Looking after yourself - from an Author's perspective

'Whatever we do for a living there is always something that has to be protected so that we can carry on doing it without interruption. I read about a famous philosopher who decided at a young age to protect his mind because he knew that it was his greatest asset as a thinking man. So he never touched drugs or alcohol all his life. I heard just yesterday that a professional singer has to spend a lot of time protecting their voice, their money earner. As an author I too have to protect and look after my body and yes of coursed my brain is needed but sitting at a PC all day can cause serious back problems at times. I do the usual stuff, applying good ergonomic principles and taking frequent breaks, but the problem persists or at least it did until I discovered the ‘Theraflex’ treatment. Linda treated me only 2 or 3 times and my pains ceased. I advise any sufferers like me to read this excellent book and find out for yourself the permanent answer to your back problem.' Author Fred Hurr
Read about this marvellous treatment and where in the UK to get it at www.beatingbackpain.net

Finding a Publisher - Ten Steps to Success - Part 2

Step 6 – You may still have ten or maybe even twenty publishing companies still on your list. Now take a look at their own websites to see for yourself what kind of books they publish. Pick out one or two books similar to your own story and discover where the publisher actually sells them. For instance are they available in book stores or only on internet sites like Amazon. Browsing the books for sale can also tell you if the books are best-sellers. Read the readers reviews etc. Spending time in this area can help build up a picture of the publisher and this kind of research is always fruitful for new writers. Are the publishers small or big, successful or not, new or well established, respected or not. On this last point the internet often has blogs and comments about bad publishers. Read them but be discerning because sometimes the comments may come from an embittered author whose books were repeatedly turned down.

Step 7 – So you have now made a shortlist and want to decide where to send your precious MS. Remember you can send copies of the MS to several publishers at the same time. Better to fire off several barrels rather than just one bullet, scatter guns normally hit something whereas the single shot usually misses the target.

Make sure you really read the details of their submission guidelines. Each company will have a different slant as to how you contact them. Some want the whole MS others don’t, some want the first three chapters only whereas some publishers just want to see a synopsis of the book. Remember to keep strictly to the guidelines or your MS may end up in the waste paper basket. And always send a stamped addressed envelope so that the copy can be mailed back to you. That way you are more likely to get a reply even if it’s not the one you wanted.

Step 8 – A warning! The ‘sharks’ out there often disguise themselves as bona fide publishers. They might look safe but all they want is to chew on your money. This is not saying that ‘self-publishing’ companies are predatory. Most often they’re not because in the case of Self-Publishers you get what you pay for.

I am sorry to say that there are Christian companies out there in the big ocean that act like sharks. One such company contacted me and said they wanted to publish my book but it wasn’t until the third or fourth email that they told me it would cost $18,000 up front. The contract also tied me into buying a hundred books at $10 a book. If however, you are serious about your writing, find a reputable publisher and use your best judgement to pick the right one. If it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t!

Step 9 – So you’ve sent your MS off; do not despair if after a short while you don’t hear back. Just be patient, and resist contacting the publisher to find out what’s the score. Most often it takes at least three months to get even an acknowledgement or even longer. I know that you are on tenterhooks but the best way to stay sane is to ‘forget’ about the submission and get on with the next project. If you get rejections don’t lose heart. Some of the most famous authors had hundreds of rejections before someone smart bought the book. Remember a lot of publishers make errors in their choices. The Harry Potter series was turned down by loads of agents and publishers, need I say more. Have faith and keep knocking on doors, you’ll win in the end. The writers who found success are those who never gave up believing.

Step 10 – If you are a Christian writer here’s a service you can use. It’s called www.christianmanuscriptssubmission.com. In short, what it does is post three chapters of your book and a brief author bio with your contact details on their website. The website is known to many Christian publishers who take a peek on a regular basis to see if there’s anything worthwhile posted there. It’s inexpensive and your submission stays on the website for six months. One last piece of invaluable advice for Christian writers is this; remember the Lord is keenly interested in you and your work. Pray every day for success. I found success with an agent and a publisher who were five thousand miles away from where I live. If that’s not the Lord….?    

10 Steps to Success – Part 1

 

 

 

If you are a first time author and looking for a publisher you need to know several facts about the book publishing business. It’s a big ocean to dive into and remember there are sharks. Like any kind of business, and book publishing is a business, there are people who want to make a quick buck out of naïve and vulnerable authors so avoid them at your peril.

 

 

 

 

Step 1 – Write the book. Publishers are not really interested in ideas they want to see proof that a would-be author has the skill, the stamina and the discipline to finish the job. Publishers expect that a novel should be about 80,000 to 100,000 words long and taking an average that’s about 300 pages.

