I met author Mary Vee at the 2011 American Christian Fiction Writers conference in St. Louis. We hit it off immediately. (In fact, I’m guest-posting for Mary today and I encourage you to pop over to see exactly how we met. It’ll make you smile.)
I asked Mary to share her heart today and talk about her writing journey. I know you’ll leave refreshed.
Take it away, Mary!
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First, I’d like to thank Cynthia for graciously inviting me to her blog today. I feel so blessed to know her.
As a small child I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up. I lived in South Bend, Indiana. Not the best place to fulfill that dream. As the years went by, my dream career list expanded to include missionary, concert flutist, teacher, conductor, and dean of women at a college. All ranked high on my list of choice careers.
God in His gracious mercy, and maybe humor, allowed me to dabble in my dreams. But the work He didn’t tell me about until eight years ago is one I love with all my heart and can’t help but spend numerous hours sharpening. My love for writing grows every day.
As a nature person, I find myself relating my writing journey to the great outdoors. 
Walking through the woods I see, smell, and hear a variety of life: animals, trees, plants, people. All these components flavor my journey. To have only one would dull the experience.
In the same way, my writing journey is like the woods. My family, previous jobs, trips, holidays, and etc. all have become components to flavor my journey guided by Christ. To have only one would dull my writing.
Each step on the path hasn’t necessarily moved me forward. Sometimes I see a deer, hear a bird’s song, or smell a cedar tree and hover like a humming-bird, soaking in the richness. While there, God enhances the moment giving me ideas, teaching me lessons, reminding me to praise Him, reflect on His Word.
My favorite places to walk include along a stream, the woods, the shore of a lake and a mountain steep path. I’m a country girl. God transplanted me from the city, where I was born, into the country where I could best sharpen my skills.
One day God led me on a mission trip to a remote village in the mountain jungles of Honduras. Inspired by the moment, I wrote an article for a general education magazine about Honduran teens who gave up two weeks to translate our message of God’s love to their countrymen. Because of the unique slant, the article was chosen for publication and sent to thousands of American public schools.
While on a different mission trip to the Crow tribe in Hardin, Montana, God opened my eyes to the struggles of the remote missionary. Who did they have to talk to? Who could they share their concerns, trials, successes, and tears with? The same day I returned to my home, I wrote an article about the missionary. Again, the unique slant sold the article and sent the message to thousands of Adult Sunday School classes raising awareness, prayers, and support.
Each small step through the writing woods enhances my observations. I love the crackle of leaves and twigs and hearing my writing has conveyed a message to someone. I have learned to love the rain soaking my clothes, giving me a cold and reminding me of the rejections, and needed time to stop, rest, and pray. I enjoy the wind blowing past the trees carrying sweet forest scent and questions from readers wanting to learn more.
I recently attended the ACFW conference. There, God helped me present my new book to editors and agents who requested my work. This doesn’t mean publication, although it might, but it does mean another step forward.
I feel refreshed, blessed, spirited, strengthened, and honored to have walked the steps behind me and excited, nervous, uncertain, and empowered to press forward to the path ahead.
May God richly bless you on your journey.
I would love to connect with you:
Find me on Facebook.
Join me at my website … or my Bible story ministry for families.
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Landscape Photo Credits: Mary Vee
Author Photo Credit: Jodie Westfall Photography
What has your writing journey been like?
Have you been called to a special ministry?
Where do you feel most connected to God?
Reminder: October’s blog drawing is for a $10 gift card from Target. Check out the rules and info. To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is leave a comment or subscribe to my blog. If you subscribe and remain subscribed, your name is automatically thrown in the hat twice!
Blessings Always,
Comments 23
Thank you for hosting me today. What a lovely blog home:)
Author
Mary, It’s such a pleasure to have you! I feel like I should ask you what you are wearing today… anything with sequins, perhaps? 😉
What an awesome experience! Mary, we need this link on our MT Pages loop for the other members. Inspiring.
Angie
So nice to see two such lovely women and friends in one stop!
My writing journey has been unexpected. I gave up the dream of fiction over 10 years ago. But God brought it back at just the right time, once I had something to actually write about and a relationship with him that was real.
It was great to see you at the conference, Mary, and it’s fun to see you here on Cindy’s blog. I love how the Lord has used your experiences, translating them into articles that have reached thousands. Here’s hoping good things come from the requests you received at ACFW.
So sad I can’t greet you all with my photo,
Cynthia,
I happened to pick out a shirt the same color as the one in your photo. I tell you…we have to be twins!!
Thanks Angela!
I hope we can. Always wonderful to share God’s blessings with others.
Lindsay,
I guess you are living proof that God does not waste dreams. He uses the time to prepare the fulfillment.
Good to see you here.
Keli,
You are so sweet. Thanks.
Mary, I love reading some of your journey through the writing woods. I like that. 🙂 I love how God’s creation inspires words in you. How neat that he gives you unique perspectives to touch the hearts of others. I am so excited to see what steps God will lead you on next in your writing journey.
Cynthia, this is my first time to your blog. It’s beautiful! I’m so blessed for having met both of you at ACFW this year.
Author
Jeanne, welcome! So glad you visited today! I’m thankful God is the master of divine appointments. 🙂
I loved Mary’s post, too. As she described how nature inspires her, I felt like I was there alongside her seeing her surroundings through her eyes.
I’m up early this morning and the first thing I read is your blog post, Mary.
What a vivid reminder to find God in creation. To remember that he is working in and through all the circumstances in my life — the easy and the rough.
And to look for unique slants for my stories.
Still trying to get the picture component to work. Sorry about the huge blue with circle in a blue box. Maybe my last comment will get the photo.
Thanks Jeanne.
I am hoping for a sweet journey that of course will have pitfalls. But with God at my side, the walk will be an exciting adventure
Cynthia,
You have been a gracious host. Thank you for having me.
Thanks, Beth.
I do love the woods, walking tree lined paths, smelling the flora, so sweet.
God is good.
Yea!!! finally on the last comment, I have the picture. There is hope for me. 🙂
Mary, how fun to read about your writing journey here! Love your perspective. Can’t wait to see where the journey takes you next. :0)
Thanks Susan. It has been fun meeting you these last few minutes. Hope to kindle a continuing friendship. Blessings.
Mary! loved reading about your life journey. I miss you on Scribes 220. Glad you were able to attend the conference and how GREAT that your book received requests. Please keep us posted! 🙂
What an interesting path your writing has taken! Thanks for sharing it here with us.
Writing–I kept a journal for years, was a NaNoWriMo Rebel 2011 for nonfiction/memoir. Now most of my writing is via blog.
Feel most connected to God–outdoors, wallowing in His creation.
Mary! Loved reading about your life journey. I miss you on Scribes 220. Great that you were able to attend the conference and how awesome that you have requests for your book! Keep us posted!
Beth!
Oh so nice to see you!!
Yes, I miss our close knit group from scribes 220. What a blessing all have been to me. God has since scooted me into contemporary fiction, as you know. But he has not removed my blessed friends from the YA 220!
Love yah sis. and blessings on your continued writing ministry.
Patti,
A simpatico friend! We should go for a nature walk together. I like your ideas of journaling. Blessings on your blog and your future writings.