“In 1919, a young man who had been injured in the war in Europe moved to Chicago, picking one particular neighborhood in order to be close to the noted author Sherwood Anderson. The young writer, impressed with the critical praise heaped on Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio, had heard the novelist was willing to assist beginning writers. The two men became close. They met every day to read together, exploring the writing of newspapers and magazines, and eventually tearing apart the inner workings of novels. The young man brought his own work to Anderson, who helped him see how he could improve his craft. Anderson even introduced the young writer to his network of publishing associates, and helped him publish his first novel, which was met with critical acclaim. Its title was The Sun Also Rises. The young man’s name was Ernest Hemingway.

Sherwood Anderson then moved to New Orleans, where he took another young author through those same paces, even putting up $300 of his own money to help that beginning writer’s first novel get published. The novel was entitled Soldier Pay. The author’s name was William Faulkner.

Anderson would then move to California, where he worked with a young writer by the name of John Steinbeck. Sherwood Anderson shaped modern American writing more profoundly than any author except Mark Twain. Most of the writing instructors of the late 20th century were, in one way or another, disciples of Anderson. 

And the reason Sherwood Anderson was so committed to mentoring beginning writers? Because when he was young, a more experienced author by the name of Theodore Dreiser had invested in his own life and craft. It’s why I’m a fan of beginning writers finding a Sherwood Anderson to help them develop.”

Very cool. And Theodore Dreiser just happens to be from my hometown of Terre Haute, IN, which makes this story even more intriguing to me! Thanks for sharing, Chip.  

6. Teach your children scripture and live out a faithful story before them. They will have to be warriors for God one day and they are watching us. What are we role modeling? They need to see our passion for the Lord which gives them a foundation for their faith.

“Our lives are at once ordinary and mythical. We live and die, age beautifully or full of wrinkles… At the same instant we have these magnificent hearts that pump through all sorrow and all winters we are alive on the earth. We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand. We were here; we are human beings; this is how we lived. Let it be known, the earth passed before us. Our details are important.”

Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, p. 43

It’s true that, even in Christian publishing, the bottom line (money) is the bottom line. Publishers are in it to make money, and the more books you can sell, the more money they make. And the more they love you.  

But I think that the downturn in the economy has changed Americans’ values a lot. I know it’s affected me. Yes, my goal as a writer, editor and speaker is to be as successful as possible. But significance is more important. If I can help people, if I can influence and inspire them to live a better life, then I have succeeded. God has given my husband and me a dynamic and unique platform for ministry. We feel that it’s our call to share the message that the Lord has laid on our hearts in order to inspire, encourage, and uplift others in their spiritual walk and their marriage journey.

In my travels as an author and speaker, I’ve met many other authors who may never reach #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, yet they are warm, inspiring, godly and fun-loving people with fascinating stories to share. They have loved me and provided me with great encouragement as a young author. They have given me practical advice and helped me expand my ministry and build my platform. I’m forever grateful to them. And to me, they are all successes, whether they ever sell another book or not. Best of all, they are SIGNIFICANT.

In the spiritual life, not all success is measurable in dollars and cents. It’s not measurable in inches, pounds, or any type of numerical system. For example, Jesus said, “Follow Me.” This SEEMS to be one of the simplest commands in the Bible, but HOW PROFOUND. Man, to follow Him every day is not easy, is it? “Follow Me” means “imitate Me, love Me, sacrifice your needs and wants for Me, show Me to others, obey all of My commands.”

To me, success means following Jesus, no matter what.     

Life changes, big and small, cause upheaval. Maybe for you, it’s been a move, financial struggles, a marriage, a divorce, a death in the family, or the loss of a job. I don’t think that I’ve ever encountered so many people struggling with an identity crisis, a feeling of wondering what on earth happened to the person that they used to be. And yes, I’ve wondered that pretty much every day myself since the day my baby son was born. 

What has gotten me through is the fact that even when I’m no longer sure how all of the complex aspects of myself, my family life, and my creative pursuits fit together, God is. He knows who I am. And more important, I know who He is. HE IS THE GREAT I AM. Isn’t it interesting and odd that when Moses asked, “Who should I say you are?” God said simply, “I AM.” His identity is in His being, His perfection, His holiness, His integrity. He does not have to DO anything to be Himself; He simply has to BE. 

The truth is, you are. God made you. You are here on the earth, and you are here for a reason. No one has ever been like you, with your unique combination of characteristics, personality traits, quirks, sense of humor, gifts, and abilities. If you’re a writer, God has gifted you with a voice and a way to write and describe things that is special and particular to you. If you don’t write those ideas down and share them with the world, no one else will.

Part of loving God, loving yourself and loving other people is using your voice and your gifts to communicate your personal message.     

“Marla Alupoaicei is one of the best writers and editors in the Christian market today. Very few Christian editors and writers have the ability to meticulously edit while adding creative suggestions with theological soundness. Marla, on the other hand, provides all three: accurate grammar, innovative ideas on your manuscript, and biblical accuracy. I highly recommend her writing and editing services!”