 

 

Step 2 – Before you send your MS to a publisher have the courage to show your creation to someone who will give you an honest assessment of your writing. Don’t ask your spouse or best friend because they are not the best people to give you an honest report. Your local librarian might be a good place to start. It’s a harsh truth but unfortunately the writing world is overcrowded with writers who have great expectations of themselves but have little talent.

 

Step 3 – Okay you have written a book and your honest critics say it is brilliant and should be published, well done! Now is the time to do some hard work trawling through the books, internet sites and writers groups who can aid you in your search and provide professional help and good advice.

In the UK there is a very useful publication called ‘The Writers Handbook’ and it is up-dated every year. The editor Barry Turner has done much of the leg-work for you and his handbook really is a useful and complete guide to agents, publishers, editors and copywriters.

I am sure there must be a similar publication in the USA so go out and get your own copy. I know it seems daft but you need to know your own book, what genre is it and even what sub-genre it falls into. Next get a highlighter pen and work your way through the handbook and mark out those publishers who do publish novels similar to your own. Be meticulous in this exercise for it will save you time in the long run. It’s a total waste of time sending your romance story to a publisher who only publishes science fiction. Read the small print carefully.

 

Step 4 – Having got your list of prospective publishers then check out the minutiae of the submission guidelines. Many publishers will not accept unsolicited MS. So do not waste your time, money and effort sending your MS along to one of these companies. When they say they don’t accept unsolicited MS they mean it, and they probably have their own arcane reasons for this rule.

 

Step 5 – There are many publishers who do accept ‘unsolicited’ MS especially from new authors, in the hope they are going to sign-up the ace in the pack and that might just be you.

Your publishers list may be getting shorter by now but this is good because you are refining your search and with every step and you are closer to finding the right publisher for you.

Spiritual Awareness

I am in the process of writing a short book entitled

‘Spiritual Awareness

7 Astonishing Truths to Radically Change Your Life.’

The first three truths are:-

Truth No.1 - You may ask me for anything

Truth No.2 - God’s new covenant with you

Truth No.3 - The mysterious power of the ‘Logos’ (Word)

Here is an excerpt from Truth No. 1

‘Have you ever had someone say to you “ask me for anything and I will do it.”

Just imagine waking up every morning and your first thought is ‘now what do I want today’ and knowing all you had to do was call your generous friend on the mobile phone and simply ASK. Wouldn’t that be fantastic!

Well having a relationship with God, whose resources by the way, are limitless and infinite, is to have that kind of friend.

But it is not just the relationship with God that links us to the infinite resources it is also being able to speak the mysterious power of the word which is Jesus, the Logos through which all things were made.  We shall explore this great mystery in Truth No. 3.’

I'll keep you posted with further truths!

Spiritual Warfare

Any author embarking on writing a story or a full length novel based upon spiritual warfare must first do his research. Spiritual warfare is an extremely interesting subject and offers a rich tapestry on which to weave an exciting and dramatic plot and it presents the writer with fascinating materials in which to explore ethical, philosophical and spiritual truths. 

It is a very controversial subject and in Christian circles the spectrum of opinion ranges from total skepticism and disbelief to obsessional beliefs that everything has a demonic origin. Clearly such extremes, I think do not, present the serious writer with a reasonable storyline. But the middle ground offers a fantastic backdrop to create fiction.

Spiritual warfare simply described is a range of Christian activity whereby satanic demons are combatted, confronted and defeated using prayer and faith. Christians who find themselves immersed in these battles and struggles are often aided by heavenly angels.  Spiritual warfare is being fought out between two kingdoms vying for power, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness ruled over by Satan.  

For Christian writers the ground on which their research should be based is the Bible. There are many and various references throughout the Bible both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament to angels and demons in conflict with each other and with God’s people. The many examples in the Bible provides unequivocally proof that:   

a)     Angels and Satan and his demons exist and do interact with God’s people for good and ill

b)    That God himself and Jesus whilst on the earth, Old Testament peoples and New Testament Christians unequivocally believed in demons and their ability to inflict harm. 

Anyone studying this will quickly find that although there are numerous references and descriptions of angels and demons and their activities there is not a definitive description of either. But this is not a disadvantage to the writer for he can use his imagination, within the bounds of biblical truth, to create both angelic and demonic characters which are both interesting and more importantly believable. Their interaction with humans as described in the Bible shows that at least part of their personality must be human-like in order to have efficacious communication.   

One aspect of angels and demons that I find very interesting is whether they have wings. I have done my research and I strongly believe that they do not have wings. That is going to a topic for my next blog. 

The introduction of angels and demons into a spiritual warfare story makes it possible to delve deeply into questions of good and evil which can then encompass all human faults and failings of character such as corruption, temptation and lust for power, money and sex.  

