Life's Plot Twists and Changes

Hello (Again) Everyone,

If I read a novel with as many plot twists as I've found in my life, I'd probably be just as confused as those of you who wonder exactly what is going on with this project and blog. But the one twist that has not yet happened is that I have not quit. :-)

To see what I am doing now, please visit http://crystalwrites.wordpress.com where I am training myself to write more regularly by doing a daily blog on readings from the first five books of the Bible (Torah Portions), and have kept that up successfully for 9 months now.

As for what happened with this blog and project...

• I went back to work too early, and then fell at work, so I required another surgery that was much harder on me.
• The second surgery has not been nearly as successful.
• Between the injury and fibromyalgia, I've been in a lot of pain and have an abundance of fatigue, but through God's mercy and grace, I still walk in the joy of His presence, and I'm still able to type and communicate.
• I've had some family issues that have included sickness and death, and I put all my stuff on the back burner. I'm still playing catchup in the midst of ever-changing issues.
• In June of 2013, we moved from Kentucky to Indiana. I'm still unpacking. LOL
• In March of 2014, a nephew overdosed and has miraculously come out of his coma and is now in my care (as of May 2014) where I'm working to convince him that God loves him and that He gives second chances for a reason. It's more time and effort away from writing, but for his salvation, that's an easy exchange.
• And, finally, I'm spending way too many hours trying to fix things that are wrong with the new Blogger interface--not only for my blog but for other writers I work with, so I'm going to work on getting the project and blog moved over to Wordpress.

Stick with me, especially in prayer, and we will see God bring "Good Morning, Christian Writer" to fruition in its time. Thank you for all who continue to trust God with me for the benefit of this project and getting His word out to others.

Many blessings to all of you in everything you do--and write--for Christ.

Sincerely,

~Crystal

Has It Really Been Almost A Year?

So, here I am trying to prepare for the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference again, and I realize it has been almost a year since I have posted anything. What? Does working outside of being a freelance writer really take away that much of a writer's time? Apparently so.

Of course, I'm one who doesn't do so well when running up against obstacles, so when I ran into difficulties with blogger and with my health, it sort of put everything on hold. I tried to create a second blog for the book, hoping that starting with a little more knowledge would yield a better site, but that didn't seem to help either. Understand, I'm not complaining now, just learning and sharing with all of you what I have learned.

Anyway, I took this week off work, so I could be better prepared for the conference where I'll be teaching people how to present themselves in cyberspace. The saying is, "We teach best what we most need to learn." So, in all this preparation, I have learned that if your direction is out of focus, you'll make a whole lot more work for yourself, and you won't exactly look like you know what you're talking about--no matter how smart you are. Ah the blessings of learning the hard way ;-).

I'll close with this note: Yes, I am still working on the Good Morning Christian Writer project. Yes, I am still seeking submissions. Yes, I have a new enthusiasm for it and will be working diligently to get out of working outside the home, so I can get back to it full time. No, my healing is not what I want it to be, and I am looking at the possibility of another surgery, but, no, I won't let that stop me. Oh, and no I am not switching blog locations because transferring stuff and starting over just turned out to be too much work. I will, instead, work to revamp this blog and to stay in touch with all those interested in my project.

Blessings and Shalom to all who visit,

~Crystal

Has It Really Been Almost A Year?

So, here I am trying to prepare for the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference again, and I realize it has been almost a year since I have posted anything to either of my book blogs. What? Does working outside of being a freelance writer really take away that much of a writer's time? Apparently so.

I do know now, however, that it's actually harder to migrate everything over from the old blog, so since blogger fixed some of the issues I was having, I'll just go ahead and keep things over there. I won't close this one, but rather I'll use it to link to the original so no matter which site is saved, people can find out where I am with the book progress.

So, for the rest of this current post, click on the title to link to my main blog.

Blessings and Shalom to all who visit,

~Crystal

New Deadline - Welcome to Greater Philly Writers

Good Morning Christian Writers,

First of all, I want to let you all know that I am working on moving this blog over to one where I can sign in with the same address where I have everyone write and submit. I didn't know I wouldn't be able to change it later when I used my regular writing address, and I can't be signed in to both at one time, so I need to move. If after the move I can change the name back to this one, it won't matter, but in case I cannot, the one I'm moving to will be at ... http://morningwriterbook.blogspot.com if you want it for your records.

