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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » The Writing Life » Page 19

The Writing Life

You Can Be the Best

By Bob Hostetleron August 11, 2022
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I’m not the best. At anything, it seems. I flunked out of C Ball in Little League. I squeezed four years of high school into five. I’ve written a lot and even won a few awards, but many others are far better writers than I am. I strive for excellence in virtually everything I do; but as a writer, speaker, preacher, literary agent, and blogger, I fall short of “the best.”

Maybe you can identify. “The best” is a “hard row to hoe,” as someone more “country” than I might say. And no matter how gifted or blessed you might be as a writer, there are probably others who are more so.

But guess what? You can be the best. It’s a matter of focus. Wisdom. Choice.

In fact, no matter how disadvantaged you may be—or feel—and regardless of how many rejections or frustrations you face, I think I can identify at least twenty things that you can be “the best” at as a writer, if you so choose:

  1. Praying
  2. Writing bad first drafts
  3. Starting over
  4. Reading widely
  5. Reading deeply
  6. Receiving critique
  7. Welcoming (e.g., in your writers group or at a conference)
  8. Helping
  9. Listening
  10. Encouraging other writers (on social media, for instance)
  11. Hoping
  12. Smiling
  13. Laughing
  14. Trying
  15. Caring
  16. Complimenting
  17. Waiting
  18. Reviewing (e.g., posting ratings or reviews of others’ books)
  19. Rejoicing with others
  20. Persevering

When you look at it like that, the strains and struggles of the writing life become much brighter, don’t they? There may not be many contests to enter or awards to earn for the list above; but if you were to choose to be the “prayingest,” “encouragingest,” or “smilingest” writer out there, you’d have a great shot. And you’d have a great time as you do, instead of all that gloomy focusing on submissions and contracts and publishing. Am I right? Of course, I’m right. Because I’m the best at being right.

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life

God’s Unique Provision

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 10, 2022
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Years ago, when I wrote books as work-for-hire projects, I joked with my husband, “I got another contract. Wonder which appliance will break down now?” The comment wasn’t entirely in jest. Proceeds from book contracts did indeed replace most of our kitchen appliances. Writers usually think of God’s provision as receiving a new contract. But the Lord provides in other ways too. One example happened …

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Category: The Writing Life

How to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 9, 2022
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Author and writing coach Becca Puglisi shares tips and tools to help you write believable characters that your readers will love.
You can listen to this episode How to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi on Christian Publishing Show.

Read moreHow to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi
Category: The Writing Life

How to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 9, 2022
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Author and writing coach Becca Puglisi shares tips and tools to help you write believable characters that your readers will love.
You can listen to this episode How to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi on Christian Publishing Show.

Read moreHow to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi
Category: The Writing Life

How to Write Realistic Characters with Becca Puglisi

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 8, 2022
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Author and writing coach Becca Puglisi shares tips and tools to help you write believable characters that your readers will love.www.NovelMarketingConference.com Support the show

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Category: The Writing Life

The Power of Discernment

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 28, 2022
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Some years ago, I overheard a clerk in a religious bookstore say to a customer, “These ideas are dangerous!” While I appreciate efforts to guide readers to helpful books, I don’t believe we as readers should live in fear of ideas. For instance, if I were gullible enough to agree with everything I read and see, I might be: Ingesting pills that supposedly contain vegetables and …

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Category: The Writing Life

My 10 Favorite Writer Movies

By Bob Hostetleron July 21, 2022
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I would rather read than watch a movie; but my wife, the lovely Robin, is a lover of movies. So I’ve seen more than a few. I lean toward comedy and away from fantasy. And far away from horror. And I especially enjoy an occasional movie about a writer or the writing life. So, since I know that some readers of this blog have nothing else to do with their time, I’d like to offer a Top Ten List of my …

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Category: Inspiration, Personal, The Writing Life

How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on July 19, 2022
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Tips from busy mom and author Asheritah Ciuciu on setting boundaries and upholding your calling to parenting and writing.
You can listen to this episode How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu on Christian Publishing Show.

Read moreHow to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu
Category: The Writing Life

How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on July 19, 2022
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Tips from busy mom and author Asheritah Ciuciu on setting boundaries and upholding your calling to parenting and writing.
You can listen to this episode How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu on Christian Publishing Show.

Read moreHow to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu
Category: The Writing Life

How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on July 18, 2022
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How to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciuwww.NovelMarketingConference.com Support the show

Read moreHow to Find Time to Write As a Busy Mom With Asheritah Ciuciu
Category: The Writing Life
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