Lauren A. Harrison

Called To Write

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When Your Story Doesn’t Jive

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You thought God said turn right

There are moments in this writing journey when the desire to throw up your hands becomes overwhelming. Your story doesn’t jive. The plot merely plods along at a crawl, then comes to a complete halt because you’ve taken a right when you should have taken the left.  Then there are those moments after another rejection, from yet another publisher, leaves you deflated.

Yet there are those moments that keep you planted in front of your computer. God spoke a word into your heart. A message. A story. A poem. An article. It’s from Him and is for someone who perhaps you don’t know personally. Your reader.

You could choose to quit

You have to stop and write.  I could say you don’t have a choice but to write and muddle through.  But we both know you do. One choice is to quit. The other is to stay the course and run the race. At times you wonder how anyone can press on in the face of such bleak uncertainty. It’s not easy, but with God are not all things possible? And if this is true, is he not capable of using your voice to tell His story?

He will make it jive

So, sit yourself down. Power up your computer. Quiet the thoughts running rampant in your brain. Talk to the Author and Finisher of your faith. He’s got the plot laid out. He knows how to make the story line jive. He can put you back on the right path. However, occasionally, that left turn might actually be Him showing you the direction He wanted for your story.  To be certain, you will have to spend time with your Heavenly Father.

God Bless,

Lauren.

My Debut!

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Rescued at Last

I was born in an abandoned barn outside of London, Ontario. A great group of people rescued me and thirty-nine of my friends and family! They put me up for adoption, and in walks Lauren. “Well…” I said to myself… “She’s the one!” So as soon as they opened my cage, I jumped on her shoulder and snuggled right in.  Lauren had to take me home… she just had to. I rubbed my head against hers and purred as loud as I could.  I put on my best behavior.

She Sealed the Deal

Well before you know it, Lauren signed the papers, and they sealed the deal.  I was a bit worried I chose the wrong human when she stuffed me in a tiny cat carrier. The ride was so long. I didn’t want to be locked up, I wanted to be on my new human’s lap.  But twenty minutes later, she carried me into her home.

My New BKF

To my pleasant surprise, she had another cat!  I was so excited, a new BKF (Best Kitty Friend)! Lightning was her name. But oh my, I didn’t know we cats could grow so old. She was seventeen! 

I Was Only Ten Weeks Old

I was a kid of ten weeks old back then. I’ve spent the last two years having a blast, doing things we kitties love doing.  I enjoy a good tussle with Lightning. The Old Girl (that’s what Lauren calls her), has a nasty habit of pinning me down and washing my ears! Does she think me still some kid who can’t bathe herself yet?  Well, I supposed that’s what old folks of all kinds do. Mother the young folk.

I’m Going to be Famous

Well, that’s a wrap as a new kid on the block and my debut as a blog contributor. I’ll have my human edit this and get it out to print. I’ll have to make sure she leaves my unique voice intact. Wouldn’t do to sound like some old fuddy duddy.  I’m going to be famous!  Check in with you later!

Nutmeg 

I’m Lauren’s New Accountability Partner

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My Cat Nutmeg sitting on my shoulder.

Guest Post

Nutmeg asked me to write a guest post, introducing her as the newest addition to my writing team. She hovers over my shoulder and critiques my work.  When my writing is slow, she stretches and yawns, letting me know I’m boring my reader. “Add more conflict!” She knows my style of writing, to be sure.  So, I add more conflict. Then she dances around my desktop, quite happy with her own advice. I’m not sure what I would do without her expertise.

She’s Always Watching

There’s nothing like having someone watch every word you type. Even now, she sits on the chair, eyeing me. Questioning my word choice and sentence structure.  But she helps me keep the plot moving forward, so I think I’ll keep her around for a while. 

Show Verses Tell Advice

In the photo above, she pointed out my age-old battle with Show verses Tell. “Don’t tell me she was sad. What does your character’s body language convey about their depression? What does emotion do to your characters mind or heart?”

Of course, when she’s right, she’s right. So what do I do? I go back and rewrite.

My Journey

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It has been a long journey. The path to becoming a published author has been filled with it’s hills and valleys, potholes and smooth sailing.  I have attended the Blueridge Christian Writer’s Conference out of North Carolina twice. It was an awesome experience.  I pitched my book, even though it wasn’t ready to push forward with, I wanted the experience and was very glad I did. I received some positive feedback and was asked to contact them again once the manuscript was complete. 

The skills I have learned over the past two years have been invaluable.  The first conference I focused on the craft of writing. For example, the age-old lesson of “Show don’t Tell”, “Give the reader credit”, “If you’re stuck, add conflict”, just to name a few important things I have learned. The second conference I mainly focused on the self-editing classes, and it was very much a learning curve for me. However, I faced it head on and have done my best to put everything into practice. 

In February of this year, I entered the first three chapters of my manuscript to a contest put on by The Word Guild.  I submitted my work to the “In the beginning (unpublished work award) catagory.  Then I waited.

The Word Guild announced their “Short List” this past week (from which the winners will be chosen).  I was completely surprised to find my name on it! This was very much a confirmation that I am on the right track. I still have much to learn, and a long way to go. But God is faithful. He won’t lead me down a deserted road deep in the wilderness and abandon me. God is a good God and will accomplish what he has set forth to accomplish in my life.

So now I wait again. The winners will be announced at The Awards Gala, during the Write Canada Conference, being held in Hamilton on June 14-15th.  So, guess where I am headed?  I have posted the Word Guild Short List logo and link below.

If you are anything like me, there are days when your hope dwindles like embers of a dying fire.  Days when you just don’t believe your dreams will come to fruition. Please don’t stay in that place. If God is in it, he will make a way for you. He promises that, and God cannot lie.

TWA Finalists Listing