Next, as advertised in the headline, I have moved the deadline once more. The new deadline is September 30th, 2007. This move is to welcome writers who will hear about the project at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. That conference begins tomorrow, August 7th and runs through Thursday the 9th. For more information, see the website at ... http://www.writehisanswer.com.

If you are an attendee of the Greater Philly conference and have received the flier or other information for the project, I would like to personally welcome you on board. I truly appreciate Marlene for volunteering to spread the word for me, and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you when you request your own copies of the guidelines and samples. Remember to remove the spaces when you write to me at morningwriter @ gmail.com and don't forget to mention where you heard about the project.

Finally, I welcome all writers who are interested in participating with me in this unique venture into creativity and motivation for fellow writers. The blessings have already been more than I could have asked or thought to ask for. The project has become a joint effort as I have worked with writers to help develop their submissions into pieces they were sincerely satisfied with, and pieces that also met my vision for the finished product. One writer called it "our project" and that is a perfect description. As Christians, we cannot afford to be alone in this world, and this applies to our writing lives as well. What a precious gift to be a part of joining Christian writers together to encourage even more Christian writers all over the world.

May you all be abundantly anointed in every moment you live - and write - for Him!

With Shalom and Blessings in Christ,

~Crystal

New Book Blog for Good Morning Christian Writer

Good Morning Christian Writers,

To all who have been keeping up on my other blog, submitting, thinking about submitting, or who have just found this blog, hello and shalom in Christ.

I am moving the blog from http://morningwriter.blogspot.com over to here because I did not realize when I created it that I wouldn't be able to change the e-mail address associated with it once I had set up the account. I wanted this blog associated with the same e-mail address I receive my submissions to so I wouldn't have to sign out and in to different addresses to work on both submissions and the blog.

So, I have moved this here and will move the posts and comments over to here as I get time. Once it's all moved, I may see if I can rename it to use the original address, but I may write to everyone about the change anyway. For now, please look below to read the very first post I put on the very first blog entry.

~Crystal

Welcome to Attendees of KCWC 2007

Hello,

If you are visiting here because you heard about the project at the 2007 Kentucky Christian Writers Conference in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, I want to offer you a special welcome and thanks for acting on my recent call for submissions. I look forward to hearing from you in an e-mail request for guidelines and again with at least one submission to the project.

Because of the pace of the conference, we couldn't really tell you everything about the project, but you will learn a whole lot about it and about me through the guidelines and samples. You can also learn something from previous posts at this blog. I will give you a little bit more information here in this post, however, so you won't have to search back for old posts if you are time crunched.

First, I have been a member of Louisville Christian Writers for almost ten years now. In that time, I have learned the value of a good critique. At LCW meetings, we try to dedicate at least one hour of each meeting to critiques so we can help other writers with encouragement and instruction. Learning how to give and receive critiques has helped all of our members gain strength as writers and as self-editors. Recently, our members have pledged to take what we've learned at LCW and pass it on as a mission to strengthen other writers. I believe this project was born out of that desire.

Most writers enjoy writing. Most also enjoy writing prompts to get some focus and direction for their writing days. And, between the Internet and the Writer's Digest Book Club, it's pretty easy to find prompts and exercises to enjoy. But Christian writers (Christians who write) have a couple unique needs that are not often met by the current books available for writers. We need encouragement to remember that our writing is a calling, and we need prompts to remind us that we can write about non-church subjects and still be a Christian writer because we write from a Christian perspective. The Good Morning Christian Writer book will strive to meet both of these unique needs.

To meet these needs, I am requesting submissions for encouraging devotional articles that give examples of those things in your lives that have encouraged you as a writer. Your encouragement could have come in the form of a word from a friend, a message at a conference or workshop, a Scripture, a time of prayer, or just about any word or event that helped you to get to or stay on your "writer's feet." Along with the articles, I am looking for prompts or exercises that relate to the articles and can help other writers apply the inspirations effectively. If a writer cannot supply an exercise or prompt, I encourage him or her to submit anyway because there may be a writer out there who has only a prompt or exercise and can't seem to find a topic for a devotion to go with it.

