Note from Marti: Today I’m posting an interview with Yvonne Ortega, author of Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer (Revell, 2010), a recent review in the READ section of my blog. If breast cancer has touched your life in some way and/or if you have an interest in writing, keep reading. CONTEST: Want to win? Leave a comment before midnight Eastern tonight. I’ll draw one winner who will receive a free copy of Yvonne’s book. I’ll announce the winner early next week.  You share your very personal journey through cancer in this book. What made you decide to have your story published? I began to journal to pour out my emotions in a safe place. I asked God to use my bout with cancer for good in my life and the lives of others, for His honor and glory and for furthering His kingdom here on earth. I never dreamed a book would come from cancer. When I was in the hospital after my second chemotherapy treatment, I wrote a devotion on notebook paper. The nurse read it and wanted to have a copy for everyone on the oncology floor. She and the other patients told me I should write a book. So I kept up the journal and transformed it into a manuscript for publication. Another reason was to let people know it is OK to go through anger, fear and depression. God won’t love us less or disown us because of these emotions. He knows how we feel anyway. So we might as well talk to God about these emotions and allow Him to help us work through them. How did you handle feelings of powerlessness and fear during your journey and keep moving forward? At first I struggled with feelings of powerlessness. I thought I controlled my life and didn’t want to give that up. The funny part is I never did have that control. When I asked God for help in this area, he reminded me of Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through him who strengthens me” (NIV).  From then on I relied on his strength, not mine, and God proved Himself faithful. After I received my diagnosis, fear almost swallowed me up. Two cousins had died of breast cancer, and I didn’t want to be next. I journaled and prayed about my fear and asked others to pray for me. God honored my honesty and answered our prayers. Fear seemed to dissolve once it was brought in the open and dealt with. You also talk about feeling the freedom to cry in the midst of your circumstances. How were you able to accept that as a part of your journey? The...

“My teachings flows from my mistakes.” If you hear me teach at a writers’ conference, you’ll probably hear that statement. In my journeys through the publishing world, I’ve often learned the hard way. I hope that by sharing my mistakes, I can keep someone else from making the same ones. The problem I describe today plagues many new writers. We want to get it right. We want to nail that query, land that column, catch that editor’s eye. So we review our work over—and over—and over—and over again. We tear it up in disgust and start fresh. We put it away for a few days and reopen it. We change a word or two or perhaps entire paragraphs. We fix it. And refix it. And sometimes—we close it up and forget about it. As part of a writing class I took in seminary (one of the few our school offered at the time), we had to write a query letter. I chose to write one to a denominational magazine. My professor made some suggestions and I sent it off (electronic queries hadn’t happened yet). I didn’t receive the expected rejection letter. Instead, the editor loved my idea. She suggested a way for me to improve my initial concept and asked me to submit the full article as soon as possible. I read her note. I smiled. I pondered ways to follow her instructions. And I never did a thing. I didn’t follow the editor’s suggestions. I didn’t add more personal stories. I didn’t finish the piece, and obviously, I didn’t submit it. As I look back, I wonder, “Why?” At the time, I told myself I was too busy. I was taking a heavy load of Master’s-level classes and working part-time as a dental hygienist. I had a husband, also a student. Your circumstances may not match, but feel free to substitute your own “why I don’t write” excuses. You see, the main thing I did was something I didn’t do:  I didn’t follow through on the editor’s request. I didn’t demonstrate professionalism. I failed to trust myself and my work enough to let it go, to complete it, then release it to the editor’s care. I’m not sure exactly what paralyzed me, but I know I kept that query letter for years. I don’t know if I saw it as a symbol of hope—or destruction. Follow through. Finish your writing, then submit it. My writing and editing clients know I will always find “one more thing” to edit or adjust. But I’ve learned to stop, take a deep breath, pray, and let it go. If you never finish it, they’ll never read it. Make a commitment to follow...

When I volunteered to assist Brent and Deanna Higgins in telling their son BJ’s story (later published by Revell as I Would Die for You), I had a huge adjustment to make. Although I’d written and edited for years, I’d never attempted anything longer than an e-book. I barely understood the concept of a book proposal. And I’d certainly never attempted to pitch a manuscript to an editor or agent. Although I didn’t know much about publishing, I had a growing relationship with Christ. I’d gone from knowing about Him to meeting Him in relationship to a complete, ongoing surrender to His will and ways. I could catch up on the things I needed to know about publishing. But my walk with Christ came first. Nearly five years later, I’m still learning, still walking with Jesus. My steps often falter, but he keeps me close. An online writers’ group, The Writers View 1 (Less experienced writers meet as The Writers View 2) serves as one of my tutors. Twice a week, a panelist asks a question and our group of more than 700 professional writers has the opportunity to respond. Last week, author Mary E. DeMuth asked us to share our advice in an imaginary letter to a new writer. She’s posting my response on her blog today and I decided to do the same. Dear New Writer, Congratulations on a high and holy calling. Mark it as such. That gives you a foundation to return to on the days when the reviews burn, the rejections multiply, and the inspiration falters. Please, new writer, remember who you are is more important than what you write. Continue to grow your roots deep in God. And don’t forget—you live in a fallen world. Observe Paul’s admonition to consider others more important than yourself. As you live out this principle, your words, your relationships, and your writing will grow. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy and you healthy. Discover the personal meaning of this commandment. Do your best to add rest and refreshment to each day. My friend, please take care of your family. When deadlines come or contracts impinge, make sure they know who matters most. When success comes your way, don’t wait for your relatives to celebrate you. Throw a party for them instead. Yes, new writer, I encourage you to be wise. Learn and practice your craft. Study the markets. Find and listen to mentors. But don’t pay more attention to the ways of publishing than the things of God. Run to Jesus, new writer, and live. That, more than anything, gives you something to...

