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Writer's Voice! - September 21, 2018

9/27/2018

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Kingdom on Earth

​The Professor asked His students to recite the LORD’S prayer.

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”…and so on. (Matthew 6:9-10)
 
Students, what are you asking the Father for when you say, “Your kingdom come?” What is it that you desire in your heart?
 
Beth answered, “I am asking that there will be peace in our nation.”
 
That is a godly request, Beth.
 
We can only have peace in our cities if people will treat their neighbors with kindness and respect, obeying God’s laws. Since God has given to man a free will and the right to choose, our nation suffers violence.
 
We are in the season, a prophetic time on God’s calendar called the end of the age. Two-thousand years ago, Jesus said nation will rise against nation, and lawlessness will abound because the love of many will grow cold. It is similar to the days of Noah when he was building the ark.
 
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
 
Now students, you know that these things are all around us. 

But the exciting thing is that you were chosen and anointed to live at the end of the age when God is going to show Himself strong. 

How? 
Through you, His body, The Church! That means, Beth, that every time you share the gospel with an unbeliever or speak kindly to an angry cashier, you are releasing God’s love, the very kingdom of God on this earth.
 
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
What does the Word of God say?
“Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:16-17)
 
Beth, you are so full of joy! 
Your peace and gracious ways are opposite from many who are full of evil and walking in darkness. 

When you spend time with your Father in the morning and study scripture, He makes a heavenly deposit in you. Because of your desire to do what is right before God, you display godly values of faithfulness and truthfulness wherever you go. 

The quality of holiness is displayed in the decisions you make to live a life apart from sin. People who are in the world see your righteousness, your peace, and your joy. You are a living manifestation of the kingdom of God.
 
JESUS CHRIST
The Messiah was conceived in the womb of a virgin. His coming to earth was a manifestation of God’s kingdom. His teaching and preaching, His miracles, signs and wonders brought correction to what original sin had manifested in man and in nature.
 
“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say,’ “See here!” or “See there!” ‘For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’ (Luke 17:20-21)
 
The kingdom of God was already in the midst of them at the very time when they were asking when it would appear. 
 
Definition of Kingdom: kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, especially of God, both in the world, and in the hearts of men. A kingdom always requires a king – as the kingdom of God does with King Jesus!
 
THE CHURCH ON EARTH
Students, the kingdom of God is within you! 
This kingdom does not appear, here or there, but rather where Christ’s Body is in operation.  That kingdom operation in a believers' heart should be followed with demonstrations of the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 5:12-16)
 
After the seven years of tribulation, during The Millennium, the kingdom of God will be in manifestation everywhere on earth as Jesus will reign from Jerusalem. 

Then, Beth, there will be peace in the nations!
 
2018 — END DAYS
How does The Church bring the kingdom of God to earth? 
By Spirit-filled believers walking in holiness and fulfilling the call of God on their lives…every day. 

Begin your day praying for the nation. Intercession opens the way for God to bring His kingdom to earth. Then ask the LORD to help you release God’s kingdom wherever you go and with whomever you meet. 

The Holy Spirit in you does the work through you!
 
This is that…
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Read Mark 16:15:20)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 9.21.18
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - September 17, 2018

9/17/2018

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Truth

As the students took their seats, the Professor was writing on the board:
 
H Y P O C R I T E
 
An unexpected hush quickly hit the room as each student waited to hear what the Professor would say next.
 
What do you think this word means?
 
“Doesn’t it mean to be two-faced, Professor?”
 
What does two-faced mean to you?
 
“Well, it’s someone who you can’t trust. Sometimes they are one way, sometimes they are another way, like being two people.”
 
The Greek word for hypocrite is hupokrites, meaning one who is like a stage actor or performer acting under a mask. Yes, it means a two-faced person, or someone who says one thing but does another. Someone who is a hypocrite is pretending to be someone they are not.
 
Dictionary definition of a hypocrite:
1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
 
“Sir, doesn’t everyone do that at one time or another?”
 
Jesus didn’t.

But yes, Believers and the unsaved both fall into this trap.
Some people live their whole lives as a hypocrite.
 
“Why is that?”
 
Lots of reasons.
Some of this sinful behavior is passed down from generation to generation. Being fearful of what others think of them and trying to measure up to someone else’s expectations can cause one to become dishonest. All deception is based on a lie and all lies can be traced back to the fall of man when satan lied to Adam and Eve.

