Guest blogger and Christian author Kelly Martin shares her writing journey and a word of encouragement this morning. Welcome, Kelly!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
(NLT)
I love the title of this blog, A Word of Encouragement. I
have an ‘encouragement’ blog as well: Encourage 365. I firmly believe that
encouragement is needed in this life to build people up and just plan keep them
going.
There are times when people who give encouragement, need to
get it. I can’t speak for Laura, but I know that I get down sometimes.
Thankfully, God always sends me someone to help me, give a kind word, a smile,
a scripture, a word of encouragement.
My sister, Kathy, is one of those people. A little over a
year ago, I decided I was going to write a book—not just a book, a novel in 30
days (Nanowrimo—National Novel Writing Month). This was a crazy idea—not only
because a WHOLE novel in just a month is a hard goal, but also because I have
three small kids, a husband, teach full-time, and do so much other stuff. With
her encouragement, I did it.
The first draft got finished before Thanksgiving last year…
and I have to tell you, it was pretty rough! (as rough drafts tend to be). With
her help, I read, revised, and edited until I got it ready to send to
agents/publishers. In July, I signed a contract with Astraea Press for my Young
Adult/Christian book CROSSING THE DEEP to be published on Oct. 9th!
There were so many times I wanted to quit. So many crying
texts to her… fussing texts… frustrated texts… worrywart texts… what if texts
(actually she’s still getting those). But each time, she encouraged me to keep
going.
Folks, we have no idea how far our encouragement goes.
If you see someone at the store and God tells you to tell
them something, do it. It could make their day! I know it’s hard. My husband is
much better at it than I am, but encouraging others is something we need to do.
The world is full of negative, violent, upsetting images/news
stories; don’t you think it’s time to spread some positivity around?
Encourage each other. Say a kind word. Smile. Don’t knock
anyone’s dreams. You never know what God has in store for them—and He just
might have put you in their lives to get them there J
I want to thank Laura for allowing me to guest on her blog
today. I truly appreciate it! If anyone reading this needs prayers or a word of
encouragement, you can email me at ohthatmomagain@yahoo.com or go to my
blogs: www.encourage365.com and www.kellymartinstories.com.
When religious Rachel Harker gets lost with Asher
Jenkins, a skeptic, on a church sponsored hiking trip, she expects help to come
quickly. Still lost five days later, she wonders if God is listening at all. As
she slowly loses her faith, Asher is forced to find his.
~Kelly Martin is a writer, blogger,
mommy, teacher, wife, sleep deprived lady (not necessarily in that order). She
loves to write young adult/Christian fiction and thinks there needs to be more
of it in the world. Her first book, CROSSING THE DEEP, is being released TODAY
from Astraea Press. Her second book, SAINT SLOAN (also a YA/Christian novel)
will be out in late winter 2013. When Kelly isn't
writing, she's thinking about writing-- or watching youtube.
She can be bribed with chocolate and free ink
pens.
Follow me on twitter: @martieKay
or on facebook: Kelly Martin, Author
OR on my blog: www.kellymartinstories.com
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