- Dave Sterrett, popular speaker and author of “O” God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah’s Spirituality and Why Trust Jesus?  Website: www.davesterrett.com

Thanks so much, Dave! For all of you writers out there seeking editing help or publication, please contact me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com for more info on my writing and editing services. I look forward to the privilege of working with you to develop your manuscript, improve your platform and help your publishing dreams come true!

1) Know your subject. Do your research. Double-check your sources. Perform original interviews to gain unique material. Find a cool angle and hook that give you a cutting-edge perspective on your topic - a perspective that no one else has. Do the legwork to find out about your competition and be sure to include that information in your book proposal.  

2) Work hard, and keep a positive attitude. Accept others’ comments with grace, and always carefully consider any pointers you receive. But trust your instincts, too. Don’t be discouraged by the market or by other people’s negativity. There are lots of “joy stealers” in this world! Trust that the Lord has given you something to say and a venue in which to say it. Pray hard and persevere!

3) Be teachable. Join a writer’s group and submit your work regularly for critique. Ask trusted writers for their honest feedback.

4) WRITE. EVERY DAY. Don’t spend so much time reading that you don’t actually write. Writers write. It’s that simple!  

5) Research your subject matter on Amazon and the web. Order books related to your topic and also be sure to get a copy of the most recent Writer’s Market. Know which publishers accept the kind of work you are doing. Send them only what they ask for.

6) Don’t rush. Be sure your work is ready and as close to perfect as possible before submitting it. When you think it’s ready, submit it to your writer’s group for their critique. Then sit on it for a few weeks. Read it, pray over it, and give yourself a chance to be inspired and make your final edits/changes before you send it to a publisher.

7) If you tend to struggle with correct spelling, grammar, plot development, etc., hire a professional editor to help you develop your ideas and edit your manuscript before you send it out. For an affordable fee, you can get your manuscript in tip-top shape, learn publishing tips from the pros, and greatly increase your chances of successful publication!

For more info on Marla’s editing services, e-mail her at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. Thank you!    

On Courtney’s site, you can watch lots of video clips from her appearances on TV shows like Rachael Ray in which she presents her meal tips, health strategies, and marriage advice. She also presents tons of other helpful articles and quick, fun ideas, including:

-Menus and recipes that both adults and kids will like

-Easy, inexpensive gifts to make for teachers

-Devotional prompts for moms

-Great organizing and cleaning tips

And more! Courtney says that her favorite Scripture verse is Galatians 6:9, “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” Check out her site; I think you’ll be inspired by her. For me as a writer with a 10-month old son and another baby on the way in September, I always enjoy a bit of motivation and encouragement from someone as “with it” as Courtney!   
  

Mary has done a masterful job of weaving her past, present and future into an inspiring tome that will touch your heart. God’s grace, forgiveness and healing power resonate from every page. If you or someone you know has been hurt by abuse, especially sexual abuse, you will be blessed and encouraged by Mary’s remarkable story. I laughed as I read some pages and cried as I read many others. My heart broke for all those children who have been hurt by the adults they should have been able to trust.

Yet Thin Places never sinks into self-pity, despair or hopelessness. To the contrary, I found hope leaping off of every page. Though I (thankfully) was never a victim of sexual abuse, both my family and my husband’s family have a history of domestic violence. This has caused me to struggle with many of the same feelings of pain, helplessness, and low self esteem that Mary has experienced. Her ability to forgive her oppressors and rise above her feelings of victimization have inspired me and helped me to do the same. 

Probably the most compelling and life-transforming truth that I have gained from reading Thin Places is the reality that we do not have to DO anything or BE a certain kind of person to deserve to be loved by God and others. God loves us because of Who He Is. And God loves us because of Who We Are - His precious daughters and sons. And we’re called to love others not based on their performance or their ability to be perfect, say all the right things, and do all the right things. We love people BECAUSE we are all flawed and in need of God’s grace. We don’t love them IN SPITE OF the fact that they are flawed.  

This book will empower you to jump off of the hamster wheel of trying to earn favor from God and others; instead, you will be inspired to get rid of your spiritual, emotional and physical baggage and simply rest in the arms of Jesus.

“Sometimes I’m still that little girl fighting against the grief of the world, longing for a snatch of light in the midst of dark days,” Mary writes on pages 20 and 21 of Thin Places. Readers will identify with Mary’s pain and vulnerability. They’ll also rejoice in her remarkable gift for trusting the Lord to transform that pain into triumph through His grace and redemptive power. Every page emanates with the struggle with a young girl who has been wronged, yet still clings to her faith in a Savior who loves her and wants her to find wholeness and healing.

I’ve read quite a few memoirs, and I’d say that Thin Places has pulled the curtain of shame off of the issue of childhood sexual abuse, just as Frank McCourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes poignantly illuminated the shocking problem of childhood poverty in Ireland. Like McCourt’s book, Thin Places is a well-wrought and luminous account of a life journey that led from dungeons of darkness to expansive places of light and hope. Mary’s book is available on www.amazon.com and at bookstores. I highly recommend it!