You Know You Need a Literary Agent When….

These days, to be taken seriously as a professional writer, and to free yourself to focus on writing and speaking, a literary agent is a must. Publishers great and small are bombarded, and heed the voice of an agent’s suggestion over the mountainous slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts cluttering their desks. Without an agent, the odds are stacked as high as the slush pile against you.

But pursuing one too soon, can actually hinder your progress. So before you consult the Guide to Literary Agents, the Writer’s Market Guide, the Christian Writer’s Market Guide, or reach out to a great organization like the WordServe Literary Group, take the following quiz. See if you’re ready for serious representation.

You know you need a Literary Agent when…

1.  You’ve invested weeks, months, and probably years, studying the craft of writing. Reading books like these: On Writing Well, The Art of War for Writers, Bird by Bird, Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, Stein on Writing, and the bible on easy reading grammar tips, The Elements of Style. 
2. You are now obsessed with updating your writer’s knowledge base, and regularly read other books on writing, watch webinars, read writing blogs, and joined at least one professional writer’s association. 
3. You have practiced what you’ve learned, chipping away at every amateur, unpolished, neophyte part that weakened your work in progress. And then you let it sit for at least two weeks, before looking at it with fresh eyes, and chipping away some more.
4. You honed the skills of Writing a Winning Fiction Proposal, or Writing a Winning Non-Fiction Proposal. Depending on the genre of your work in progress.
5. You let the completed proposal sit for at least two weeks, and then with a fresh pair of eyes, went through it once more with a fine toothed pen. 
   
6. You’ve networked with other writing professionals on social media, at writing conferences, and by following their blogs. The new friends you’ve made have taught you insider secrets, directed you to other learning opportunities, and maybe introduced you to a few influencers in the industry.
7. You’ve had at least one person with a professional writing background, look over your work in progress. With a teachable spirit, a thick skin, and determination not to react defensively, you’ve listened to their suggestions, and improved your proposal and/or manuscript.
8. You feel squeamish at the thought of trying to negotiate the sale of your book, and the ensuing contract with publishing houses. 
9. You are willing to listen to expert advice that will make your work stronger, will help you create enticing titles, and will lead you to topics that will sell. 
10. You have taken action on the things you’ve learned through your investment of study. Especially the things often repeated, such as: Show Versus Tell, Build a Platform, Grow Your Social Media Connections, Know Your Target Audience, Create a Marketing Plan, and more.

Acquiring a literary agent can feel daunting. But step-by-step, you can move closer to your goal as a professional writer. The ones who fail, are those who give up too soon.

Are you ready to pursue professional representation?

Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, Toastmasters, a client of WordServe Literary Group, and the Simply Sue Speaks booking agency. A graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.anitabrooks.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita@anitabrooks.com.

New Bible Study by Mindy Ferguson: Eyewitness to Majesty

“… I don’t know what you’re talking about …” (Matt. 26:70).

Denial. Betrayal.

Nothing hurts quite like the betrayal of someone you love and trust?

But what if you were the one who had betrayed your closest friend? You turned your back on him in his darkest hour of need.

Jesus had a friend like that–Peter.

I grieved with Peter as I read the account of his betrayal of Jesus? (Matt. 26:69-75) I wondered, Would I betray my closest friend if I thought my life was at risk? What guilt! Would he ever forgive me?

Mindy Ferguson addresses even more of my questions about Peter’s life and his relationship with Jesus in her new Bible study. Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ – Peter. 

Through the Eyewitness to Majesty Bible study, we walk along with Peter as an eyewitness to the life of Christ. I found the Apostle Peter’s story and perspective encouraging. The former-fisherman and zealous follower of Jesus is mentioned more times in the four gospels than anyone other than Jesus himself. Peter was praised more than any other disciple. He was also rebuked more than any other disciple. His imperfections make him lovable and his victories give us hope. The apostle Peter’s relationship with Jesus reminds us that we serve a merciful, loving God who uses imperfect vessels to accomplish His divine tasks. (Mindy Ferguson)

If you want to dig deeper into God’s Word, check out Mindy Ferguson’s new book, Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ – Peter. 

Mindy Ferguson is a national retreat and conference speaker who passionately encourages women to live for Christ. She is the President and founder of Fruitful Word Ministries and the author of three books, including Bible Reflections for Women, in the Hugs series published by Simon & Schuster-Christian.