“Did God really say…?”
And, “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:1-5)
 
Now, let’s look at a conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day.
 
“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’ He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

‘For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.’” (Mark 7:5-9)

Notice, the hypocrite is accusing the One who is standing in truth, along with His chosen disciples. Hypocrites desire to control, desiring for others to follow them.
 
Jesus went right to the root of their hypocrisy. Their hearts were far from Him and had no desire for truth. They were fleshly, carnal people who were very prideful and felt threatened by Jesus.
 
When humility and a desire for truth are cast aside, the heart becomes hardened seeking other things for satisfaction. Lies and the doctrines of men naturally fill the void. Their dignity and self-worth were not from God but rather from other people. They were willing to adapt themselves to a lie to get approval. Hypocrites put on different masks and play many roles to gain acceptance and gain praise from others.

Unbelievers live their lives this way…empty inside.
 
But when a Believer goes against his core beliefs, a sense of condemnation can take root. As a result, his spirit man can be repressed by the demands of trying to please others as that "stage actor," putting on different masks for different people. The result is compromise.
 
For a Christian to hide his true beliefs and try and be someone else will have negative results that will affect his stability and confidence. Furthermore, it becomes difficult for him to hear from God.
 
Definition of Truth: the manifested, veritable essence of a matter, facts, authenticity, accuracy, exactness, trueness, reliability, real, ideal, genuine, proven principle, law
 
Jesus said, “…when He the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth …”
 (John 16:13)

Beloved, repent of hypocrisy. Don't be like the world around you.
Ask the LORD to help you to always be true and speak the truth.
He has given you The Helper to help you, no matter who you are with.
Read the Who I am in Christ Scriptures every day for two weeks.
It will root truth in you.
 
This is that… which God desires of you.
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 8.31.18
https://PrayerwithPurpose.org
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Writer's Voice! - August 31, 2018

8/31/2018

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Your Heavenly Place

The Professor asked His students to write Ephesians 1:3 in their notebooks.
 
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…”
 
Any questions?
 
“Professor, what are the heavenly places?”
 
What is the date of your birth, Emma?
 
“November 28, 1998.”
 
That is the day that you were born on earth. You entered into a new realm…the realm of the natural physical world where the five-senses are known.
 
What is the date of your new birth, the day you received Jesus into your heart?
 
“April 5, 2010.”
 
That is the day when you became a new creation, a beloved child of God, a citizen of heaven, an Ambassador for Christ. You were given an assignment to complete while here on earth. You are alive and operating in two kingdoms, or two realms. You are to dominate the physical natural realm by making access into the realm of the Spirit--continually!
 
“Through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)
“…in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:12)
 
ACCESS INTO THE HEAVENLY PLACES
Your spirit is where Holy Spirit and His anointing lives and empowers you to live a holy life unto God and accomplish your assignment. That is how you enter into the supernatural realm, through your spirit first.

Starting your day renewing your mind to the spiritual realm by studying God’s Word,praying in the Spirit, intercession for others, worship and praise, and confessions of who you are in Christ make access into those heavenly places in Christ. As we attain spiritual blessings from our fellowship with Him early, we set the order of the day ahead.
 
COVENANT RIGHTS—WHAT ARE THEY?
“… as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Your Bible is your Covenant Document loaded with all of your rights and benefits.
Those benefits are withdrawn by faith in what God said.
 
PROVISION
Just like your parents painted your room and bought new furniture and baby clothes before your arrival, so your Father and Jesus prepared for you every provision to meet every need you will ever have.

Similar to an earthly bank account, you as God’s heir and joint heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17) are expected to receive your heavenly benefits. As banks have many security measures to protect assets, so too, spiritual blessings are protected.
 
These benefits can only be accessed by following the guidelines of faith, hope, and love.
 
Since you are a spirit, you are expected to walk and live your life every day “in the spirit,” not in the ways of the flesh. (See Galatians 5:16-26)

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63) Can you see the two realms and their operation?
 
And take note, dear heart, you must never seek to do things apart from Jesus, or on your own. You are to be totally dependent upon Him just as the branch depends upon the vine for existence and to bear fruit. (John 15:4)
 
So, Emma, what are the heavenly places in Christ Jesus?
“It is where every spiritual blessing is located.”
 
How do you get those blessings?
 
“I submit my will to do my Father’s will. I desire to live in His presence being a doer of His Word. I can see that abiding in Him, partaking of His promises, is really to my benefit and will open the way for God’s goodness to come upon me every day. I can trust in Him.”
 
