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.