Mindy is a frequent guest on radio programs and has contributed to national magazines such as Christianity Today’s Kyria.com and P31 Woman magazine. Her writings have appeared in popular books such as Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul and the One Year Life Verse Devotional. Mindy is currently writing the Eyewitness Bible Study series, published by AMG Publishers. Her newest Bible study, Eyewitness to Majesty, is now available. Watch for information about her next study, Eyewitness to Glory, which will be available later this year.

Mindy enjoys serving on the Women’s Ministry leadership for her home church, working as treasurer for her family’s business, and she finds great joy spending time with her husband of twenty-five years and their two adult children.

Leave a comment on this blog post by March 15, for your chance to win a FREE copy of Mindy Ferguson’s new Bible study, Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ – Peter. 

FTC Disclosure: Special thanks to Fruitful Word Ministries for a review copy of Mindy Ferguson’s Eyewitness to Majesty: Abandoning Self for Christ – Peter. 

Karen Jordan encourages others to “tell the stories that matter most.” Find links to her writing workshops, speaking topics, and other online connections www.karenbarnesjordan.com.

Five Ways to Handle Stress in Your Writing Process

I first wrote this post for the WordServe Water Cooler in March of 2012, but I thought you might have missed it. Plus, I needed to read it again myself, since I’ve faced some stress in my own writing life lately. I hope it encourages you.

Are you overwhelmed with stress in your writing life? The book of Lamentations offers a clear word on how to deal with stress. “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear” (Lam. 3:28-29 MSG).

1. Go off by yourself. Solitude often seems impossible for me, even with an “empty nest.” But Jesus knew the importance of spending time alone with His Father. When He needed to listen, He would pull away from everyone. Matthew 14 says that after Jesus fed the 5,000, He “climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night” (23).

2. Enter the silence. When we seek God in silence, often the accuser (Rev. 12:10) tries to distract us with fear, like in the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1). Hanna’s husband had two wives—talk about stress! And her husband’s other wife taunted her year after year, blaming and accusing God for Hannah’s inability to conceive children. Then, when Hannah prayed, her spiritual leader misunderstood her. “Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk” (13).

3. Bow in prayer. Prayer can be as natural as talking with a good friend or as intimate as sharing a secret whisper. It can occur any time of day, no matter where you are or what you are doing. God promises that if we call on His Name, He’ll listen. “And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours” (1 John 5:15).

4. Don’t ask questions. My questions often interfere with my communication with God—I’m talking, instead of listening. When Jesus taught His disciples, He asked them on several occasions, “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” (Matt.11:15).

5. Wait for hope to appear. Waiting rooms seem to bring out the worst in me, like my impatience or frustration. But waiting does not have to be hopeless. The psalmist speaks of “waiting” in Psalm 40, “I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip” (1-2 MSG).

Reflection. Matthew 6:30-34 advises, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” (MSG).

So, remember, “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear” (Lam. 3:28-29 MSG).

Photo/KarenJordan

What helps you handle the stressful times in of your writing life?

Karen Jordan encourages others to “tell the stories that matter most.” Find links to her writing workshops, speaking topics, and other online connections www.karenbarnesjordan.com.

Related articles

• Five Ways to Handle Stress inYour Writing Life (wordservewatercooler.wordpress.com)
• Finding Rest in a Storm  (wordservewatercooler.wordpress.com)

Present Moments in Winter Wonderlands

Present Moments in a Winter Wonderland

One of the greatest benefits to a personal relationship with God is His immediacy. He is always available. Anywhere, anytime, no fuss, no pre-scheduling, here and now in the present moment. I wrote about this last spring.

No arguing about what we have to do to get ready… no grumpy tolerance, (at best), when I want to talk, no turning the conversation around to make it all about Him, (although I should). He is simply available, 100% attuned, to my needs.

I’m a better writer when I take brief breaks to enjoy present moments spent with Him. When I feel blocked, there’s nothing like plugging into the song, I am a friend of God, and letting the tears flow.

With raised hands I can feel His power. I smell His fragrance in the clean breezes brushing my skin. I hear Him say, “I love you this much, Anita,” as His arms spread wide.