That’s right, Emma.
And remember, God’s Spirit is living within you to help you.
Pray in the Spirit often.
 
This is that…which is “the heavenly place.”
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”  (John 17:22-23
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 8.20.18
https://PrayerwithPurpose.org
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Writer's Voice! - August 21, 2018

8/21/2018

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Intercessory Prayer

​Last week our lesson was on Purpose and Potential. Both have great impact on your reason for living.
 
In 2011, Prayer with Purpose ministry started with this purpose: to pray for three groups of people that impact the nations: The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders.
 
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
For a born again Believer in Jesus Christ, everything begins and ends with scripture.
We not only receive knowledge from scripture, we also receive life, for God’s Word is our daily bread that has many nutrients, especially faith, which produces answered prayer. (See Mark 11:22-24)
 
Last week we looked at the Centurion soldier who went to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was very sick. The soldier told Jesus He didn’t have to come to his home, but rather speak the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus said this man had great faith.This is a picture of intercessory prayer: going to Jesus on behalf of another…in faith.
 
In Isaiah 62:6-7, Father called for His chosen people to intercede for the city:
“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,
And give Him no rest till He establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”
 
JESUS CHRIST—INTERCESSOR ON THE CROSS
“He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:11-12)
 
JESUS CHRIST—OUR HIGH PRIEST
“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24-25)
 
JESUS CHRIST—HEAD OF THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
Father has put all things under the feet of His Son and placed Him as Head of the Church. (Ephesians 1:22-23) He is the vine, we are the branches.

Jesus is at work through His church changing nations. Jesus and His Body are one. As the Chief Intercessor He works through His Spirit who is abiding in each member to intercede for The Church, for the lost, and for elected leaders; to bring all things under subjection to Himself in our cities, our states, our nation, including nature itself.

“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
 
YOU
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
(1 Corinthians 12:27)
 
THE CALL TO PRAYER
Whether alone with Father, or gathering with other pray-ers, your voice, being connected to your heart, has abilities that can bring forth mighty changes.
Your work is an inside job, as it is coming forth from the place that Holy Spirit resides. 

“The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
 
Don’t think you can fulfill your purpose without the Word of God.
Your heart will be void of God’s anointing, like a balloon lying flat on a table.
 
HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US WHEN WE PRAY (Romans 8:26-27)
Don’t think you can maximize your divine potential in prayer without the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
A few days later, the Holy Spirit made His glorious entrance through the heavens into the upper room and sat upon each of the disciples, and they spoke in tongues. (Acts 2:1-6) Wow!
 
Speaking in tongues is necessary for effective praying, otherwise the LORD would not have given it to us. 

When we pray in the Spirit we are speaking mysteries to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2)
As we grow, we can develop our ability to interpret what we are speaking.  
 
Tongues come out of the heart to quiet the mind and to give voice to what God wants spoken or disclosed. We don’t know everything! He does! Rely, trust, depend, on Holy Spirit while praying. If you venture off into self will, you will enter into error.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 20)
 
Knowing who you are in Christ will help you to pray more effectively.
 
This is that…which affects answered prayer.
“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMPC
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 8.10.18
https://PrayerwithPurpose.org
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Writer's Voice! - August 17, 2018

8/17/2018

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Purpose and Potential

The Professor stood at the door and handed each student a piece of paper that was folded in half and told them not to look at the contents. After everyone was seated, the Professor said they could now open the paper and answer the following question:
 
WHAT ARE MY REASONS FOR LIVING?
 
(Child of God, take some time and answer this question today. Write from your heart.)
 
After a little while, the Professor began to teach ...
 
Many of you will have different answers to my question according to your interests, your goals, and those things that are important to you. The goal of this exercise is to reveal those things that are in your heart. Now let’s take a brief look at two words that have a major impact on your life: PURPOSE AND POTENTIAL.
 
P  U  R  P  O  S  E
Definition: the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.; an intended or desired result, end, aim, or goal; determination; resoluteness.
 
