Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Steps

One thing I had trouble figuring out when I first began to write my novel, The Miting, was what genre of fiction it represented. It didn't seem to fit Chick Lit genre...Mystery?...uh...no. How about Sci-fi? Waaay no. And I don't even have a clue as to what "Hen Lit" is! (I'm going to have to research that one.)


In order to find a place for my novel, I began to go through the Internet to see how other authors described their Amish fiction. It didn't take long to discover that it is in the...TA DA: Amish Fiction Genre. How hard was that? And how silly I felt for wasting so much angst on something positively logical and simple.


That's one thing that I've discovered in this long process of learning about writing: most things appear more difficult on the surface than they really are so following a logical plan of order makes each process a much more do-able work.


With this in mind, and the Christmas season long past to use as an excuse to delay progress, I plan to tackle my novel to begin the revisions of the first nine chapters, finish the chapters that lurk only in my mind and haven't made it to print yet, and begin learning about the process of finding a literary agent to represent me. That last item seems to be the biggest hurdle for me to overcome at this point, but I know that with careful study and skillful, yet purposeful plodding, I will accomplish even that seemingly impossible goal!

I'm excited about the journey! And I'm excited about my novel, and knowing that I've already started on the path to being published helps me to view the future of my work with less trepidation. God leads...I follow...and His guidance assures me with each step forward. To quote my dear friend and pastor/mentor, Carl Richardson: "I'm going forward in faith!"

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23




4 comments:

Laury said...

That's too funny -- Amish Lit, huh? LOL! You have lots of friends to cheer you on in your goal. Remember that!

Love you LOTS!

Patty Wysong said...

I wanna know what hen lit is, too! I've never heard of it! The name of it cracks me up, tho, that's for sure!

Forward seems to be a recurring theme for us. (Sure beats 'Retreat' or even 'Stagnate'!) Yup, we'll press forward.
Huggles!

Catrina Bradley said...

Who knew that Amish Lit had its own genre! And now I'm curious about "hen lit" too. :-)

Woo hoo on setting goals, Dee! I can't wait to see what you accomplish this year.

Joanne Sher said...

Good for you, Dee! Onward we move, girl! Praying you through, as you undoubtedly know ;)