About Writing

Posted on by

I saw the subject line on the email first. It read “Blogging Opportunity”.

Hmm…that sounds interesting. The note came from my blogging friend Linda from Creekside Ministries , which made me even more curious. Linda and I have been connected through blogging since my Evangelize To Me days. She has a wonderful blog site, and several months ago, she offered a free half-hour blog review, so we got to talk on the phone too. I knew whatever she was offering would be fun.

She asked if I’d like to join in on a blog-hop with a writing theme. I would answer some questions, and then be able to introduce three blog friends to everyone. The timing was right (as you know, it’s been busy around here!), and I loved the concept. So here we go!

Part One/Answer Questions

1) What am I writing or working on?

I’m trying to balance my time between blog writing and writing for magazine submissions. The blog posts are shorter, but that doesn’t mean they’re easier. I used to post three times a week, but that didn’t leave enough time to work on freelance assignments, so now I blog on Mondays and Thursdays. On Saturdays, I post a thought or image for the week.

Currently I am very busy being rejected by magazines. It’s a humbling experience, and like many writers, I often wonder why I’m doing it. But I always find my way to writing again, or reworking what I have. As long as I feel compelled to do it, I’ll keep submitting and hope for the best.

2) How does my work differ from others of it’s genre?

My work is different because…well, it’s me. But beyond that, I try to make the main theme the small daily events that God uses to speak so clearly. I hope my own ‘voice’ is clear and conversational, because I like the banter back and forth in the ‘comment’ section. I blog to share faith, but also to connect. What good does it do to share in a vacuum? I cherish all my blog-friends.

3) Why do I write what I write?

I did share how I got started started in writing in the “About” tab, but if you haven’t read it, I’ll just say I felt called to share the thoughts that seemed to always be running around my head.

It’s interesting how God identifies and calls us to our passion. My last job was as an office nurse, and I worked there for over twelve years. It never would have occurred to me to write as a hobby or profession. I think I am living proof that God works in mysterious ways.

4) How does my writing process work?

This is a hard question, because every time I read it, I laugh!

All I can say is that when I start to freak out about having nothing to say, God chooses that moment to back up the dump truck of ideas and lay a few at my feet. Phew!

I like to start writing on yellow legal pads. It’s easier to scratch out, draw arrows, make grocery lists and then throw away the first drafts. It’s much more satisfying to wad up the offending pages and play b-ball with the garbage can than just hit ‘delete’. What’s the fun in that? When I finish tinkering, I’ll move to the computer, typing and editing from there.

===========

Part 2/Meet the Bloggers

I met Kim Adams Morgan within of weeks of starting to blog. We both launched our blogs at the same time, and we had many angst-ridden emails to each other trying to figure out ‘how to’. She has a very busy and eclectic blog. There are guest bloggers, recipes, fashion style; all with a theme of celebrating the Lord.

Kim-Headshot-1-1-of-1 I am a Christian who leaks Jesus. I can’t help it. I want everyone to hear His message. My passion is helping people live God-centered lives. I love design; one of my favorite things to do is consignment shopping. It feels great to save something from the landfill and give it new life. I also love cooking and creating new recipes. Rick and I have been married almost 10 years and have an adult daughter. We love to do organic cooking and gardening. It has been a great health choice for us. I write at Pouring Down Like Rain. www.kimadamsmorgan.com

vsem2 Victor is a Catholic Christian blogger from England. I think I met him as a result of one of his comments on another blog. He is faithful, funny, whimsical and inventive all rolled into one. I can be laughing out loud at his blog posts, or sit in wonder at the wisdom of one of his characters, Fr. Ignatius. He is the author of Visions, and I am the proud owner of a signed copy.

Victor Moubarak was born at an early age as a baby a long time ago in a far away northern land where men were strong and big and tough and women told them what to do. In his life Victor has faced many ups and downs, especially when working as an elevator attendant in a Department Store. He was quick to learn however the usefulness of books and always carried with him a large volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica. It was particularly useful for standing on and reaching the top button in the elevator.

