Welcome to our second Welcome Mat Wednesday …where we welcome guest post-ers and throw around the word “welcome” like tinsel during Christmas season!
Today I’m excited to introduce fabulous writer and 2011 MBT Frasier Contest Winner, Andrea Nell (writing as Andrea Michelle Wood). In keeping with our December theme of “gifts,” Andrea will be sharing with us about the gift of affirmation in her own life. So check out the video intro and then be encouraged by Andrea!
Set free by affirmation
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| Andrea Nell |
In this season of giving, I want every gift I give to make the recipient feel special. But sometimes the most precious gift you can give is something you can’t purchase. One gift that is sure to leave a lasting impression is affirmation.
The term affirmation means confirmation of the truth. One tool used in fiction to show the transformation of a character is called the lie journey. The character begins the story believing a lie. The events of the story and supporting characters called voices of truth lead the character to learn the truth. When the character can embrace and apply the truth, it will set him free from the lie and its destructive effects.
Voices of truth are powerful influences in fiction and in real life. Truth tellers show the transforming power of affirmation. This past year I have been on my own lie journey and a few affirming truth tellers in my life have truly set me free from a lie I’ve been clinging to for 15 years.
I wrote my first novel when I was fifteen. My dad was not impressed with my writing and his criticism devastated me. A lie that I’d never be good enough took root. I never stopped writing, but I did stop telling people about it. Even after a powerful encounter with God left me with no doubt that His plan required me to be a writer, I still couldn’t get up the nerve to make writing more than a secret hobby.
Last fall, I met Susan May Warren at a women’s retreat. Susie’s passion for the writing craft was contagious and by the end of the weekend she had me convinced to come out of the closet. I knew that God would never be able to use my work unless I learned how to do it well. The opportunity to learn from Susan May Warren could not have been an accident.
Susie connected me with tools to learn and invited me to attend her teaching retreats. At first, learning the craft was overwhelming and discouraging. I had so much to learn. The 2010 Storycrafters Retreat motivated me to continue when Susie and other writers affirmed my work.
I met Melissa at the Deep Thinkers retreat last winter. I had heard about her, the amazing writer and Frasier Contest winner, from writer friends. I felt so intimidated and unworthy. What was I doing at this retreat with real novelists, even award winners like Melissa Tagg? I was nothing more than an insignificant amateur, a wanna-be who probably would never be.
Despite my insecurities, I had come to learn and I was determined to improve. I learned from instructors Susie and Rachel Hauck and also from the other writers. I left this retreat with the challenge of entering a writing contest.
I decided to enter the Frasier, not because I had any hope of winning, but because I could learn from the judges’ feedback. I didn’t want to submit a sloppy entry, so I did something I’d sworn I’d never again do. I asked my dad (a college professor and former chief editor of a magazine) to edit it for me.
He took my pages and I held my breath while his pen started marking. When he finished reading, he looked up and said, “Well …” As he paused, the defeat began to set in. His next words shocked me. “You’re going to win.” Coming from my impossible to please perfectionist dad, those words sounded like the hallelujah chorus! My dad affirmed my work! After that, it didn’t matter if I won.
Six months later, at the Frasier banquet I sat in stunned disbelief when I heard Melissa call my name, announcing me the winner of the Frasier award. Susan May Warren hugged me and told me she was proud of me. Sweet affirmation! She convinced me to try, invested in teaching me the craft and honored me with the Frasier award. Because she was willing to foster me as a writer, I am able to follow God’s calling on my life. Her voice of truth finally shattered the lie that made me ashamed of the passion God had given me.
Affirmation is indeed powerful. My mom and friends who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, Susie, Melissa and my other writer friends who encourage and challenge me, and my dad’s hard won praise were all instrumental truth tellers in my lie journey. These gifts of affirmation are more precious to me than anything they could buy.
This holiday season and throughout the year prayerfully look for opportunities to give the gift of affirmation. Allow God to use you as a voice of truth. Everyone is on a lie journey. A few simple words could set someone free.
Andrea Nell, writing as Andrea Michelle Wood, has been writing fiction for more than 15 years. Andrea is a 2011 Genesis semi-finalist and the 2011 Frasier Winner. She maintains an online presence through facebook under Andrea Michelle Wood and her blog, Daydreamer’s Journey, located at http://andrea-michelle-wood.blogspot.com. Andrea currently writes fiction full-time from her home in Minot, North Dakota.
Thank you, Andrea! Readers, who has been a truth teller in your life? Do you see yourself as a voice of truth in someone else’s life?
Comments 11
It’s possible I’m hormonal, but probably not. I teared up at this story! Such a fabulous truth about affirmation. Congrats on your win!
Melissa, I’m so loving your hat! It’s about 50 here this morning, which is doable. You look cozy by your bookshelf and fire! 🙂
We welcome tears on this blog. 🙂 Andrea shared such great truth, yeah?!
Speaking of tears, I can’t stop tearing up every time I see the trailer for War Horse. Hmm…
It’s supposed to get up to 50 in Iowa today, too. Yay!!
Andrea, I am so proud of you for being obedient to God’s calling. You are a fantastic writer–remember I read your opening chapter at DT, Roomie! I am so excited to see what God has in store for you. Keep on writing, ’cause you got it Kiddo!
You, too, Melissa! Loved the story you were writing at DT.
Thanks, Pat!! Right back at ya. 🙂 I wish I was going to DT this year, but I’m not sure the pocketbook or my PTO will let me…waaaahhhhhh!!!
This is a powerful, powerful story because it contains so much truth.
I loved celebrating Andrea’s win last September. And I know she’ll go far as a writer!
And her truth about the power of truth–affirmation–over the lies woven into our life?
Life changing!
I so agree, Beth. I remember first learning the “lie journey” aspect of Susie’s teaching…figuring out the lie our character believes and the truth which will set him/her free. It was an impacting thing to learn about writing-wise, but even more powerful as I apply to real life.
Andrea, I loved reading your story here! Thanks for sharing your lie-to-truth journey today. I laughed, I cried. I agreed with your truths about the amazing value of affirmation. Thanks for sharing here. 🙂
By the way, I felt the same way when I attended DT this year. So inadequate. Yet it was so life changing. 🙂
Jeanne T (My Google account doesn’t like Melissa’s blog for some insane reason)
Jeanne, I’m so sorry my blog is snobbish. 🙁 I have it set to accept anyone’s comments, so I have no clue what its problem is with your Google account. Silly blog…but I’m glad you defied it and left a comment anyway. 🙂 And…I’m so glad I got to meet you at DT!!
Wonderful post, MTagg & Andrea. I love hearing the great beginning of your journey–and the ending is going to be to knock the baseball clear out of the park!
Thanks for reading, Dee!! 🙂
Thank you Melissa for giving me a guest spot on your blog. I feel so honored. And thanks everyone for your encouraging words! I hope to see a few familiar faces at deep thinkers this year. And by the way, it got all the way up to 21 degrees in Minot today – tosty warm by North Dakota standards. 🙂