Examples:
  • The purpose of a screen door is to keep bugs out. (objective; function; point; intention; meaning; reason; design)
  • The student's purpose is to graduate medical school and become a doctor. (goal; aim; ambition; intention; mission; target; resolution; desire; hope; expectation)
  • He purposed to be a great musician. (intend; aim; decide; persist; propose; persevere; plan; determine; endeavor; choose; commit oneself; have a mind to accomplish
 
Antonym: purposelessness, aimlessness; inconstancy; apathy
 
P  O  T  E  N  T  I  A  L
Definition: latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness; having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future
 
Examples:
  • He is a potential candidate for president. (possible; conceivable; latent; concealed; hidden; covert; unapparent; dormant; passive; unexpressed)
 
THREE ORDINARY PEOPLE THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE
Certainly Moses saw the potential leadership abilities in Joshua.

He was chosen to be one of the twelve leaders to spy out the land of Canaan that God wanted His people to occupy. Sadly, only Joshua and Caleb had faith to take the land, but that was not enough to persuade the people. However, forty years later, Joshua would lead the next generation in to take the land of Canaan and occupy what God had given them forty years before. (Joshua Chapter 1)
 
Joshua came into the fullness of his purpose and potential as God led him to conquer and settle the Promised Land.
 
“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43-45)
 
Esther saved her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. God had a purpose for this young woman who became Queen after her marriage to the Persian King, Xerxes. With great tact and skill, she exposed Haman’s evil plot.
 
Her purpose for living unveiled the great courage and potential that this young woman had within her as she laid her life down to save the Jewish people.

Remember her uncle’s statement? “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
 
Jesus said of the Centurion soldier, “I have not seen such great faith, not even in Israel.”  
He asked Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant, not to lay hands on him, but rather “speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”

This Roman soldier’s great desire was that his servant would be healed of a tormenting disease. His purpose, his intercession of love, brought him to Jesus.

His potential for “great faith” was in demonstration as he did not ask Jesus to come to his servant, but rather to “send the word.”
 
“And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
 
Joshua, Esther, and an Officer in the Roman army—three ordinary people at birth but born with a purpose. What was it that made them aware of their own potential?
 
MISSION AND VISION
When purpose is accompanied with a God-breathed mission, an ordinary hum drum life is propelled to unleash the power of potential!

Christian, when you were born again, God put Himself in you. The Holy Spirit in you is the power of God.

He is the potential to do extra-ordinary things for the Kingdom of God. (See Acts 1:8)

So, what are your reasons for living?
 
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 7.31.18
https://PrayerwithPurpose.org
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Writer's Voice - February 28, 2018

2/28/2018

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  • ​Have something to say?
  • Want to be a published writer?
  • Want to share your story with like-minded believers?

Contact us for information as to how you can submit an article to Writer's Voice! for publication on this website: opalmaedailey@aol.com






























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Writer's Voice! - August 1, 2016

8/1/2016

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Mission Statement

Opal Mae Dailey
Editor-in-Chief

Let's talk Mission Statements.

What is a Mission Statement?
Preferably one line or sentence that states the purpose or goal in your life or your business. It’s your "how, where, when, why, who.” What you do or how you do it may change as you navigate through life, but your mission will stay solid, serving your calling for a lifetime.

My Mission Statement is "To teach the Value of Jesus and the Simplicity of His Name." This is my calling and it will be good for my lifetime. Everything I choose to do will be centered on this goal.

The how-tos of my calling will change as my life evolves but my mission is everlasting.

So what is your calling? How can this be accomplished now, at this time of your life?

If this seems overwhelming to you maybe it is time for you to be still. God quite often says to me, “Be still and know I AM God."  (Psalms 46:10)

In this loony world we live in, being quiet is one of the hardest accomplishments to attain. But that is where you will find and hear the "still small voice" whispering to you.  (1 Kings 19:12)

Your Mission Statement is a compass that keeps you heading in the right direction. Your Mission Statement is like the Word of God, a two-edged sword ... keeping you to what is true about your life, at the same time cutting away all that is false.
 
This is Jesus' Mission Statement:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
(Luke 4:18-19)

If you know the Book of John you can tell Jesus lived His Mission Statement.

You must have a vision of the path God has planned for you. The vision in the case of Writers will encompass many avenues, but a well thought out mission statement after hearing from God will guide you towards fulfilling your goal. Your mission statement will lead you to your vision.  (Proverbs 29:18)

Whatever genre you work in, it should fit into your Mission Statement. That's the wonderful benefit of being a writer.

Next time: Logos and Branding

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Writer's Voice! - August 4, 2015

8/4/2015

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To Market ~ To Market!