His hobbies include sitting down, writing and painting. He has written a few books to be found on his website and blog and he is currently busy painting an old chair and the garden gate and fence. He blogs at: Time For Reflections

=

Shade is a new friend who was recommended by another blogger. I’m so glad I wandered over to her visit her. She writes in such an encouraging way, you can’t help but feel lifted every time you visit. The posts are always grounded in Scripture, and take me from emotion to faith every time with her down-to-earth and relatable themes.

shadeakinbiyi-profile.jpg “Shade Akinbiyi is a visionary woman with the passion to reach out with compassion to the hurting and hopeless. Through the application of  Scripture she encourages and inspires many to the realization of their unique identity in Jesus Christ. She equips by teaching them with the truth of God’s written word, which in turn transforms and empowers them to walk in their purpose. Shade is blessed with 2 adult children, John and Mary. She lives in the United Kingdom with her family.” You can visit Shade at Prophetic Voice

I hope you’ll all visit these bloggers, I know they’d love to meet you! And don’t forget to join me at Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook !

56 thoughts on “ About Writing ”

  2. Thank you so much Ceil for the wonderful introduction you gave me to your Blogging friends. I am so glad I discovered your Blog a while back. The reason I visit often here is because your writing style is compelling and you always have something hopeful and encouraging to say.

    We never know who visits our Blogs without us knowing and without leaving a message. There is a good chance therefore that someone visiting may be reading about Christ for the first time in their lives. Isn’t this wonderful? And what a privilege if what we write is the first step towards a lifelong journey with Our Lord.

    So, to quote our great English Beard William Shakespeare (Beard or Bard?); anyway … to quote him: Blog on! Blog on my friend. Until your socks pop off!

    Best wishes Ceil for a great success in your writing.

    God bless you and yours.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Victor! Thank you for your kind words about my writing, that is so encouraging. And you are so right. Who knows who visits and why? We are all working for Christ after all.

      I wish us BOTH success in our writing. I know you continue to work on longer projects. Writing is not an easy thing for me, but I hope it just flows for you :)
      Blessings my friend,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  3. Keep on writing! You do a great job and there’s a magazine that will realize that!
    I enjoyed your intro to these 3 bloggers. I was struck by Kim’s comment about leaking Jesus – what a wonderful thing to strive to do.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Mari! Thank you for your encouragement! I’ll keep trying as long as the desire is there. And that was a great phrase from Kim, wasn’t it? Very descriptive! I hope you’ll visit her, and see how that is in evidence on her blog.

      Thank you for being here today. It’s always good to see you :)
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Lulu! Oh thank you my friend! We all need encouragement now and again, and you have given me some :)

      I think you’ll like these bloggers, I know you visit Victor already. They are lovely people, just like you.

      Happy Tuesday to you too!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  5. This blog hop thingy is delightful. I’ve continued to enjoy these posts. I love the opportunity to get to know friends better and to find they too couldn’t help but to laugh over the question “How does your writing process work?” Still not sure how I’d answer that question other than to ask, “There should be a process?” I will have to be sure to check out your friends. I do know and love Kim. Thanks for sharing, Ceil. I look forward to seeing you again soon. xoxo

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Beth! So you know where I’m coming from with the whole process thing. I think there must be as many ‘processes’ as there are people. We all just hope it works!

      Thank you for visiting these bloggers, they really are lovely. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

      See you soon!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  6. Hi Ceil, One can tell have you have a gift for writing…A gift from God. I’m looking forward to meeting your friends….hope you have been doing well! My blogging time has been cut short through renovations….even though I try to post on FB and 1-2 times a month on my blog. We are living in perilous times all around us and need Christ more than ever….I’m so glad to know him! And how I sense a “christian” movement of God like never before….evil trying to destroy, but more and more turning to Jesus…the son of the living God! I will be visiting these blogs soon….Blessings~~~

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Roxie! Oh my gosh, how nice to see you again! I’m sure you are really busy renovating that cottage with your husband. I’ll have to check out your blog and see if there are any photos?

      Thank you for visiting my friends here too. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do, they are great people! As you know, people of faith can conquer evil with God on our side. And these are people of faith.

      So great to see your name pop up in the comments, thank you for your visit. I’ll be by soon :)
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  7. I love how you’ve hopped, Ceil!

    What can I say except it’s so neat to read a bit more about you. And I can’t wait to head off to meet your friends. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that any friend of yours will be a friend of mine …

    And I can’t help believe that you’re going to get a YES from a magazine before long. And then we’re going to party. Big time. Til then, I’m so grateful to visit with you week in and week out.

    ;-}

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Linda! Well, I have to thank you for proposing this hop to me, and being so patient with timing. It made all the difference in my participation.