If you are a writer and would like to see samples of these devotion/exercise combinations, please click here to drop me an e-mail and request the guidelines and samples. The Word 2000 document I will send out will include a letter to writers, the call for submissions, and two sample submissions. It will instruct you on formatting, rights, compensation, and other information you might want to know before submitting.

I hope to hear from you soon and I look forward to working with you in both the submission and editing process. I will try to give you a kind and thorough critique and I will do my best to help your writing pass the qualifications to be published in the GMCW compilation. I believe that if my goal is to encourage other writers, it must begin now with the writers in this project.

Thank you with sincere blessings that you all may be blessed and find shalom in all you do--and write--for Christ,

~Crystal A. Murray
Project Creator & Author

Successful Surgery

Hello Everyone,

Well, I am now right at three weeks post-op (the title links to a site that describes the surgery for any who are interested) and so far I have found both success and victory. I did not get a chance to update the blog during the week between my scheduled surgery date and the actual surgery, but in case you were wondering where I went to school, yes I know that May 23rd to June 20th would be four weeks rather than three. What happened?

I did everything I was supposed to do to have surgery on the 23rd. After total preparation, including needles in my legs and arms to monitor my spinal cord, electrodes and glue on my scalp to monitor my vocal cords, a pre-op shot and a dose of Versed, I was taken to the operating room and asked to move from the bed to the operating table. When they started hooking up all the needles and electrodes to the machines, they realized that neither their old machine, nor the newer-but-still-old borrowed machine, was going to work for them ever again. My surgeon would not operate without being able to monitor these important nerve functions, so I had to wake up as much as possible so I could go home and sleep off all the medicine.

When two machines fail, a person has to know that it just isn't God's will for things to happen the way they were planned. My surgery was rescheduled for the 30th and the cord monitor techs were very happy because they got a brand new machine. My surgery the next week went well, and according the doctor, went perfectly. My nephew was able to come out, since his school let out on the 29th, and help my husband take care of me. Not only was it good for us to visit, but we were able to talk about him making a decision to serve God and I was blessed to pray with him. In addition, though I was supposed to be in a private room after the surgery, I ended up in a room with a lady who needed prayer and allowed me to minister to her before I went home the day after surgery.

I have no doubt that all things which came to pass, including the postponed surgery, were to act on whatever God had planned. I believe even the fact that I ended up needing surgery (though I believe in miraculous healing and have experienced it in the past) was a plan in God's perfect will for my life. I trust God in all things and it makes life much more enjoyable.

And yes, this even applies to the GMCW book. Though it has become back burner as I have struggled to keep up with my commitment to the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference with the deficit in my strength and the loss of time given to doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapy, it will get done on the schedule that God intends. And, though I will be adding a job to my already crunched time schedule, I believe I will be able to get more done in less time now that my arms and hands are not going numb and in excruciating pain.

So, while I can't give you a specific date for anything at this time, I can tell you that the project is still near to my heart and that I will move the deadline at least one more time. Since tomorrow is the official start date of KCWC (the social and book signing are open to the public if you happen to be in the Elizabethtown, KY, area on Thursday evening), I will move the date to July 31st and dedicate the month of July to the book project. Though I am still getting a bit tired and having some pain when I type long, as I have today, I expect that by July, I should be able to push myself hard enough to get through the editing and get something written to all my contributors.

In the meantime, I offer thanks and blessings to all who have prayed and are continuing to pray for my health and for the book project. I have felt many of the prayers and know that God has been more than gracious to me in these and all areas of my life. I pray you all will continue to be blessed in every moment you live - and write - for Him.

With sincere wishes for your shalom and blessings,

~Crystal

Surgery & Recovery

Hello All,

I will make this kind of short since my time - as is often the case - is short. Maybe it's because I'm short (4'10") that time runs short on me so often ;-)

Anyway, I actually did have a longer post completed and was highlighting it to copy and check the spelling as I generally do on all online posts. Apparently, while I was highlighting it, Blogger decided it was time to back up the draft and somehow erased everything I had highlighted. While I was looking for the way to restore the draft (since I had not actually hit the copy command yet), it did another update which means it updated an empty screen! Arghh! And just as I was getting ready to say I had overcome the problems I had with Blogger.

