon is going to be published in just a few months. The dream I've had since I was toddler is actually going to come true! It'll be the official start of my writing journey. My ministry. And I'm going to be doing this for the rest of my life.

Since some of you might not quite know the story of how I was offered a contract, I decided to write a little timeline of the writing journey I've had up until now. This is only "part 1" - I'll probably post "part 2" when my next book comes out, and then continue on from there.

September 2009:

I enrolled in an online school so I could focus on writing more.
I signed up to take a squire course at Christian Writer’s Guild.
I read as many YA Christian fiction books I could get my hands on.

December 2009:

A photographer did a photoshoot of me so I could have headshots for acting, as well as pictures for my website and blog.
I brainstormed the "second version" of Purple Moon.

January 2010:

My blog was launched.
I visited other writing blogs regularly and continued to grow in my craft.
I began writing the first draft of Purple Moon.

May 2010:
(Me with my first writer friend, Katy, the night of the banquet at BRMCWC.)

I attended my very first writer’s conference, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference. I brought the first three chapters of Purple Moon, even though I wasn't planning on pitching to an editor or agent. I didn't think there was anyone on the faculty who represented YA, so I mainly came to the conference to learn more about the craft. But little did I know, God had bigger plans. It was here, at my first conference, where I met my publisher. =)

March 2011:

Signed contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas for Purple Moon! (I took a picture but unfortunately can't seem to find it right now... =/)
Attended Carolina Christian Writer's Workshop

May 2011:

(With my mom - my biggest supporter - at the banquet.)

Attended Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference

Rest of 2011:

Worked on adding finishing touches to Purple Moon. I rewrote a few scenes, added a few scenes, deleted a few scenes. And edited the manuscript several times.
I had my devotions published on Ibegat, the teen division of my publisher's Christian Devotions' ministry.

January 2012:

(Sneak peak...)

Photoshoot with the girl who might be on the cover for Purple Moon, as well as it's official website (coming soon!)
Started brainstorming my next book

March 2012:

Submitted my complete manuscript of Purple Moon to my publisher.

May 2012:

(Katy and me again! At the banquet.)

Attended Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference - my third year!

Summer 2012:

Started the first draft of my next book

August 2012:

Began the first round of edits for Purple Moon with my editor.

Why has it taken this long? Because, I didn’t want to rush the process. I still had a lot to learn. I wanted to use everything I was learning about the craft and apply it to Purple Moon. And I’m glad I didn’t rush through it. Although I don't believe teenagers should wait until "later in life" to pursue their publishing dreams, I do not believe they should for the sake of trying to get published ASAP. It's not worth it.

I’ve personally grown a lot as a writer these past couple years, and I'm glad I tried to get Purple Moon in the best shape possible before making it available to the public. Yes, the release date was postponed a couple times, but only because I felt as if it wasn't ready. Fortunately I have a very patient publisher who was willing to give me more time without rushing me. It hasn't been God's time yet, but it is now. And how crazy is it that my first book is going to be published in the fall—my favorite time of the year? =)

Stay tuned for the cover, back cover blurb, blog tour dates, as well as the release of Purple Moon! Click here if you'd like a sneak peak on some of the inspiration behind the story. If you'd be willing to let me host part of my blog tour on your blog, send me an email.

PS: I was interviewed at Stuck in Teen recently. Click here for the interview.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

What's God Doing In Your Life? ~ Katelyn's Story

Learning to Ask for Grace

Hey! My name is Katelyn. I’m a twenty-year-old junior in college. I’m pursuing a career in trauma therapy mission work. I’m an extrovert, a big dreamer, a new believer in love, a music guru, and a coffee connoisseur.

I wish I could explain the depths of what God has done in my life lately, but I’m daily learning how He moves.

I’m in a place now where I can feel God’s presence daily in my life. We’ve been so in tune lately. I was in a two-year rollercoaster of heartbreak and healing (with extra rinses and repeats.) I was so deeply hurt. Even when I was happy, I had this pocket of pain and fear in my heart. I felt like my depression was a bottomless valley that I would never have the strength to climb out of.

God, however, has immeasurable strength.

I reached a point over the summer where I completely surrendered to God. I laid all my pain and fear at His feet, and asked Him to heal me so that I could be a better servant for Him.

After a month of endless nights, in the weight of the struggle, I woke up to a new life.

I woke up to a heart empty of pain and fear, and full of love and peace. It felt almost as if anything else was foreign. I was new. I was whole. I was free.

I could end here and tell you that was all He’s done for me lately, but it simply isn’t. With this new life, came new maturity. I started understanding that, on my own, I am inadequate. I’m a flawed human being that was showed grace and love.

So, I’ve started daily asking for grace. It is such a simple task that fills my life with so much joy. It’s as if I daily ask God to personally walk with me as I make my way on this journey. I know He does anyway, but I know He loves being invited into my life.

Grace has taught me the meaning of God’s love, the use of pain, and the strength of those two united.

~~~

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Katelyn!

If you'd like to share

what God's doing in your life,

click here for details.