      Thank you for visiting these bloggers, I think you’ll appreciate their faith and thoughts. And YES! When I am accepted somewhere, we are going to P-A-R-T-Y, even if it has to be remotely :)

      Bless you, my good friend,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  9. Hi Ceil Ryan! Long story short, I’m usually not in favor of pyramid schemes but I like this Christian “ONE” because at this time it appears to be based on “The Trinity”, The Three sides of “GOD” (Good Old Dad) His Son “Jesus” and “The Holy Spirit” with a touch of our “Blessed Mother Mary” on the side. Right?…lol

    God Bless

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Patty! Aw, that is so nice of you to mention my haircut. Actually, it’s now a chin-length bob. I got tired of short. Good thing our hair grows, right?

      You have a great week too my friend, thanks for stopping by!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  11. I did this blog hop a few weeks ago. I love meeting new bloggers and getting introduced to great writing. I’m looking forward to heading over to their sites. It was fun learning a little more about you too. I love the puppy picture in your header. Do you raise cute fluffs of fur while you keep at your busy writing schedule?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Deb! I really like meeting new bloggers too. There are so many out there, how can we get to every site without a little networking? I’m pretty sure that’s how I met you.

      Thank you for the compliment on the puppies. I didn’t raise any furry animals at all, I’m allergic! But they were so cute, and I know that many love dogs. And who doesn’t like a little puppy? So cute :)

      Thank you for your visit today Deb. So nice to see you!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  12. This post was a delight – on so many levels. I really enjoyed learning more about you, and about what you’re up to in the writing realm. I especially loved hearing about the yellow legal pads! YES!! (Even though in my case more b-ball occurs than writing a lot of the time…just sayin’)

    Blog Land was blessed with a refreshing new voice when you entered it. I am glad to have found you, friend. And I look forward eagerly to all those ideas that God will be dumping on your doorstep in the future.

    GOD BLESS!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Sharon! Your comment just warmed my heart, thank you so much for your kind words! And from a fellow yellow-legal pad lover too… I am so glad that we are connected through our blogs, it was a good day when we found each other, wasn’t it?

      Let’s both keep writing about what God gives us!
      Have a restful night, and I hope you make many wastebasket two pointers!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Jennifer! It is fun to read how people write, I agree. And I think we are all a little different too.

      Thank you so much for your prayers for the articles. I will let you know as soon as I hear something positive :) You are a good blog-friend Jennifer. I really appreciate your support.

      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  14. Ceil
    I always so enjoy all your writing …
    And thanks for the introduction to all of these bloggers .
    Always a pleasure to get to know more about you and your writing …

    Be well and keep on writing …

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Margie! Thank you for your kind words, I’m so glad we enjoy each other’s work so well. You are such a faithful visitor here, I really treasure our blog-friendship.

      Let’s both keep writing and encouraging each other :)
      Blessings,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  15. Ceil,
    I am impressed at how you are first submitting to magazines – (I have yet to do this) – and how you are persevering which means you are that much closer to “yes”….thanks for introducing me to three new bloggers…praying you get a “yes” soon and God continues to encourage you as you write :)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Dolly! Welcome back from your blog-break! It’s so nice to see you here.

      I don’t know how impressive it is to keep being rejected, but at least I’m trying. Thank you so much for your powerful prayers, I really appreciate them. I’m hopeful that I’ll get a chance soon to have a published article. I’ll let you know if it happens :)

      Have a restful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Chris! Thank you for visiting today, and reading my responses to the blog-hop questions. It was very fun, and I’m glad Linda gave me a chance to be a part of it.

      It is nice to read about people’s writing process isn’t it? Kind of a sneak peak into each creative process. I bet you write differently than I do. Seems like everyone has their own way. God is good!

      Have a restful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  17. Hi Ceil,
    I know the feeling of not having enough time to do everything. I haven’t blogged for a while, I can only write when I am inspired to do so and still have not got all my paper writings together.
    Your recommended bloggers look very interesting and I must go over and visit them.
    God bless you and your family.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Brenda! So I am not the only one to feel that way…thank goodness! Writing just seems to take so much time, time I don’t always have enough of.

      I hope you enjoy these bloggers as much as I do. They are great people!
      Nice to see you here :)
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  18. Hi Ceil!
    Thank you so much for inviting me on blog hop. I’m so very grateful for your lovely words and giving me the opportunity of meet your blogging friends. I count it great a privilege and it’s very kind of you!

    Always enjoy reading your post, full of wisdom. I Also love the creative edge to your writing! I find your writing style quite unique and interesting. And what I love most about your writing is the God centred attitude to it. Like I’ve said before, I feel truly blessed to be connected to and also to learn from a gifted writer like yourself.