Okay, but I'm not going to be a big baby and throw a tantrum, I'm just going to rewrite the important stuff you all need to know. As it says in the title, I am getting ready to have the surgery I have been putting off for so long now. I have tried all other avenues and continually felt like God had plans for me to have the surgery. Once I became content with that, the door opened for a new and much better doctor, and everything else then fell into place, including school letting out so I will have a relative to stay with me as I recover.

In brief, sometime tomorrow (May 23rd) afternoon, the neurosurgeon will remove the damaged disk between my C6 & C7 vertebrae and replace it with a metal plate and 4 screws. We will then wait for it to fuse together which should prevent any more pressure on the nerves going through my neck and down my arms. Yeah for no more numb fingers and weakness.

So, even though this means I will be offline for awhile, and the project will slow down yet again, I believe it will progress in God's perfect time. Once it is done and I have recovered, I will be able to stay online and write and type longer and without pain, and that will most certainly be a welcome improvement. I have many prayers going into surgery with me, and I welcome all others who would like to pray.

During recovery, I hope to edit some of the submissions I have printed out while I am unable to get to the computer. I will also be continuing in my new job for my chiropractor, which has its own unique story that I may share later. In the meantime, I thank all of you who have submitted and who continue to bear with me on the time I am needing to get this project on a full roll. I ask you to stand with me until we see the book, Good Morning Christian Writer, on the shelves of bookstores and in the hands of Christian writers everywhere.

In the meantime, I have already been wonderfully blessed by some great writing and great communications with writers in the 10 months we have worked at this so far. I plan to create a forum (probably a yahoo group) where we can all talk to each other and even share other writing good news and links as we continue in this worthwhile project. Please continue to pray for God to work in my recovery, my level of energy, my priorities, and whatever else I need to nudge this project to its successful completion.

Thank you all once again.

Shalom with blessings in all you do - and write - for Him,

~Crystal

Blogger Problems & New Deadline

Hello All,

I will try to keep this short as one of the reasons no one has heard from me is due to nerve pain in my arms from a ruptured disk in my neck. It's hard taking any time to write or edit like this and I've been trying to get something done about it (and avoid surgery) since October.

So, a few times I have come to blogger to try and update, and since they moved everything to the new blogger, I have had a variety of problems. I thought maybe they would be fixed when things got out of beta, but it didn't help. I can no longer post my Psalm 23 parody, "The Lord is my Editor" because my profile won't allow any html tags. When I looked for help on it, nothing came up at first, but I just found the answer and it was supposedly fixed back in September. I also found the answer as to why my favorites (in my profile) suddenly won't react as links anymore and as of January 9th, they know this problem still exists. I guess that's why when I wrote to them for help, I got no response. It's frustrating though because I have always been a big fan of Google (who owns blogger) and have sent a lot of people here, but now I am having my doubts & these troubles keep me online longer than my pain wants me to be here.

Anyway, so that about sums up my lack of communication, other than two family deaths, a computer crash, the holidays, and other general life business. In the meantime, I am trying to get reenergized about this project and I hope to get a whole bunch more submissions, even if it means a whole bunch more work. I enjoy reading the great testimonies and exercises so many writers are sending in, and I guarantee this book will be an awesome work to have on any writer's shelf.

I said all of the above to bring you to the news to please keep writing for guidelines and keep sending submissions. The new current deadline is February 28th, 2007, and I will try to get in touch with everyone by then to let you know what happens from there. I will try to begin working on the proposal next week so we can get a firm contract from the publisher as well.

Take care all and keep living - and writing - for Him.

Another Deadline Extension? Yes!

Hello Writers,

Well, it took me all day to get through the "simple" stuff so I could get to this and update you. Most who have the address of this blog got my recent e-mail, but I still have e-mail to send to others who requested guidelines and have not yet submitted.

Anyway, as I've talked with people in person about submitting to my book, I've gotten some great responses, but some people needed more time. One of those who needs more time is running for a congressional seat from the state of Tennessee, so she has asked to have until after elections to start writing. (BTW, if Terri Weaver is in your district, please support her in the polls. She's a sincere Christian with a heart for Israel - and great musical talent too!)

