Writing Road

I'm still pondering on what to put in Thursday's post.
(Please vote in my poll on the sidebar.)

Today, I thought I'd give an update on where I am in my writing journey.



I didn't really know how much I liked writing until the end of my junior year in high school. We were given a choice of projects, and I chose writing a children's book. I wrote two of them! One was of a boy looking for his pet mounse. The other was a picture book about the five senses.
(I wonder where they are now?
I'll have to dig around in the attic.)

Then in my senior year, I had two great teachers, Richard Dyer and Bob Harriman, that set me on my journey. In Mr. Dyer's class, we put together an issue of the Hardscrabbler magazine, and Mr. Harriman showed me how to let my creative thoughts flow. Many times we spent the whole class just writing. It was a good release for mixed-up emotions. It was in that class that the character of Phoebe was born.



I didn't go on to college, but signed up for Norman Rohrer's correspondance course, Christian Writers Guild. There I learned how to control and arrange my creative thoughts into stories and articles.

Then my life, marriage and children, filled my time, but here and there I found snippets of time to continue Phoebe's story. I taught creative writing at Evangel Baptist Academy and coordinated a school paper. While teaching reading/English to the K-6gr. students, I integrated plenty of writing skills-which kept me learning and growing, too.

When my last child neared his graduation from high school, I decided to pour my time into my writing. After thirty years, I finally finished "A Home for Phoebe" and entered it into Operation First Novel contest through Christian Writers Guild.
(now directed by Jerry Jenkins)

It didn't win, but I became a moderator in the Christian Writers Forum and very involved in FaithWriters. I have learned to "tighten" my writing, making every word valuable. I've discovered that I LOVE to write poetry! I've met a huge group of other people, just like me! I never thought I "belonged" until the last couple years. It's so great to have others understand how you think.



Being able to write on a computer (as opposed to pencil and spiral notebooks) has given me a freedom I would have never imagined. I absolutely LOVE "cut n'paste". I can move whole scenes from one page to another. Gone are all my asterisks and arrows! (The only drawback is the unexpected loss of files or other technical difficulties.)

Last year, a missionary friend from Bibles Internationalsought me out and asked me to write simple Bible stories that will be translated into newly written languages (formerly only oral)to be used as primers and study guides. What an honor! I pray the Lord will guide each word to His glory.

I've had a few articles published in magazines and hope to find an agent to represent "A Home for Phoebe" and the sequel "Going Home with Phoebe." I want to write for children, to use my education skills and experiences as a mother and teacher in my writing. I'm excited to see where God is going to do with my writing this year.


7 comments:

Kristin said...

Hi! I'm just visiting from Lynnette's. That is really neat about your writing. One of my goals for this new year was to "write something". I'm not sure what yet! :) Good luck with your Phoebe books.

Joanne Sher said...

Praying you through, sweetheart!

Linda said...

Yvonne I would love to read the Phoebe books! I am excited that you have so many things going on. I know I enjoy what you write here in blogland and I look forward to more writings in the future as I follow your blog.

I love to write poetry too...as you know if you read my posts. (:>)

Have a great day!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Susan Holt Simpson said...

Hello! I've popped over from "Barefoot" to visit your blog- how wonderful it is! God's blessings on your plans for writing - looks like He's already been at work! What a beautiful family you have!

Julie Arduini said...

Congrats on being one of Lynette's featured bloggers! You know I've enjoyed you and your blog for a long time. I've personally benefited from your writing, mentoring, and cheerleading me on, especially when you knew out of all the things I was, I was a tired mom!

Hug those grandbabies for me!

Karen said...

And you write such beautiful stories as the result of these experiences and lessons God has given you. I always look forward to reading a Vonnie story.

I love to write poetry, too. It's the best creative outlet. I'm not very good at it, but just writing it makes me feel good.

Diana said...

Hopping back over from Lynette's "Getting to Know You"... wow, you have your hands full with all that you are writing! It's great to see that there are folks who write to glorify the Lord and bring joy to others!

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