This time of year, I like to take a walk with Him and breathe in His purity. Snowdrifts, crisp breezes, and long distance vision through leaf bare branches all liven my senses and spur my imagination.

Then, with refreshed vigor, I’m ready to hit the keys again.

…and the Spirit of God Hovered Over the Water Gen. 1:2

I don’t understand why God chose to call me friend, but I claim that promise, and I invest time in moments with Him. I praise Him for being 100% immersed in my life, including the writing. I am thankful His presence is immediate in my every moment. I’m glad He lets me take breaks to talk — and smell the pure air. To watch His spirit hover over freezing waters. My relationship with God gives me present moments to enjoy, and then write about later.

How do you invest your present moments? Do you invite God into your writing?

Anita Agers-Brooks  is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of the soon-to-be released book, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.brooksanita.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com.

Hard Questions to Help Real Writers

Hard Questions Plague Real People

Yesterday, I spoke briefly with a dear friend going through a crisis. Her broken heart is obvious as she struggles to make sense of a senseless situation.

Though we didn’t get to talk long, I could see questions etched into her beautiful face.

1. “Why is this happening?”
2. “I know God isn’t supposed to give me more than I can handle, but just how am I supposed to handle this?”
3. “I’m tired and often feel like giving up, where can I find energy and joy again?”
4. “Many of my friends have either abandoned me or are uncomfortable with my situation, who can I trust?”
5. “If I’m to believe that in “all” things, good comes to those who love God, what good could possibly come from this?”
6. “When can I expect to find true relief?”

I’m not God, so of course I can’t answer my friend’s questions entirely. And I can’t be sure my questions are exactly the same ones in her mind.

But in my past, questions like these tore at me when I went through heart-searing pain. Through the years, many others have shared similar questions in times of tragedy and trial.

While I struggled, I scoured books, websites, magazines, or any other written document for answers to those questions. I was desperate for direction.

And then, a good friend pointed me to a couple of articles that provided helpful information, and also directed me back to the Bible.

There’s no question God’s word provides sweet relief, and the beauty of the Bible is its truth. It doesn’t shy away from hard subjects, there are no sugar-coated replies when life falls apart. It certainly doesn’t give subjective, confusing “whatever you believe” statements.

I think this is a good model for real-life writers who want to make a difference in this crazy world by answering real-life questions.

Here are a few don’ts if you want to write relevant material for today’s reader.

• Don’t hide from hard questions like those posed above.
• Don’t be afraid to transparently share how you survived tough times.
• Don’t throw a few scriptures at people and hope something sticks.
• Don’t be afraid to say, “I’m not God and I don’t know.”

As Christian writers, we have the chance to share with readers in raw, honest text, how God’s Spirit can transform misery into ministry. It is our calling, it is our destiny, it is our mission. To allow God to take our hard questions and transform us into real writers — this is why we exist.

1 Kings 10:1 (NIV)

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.

Anita Agers-Brooks  is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of the soon-to-be released book, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.brooksanita.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com.

Writer’s Block? Try Freewriting

Are you stuck in your writing project? Begging for some help? Have you considered freewriting–just forgetting about grammar and mechanics for awhile, and “just write”!

What is freewriting? For me, I just put the pen or pencil to the paper (or fingers to the keyboard) and write. I usually don’t even know what I’m going to write until after I write it. Sound weird? Why don’t you try it?

In Writing Without Teachers, Peter Elbow offers some great insight to writers who may get writer’s block. Elbow encourages “non-stop or free uncensored writing,” in the initial steps of the writing process, followed much later by the editing process.

The most effective way I know to improve your writing is to do freewriting exercises regularly. At least three times a week … The idea is simply to write for ten minutes (later on, perhaps fifteen or twenty). Don’t stop for anything. Go quickly without rushing. Never stop to look back, to cross something out, to wonder how to spell something, to wonder what word or thought to use, or to think about what you are doing. If you can’t think of a word or a spelling, just use a squiggle or else write, “I can’t think of it.” Just put down something. The easiest thing is just to put down whatever is in your mind. If you get stuck it’s fine to write “I can’t think what to say, I can’t think what to say” as many times as you want; or repeat the last word you wrote over and over again … The only requirement is that you never stop. (3).