The new deadline is set for December 7th. I didn't want submissions to end in November, just in case I decide to participate in National Novel Writing Month -http://www.nanowrimo.org - and I didn't want to let things go all the way to the end of the year. So, I randomly chose December 7th. Now, as I write this, it seems that Pearl Harbor Day is a fitting deadline since I like the number 7 and since my first written work that I remember getting an A+ grade on was in 7th grade and was about Pearl Harbor. (Hmm, I wonder what made me think of all of that just now.)

And with that, I shall close except to tell you that I now plan to update this blog at least once per week, and my plan is to work on it every Tuesday. So, if you want to know what's going on, check in on Wednesdays and if I didn't do an update, feel free to drop me a line and put a wiggly nudge on the end of it.

Thanks,

~Crystal

Jury Duty Update

This is just a very quick note to let everyone know that I am enjoying jury duty and learning all kinds of interesting stuff. I may be able to write devotions about it, or maybe it will make it into a future novel. What I can't seem to do however, is find time to read all the wonderful submissions to the book, or get the list of those authors with accepted stories onto this blog.

I have the J-Town Gaslight Festival and a wedding to attend this weekend plus a trip next weekend and a friend's surgery the week after jury duty ends, but I will try to get as much time in editing as I can and get some updates to those of you who are wondering what's going on.

In the meantime, continue to be in prayer for me, and visit my personal blog to read my September 8th post to check out my feelings about jury duty. Also, I should have my Psalm 23 parody coming out in The Christian Pen shortly.

Take care and may all be blessed as you live and write for Jesus,

~Crystal

Deadline Extension

Because of all my duties, I am extending the deadline for submissions to Good Morning Christian Writer to October 23rd. I know the date seems odd for a deadline, but I will remember it better because it is my best friend's birthday.

How's Busyness?

Busy, busy, and more busy is the best way I can describe this last month. I have sent out over 142 sets of guidelines and received around 100 submissions so far. Besides all of the other busyness of life, I really try to spend quality time working on the submissions and with the authors who have sent them.

See, I am not one of those who can just look at the submission and stamp it with either an acceptance or a rejection. On my soapbox, I think it would yield many more great writers (and less putting out unedited works in self-publishing venues) if publishing companies had "rejection departments" to explain to writers why their work "is not something they can use at this time."

As an editor, I desire to find the jewels in the writing I review and then to help the writer polish them. I'm finding it easier to search for treasure in the submissions I've received for this book because I have such a clear vision of the end product. Understanding this vision has given me more understanding of the Scripture that says, "Without a vision, the people perish." I can see how having a clear vision creates much less confusion than a person might have with just a foggy idea or a shadowy dream.

In addition to finding jewels, I want to offer encouragement to writers at all levels. I strongly agree with the quote, "Honesty without compassion is cruelty" and try to be extremely gentle and caring whenever I must tell a writer that his or her work is less than perfect. It's my golden rule as a writer since the more I learn about the craft, the more I cringe when I read my own previous works - both accepted and rejected. So far, the responses I've received from my critiques have encouraged me because writers have found them to be helpful and given with compassion.

Well, I could write more, including telling you all about the changes I've made to the guidelines and such, but I've got sleep calling and a busy day tomorrow. I'm trying to get as much work done as possible this week as my next two weeks may see me having little to no time with writing as I serve jury duty for the first time ever. If my jury call causes me to get too far behind, I will extend the submission deadline from September 30th to October 20th. I would like to be completely done with editing before November so I can once again participate in National Novel Writers Month (NaNoWriMo) in November.

On the jury duty, I ask for much prayer that I will also use honesty and compassion, and that God will lead me in every choice from what I am chosen to serve for to the decisions I must make during the service. I do not consider service on a jury to be a light thing because one way or the other, it will affect someone's future. If anyone has a prayer or piece of advice, feel free to comment or drop me a line. My comments are moderated, but I'll try to get to them as quickly as I am able.

I sign off with sincere thanks to everyone who has requested guidelines, submitted devotions, and for all those who have prayed for me and this project and sent blessings my way. May all of you be blessed with true shalom (peace that passes understanding) in every moment you live - and write - for our wonderful Creator and Savior.

