Summer 2015 Ted Houk Regatta Before the Races
Seasons of Writing
For every season of the year, my writing life changes. I used to try and power through the seasons and keep my routines the same throughout the year, but I think that's actually a bad idea. It's healthy to realize that each season is different in the year, and healthy to make changes in routines while keeping the long-term view ahead of us.
Here are five questions I try to consider for each season:
1. How have my goals held up the last three months?
2. Was I able to accomplish my goals in a healthy way?
Health means healthy living, healthy relationships, healthy attitude, and a healthy balance of time. (Not sure I've ever achieved all of these as well as I would like to, but I try to keep them in mind.)
3. What does this next season look like as far as life and family commitments?
4. What's the best way to fit my writing into this next season?
5. Are my goals reasonable?
As you know, I'm kind of crazy with my goals so that last question is really important.
Summer Vacation Devotions Release
Way back in 2009, Pastor Paul Schroeder of Peninsula Lutheran Church and Annette Plymale, Worship Director of PLC, encouraged me to write a group of family devotions for summer. In a tiny release of 100 copies hot off the church copy machine, it went out in a small blaze of glory - and a few more copies were needed for those who wanted more. It was pretty exciting and humbling. At the time, it felt like providence - as if God's hands were guiding the whole project and experience. As I said then and I say now - the good stuff is God's and any mistakes are mine.
God works in surprising ways and I'm now a part of a small non-denominational start-up church (I didn't see that coming in 2009 or even just a few months before it happened), Pastor Paul Schroeder is now a Pastor at a huge church in Idaho called Real Life Ministries, and Annette's son and my daughters compete on the same canoe and kayak team when they aren't making up silly films for Youth Sunday Worship, or helping with a Princess Bride movie night at church.
In the meantime, that little devotions book has been sitting and gathering dust, so after some recent encouragement from my mom and some prayer, I dusted it off and gave it a reboot. I am selling it for 99 cents for kindle (and eventually other e-readers) and for $4 at Lulu.
I'm giving all of my author earnings to Peace Rehabilitation Center in Nepal to fight human trafficking.
I'm giving all of my author earnings to Peace Rehabilitation Center in Nepal to fight human trafficking.
Here's the kindle link: Summer Vacation Devotions
And the Lulu link: Summer Vacation Devotions paperback
And the Lulu link: Summer Vacation Devotions paperback
Also, if you could help with a few tweets, I would really appreciate it!
Summer Vacation #Devotions - 15 Devotions for Families - Only #99cents for #Kindle http://tinyurl.com/omecffo @TyreanMartinson
Find Out What's Sweeter Than S'mores - Summer Vacation #Devotions - Only #99cents for kindle @Tyrean Martinson http://tinyurl.com/omecffo
Summer Vacation Devotions - 15 Devotions for Families - Only $4 per paperback! @TyreanMartinson http://tinyurl.com/omecffo
Fight Human Trafficking with Summer Vacation Devotions - all author earnings benefit Peace Rehabilitation Center http://tinyurl.com/omecffo
Summer Vacation Devotions - 15 Devotions for Families - Only $4 per paperback! @TyreanMartinson http://tinyurl.com/omecffo
Fight Human Trafficking with Summer Vacation Devotions - all author earnings benefit Peace Rehabilitation Center http://tinyurl.com/omecffo
Please note that the author proceeds are less than the sales price, but I will donate the amount that I receive as an author (or slightly more).
Do you change your writing habits to fit the seasons of your life?
And, has God ever stepped in and given you something new to do?
Awesome how you reflect on your goals at the change of the seasons. And are trying to do everything in a healthy way. I'm working on that too. My big challenge is a healthier balance between work and time off. I'm a work in progress with all the changes in my life watching to see how the universe will help it all unfold.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at your work ethic, Natalie! You do such a nice job of presenting authors and books. Thanks for all that you do!
DeleteGlad you revisited that devotional. God has guided me in many ways I didn't expect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex! I know what you mean. :)
DeleteI think asking those question is a great idea. For me, summer is more of a hunker down and get more writing done - preferably inside in the air conditioning! - while a lot of people are out and about more in the summer months.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the "reboot"!
