The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Fear and Doubt Busters

Embrace Change

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Change. Most of us don't like it. But like a caterpillar to a butterfly, it's essential to our growth.

Change. Sometimes we willing embrace it—like getting a new computer. Sometimes it’s forced on us—like getting downsized. Either way, it’s rarely easy. Why is that?

Because we prefer to stay in our comfort zone, no matter how uncomfortable we are with what’s in our comfort zone. But like a caterpillar to a butterfly, change is essential to our growth.

I put off buying a new computer for more than a year, even though I knew full well I needed one. I put up with the glitches and the slow speeds because that was easier than the work involved in getting a new one up and running with all my special programs and my files transferred from my hard drive. (Transition made in late December 2024 and no, it wasn’t easy, though my IT-savvy son made it possible!)

[Read more…] about Embrace Change

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.

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Overwhelm is a frequent topic of discussion among writers, as evidenced by last month’s blog post, “Are you feeling overwhelmed with publishing your book?”

Family and job responsibilities can contribute to it. A lot of things have to be done, and we look at it and think, “This is impossible.”

But that simply forces us to look at the problem rather than empowering us to open ourselves to the solution.

The fear of making a mistake can feel like stepping off a cliff.
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The Subtle Lie of Only One Person

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Dispelling the subtle lie of "if only one person is changed." You can reach the crowd.

Last month over at DebraLButterfield.com I spoke about some of the subtle lies Satan plants in our hearts without us even knowing it. And in actuality, I’m on a cleaning binge. I’m working to clean out the lies I have unwittingly embraced and that have kept me from enjoying the abundant life Jesus promised.

A lie I’d like to peel apart today is “If only one person is changed by __________, then it was worth all it.” You fill in the blank. Changed by:

  • The books I write
  • The blog posts I write
  • The prayers I utter
  • The time I spend leading and teaching a Bible study.

What would be on your list?

[Read more…] about The Subtle Lie of Only One Person

Seek and Destroy Your Limiting Beliefs

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My head’s abuzz with thoughts coming fast and furious.

And all because of those little quizzes that pop up on Facebook. Then the next day I got an email from Bryan Hutchinson’s blog, Positive Writer, that prompted me to download and read his free ebooks Good Enough and The Writer’s Manifesto. Those things combined helped lead the way for me to put an end to a limiting belief I’ve carried for decades.

So what does this have to do with you or with writing? [Read more…] about Seek and Destroy Your Limiting Beliefs

What Satan intended for evil, God will use for good.

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woman in hospital bed hooked up to IVLife can change in an instant. While we all realize that, we never really expect it.

If you follow my Facebook page, you’re vaguely aware of what has gone on in my life this month. Most of you don’t know, but no doubt noticed I didn’t post my usual Tuesday blog last week.

Saturday, Dec. 3, arrived as most Saturday mornings. I was enjoying the morning with a Christmas movie, with plans to prep the month’s blog posts that afternoon. At about 10:00 a friend called and said, “Do you want to have coffee?”

“Sure.” I stripped off my PJs, donned some clothes, and headed for Starbucks.

Thirty minutes later, my brother called with the news that our 91-year-old mother had fallen and been taken to the ER. A couple hours later, [Read more…] about What Satan intended for evil, God will use for good.

To Embrace Change or Not

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defeat in the boxing ringChange slapped me in the face a few weeks ago. More accurately, it slugged me so hard it knocked me down.

Has that ever happened to you?

For most of us life ushers in change. Getting married, having a baby, a child heads off to college. Or losing a loved one, a devastating illness, getting laid off.

When you’re in business for yourself—and yes, writers fit into that category—changes often include [Read more…] about To Embrace Change or Not

The Conference Is Over, What Now?

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This past weekend I was at the 2016 Wordsowers Christian Writers’ Conference where I taught on Scrivener, and also heard pitches from authors.

During the opening session, the conference director, Kat Crawford, asked how many were attending their first writers conference. I was pleasantly surprised to see nearly half the attendees raise their hands.

Kudos to you for taking that first major step toward honing your craft and getting your words out into the world.

Now that you’re back home, you might be wondering what to do now. [Read more…] about The Conference Is Over, What Now?

Which is more important, attitude or aptitude?

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Today’s world of technology can be daunting. I tend to procrastinate when I feel intimidated by the technology involved in getting something done. But something I recently read encouraged me and I want to share it with you here.

The Author Training Manual book cover Nina AmirI’m reading Nina Amir’s book The Author Training Manual. In it, Amir states that author attitude is essential to publishing success.

And I wholeheartedly agree.

I wanted to be a writer since I was a pre-teen. But I let a lot of things [Read more…] about Which is more important, attitude or aptitude?