Opal Mae Dailey
Editor-in-Chief

"The noble man (woman) makes noble plans and by noble deeds he (she) stands." Isaiah. 32:8 NIV          

Your marketing should start even before you start writing your book. The number one mistake authors make is not deciding who their audience is. Only an amateur says, "Everyone." Right from the start you need to determine the age bracket, sex, educational level, and culture of your target audience. Knowing these things will help you focus your writing to meet the needs of your reader.

"As soon as your book comes off the press, it makes no difference who published it. If you want to make money from it, you will have to market it." John Fuhrman
  • Stir up the gifts within you - II Timothy 1:6
  • Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25: 14-30
  • Some sow, some water but it is the Lord that gives the increase. I Corinthians 3:6
The Holy Bible is the greatest business manual ever written. Open your Bible to check out the principles in the above scriptures. What excitement you will experience as you weave the Word of God into your plans.

Developing Your Plan

" A professional must develop a plan and work the plan."
Opal Mae Dailey

Now that you have zeroed in on your target audience it's time to start putting some of these great ideas into practice. You will need the following:
  • Mission Statement - both personal and business
  • Logo
  • Brand
  • Platform
Mission Statement
A business' Mission Statement is the single most important tool to direct you into position to do business. It is your guiding light. You also need a personal Mission Statement that will cover your life no matter where you go.

Your Mission Statement will give you insight on how to develop your Logo and your Brand. Those two will direct you to know what you need to put your Brand out in Marketplace in order to market your product (books).

Logo vs Brand
The difference between a Logo and a Brand is like the two sides of a coin: related but different. Your Logo is a graphic to help the public recognize something that belongs to you--your business. On the other hand, your Brand is everything people understand about you and your business: your reputation, your quality, your reliability, etc. People will see your Logo and the many aspects of your products and instantly know what it represents. Your Brand will keep people coming back for more.

It's all about knowing you and becoming familiar with what you and your business represent. This familiarity will develop trust and longevity for your business, which are precious commodities in today's business world.
 
Platform
A Platform is where and how you will continually present yourself to the world. Especially for writers, an effective platform is essential to successfully market your book. Through book signings, speaking engagements, and other public appearances and events, your Platform will present you and your book to your reading audience. Developing your message through an effective Platform will put you on the road to successful marketing.

In future articles we hope to develop these ideas further to help you to market your next best seller!

Until next month, "Enter into the joy of the Lord and that peace that surpasses all understanding."  Philippians 4:7
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Writer's Voice! - June 4, 2015

6/4/2015

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Writing from a Woman's Perspective

Mary Alt - Contributing Editor

Last month we got a man’s perspective on writing from the wisdom of Jerry Jenkins. Now for a woman’s voice. Another author who generously shared her wisdom is Karen Kingsbury. Here’s what Karen tells us.

10 Tips for Aspiring Authors

1. Keep Writing
If God has given you a book to write, or if you feel He has placed a story on your heart that needs to be told...write, write, write. Get it finished, and make sure it is written to the best of your ability.

2. Join a Writer's Group
There are many Christian writers groups for aspiring authors. In order to make your manuscript the best book it can be, you should join one of these groups and learn from others. A couple to try are Inspire Christian Writers and Faithwriters.com.

3. Join a Critique Group
Once you're connected with a writers group, you should be able to form a critique group. This may be an online club, wherein you and a few other aspiring authors take turns reading each other’s work. Feedback is then given, allowing you to take your manuscript to another level.

4. Read Other Books Similar to Yours
If you want to write a mystery, read mysteries. If you want to write a Christian romance, read Christian romances. If you want to write a Christian general fiction, such as Karen Kingsbury's works—read Karen Kingsbury's books. You get the idea. You must be well versed in the type of genre you wish to write. Editors and agents will expect this.

5. Get a Copy of Writer's Market
This is an informational book that releases new every year and has a list of editors and agents who are acquiring new material.

6. Write a Brief Synopsis for Your Book
Once you've finished your book, and you're happy with it, write a very brief one-sentence or two-sentence synopsis. This will go a long way in helping you convey the story to an editor or agent. Example: Gideon's Gift is about a sick little girl, an angry homeless man, and the gift that changes both of their lives forever. You need something like this for your book.

7. Write Back Cover Copy
Next make your synopsis long enough to work as back cover copy. This will give you a way to place on one single sheet of paper, the summation of your story. Read the copy on back covers to get an idea of how long and how detailed this information should be. It should fit on one page, double-spaced. If you are writing a non-fiction book, you will also include a chapter outline at this point.