~Crystal

130 Responses and I'm Going Camping

Hello All,

This will be a very short post, but I wanted to let you know that things with the book are going very well. I have sent out about 130 sets of guidelines now, and I still have a number of places to post the call for submissions. I won't post it until next week though because I am getting ready to go camping (the indoor air-conditioned dorm type) with Missionettes (like Christian Girl Scouts) for three days. I will have the privilege of teaching Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry by Lisa Bevere and I hope some young women will be walking away from that feeling much more like the princess God created them to be. I will take all prayers you all want to offer for me.

Oh, and please be in prayer for my pastor and his wife, Dave and Pam Heigl. They were in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. They just got the bike to save gas, and an employee in their city ran a stop sign in his truck and knocked them both from the bike. Pam is very scraped up and Pastor Dave has four fractured ribs and doesn't feel like eating or anything. Thanks in advance for your heart's compassions toward them as you read this. I believe God sees compassionate thoughts as prayer since He knows our hearts and our needs before we ask.

Okay, not as short as I intended, but I really will go now. Everyone take care and be blessed and remember to pray without ceasing for the true peace (and Prince of Peace) for Israel.

~Crystal

Over 100 Sets of Guidelines Now Sent

Good Morning Christian Writer,

On Wednesday evening, I posted the call for submissions to the CWG Yahoo group. With the responses I got today, I've passed the mark of sending out over 100 sets of guidelines and samples. I feel busy with responses since I try to visit the links included on the author's requests, but it has been very rewarding. I can't go into detail with all the treasures I've found on those links, but I will tell you that I have read life-changing articles, wonderful poetry, and some very good reports on the authors who are asking to submit to my book.

This project has already been a great experience for me and I can only see it getting better and better. I would say I wished I had thought of something like this sooner, but I trust God's timing and I have a feeling this will be an open door for me that leads into more than just developing my writing ministry. I'm so glad I am getting to meet some new friends to walk with me to wherever God is leading.

Pray for the peace of Israel and Jerusalem and may all be blessed in Christ with anointed shalom and balance,

~Crystal

Quick Update on Guidelines Sent

Good Morning Christian Writers,

This is just a quick update to thank my friend, Dara, for posting the call for submissions to some of her children's writer's groups. I received a huge response to the posting and sent out over 25 more sets of guidelines and samples today. On the new responses, I have been able to give people the link to this blog, so now I only need to go back to the first bunch and send them all links. On my next post, I will try to remember to let you all know how many submissions I have received so far.

Take care and may you all find blessings, balance and shalom in Yah-Shua (Jesus),

~Crystal

FIRST POST ON ORIGINAL BLOG

Good Morning Christian Writer,

Welcome to my new blog for this inspirational work in progress. I intend this to be a place where all those interested in the book and its author can track activities and find information. I welcome all visitors, whether you have an interest in contributing to the book or purchasing it once it is published. I will try to be diligent in letting all visitors know the status of calls for submission, submissions received, and writers approved for publication.

Since this is my first blog, and my first post, allow me to catch you up on some of the back information ...

In the July 11th edition of the CLASServices weekly update, I was privileged to have my call for submissions included as an upcoming writing opportunity. Sandra Aldrich, who had recently keynoted the Kentucky Christian Writers' Seminar where I worked as the coordinator for both the 2005 and 2006 events, posted the complimentary notice to which I received over 50 interested responses.

As of today, I have sent out approximately 55 sets of guidelines and samples with a deadline to receive submissions by September 30, 2006. I have received about 11 submissions so far, most of which should greatly inspire readers when this book comes out.

In addition to receiving submissions, I have gotten some wonderful (unsolicited) comments on the project and on the samples I wrote to go with the guidelines. Some of the comments have included:

"I can't wait for the devotional to come out: We as writers battle every day with who is on the other side of the screen; it's a lonely place at times. Encouragement is a must! Congratulations on this worthwhile project." ~Connie P.

"I am ecstatic over your idea of a devotional for writers. The samples you sent are very impressive. They have already inspired me." ~Susanne J.

"I'm sitting in my kitchen and tears are coming in torrents... I must have read your sample devotions a couple times when I received them, and twice again this morning. Crystal, sister in Christ and writer, you have no idea how I needed this message this morning. So, ... from my heart, this is so needed for those who want to use their talents and skills for the kingdom of God." ~Barbara P.

