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Thrive Write!

Hi, Sherry Kyle here, writing from central California.

I usually blog for CAN on the third Monday of the month, but this one got away from me. I’ve been filling out interviews and guests posts to help launch The Heart Stone, my April 1^st release. It’s been a whirlwind of activity. I know you can relate.

Writing can take over our lives. Besides writing the next manuscript, we’re asked to blog, network, speak, head committees, judge contests, critique, and market. Phew! If we don’t pace ourselves, we’ll burn out.

How can we have a fulfilling, productive writing life that does not take over?

Tips from the Pros: Sherry Kyle

Greetings from Sarah Sundin! This past week I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, where I roomed with one of my dearest friends - and this week's interviewee - Sherry Kyle. Sherry writes for tween girls (8-12 years) and also writes women's fiction. Her newest women's novel, The Heart Stone, has an official release date of April 1, but is already available now!

Sherry, how did you get into writing?

When my children were young, I'd take them to the public library, and we'd check out a dozen books every couple of weeks. As we snuggled on the couch and read books together, I kept thinking how fun it would be to be an author. Finally, I acted on my dream and enrolled in the Institute of Children's Literature, taking both the beginner and advanced courses. Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and American Christian Fiction Writers have also been instrumental in helping me continue my education and learn the craft of writing.

How many books do you have published?

I have one children's book and two novels in print, with two more girls' books on the way. The Christian Girl's Guide to Style, Delivered with Love, and The Heart Stone are my current titles.

Connecting with God by Sherry Kyle

While creating content for my new website I finally figured out what I write! 

It’s been difficult to combine my love of writing for tween girls and my passion for women’s fiction into a brand, but after much prayer and reflection God brought ReConnecting Faith and Fiction to mind. My goal is to write books for 8-12 year old girls that reconnect them to their faith, and women’s fiction that reconnects lives.

My April 1^st release, The Heart Stone, (Abingdon Press) is about forgiveness and reconnecting first loves.

As writers for the Christian market, we strive to bring our readers closer to God, to reconnect them to the One who sent His Son to die for our sins, but we have to connect to Him first before we can connect others through our books.

Let’s face it writers are busy people. Besides writing, we market, speak, blog, do social media, take care of our families, and possibly have another job. How do we make sure we spend quality time with God too?

If you’ve been a Christian for a long time, like I have, it’s easy to take Him for granted. A quick prayer here, a Bible verse there. But like any relationship, we have to nurture it in order for us to grow close.

Here are a few suggestions to stay connected:

1. Take a brisk prayer walk. Get outside and praise God for His beautiful creation.
2. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down different ways you see God answering prayer.
3. Use your hands to do something good for someone else. Bake cookies for the neighbor, knit a scarf for a friend, write a letter of encouragement to someone who’s hurting. Praise God for these special people in your life.
4. Listen to worship music and sing at the top of your lungs. God loves it when we praise Him!
5. Grab a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, and find a quiet corner to read God’s Word. Pick a Bible verse and meditate on it all day long.
6. Go to church and fellowship with other believers. If your schedule won’t allow you to attend regularly, watch a sermon on your TV or computer.
7. When you sit down for a meal, remember to thank God for His daily provision. Eat slowly and savor each bite.
8. Schedule time each day to be still. Let your mind wander. Ask God to bring to mind a person you need to talk to or something He wants you to learn.
9. Soak in the tub or take a long shower. As you wash away the dirt from the day, consider how God wipes away our sins when we ask for forgiveness.
10. Before you go to sleep at night take deep, relaxing breaths. Think about what happened throughout the day and talk to God about the highs and lows.

John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

How do you reconnect with God? 

The Power of Words

Hi, Sherry Kyle here, encouraging you from my laptop in Central California.

Have you ever said something you later regretted? Maybe you wrote something you wish would disappear from cyber space. Or maybe you were the recipient from someone’s harsh criticism. I relate to each one of these. I’m sure you do too. 

As authors we also put our characters through difficult relationships. The only way our characters will grow is if they go through conflict. After all, life is complicated and messy. Right?

A Listening Ear

Hi, Sherry Kyle here, writing to you on my laptop from Central California. 

I prayed fervently on my way to the Capitola Mall on Saturday. The direction of my prayer went something like this, “Please, God, help me to be a listening ear to those who need encouragement coming into Inklings Books &Things. Help me plant a seed for Christ. And if I sell a few books, well, that would be nice too.” I wasn’t nervous or anxious at being the featured author at my neighborhood bookstore. Instead I was eager to see who God would bring my way. Here are three stories that I hope bless you as much as they blessed me:

Overflowing with Thankfulness

Hi there, Sherry Kyle here, writing from the central coast of California with a word of encouragement for you on this Monday before we celebrate Thanksgiving.

Over the last twelve years, I’ve taken writing classes, gone to conferences, been a part of critique groups, have had a couple of agents, and several editors—each person or workshop helping me to further my career as a writer. I’m grateful for the writing friends I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and the writing opportunities sent my way. I feel blessed to have signed five book contracts with traditional publishers. I have much to be thankful for. And yet my attitude isn’t always filled with appreciation for what God has done for me. 

Let Go and Push Off

Hi from Sherry Kyle, writing from my laptop in central California. I wanted to share something today that is near and dear to my heart—and no, it isn't specifically about writing, but I think this post pertains to all of us as Christian writers.  

Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit . . .” John 15:16a

I love the Youtube video clip about a little fourth-grade girl about to go down a ski jump for the very first time. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebtGRvP3ILg

No Time for Friendship?

Good day, writer friends! Sherry Kyle here, writing from central California. 

For the last six weeks I’ve been living in chaos. I shouldn’t complain since the reason is a positive one—we’re remodeling our kitchen—but it’s been trying at best. The demolition started August 17^th, and there have been workers in and out of my house ever since. I’ve scrubbed dishes in the shower, searched for things hidden in boxes, and now know the best microwaveable food my grocery store supplies. In the grand scheme of things, today is a big day. The granite is going to be sealed. We’re almost there!

In Times of Tragedy

Hi! Sherry Kyle, here, writing from my laptop in California. Do you need hope today? I was raised in
Colorado and my heart goes out to the people who lost their homes in the recent fires and lost loved ones in the tragic killings in Aurora.

At church yesterday, my pastor talked about the common reactions to tragedy—isolation, irritability, inaction, fear, and hopelessness. Do you relate to any of these? I do. My husband suggested we go to a movie the other day and I shook my head in fear. Besides the recent events in Colorado, I remembered a time twenty years ago when a gunman ran through the elementary school campus I worked at and how I felt trying to protect the four-year-olds in my care.

Laughter

Sherry Kyle here writing from my laptop in California. 

Have you had a good laugh lately? 

I’m not talking about a slight chuckle, but a good ‘ol belly laugh—the kind that makes your stomach hurt and the tears roll out of your eyes. There are certain friends and family members that bring it out of me. My husband is one of them. I love his sense of humor and how he can brighten my mood. Who makes you laugh? 

I’m so glad God loves laughter. He wants us to enjoy life. 

Psalm 126: 2-3 says,

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.' The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

 

John 10: 10 says, 

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

 

Philippians 4: 8 says, 

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

It may seem strange that I'd write a post on laughter for a writing blog, but writers need a little humor in their lives. We all know this business is tough and how important it is to keep it all in perspective.

Have a great day . . .  and laugh often!