(Vera, right, shares the gospel. Photo Credit, Kim Zubke,who captioned this “Evangelism Machine in Action”) I’d prayed for and about my roommate since I knew my summer plans included the SUSIE Magazine Never the Same missions trip. After all, I’ve had the same roommate since I married him twenty-seven years ago. How and with whom would God match me for the trip? During training, God gave me the gift of rooming with Shari Braendel, who also writes for SUSIE Magazine. This fashionista extraordinaire is also a beautiful woman of God who shared prayers, love, and laughter with her less than fashion-savvy roommate. Shari’s new book, Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad (Zondervan, 2010) is the Color Me Beautiful (and more) of the 21st century. Check it out! Once I reached Guatemala, God blessed me with a second roommate and another amazing woman of God. Vera Amaral is tiny, Brazilian, and filled with the love of Jesus. When I first met her in Miami, she told me about a divine encounter with a hotel staffer who later came to Christ. In fact, if you look up “evangelism” in your dictionary, you’ll find Vera’s picture. Vera doesn’t write. A devoted number-cruncher, she works for an insurance company. What could a left-brained, accountant type teach the right-brained, creative one about her craft? Plenty. You see, Vera lives her love for Jesus. Her warmth, hugs, prayers, and conversation reveal her passion for Christ and her genuine concern for people. She shares the gospel not because God commands it, but because she cares so much about those for whom he sent his Son. Because Vera cares, she shares. And because she shares, God uses her to win the lost. Busboys, hotel clerks, hospital patients, street people, and more all came to know Christ because she cared enough to tell them. Because Vera cared, she had stories to tell. As I watched and prayed through some of her divine encounters, I realized that her passion for people must become mine. No matter what creative words or significant stories I may have, without love—genuine love, Jesus’ and Vera’s kind of love—my words become a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. Vera, thanks for the lessons in evangelism. You’ve trained and mentored many as you use the incredible gifts God’s given you. And thanks for the professional tips, too. I bet you never thought of yourself as a writing teacher. But guess what? Jesus knew. I’m so thankful he placed us together for those amazing ten days in Antigua. Because of your example, I’m never the same—and neither is my work. I love...

I’ve now taken my longest break from my blog since its inception earlier this year. My two-plus weeks of training and serving with the SUSIE Magazine missions trip to Guatemala were exciting, exhilarating, and exhausting. Blog- and writing-time both suffered during trip preparation, execution, and recovery. Back home, I’m busy writing the trip’s story for SUSIE’s November issue. The article (plus additional online content) will continue in one-page features over the next several months. I’ll also write some short pieces about students who sponsor Guatemalan children through Compassion International and had the opportunity to meet them one delightful, incredible afternoon. That day, I gained new respect for the ministry of Compassion—and for the sacrifices made by the students, too. The beautiful people of Guatemala now hold a special place in my heart. And as I write the story of our trip, I’ve realized an important truth: the best-told story is the story you live. As I traveled with a ministry team the first day, I went as an observer. I’d planned to watch the students serve food to the community, perform their pantomime drama, and share the Gospel. As I watched, I waited, notebook in hand. Almost immediately, God took me from observer to active participant. I met a beautiful young mother whose baby girl arrived days before a volcano exploded above the already-impoverished village. Next, overfilled skies brought torrents of rain and a mudslide that destroyed the tin shack they called home. Maria’s story brought tears to my eyes and a prayer to my lips. As the two of us spoke, God drew me into her story. That afternoon, I waited with a group of students as they prepared to perform their first drama. They stood, joking and nervous, while some made last-minute costume or makeup adjustments. My eyes fell on thirteen-year-old Sammy. As the Evil Magician (Satan figure), his was a pivotal role. How could we help this young warrior prepare for battle? Once again, God called me to become part of the story. The students gathered, and I prayed—for Sammy, for his team, and for those who would hear the message. Later, as I watched him carry out his role with obvious authority, I praised God for giving me a role of my own. My assignment in Guatemala was to capture the story. But I’m so grateful God allowed me to go beyond observation to life—real life and real ministry—in the orphanage, at the cancer hospital, in the Mayan marketplace, and more. The best-told story is the story you live. What story has God given you to...

A few months ago, I fell in love. In love, that is, with the small fictional community of Bright’s Pond. In love with characters who revealed strength, frailty, and a generous dash of fun. In love with an author whose penchant for Converse sneakers mirrors her fresh, distinctive voice. I loved Joyce Magnin’s debut novel, The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow and was delighted to receive an advance reader copy of her September release, Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise. Although Charlotte Figg is also a Bright’s Pond novel from Abingdon Press, it has only limited connections to Agnes and should not be considered its sequel. The colorful characters of Charlotte Figg live in their own unique world. In quick succession, Charlotte Figg becomes a widow, buys a mobile home in the Paradise Trailer Park sight unseen, and moves into it with her dog Lucky. Soon, she begins an unlikely friendship with free-spirited artist and prayer warrior Rose Tatoo. The relationship yields new purpose for Charlotte when Rose half-prays, half-pushes her into the role of founder/manager of a women’s softball team. As the Paradise Angels’ season progresses, Charlotte discovers—and reveals—some less-than-comfortable truths about herself, her fellow players, and her God. One of my favorite elements in both books is Magnin’s uncanny ability to use flawed but believable characters to display painful truths. Charlotte Figg forces its namesake to confront not only the abusive marriage in which one of her players is trapped but her own past wounds as well. Plot twists combine to propel the story in a direction readers may not intend to go. But don’t let the hot topics scare you. Find a quiet spot and savor this book. Its combination of tough and tender goes down with all the appeal of one of Charlotte’s homemade pies. Read the book, visit Paradise—and fall in love all over...