Upon receiving the last one, I called my husband into my office so I could read it to him and then tearfully exclaimed, "THAT is what I live for!" Even as a writer, I have trouble putting into words how much it means to me when someone is inspired by one of my creative efforts. I am blessed and humbled and give God all the credit. (After all, He holds the final copyright to everything, right?) So, even with my very best work, I stand by my motto, "The Lord is my editor, I shall rewrite." (Find my full parody of Psalm 23 for writers in my profile.)

In closing, let me add that I am not a morning person in the sense of time of day. But, I address readers of the book and of this blog by "Good Morning Christian Writer" in the sense that morning is the beginning of their writing day, whatever time that may take place. Now, in the infamous words of Truman Burbank (The Truman Show with Jim Carrey,) "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night."

~Crystal A. Murray - Project Creator and Author: Good Morning Christian Writer

Good Morning Christian Writer

Good Morning Christian Writer,

Welcome to my new blog for this inspirational work in progress. I intend this to be a place where all those interested in the book and its author can track activities and find information. I welcome all visitors, whether you have an interest in contributing to the book or purchasing it once it is published. I will try to be diligent in letting all visitors know the status of calls for submission, submissions received, and writers approved for publication.

Since this is my first blog, and my first post, allow me to catch you up on some of the back information ...

In the July 11th edition of the CLASServices weekly update, I was privileged to have my call for submissions included as an upcoming writing opportunity. Sandra Aldrich, who had recently keynoted the Kentucky Christian Writers' Seminar where I worked as the coordinator for both the 2005 and 2006 events, posted the complimentary notice to which I received over 50 interested responses.

As of today, I have sent out approximately 55 sets of guidelines and samples with a deadline to receive submissions by September 30, 2006. I have received about 11 submissions so far, most of which should greatly inspire readers when this book comes out.

In addition to receiving submissions, I have gotten some wonderful (unsolicited) comments on the project and on the samples I wrote to go with the guidelines. Some of the comments have included ...

• "I can't wait for the devotional to come out: We as writers battle every day with who is on the other side of the screen; it's a lonely place at times. Encouragement is a must! Congratulations on this worthwhile project." ~Connie P.

• "I am ecstatic over your idea of a devotional for writers. The samples you sent are very impressive. They have already inspired me." ~Susanne J.

• "I'm sitting in my kitchen and tears are coming in torrents... I must have read your sample devotions a couple times when I received them, and twice again this morning. Crystal, sister in Christ and writer, you have no idea how I needed this message this morning. So, ... from my heart, this is so needed for those who want to use their talents and skills for the kingdom of God." ~Barbara P.

Upon receiving the last one, I called my husband into my office so I could read it to him and then tearfully exclaimed, "THAT is what I live for!" Even as a writer, I have trouble putting into words how much it means to me when someone is inspired by one of my creative efforts. I am blessed and humbled and give God all the credit. (After all, He holds the final copyright to everything, right?) So, even with my very best work, I stand by my motto, "The Lord is my editor, I shall rewrite." (Find my full parody of Psalm 23 for writers in my profile.)

In closing, let me add that I am not a morning person in the sense of time of day. But, I address readers of the book and of this blog by "Good Morning Christian Writer" in the sense that morning is the beginning of their writing day, whatever time that may take place. Now, in the infamous words of Truman Burbank (The Truman Show with Jim Carrey,) "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night."

My Profile

CRYSTAL A. MURRAY

Author/Editor of Book Project:

"Good Morning Christian Writer"

First Blog Post - Used for My Profile

To me, a Christian writer is a Christian who writes. I don't believe Christian writers must write only Christian material anymore than I believe Christian photographers must take only pictures of churches & steeples. My difference (and what I think should be the difference for every Christian writer) is in my Editor...

The Lord is My Editor, I shall rewrite...

He lays me down in green pastures of fresh ideas.
He leads me by the quiet torrents of conflict and resolution.

He develops my characters and subjects.
He leads me from beginnings to middles,
and from middles to endings ...
for the plot's sake.

Yea, though my protagonist walks through pages of shadows of death,
He fears not the antagonist,
For a good ending is promised.

God's red pen and word-processor, they correct me.
God prepares new writers' books before me
in the presence of my Amazon wish list.
He anoints my printer with ink,
My paper tray overflows.

Surely acceptance and paychecks shall be offered me
for every story I write,

And I shall dwell in my home office as a freelancer
all the days of my writing life.