Of course it also allows the writer to paint a picture of redemption, healing and salvation and access to the throne of God’s Grace.  The subject of spiritual warfare should not be labeled simply supernatural fantasy as it truly is a wonderful canvas on which to create a story that can have direct and powerful affect upon readers’ minds and souls and all for the good. This is when fiction can be used to its fullest and most noble degree.    

For those people who want to look deeper into this subject I strongly recommend Dr. Karl Payne’s book ‘Spiritual Warfare’ which is a balanced and very informative book.

  

Dark Matter - Thinking the Unthinkable

Recent Posts Thinking the Unthinkable In the beginning Applauding Melvin Bragg Autumn Poem 'There is evil in the world.' Categories Book Signings Light of the Holy Musings News Poems Supernatural powered by Admin Log In

My Blog Thinking the Unthinkable Posted on Monday, October 17, 2011 10:43 AM It wasn’t so long ago that scientists had solved the last missing piece in the creation of the 14 million year old universe. The big bang explained everything and any other view or theory was simply old hat. What the scientists did not tell us was although the Big Bang Theory met some of the conditions of the beginning of the universe it failed to satisfy the finer bits of the cosmology model. Some of the math just didn’t add up. Look out for scientists sweeping unpopular bits of theory under the carpet. At last some more honest scientists have admitted that they don’t really know what is happening out there in deep space. It defies human logic, or in other words fails to meet observable criteria upon which science is based. Some brave scientists are actually saying ‘Sorry, we don’t know. We might have it all wrong!" Perhaps its time to think the unthinkable? What I mean is this. Understanding phenomena from a scientific viewpoint is all about investigation, analysis and coming up with sound conclusions. At every step of the way language and numbers are used as a tool to engender the processes with intelligence, albeit human intelligence. If the universe, or as might now be imagined multiverses, is behaving contrary to all known logic and in contradiction cosmic phenomena then perhaps the next erudite confession of the thinking mind might just be, that we don’t have the necessary tools to evaluate the mysteries of infinite space. We can’t think the unthinkable. If dark matter and dark energy is invisible, undetectable, immeasurable and simply outside everything human then intuitively we should just throw in the towel not give up but admit that we have limitations. The scientists’ latest proclamation paradoxical though it may appear is a step towards that knowledge terminus. They say "we now believe that something was created out of nothing but how this happened we may never know." The human experience is finite in all respects, that is until we come face to face with the mystery itself... "Now we see through a glass darkly..."

It wasn’t so long ago that scientists had solved the last missing piece in the creation of the 14 million year old universe. The big bang explained everything and any other view or theory was simply old hat.

What the scientists did not tell us was although the Big Bang Theory met some of the conditions of the beginning of the universe it failed to satisfy the finer bits of the cosmology model. Some of the math just didn’t add up. Look out for scientists sweeping unpopular bits of theory under the carpet.

At last some more honest scientists have admitted that they don’t really know what is happening out there in deep space. It defies human logic, or in other words fails to meet observable criteria upon which science is based. Some brave scientists are actually saying ‘Sorry, we don’t know. We might have it all wrong!"

Perhaps its time to think the unthinkable?

What I mean is this. Understanding phenomena from a scientific viewpoint is all about investigation, analysis and coming up with sound conclusions. At every step of the way language and numbers are used as a tool to engender the processes with intelligence, albeit human intelligence. If the universe, or as might now be imagined multiverses, is behaving contrary to all known logic and in contradiction cosmic phenomena then perhaps the next erudite confession of the thinking mind might just be, that we don’t have the necessary tools to evaluate the mysteries of infinite space.

We can’t think the unthinkable.

If dark matter and dark energy is invisible, undetectable, immeasurable and simply outside everything human then intuitively we should just throw in the towel not give up but admit that we have limitations.

The scientists’ latest proclamation paradoxical though it may appear is a step towards that knowledge terminus. They say "we now believe that something was created out of nothing but how this happened we may never know." The human experience is finite in all respects, that is until we come face to face with the mystery itself... "Now we see through a glass darkly..."