I first discovered Elbow’s book at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His freewriting methods not only helped me through my academic studies, it still helps me overcome writer’s block at times. But sometimes, I still forget to let go of my planning, organizing, self-editing, or trying to make it sound good. In fact, I needed this reminder to do some more freewriting on the project that I’m working on right now.

Since this theme of my personal blog is BLESSED, I want to mention some of the blessings of freewriting. Freewriting serves as an emotional outlet for me–my writing and healing therapy. Often I just rip out the page that I’ve just written and shred it (or delete it). Why? Some of my freewriting doesn’t need to be read by another human being.

When my emotions are out of control, or when I’m stuck in my writing projects– freewriting is my means of escape. It helps me press pass the cobwebs in my mind and see things from a different perspective. With just a few minutes of freewriting, I’m able to view my thoughts more objectively.

I also encourage other writing to practice regular freewriting. It builds my confidence as a writer and provides a source of creative inspiration. And I know implementing this technique in the writing process helps a lot of writers.

Even Peter Elbow struggled with the writing process. But that’s how he discovered freewriting for himself. In the introduction to his book, Writing Without Teachers, Elbow says:

It was a kind of declaration of independence in writing: independence from care, control, planning, order, steering, trying to get it right, trying to get it good … I felt obliged to plan my writing, make it good, keep control, figure out my point ahead of time with outlines, and so on … realizing that my survival depended on forcing myself to have early drafts no matter how bad they were—I finally learned that I could write decent stuff if I let go of planning, control, and vigilance. I had to write down without stopping whatever came to me in my thinking about my general topic, and above all I had to stop worrying about whether what I was writing at the moment was any good. I had to invite chaos and bad writing. Then, after I had written a lot and figured out a lot of thinking, I could go back and find order and reassert control and try to make it good. If I wanted to get quality—indeed if I wanted to fining the job at all—I had to invite garbage and nonsense.

Maybe you’ve never considered freewriting, or you’ve stuck in your current writing project. Consider free writing, and let me know what you think.

Some people cringe at the thought of freewriting. Do you? 

YouTube/svsugvcarter (Peter Elbow – On Writing)

Related articles

• Selected works of Peter Elbow http://works.bepress.com/peter_elbow
• Freewriting exercises  http://castle.eiu.edu (Mary Lieske)

Karen Jordan encourages others to “tell the stories that matter most.” Find links to her writing workshops, speaking topics, and other online connections on her personal blog/website (www.karenbarnesjordan.com).

How Writing is Like Marriage

Happy 30th to me!

As you read this, I’m in Costa Rica celebrating my 30th anniversary. Yippee! And it makes me think about how much writing is like marriage.

How you ask? I’m glad you brought it up.

Here’s my hit list of ways aspiring writers mirror newlyweds:

• Adjustment to a new commitment takes time, and impatience slows the process down. 
• Adding a new person, or thing to our lives, brings chaos and confusion, along with excitement.
• Daily responsibilities, and crisis, interfere with time we want to spend on our commitments.
• About the time we think we’re getting the relationship figured out, a new wrinkle creates conflict.

After the honeymoon period, writers like young married’s, follow a familiar pattern:

Aspiring Writers are like Newlyweds

• The luster wears off, and we no longer want to spend time with our commitment at the same level of anticipation.
• We start discovering there are things we didn’t know — that we didn’t know.
• After awhile, we realize we’ve gotten into a rut, and must figure out how to climb out.
• The value of adding support systems, including people with more experience, becomes apparent.

Maturity brings the peace we’ve chased for so long:

• After achieving publication, like achieving marital success, we relax and begin to enjoy the relationship at a deeper level.
• With success, confidence grows, empowering us to venture past insecurity into areas of communication we feared in the past.
• Now we have the privilege of passing onto others the wisdom we’ve gained through our own experiences.
• We can look back on our history, and celebrate the past, even as we look forward to more good things in our future.

Marriage and writing both help us grow as human beings. They stretch us, allow us to express our true selves, and provide a springboard for us to fulfill our purposes. I pray you have a long and lasting relationship with your writing commitment.

What similarities do you see between writing and marriage?

Writing is Like Marriage

Anita Agers-Brooks  is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of the soon-to-be released book, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog www.brooksanita.com. You may contact her via website www.brooksanita.com/contact/ or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com.