    Don’t worry, but be encouraged, the Lord will open the right door in the magazine world at the right time as you continue to be faithful to your heavenly Father :)
    I am so looking forward to introducing you on my blog soon. Again many thanks and appreciation my friend! Remain blessed as always!

    Have a beautiful day :)

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Shade! Thank you for your lovely words about writing Shade, and you are so right about timing. Only God knows the hour, certainly I don’t, and it’s better that way. I think that as long as I feel drawn to do it, it must be right.

      I hope you know that you are such an encouragement to me. I always find your blogs to be thoughtful, faithful and uplifting. That’s what I, and everyone needs these days!

      Have a wonderful Wednesday,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  19. Ceil, Hello there, friend. Thank you for including me in this hop. It was wonderful to stop by and see some of your other friends. Love your process with the legal pads, I may have to try that. I just know you have many a yes coming your way.

    Soon they will all see what we here see: a wonderful, talented writer with a heart for sharing her stories of faith and family.

    Many blessings to you.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Kim! Aw…thank you so much for your kind words my good friend. If I am ever feeling discouraged, I can come here and get energized! You are really a wonderful blog-friend.

      I wonder what your writing process is…are you going to post your answers next week? I’d love to hear how a ‘legal pad-less’ system works!

      It was great to include you, my pleasure!
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Floyd! Well, you wouldn’t know because I don’t talk about the magazine writing at all. It’s a goal, and I hope I get there at some point. Thank you for your supportive words, I appreciate it!

      I hope you’ll visit and enjoy these bloggers as I have. They are really great people. It’s great to make those connections.

      Have a restful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  22. In this blogging community, the writing is important – yes – but so are the people, the connections – and the giving of the heart! The blessings just don’t stop when we don’t just talk about Jesus – but we reach out to love on those He’s given us – and so many wonderful friendships He’s given through so many blogging for Him!
    Maryleigh

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Maryleigh! Thank you for reaching out to love on me a little! It’s always nice to see you.

      It is great to make blog-friends, and I hope you’ll visit the people being featured here. They are really wonderful bloggers, and I hope you will enjoy them as I have. I always like meeting new people, and making those connections that you are talking about. As I mentioned in the post, it’s no fun writing in a vacuum!

      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  23. Ceil: What fun getting to know you better! And I love it when God chooses an “unlikely” vessel to share His love and grace with those around them! Hang in there–one of those magazine editors will see the sparkle in your writing and publish a story or ten!

    Hugs
    Jen

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jen! Thank you for your kind comment, you have been published many, many times, so you know how the process goes. I hope it will happen someday, so I’ll just have to keep trying!

      God does move in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?
      Happy Thursday :)
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  25. Hi Ceil,

    I stumbled across someone else doing this same bloghop too. I wonder who that was now… hm. :) Thanks for this. Keep plugging away at magazine article writing too! I have had some published and am going to stick at it too. It’s always exciting to see one’s article come out, isn’t it? It makes me girlishly giddy each time.

    Re your comment on my post “The First Time I Every Prayed THAT Before Vacation,” glad to have you riding along in your mind’s eye, Ceil. :) Thank you!

    I like your guest prayer as well. The sentiment of wanting to be a blessing, a gift, is so true, huh?

    Have a great week, Ceil,
    Jennifer Dougan

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jennifer! I’m not surprised, this bloghop as been going on for a few months now. I was so grateful to Linda that she was flexible with her timeline, so I could join in at this late date.

      Congrats on the publishing! That’s so exciting, and I’m so happy for you! I appreciate your kind words, and I am not giving up yet :)

      Yes, I think everyone serious about their faith wants to be seen as a blessing to God and to each other. That’s what we are here for, so prayers to be graced that way are really heard. Nice to be on the same page with you!
      Happy Weekend,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

  26. Fun getting to know you better as a writer. Rejection is so hard and just plain part of this business. I keep reading though the successful writer is the one who didn’t quit so don’t give up! God called you!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jean! Congrats again on the publication of your book, that’s so exciting! And I have read the same advice…just don’t give up, keep trying, don’t get discouraged. So far, so good. I’m not quitting yet!

      Thank you for your encouraging words. We’ll see what happens!
      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Marcia! Thank you for your kind words my friend. And you have your book coming out soon too! I am so excited for you, and I know it was a long road. It’s so great to get to know each other through our blogs, thank you for your visits. It’s always fun to see your name pop up in the comments.

      Have a peaceful night,
      Ceil

      Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *