My boat rocked and I was blown out of the water of creativity when I read a message on my blog from Megha’s World.
Megha nominated met to an award I knew nothing about, the Liebster Award. Minutes earlier, I read on her blog, of her two nomination by two bloggers and wondered what the award was for. Not sure why, I overlooked my blog among the other nine she had named for this recognition.
Let me tell you what I like about her blogs , her poetry has its own unique style and flavor. Her writings are open-minded and heart touching. She weaves her own experiences and perceptions in a way which makes the piece easy to read. I enjoy the topics she addresses and her suggestions. Take time and visit her sight, if you haven’t been introduce to her style of creativity. You will not be disappointed.
I feel honored and grateful for Megha selecting my blog. I’ve learn much in the process of writing this blog Thank you very much for this recognition, Megha.
My questions for the blogs, I will recommend later, will be on part 2 of this post. Why? I don’t like to write long blogs and this one is super, duper long.
Here are my answers to Megha’s questions.
Why did I get involved in writing?
Over ten years ago, my best-friend Julia sat and read a story of mine and said, “Lidia, this is good. Very good. Do you know how many people could be benefit from your story?”
I learned, my short stories did help others. Women, I counsel, read my stories and receive comfort. I kept hearing over and over again that I should publish these stories. My friend’s and the women’s encouragement sent me on a quest to improve my writing skills.
Getting published is not an easy endeavor. For the last six years I’ve been learning everything I can to write well. Mistakes still slip, but they don’t stop me.
What event in my life taught me the most?
Keeping the theme of writing I would have to say, it was the evening God sent me to unburied my talent. It took a long journal entry to find the gift of storytelling. That same evening, a short story was born. Six years later, the story received first place at the Cascade Awards from the Oregon Christian Writers.
This experience taught me to see myself as a true writer.
What is the one thing that I like about myself and why?
Wow! I had to think on this one, because it is something I don’t evaluate about myself. I would have to say, my ability to capture natures beauty through photography and write an insert from the photo.
Nature captures my attention and sets my creative process free.
Who is my favorite writer and why?
My mentor, Marion Duckworth took me under her wing five years ago and didn’t give me slack as she edited my work. With every critique came hours of work. It wasn’t all about the written word, but the heart of writing. She would ask me questions like, why do I write and what message do I have to tell the world? Who is my audience?
The one question she asked often was, “Is writing a calling?”
If I would had said, “It’s a quest,” then she would have told me, “Then you can quit any time. But, if it’s a calling and you quit, then it’s all between you and God.” She doesn’t sugar coat anything. Always tells me like it needs to be heard. Without her and God, I wouldn’t be answering these questions.
Marion Duckworth, is ninety-one and she just published another book on kindle. She’s an amazing woman of God.
What is the definition of being successful in life?
Honestly, success intimated me. Why? Because success can shrink hearts and enlarges heads.
I would have to say, success is when one of my story helps many, yet it will not shrink my heart.
How do I handle fear?
My first instinct is run and hide the fear. Fear will climb on my shoulders, weighing me down, not allowing me to do what I desire to do. I’ve realized, if I face my fear and ask it questions, it actually can help me.
Here are some questions I ask fear when it appears. Why are you here? What is it that you don’t want me to see about myself? Where did you come from? If I know the answers to these questions then I know if it’s the past, present or the future that I’m trying to avoid.
Fear is a friend and not an enemy. It comes to warn me about myself more than others, or forces outside of me.
I do find myself wanting to tuck fear in the “later box” which, I keep in my heart, I still react and flee. This is something I’m still working on and possibly an ongoing task.
Would I change anything about me?
Me, in the inside, no! Because that’s who I really am and where my stories come from. Yet, me on the outside, must change, or the circumstances that come my way will devastate me. Even though I have lived fifty-nine years, life, always has something new to show me. My dog, who has passed away, taught me, that an old dog can learn new trick on his last year of his life. He had to learn to live with the cancer that killed him.
Our world is changing, if I don’t change then I will become brittled and my stories will not be read. Instagram and blogging has changed the way I think and write. They are kinda scary, but fear doesn’t cripple me anymore, it propels me to move forward.
Who is my favorite Author?
Honestly, I do not have one. I have never been able to say he or she is my favorite, beside the author of life. I’m a very different bird than most writers. Maybe it is because my brain is wired to be more of a mathematician than a writer.
Let me tell you, why Jesus is my favorite author, He is my example for living my life. He helps me write my stories and ideas. He keeps me striving to be better than I was yesterday. He teaches me when it’s time to adapt, change, improve and grow. He reminds me, that I can’t stay small. I must get taller, wider and deeper with my thinking and understanding or I will die inside.
What inspires me most about writing?
Two things, other writers.
The second, stories which transform, inspire and move the heart of the reader. That’s magical.
Give myself a tagline.
“To be an illuminating lamp, who burns from the oils of gratitude and gladness.”
Thank yo for bearing with my long answers. Blessings.
corazon181 