Fiction Fridays: Guest Post by Shirley Connolly

THAT CREATIVE MOMENT

By Shirley Kiger Connolly

How would you describe that moment of time and space in the day or night when you have a sense that you are becoming the most romantically creative, when your heart feels most inspired by God to begin that next story that you know, without doubt, is going to be tender and awesome, full of conflict, and at the same time is going to have Him between many of the lines helping you to bring that manuscript to a story-perfect resolution — one that any insightful reader will be able to grasp hold of and be blessed by from the moment she picks up your book and turns each page until that mixed emotional moment when she discovers herself at the end, but wishes like everything she wasn’t there.

It’s over? Yes, the story is over. So she sighs.

But hold on, you remind the reader. There will be another story to follow…maybe in six months, or nine months, or maybe even in a year. But it’s coming.

That’s how it was for me, as I wrote Say Goodbye to Yesterday, my newest historical-romance.

 Me, that writer just needs to find that next creative moment.

We all have them — those perfect moments, that time and space in the day or night, that creative hour — the ones that are right for only us.

My creative moments to begin any new story, and especially the sequel to a story I’ve just written, come with a craving in my heart to get going. For me, it’s crucial to keep my favorite extra-fine pens (they must be extra-fine) and several pads handy around the house and at the ready, because the moment that moment arrives, I am ever amazed at the most interesting phrases or simply words, words, words that begin to flow from inside of me. I just cannot write fast enough.

I adore that brainstorming phase.

Writers all have their special moments. I know, because on my blog, http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/ it is one question I often ask, and every author tells me something different.

That creative moment almost never fails to open the door for us to get that next book underway. Many writers would not be putting out manuscripts, or books, or novellas, or awe-inspiring articles, or even reflections. Because of those creative moments and what they lead to, the writer can almost visualize how everyone is rushing from blog to blog during promotional time, in hopes of winning the book that just released. (Or perhaps they have already clicked onto their favorite online store to grab, or at least take a peek at a short sample.)

Who doesn’t want to see if that book, story, novella, article, reflection is worth taking the time for? (Am I dreaming again?)

Getting back to the perfect moment of creativity.

Perhaps, your favorite resourceful moment is in the cool of the evening in your sitting room, where you sit by the flickering candlelight that sits on the mantel of your fireplace where the fire crackles softly, you with your favorite hand-stitched throw warming your lap, your purring Persian cat sitting by your side, your dog that’s even older than you, sitting at your feet, the old schoolhouse clock on the wall, ticking in a steady cadence. Because you have worked so hard throughout the day at your computer, it might be a little difficult to keep your eyes open.

Or maybe that moment for you, is not that at all. Maybe it’s when you are reclined on your bed with your classical music playing on the stereo, and you can whiff the scent of lavender where the flame of another candle shadow-dances across the wall. That would be in the bedroom, I believe.

Then again, perhaps it is while you are reclined deep in the hot sudsy rose-water of your claw-foot tub. You know that one that rests in the Victorian bath your husband designed exactly the way you described way back when the two of you had the funds to do that sort of thing. (Remember those days?)

Innovative Moments

The ones above are mine, and I treasure them. The best chapters to Say Goodbye to Yesterday came at times like those I described above. Only you know when yours are. That space of time in the day when God makes that moment perfect only for you. After all, we as inspirational writers know for a fact, He is the one who gives us the inspiration to do what we do anyway.

I love reading articles from writers who I’ve met over the years, and who have emphasized the importance of going to the Lord first before sitting down or reclining, or even hitting the keyboard on their computers, in order to write that story that He’s putting on their hearts. I’m sure whatever that writer has written is going to be worth reading. When I pick up their books, I make it a point to avoid looking for flaws or missing links as I read. I also make it a point to take off my internal-editing spectacles. (It’s too easy not to.) That way I know I’m ready to look for the hidden message within that story that God has for me in the story that’s been written. To me, that’s much more important.

I would never say that Say Goodbye to Yesterday is written to perfection. But I can say this. Writing that seamless story that’s only yours all begins with that perfect creative moment. I think you will agree.

Are you a writer? Do you aspire to be? If you don’t yet have one, let the Lord show you that perfect moment that has your name all over it. Savor it. Make use of it. It is in that moment you will be about to write at your best. Why? Because that inspiration will be from Him.   

About Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Scorned with disgrace, Annabelle Jordan and her daughters are no longer welcome in her reverend uncle’s community. In need of a fresh touch of grace, Annabelle’s in no mood to seek mercy yet. Not after carrying on a youthful affair with that young officer long enough to produce two daughters before she finally sent him away.

Now without a home, Annabelle is convinced her answer is to find the man again and force that marriage he pledged but never kept. Annabelle knows he can provide her daughters the name, home, security, and future they need. Who else would show interest in a soiled, aging woman over thirty with two growing children?

That was before Major Carlton Radcliffe entered her life. How was Annabelle to know she’d fall for someone beyond her reach, loyal to the faith she’s been fleeing and pledged to a wife and family of his own?