In the beginning

In the beginning El was infinite and eternal.
Before the beginning there was no time, no space, no form but El was.
The beginning was a moment before time and space; before it came into being in time and space it was incorporeal, without body. The beginning was coalescence of El and the first creation. Nothing pre-existed the beginning except the prime beginner whose name is El but a plurality existed even then before the beginning and beyond the end. In the beginning were the Word and the first word spoken and heard was El. From the beginning all things were created out of no thing.
Everything made from the beginning is made in time and space but the creator, El is not one with time and space. He is infinite and eternal; time less is his character and space less is his form. Creation is time filled and space pressed down and running over beyond all imagination except El.
All things made can be measured in time and in space. The first created beings immortal though they are can still be measured in time and space. Man was conceived and created to be Lord over time and space but is now enslaved. The artificer needs some thing to work upon but the architect of the universe and all of creation spread out his hands to design and build from nothing. For in nothing, in the void, was infinity and eternity, and from these El-ements all that was made is made.
And heaven was the seat of El’s throne. It was a place where El could survey the entire universe and it was a place where the first created beings could worship El as their creator and as their God. It was a place of unimaginable light and joy and peace. In the innermost secret heart of the created beings, angels we call them, there was an eternal joy and contentment and it came as a gift from God. They knew God and that knowledge was everything they needed. Even man in paradise below heaven was content. Even so God gave man the gift of woman for companionship, fellowship so that the two could be one. What more could man want but paradise as his domain and a woman to love and be loved.
But there was one angel, a beautiful created being, made to worship God in celestial music. In him was sound and song so infinitely sweet and good that all fell silent in heaven when Lucifer sang El’s praises. Yet the keeper of the King’s treasure is forever in the place of temptation. Lucifer when he sang saw with his eyes how all God’s angels so perfectly worshipped him. It was a spectacle that was beyond Lucifer’s comprehension. How could he know El’s true character? Who in all creation could know God? Whatever Lucifer saw and felt it was a pale mirror to God’s true ways.
Lucifer felt jealous of the angel’s worship. He felt proud. Was it he who alone had been made the master of worship. The revelation was his alone. No other angel in heaven not Michael, not Gabriel knew what he knew and felt. Surely El in passing the unique gift to Lucifer meant that he should be one with him. To sit upon the throne and share the godhead was his right. To be set apart, to be personally sanctified by El surely meant that all else in Heaven and earth were beneath him. His elevation to the highest order and to occupy the most holy seat was his destiny. Some of God’s angels saw this to be true and began to worship Lucifer in the same way as their Creator. These splendid beings were made greater by this allegiance with Lucifer. They would become the elect seated around the throne with El and Lucifer and with the entire angelic host they would become the synthesis of common worship and through Lucifer make it truly regal.
Lucifer commanded his angels to gather at the throne to be a sacred barrier between the ordinary crowd of angels and the high throne of God Almighty, El.
At Lucifer’s command his angels separated themselves and moved upon the throne, their countenances fixed upon their Lord. If it was in their hearts that their actions somehow enhanced the worship of El they were greatly mistaken. As Lucifer’s horde ceremoniously displaced themselves from the greater mass of angels, forming into single group according to their lord’s stratagem he, Lucifer made to step upon the dais where El sat enthroned. As he rose to take that first fateful step the gathered angels loyal to God cried out in alarm and uttered a resounding censure of the supposed Lord of Light. They were utterly amazed and horrified that one of their own would dare to ascend the throne without being first bid. Their next action was to bow the knee in subjugation to El. Every angel genuflected and keeping heading low faced the floor of heaven with eyes shut. By doing so they emphasised the state of Lucifer’s band of confused and perplexed angels. Turning this way and that they surveyed their brothers upon their knees and they as if in defiance of God still standing. Some wavered then and dropped to their knees but Lucifer seeing this cried loud unto them "Rise...rise you weak-willed angels and stand with me proud to serve both me and El. Then turning to El he was about to command God himself to allow him to ascend the sacred holy place where only God ever sat in judgement.
At this moment it was if all of heaven was subject to destruction. El rose from the throne and from his arms came terrifying lightning bolts and from his roaring mouth issued peals of thunder that shook the foundations of the universe. In a sudden moment the joyous light that bathed heaven and shone brilliantly upon the throne and God was extinguished so that a profound darkness covered everything. The angels on the knees instantly felt a shock of pain pass through them. Their rebellious brothers felt fear and anguish for the first time and they were afraid. Lucifer even in this terrible tumult tried to seize El but was thrown back with power. He and all his cohorts were catapulted violently into the darkness their screams were heard in the halls of heaven and upon earth. In the gardens of paradise man and woman became sorely afraid hearing the terrible sounds. All the animals cowered in fear.
Lucifer and his fallen angels were cast out of heaven never to return and the darkness became part of them. They would not ever know the joy and the peace of God again.
The angels lifted their heads and looked upon God Almighty. By his grace and mercy they lived. Now they had enemies. Now they had a new task in heaven. They were now the warriors of God and sworn to protect him from the evil one and their dark brothers. The future of all was changed upon this day in heaven.
The sounds of their voices rose to worship and praise Him, and ever only Him.
In a distant dark world far from heaven Lucifer now banished beyond redemption looked back to heaven and cursed El and all his angels. He gathered all his black angels around him and started even in that hour plotting how he might overthrow almighty God. Who can ever know the minds of El and of Lucifer in that cataclysmic moment? Yet we can know for sure that there was a great divide between their thoughts. The terrifying schism had happened and the heaven and earth would never be the same again.