That's kind of where I'm at this year, except I'm hunkering down in short bits. I have basically 35 days to write hard, and then it's rest time, and then another ten days of writing hard, and then prepping for back to school. It's scarily scheduled out.
DeleteMy writing habits are always changing. Now to go download your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane!
DeleteI write more during the winter months when I can't be outside. I adjust my goals accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense!
DeleteIt's great and wise to reassess and adjust as life demands. I'm trying to ease back into better habits at the moment after a half year of life whammies. Best of luck with the devotionals.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing amazingly well, M!
DeleteYou make such a good point about seasons. More than once, I've been disappointed because I wasn't keeping up with the same writing routine as I had earlier in the year. But it's important to stop and realize that we might have to change things around, because life changes. I'm currently trying to figure out my new routine in a new house. Good luck this summer, Tyrean!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your new routine in your new house, Shelley!
DeleteSome good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGod always presents us with new challenges... in different forms...
I'm off to tweet!!
Thanks, Michelle!
DeleteI like the idea of evaluating and revising your goals each season. Great questions to ask. Best of luck with the devotionals, sounds like a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie!
DeleteHi Tyrean! What great questions to ask--I may just have to steal them :-) Thanks for the inspirational post today. You've given me something to think about!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Randi!
DeleteGreat questions. I spend the month of May somewhat crazy-making by having a lot of goals, several of which were long shots. I wanted to see what would happen if I challenged myself more than usual. Definitely a mixed bag.
ReplyDeleteCool project! Happy to tweet it.
I know what you mean about the mixed bag - I'm kind of feeling overwhelmed by my projects at the moment.
DeleteAnd, thank you!!!
I try (not always successfully) to live in the moment, and give its season the respect it is due. At the moment I am revelling in crisp days and the elegance of deciduous trees. Summer causes me problems. My body doesn't cope well with the sweaty season and I tend to turn into a troll and only come out at night. I do know it is necessary, and that other people love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, speaking of love, I am really impressed at your support for the abolition of human trafficking. Thank you.
I hope you have some wonderful summer evenings without the heat of the day.
DeleteAnd, thank you!
I like these seasonal questions. I need to do something like this to help maintain focus. Congrats on the devotional!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen!
DeleteYour opening paragraph is filled with so much wisdom. I completely relate ... now. It's taken me a few years to get to this deeper understanding of where my writing fits into the rest of my life. Of course, I'll tweet for you! #offtotweet
ReplyDeleteThank you, SA!
DeleteMan, have I changed my writing habits! A new baby, a funeral, a wedding, a dead car, and the job search for the hubby... Come on life, what else can you throw at us? Are my feet on the ground or still in the air? Can't tell. Some seasons are definitely more interesting than others, eh?
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed and inspired by your ability to write through all of life, Crystal!
DeleteYou are so awesome!
ReplyDeleteYes, season definitely have a big roll in my writing plans. Great questions! My busiest and most unhealthy season is winter! my favorite seasons to write are summer - with the most available time, and fall with the most inspirations to the senses =)
And congrats on your devo book! what an excellent idea! i put together some teen devos for my boys and am working on getting them onto youtube to share - every little bit helps!
Thanks, Tara! Youtube video devos sound awesome! Way to go! I keep meaning to use/utilize youtube more, but haven't . . . yet. :)
DeleteI bought a copy of your book! I have to admit I'm not religious at all, but I think it's so amazing that you're giving away the proceeds to the Peace Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal that I wanted to get involved :)
ReplyDeleteOn the question front, figuring out if my goals are reasonable is a big one for me, I tend to set myself impossible goals because I get over excited and want to take far too much on. I need to stop and reconsider what I'm aiming for and whether it's even realistic.
Thanks, Celine! I appreciate your support for Peace Rehabilitation Center!
DeleteI have a tough time figuring out if my goals are reasonable, too.
I tend to be a bit obsessed with my goals, too, so I totally understand the need to reevaluate them every now and then!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh, how exciting about your new release! I think it's awesome how you're donating the earnings. Hope you get lots of sales! :)
Thanks, Heather!
DeleteWhat a great thing to do with your book! I hope it raises tons of money for the cause.
ReplyDelete