Annslee Urban: It's All Part of the Journey

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The desire to write is a passion. A spark deep inside writers that can’t be squelched. No matter the turmoil, negative critiques, rewrites, rejections…a writer keeps on, trudging down the path to publication.

But, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy road for most. While we dream of publishing contracts, best selling novels, the word author as part of our bio; criticism, redirection and rejection often become the norm as we hone our craft. So, how do we handle the growing pains along the road from writer to author?

Well here are some thoughts:

• Don’t take criticism or rejection personally. Consider the rejection or critique as constructive feedback. Check your manuscripts over, dig in and try to understand what others are seeing or not seeing. If something is missing, fix it!
• Consider the source for any negative feedback. Did the comment come from someone familiar with your genre? Not everyone likes the same type of storyline, so find like writers and readers for effective critiques.
• Editors and agents have preferences and opinions that may not jive with your own. Don’t discount their feedback, but also don’t accept changes that don’t feel right.
• Keep writing! Stay determined. Stay true to your dream. The more you write the stronger your writing will become. And always be open to new ideas and incorporate workable suggestions.
• Remember that you are not alone. Most authors, even best selling, have received negative critiques and/or rejections. You are in good company!
• Remain prayerful. God has a plan and His timing is perfect.

Writing takes hard work and diligence, but the payoff is fabulous. People always appreciate what they’ve worked for!

After many critiques and some noteworthy rejections of my own the call finally came. A personal accomplishment for me and the Lord!


SHE'S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…

…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.


Annslee Urban grew up watching old-time romance movies, which she attributes to her passion for sweet romance, true love and happy endings. A daydreamer at heart, Annslee began her writing journey when the youngest of her five children started school. For several years she worked as a freelance writer for newspapers in her community and has written for magazines and online publications.

Raised in the foothills of Arizona, she survived temperature shock when she moved to Western Pennsylvania, before setting in North Carolina with her husband and children. Aside from writing, Annslee works part-time as a Registered Nurse in the Behavioral Health field. She is a member of ACFW, and has served as on the board of Carolina Christian Writers. She currently has 4 published novels. Her current book, Broken Silence, Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, came out in March 2015.

When she isn’t writing, Annslee enjoys cooking, traveling to faraway places, playing with grandbabies and all things chocolate!

Contact Annslee:

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Jayna Morrow: Kind Words for Authors

Jayna Morrow

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. - Proverbs 15:4

I recently watched a video on YouTube, a compilation of advice for authors by some of the most well-known authors of today. Write for yourself, write every day, write what you know, and be persistent. These ideas are nothing new, but to hear them from the best in the business makes it that much more powerful.

And therein lies the critical component—inspiration. Our brains know many things, but sometimes it takes an outside source to get the message to our hearts. We can learn a lot from those who've traveled the path before us. Action is only half of what it takes. Motivation makes up the other half. Writing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Putting your bottom in the seat is the easy part, but wrapping your head around the task at hand is more difficult. That's why many authors post daily mantras to get the creative juices flowing. For Christian authors, scripture works well as the mantra of choice.

There is no denying the power of encouragement from others. It's a driving force that fuels all sorts of things from academics to athletics to art. Thoughtful words of kindness from professional authors in the business can give us the boost we need to make our daily word count. The book of Proverbs talks about this power to encourage in a positive way. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." (Proverbs 15:4)

Let's show Christ-like encouragement to our fellow authors, building each other up with joyful and positive words. Take a moment to call, text, write, or message some of your writer friends (or strangers) right now and encourage them today!

Jayna Morrow’s debut novel and a resource for writers have spent time on the Amazon Top 10 lists. Morrow brings to life heartwarming stories that embody realistic plots with an uplifting message, giving readers a sweet and warmly satisfying sense of love and hope.

Morrow is the author of the Sweet Home, Texas series, starting with her debut novel Garrett; numerous sweet contemporary and inspirational works; a short read with several other Prism Book Group authors, A Blizzard Wedding; a resource for writers, Layers Upon Layers, a book of devotionals for writers, Positive Thoughts for Writers, and several children’s books. She has been featured at eReader News Today, Daily Cheap Reads, Working Writers and Bloggers, Books for Book Lovers, The Old Stone Wall, Lilly’s Book Club, Book Goodies, Nearly Brilliant, Goodreads, and Christian eBooks Today. She is an active member of the East Texas Writers Association and is a regular guest speaker, presenting mini-workshops on plotting structure, drafting a novel in 30 days, and the layering process.

The Sweet Home, Texas series is now available at all online book retailers.  

In addition to writing novels, Morrow is an elementary school reading teacher. She and her husband, Chip, are patrons of the arts, especially fine arts and music. They also enjoy the outdoors and frequently go off-roading, canoeing, barge riding on Caddo Lake, and camping.

She is a devoted mother to two precious little girls, Rebekah and Ella, and spends a majority of her time creating memories with them. Jayna, Chip, and the girls live in East Texas, near the Lousiana border. You can find out all about the writer and her books at www.jaynamorrow.com.