8. Write a 2-3 Page Synopsis
This will be the synopsis an agent or editor will read if he or she is interested in your previous synopses. You must include all information in this synopsis. Whereas the others might have intrigue and missing information, this one must give it all away. It will give adequate information about characters, plot points, conflict, and resolution, to be a concise version of the novel.

9. Submit
It's time! Submit all forms of your synopses to an agent. Karen Kingsbury is represented by Alive Communications in Colorado Springs. You may look online for other agencies, or check out the listings in the Writer's Market or Agent's Market book. Every agent may want something slightly different, but it's always wise to include these items in your proposal:
  • Cover letter introducing yourself and your idea.
  • Brief bio on yourself.
  • All forms of your synopses.
  • First three chapters of your book.

10. Pray!
Nothing written or done for God will happen without your diligent prayer. Pray and seek God's will. Sometimes He is telling you to write; other times He is telling you to take a season of education toward your writing. Other times He wants you to volunteer at your child's school and put writing on hold. Try to be discerning.


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Writer's Voice! - May 1, 2015

5/1/2015

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Writing from a Man's Perspective
Mary Alt, Contributing Editor

I’m a published author (counting my now three blogs on CWGSB’s website), but I don’t have any good writing advice for anyone yet. Trying to find advice from other writers has been challenging. Although many of the great writers who are now deceased (Jack Kerouac, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and, of course, the Great Bard himself, William Shakespeare) have offered advice in the past, they do not have websites to offer current writing tips for those of us who are still here.  

However, I found Jerry B. Jenkins most helpful and he was happy to provide us with advice. He has 185 books in print with 70 million copies, including the famed Left Behind series. Since closing down the Christian Writers Guild and establishing the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, he’s still out there educating the masses and sharing his pearls of wisdom.  So, without further ado, heeere’s Jerry!  (sorry, just wanted to toss in a little corn).
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In five decades of writing, I’ve learned a few things that might boost your chances for success:

1. Have something to say

Boil your book’s message down to one sentence. As you write — then as you edit — that will keep you on point.

2. Know your reader

When I sit at the keyboard, I keep one reader in mind. Not a room full of people, but one person. I write to an individual, “you,” not “some of you,” or “those of you,” or “many of you.” “You.”

3. Say it simply

I never try to impress with my choice of words. Writers who show off their vocabularies are like girls using make-up for the first time. Less is more. Unless you’re a gifted literary stylist, let the power of your story speak for itself.

4. Practice your skills

I don’t say this just because I train writers. Fifty years since earning my first dollar for writing, I’m still polishing my skills. I belong to writers groups, subscribe to magazines for writers, and read every book I can find about the craft.

5. Polish your prose

Every writer needs an editor. At writers workshops I often condense the first pages of people’s stories by two-thirds. I do the same to my own work. Dare to cut, replace, and polish until every word counts.

6. Publish the right way

It’s never been easier to publish a book. But beware. Many companies prey on would-be authors, promising success in exchange for expensive packages. Before you invest, investigate. Know what you’re buying and how a company defines its promises, particularly in terms of quality editing, marketing, distribution, and sales.

7. Plan to sell your book

If you take the responsibilities of self-publishing, that includes your book’s sales and marketing. Here’s a link to a great article on this topic – thebookdesigner.com. Don’t wait to make these decisions until your copies are delivered.

8. Start small

To get copies of your book at an economical price, you no longer have to order hundreds of copies. Thanks to print-on-demand technology, you can now order just a handful of books, then order more as you need them. Paying less for inventory means you can invest your up-front dollars in editing and design, as well as in help with marketing.

This can be a great time to publish your first book —if you commit to doing it right.

Which of the above steps are you lacking? What can you do to change that?

- See more at: http://jerry-jenkins.com/2014/01/15/so-you-want-to-write-a-christian-book/
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So, my writer colleagues, does this make sense? I tend to jump right into something feet-first, then I go back and read the directions. Or check out websites that I should have read and absorbed first. Or start baking a cake, then realize I’d left out an ingredient. This info is great for us impulsive types but is it good for everyone? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

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    Writer's Voice!

    This is the blog of the  Christian Writers Guild of Santa Barbara. We hope you enjoy these timely articles about Christian writing and writers. Please let us know how these articles have helped you in your life as a writer for Christ.

    If you would like to contribute material or help in the production of Writer's Voice! please contact our editor-in-chief, Rev. Dr. Opal Mae Dailey. You can also leave us a note by making a comment to this blog.

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