PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE

by Cynthia Ruchti

Of all the trees on our property, this one holds my attention. And affection. Its brilliant colors in autumn stir the poet in me. But that's not where its value lies for our family.

This tree is the daughter of a massive maple that once graced a different part of the yard. The day a storm toppled it, we mourned, even the youngest child. It had served as sentry, fort, hiding place, shade, shelter, goal post, and bird habitat for possibly a hundred years or more.

The parent tree died twenty-five years ago.

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OFFERING HOPE

by Cynthia Ruchti

A novelist once asked, "What would you do if you didn't write novels?" answered, "I'd write short stories."

"And if you didn't write short stories?"

"I'd write one meaningful paragraphs."

"And if you couldn't write meaningful paragraphs?"

Pause. "I guess I'd write power-packed sentences. One-liners."

"And if--?"

The novelist thought hard. "I'd write one word: Hope."

Other professions might have a different answer to that series of questions. But the novelist, especially the novelist who writes Christian fiction, can condense their life's work to a single word like hope, or one similar in flavor.

Peace. Light. Joy. Faith. Power. Purpose. Meaning. Insight. Understanding. Compassion. Redemption. Wisdom.

During a recent women's event, Romans 15:13 served as a key verse encompassing their unique maple-syrup making theme--Tapping Into God. The table decorations held a trunk of a maple tree with a nail on which hung a small bucket for collecting sap. Each attendee received a small glass bottle of maple syrup. The comedy skit prior to my speaking showed every definition imaginable about tree tapping, including tapping out Morse Code, tapping a phone screen, and tap shoes.

Romans 15:13 (CEB) describes why we find that sweet source of hope by tapping into God. It reads, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

So much is packed into that one sentence, one sentence reducing the reason we write to its beautiful, rich essence.

"May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in FAITH so that you overflow with HOPE by the POWER of the Holy Spirit."

A sentence a few verses earlier reads, "May the God of ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT…" (Romans 15:5, CEB).

And that's why we write tangled mysteries with a hope-giving conclusion, nail-biting thrillers that show a soul either redeemed or suffering the consequences of actions against the ancient and still viable and inviolable rules of life itself, emotive women's fiction with hope embedded in the denouement, well-researched historicals that wrestle with hope-hungry issues we face yet today.

Because there is a God of hope. And He intends us to spread word about it through our stories, a hope that fills us and our readers with joy and peace in faith so we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We weave stories of hope because it all comes back to that single word, and its close-knit companions.

As we approach our writing assignments these next days and weeks, might we first come to the God of hope, tapping into what He holds out to us, so that our words are the overflow of a life overwhelmed by hope.


Cynthia Ruchti is an author and speaker who tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, her devotions, nonfiction, and speaking events for women and writers. Her recent releases are When the Morning Glory Blooms (novel) and Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People's Choices (nonfiction). Connect with her and keep the hope-filled conversation going at www.cynthiaruchti.com or www.facebook.com/CynthiaRuchtiReaderPage.

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Top 5 'Must Haves' on a Writer's Desk

There’s a lot of interest about writer’s desks, like they’re some sort of holy shrine or something, especially those belonging to the big names. Stephen King is featured with his feet kicked up on his desk on the cover of his book, On Writing. I’ve even seen pictures of author’s desks pinned on Pinterest. Some are tidy. Most are not. 

Regardless, everyone wants a peek at a writer’s desk. And so I ask…what’s the big deal?!

Desks generally have four legs and a flat surface. There’s usually some kind of chair in front of them. Random office supplies are likely to be stationed on one corner or another. Scouring a picture of an author’s desk and then replicating it at your house isn’t going to make you a better writer.

Or is it?

I propose that there are some items wannabe writers could and should attain that reside on every successful author’s desk.

A Drawer Full of Humility

One of the great things about writing is that the possibilities for learning and growing in the craft are endless. Truly great authors realize they don’t know it all and continually polish their craft. And even the biggies get 1 star reviews, which tends to sag the ol’ pride sails in a quick-slap hurry.

Learn to be humble.

Perseverance Paperweights

Finishing manuscript after manuscript takes dogged determination. There’s not a whole lot of glamour in parking your behind in a chair and typing away for hours on end—but that’s what it takes. Toss your preconceived notions of effortless storytelling into the nearest dumpster. It’s work.

Learn to be persistent.

Compassion Dispensers

Isaac Asimov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harriet Beecher Stowe…these are just a few names of some of the superstars who took the time to mentor writers who weren’t as far along on the literary journey as themselves. No matter what stage of the game you’re at, there’s always someone who’s newer to the trade than you are—someone who could use a helping hand.

Learn to reach out.

Professionalism File Folders

No one likes a whiner. A diva. A perpetual eater of sour grapes. Most people don’t prefer cotton-headed-ninny-muggers, either. While it’s true that writing is a solitary pastime, when your work does begin to sell, you’ve got to be a team player. Communicating with agents and editors should always be with a respectful tone.

Learn to be accommodating.

3-Ring Binders Full of Patience

Whether you’re waiting to hear back from your first-ever query, or already have several books on the shelf, patience is indeed a virtue. And it’s not something that falls by the wayside even when you’re a NY Times bestseller. Even big names are waiting for royalty checks, sales figures, the next contract, etc.

Learn to be enduring.

If you’re missing any of those 5 ‘Must Haves’ on your desk, take a tip from this author…get them. It’s not about the physical décor, it’s the interior. Yours.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas…professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her latest release, UNDERCURRENT, is available by Risen Books. You can find her at: Writer Off the Leash, www.mmgriep.com or on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

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