Posted on December 28, 2018December 25, 2018 by Tisha — 4 Comments

The Year of Trust

Word for 2018

It’s that time of year . . . where people all across the globe are reflecting on the year that’s behind them and anticipating the new year that’s ahead of them. Wow, where did this year go? Truly seems like I was sitting on the couch only moments ago, wondering how 2018 would shape up. Guess it shaped up fairly well—we’re at the end of it now!

Now . . . as I sit at my computer on Christmas Day, listening to Mannheim Steamroller and reminiscing all that 2018 had to offer me, teach me, encourage me, and grow me, I sigh with satisfaction. Satisfaction that even through a rocky and unpredictable 2018, my chosen word of the year—trust—really guided me every step of the year’s journey.

The Trust Journey

From the train station to the plane station, traveling different modes of transportation allowed me to see the world from different viewpoints—and each one super special. Getting to talk with complete strangers about their jobs and their lifestyles helped me to appreciate people more.

From California to Boston, it was such a pleasure to meet so many new friends and catch up with old friends. In all, I traveled ten times, and each one a matter of trust because it was definitely an investment year for my writing and editing business.

From my home to others’ homes, the joy of spending time with people and sharing their daily lives is always a treat.

From being a guest on a podcast to giving two talks about self-editing at a writer’s conference, I had the privilege of getting involved in other writers’ lives and sharing the wonderful world of writing . . . and editing. Loved connecting with writers and talking about their books!

From having no contract to securing a contract with a publisher, it was such a joy to see this process unfold. Years of hard work, prayer, and mountains of trust happened to get to this happy place! Sharing about this on the blog soon!

And with all the ins and outs of expanding a freelance editing business, more trust than I thought possible was required this year. But a-trusting we did, and seeing the results of blood, sweat, tears, and much prayer is so rewarding! I’m blessed beyond measure to serve the authors and publishers I work with. Truly it is a team effort to get books out into the world!

What Did Trust Mean For Me?

Throughout all of my travels and adventures this year, I learned to trust the process and the plan in each situation I found myself. Sounds easy? No, my friend, it was far from easy. But it was rewarding after I was able to look back and see how each step was laid out exactly as it was supposed to. Then the trusting was definitely worth it!

I’m starting to see a trend here though. 2017 was Adventure, 2018 was Trust, and 2019 looks like it will be either Encourage or Joy. Maybe the two will end up mixing? We’ll see! But the trend I’m seeing is that these words fit well together, as far as the lessons I’ve learned from each year’s events. Each year has built on the previous, but isn’t that life life though? We’re constantly learning, constantly growing.

What Am I Doing in 2019?

Well, here’s the working plan:

Give two talks on self-editing at FlourishWriters, a mega online writer’s conference. If you’d like more information, click here. Starts January 22!
Keep writing my second historical fiction (post-WWII) novel.
Work on edits from my first historical fiction (WWII) novel.
Attend a writer’s conference. Or two. Maybe more.
Continue to work with great authors. If you’re interested in any of my editing services, please visit my Editing Page to see how we can work together to make your manuscript shine! My 2019 calendar is filling up fast, so get in touch today to make sure your manuscript gets into the calendar!
Continue to bring you exclusive content that is helpful, beneficial, and enjoyable. If you have a topic or subject you’d like to see, please contact me, and I’ll see what we can do to deliver that to you!
Get excited and plan an anthology book launch, coming fall 2019! I’ll be sharing a post about that, but to keep in touch of the progress and to get in on launch goodies, sign up for my newsletter. Delivered only four times a year—and may or may not include a gift card!

davidson-luna-180631 — **Wishing You a Very Happy New Year!**

In 2019, I want to continue to learn and grow and reach out to others.

How about you? What are your 2019 goals? Plans? Trips?
I’d love to hear from you!

Posted on September 21, 2018September 20, 2018 by Tisha — Leave a comment

How to Have the Right Perspective

This blog post first appeared September, 2017.

Since I enjoy researching and writing about the WWII American home front and polio, I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend, Starr. I met Starr through a Post Polio group and I was so inspired by her love for life and her beautiful heart. As I got to know her, it became apparent that a beautiful heart is all about having the right perspective. Starr, thanks for letting me interview you and for sharing your life with us.

My character, Laurie, contracts polio in 1943, a time when America was engulfed in the throes of a world war, but also, fighting a home front war, the war against this crippling disease. What is your polio story?

Starr — Where should I begin. I have thought about it for a long time. I became sick at age 6 months old. I was born to teenage parents, Mom was 16 and Dad 15. They did what all parents do and I was vaccinated on schedule. It was my third dose, which was the live virus which I contracted polio. I have had good times, bad times, sad and happy. But looking back I would not change a thing. It is what made the person I am. It got me to where I am today. I love my life and I feel very blessed.

I know hospitals are not fun, but you’ve talked about some fascinating stories between you and a boy you met while in the hospital. What is your favorite memory?

Starr — This is an easy memory for me. Christmas Eve, the hospital was empty just a few of us there. They would take us to the auditorium and show Laurel and Hardy’s March of the Wooden Soldiers. We had popcorn and laughed a lot. My husband and I were friends back then. We both were in and out of the hospital and it seemed it was always at the same time.

I’m sure being in and out of the hospital was a love-hate relationship, especially because your best friend became your husband. 🙂

How did you spend your summers after polio?

The Eye of the Mustang — Sister, the Paint Mustang

Starr — Well, I discovered early on that I was different. I didn’t go outside that often, most were spent indoors either at home or the hospital. But I found ways to enjoy the change of seasons. I watched the colors change, and saw life from a window. In my teens, my parents bought a horse, they thought it would be good therapy. And it was, because the horse became my legs. I was able to go where ever I wanted. I know this sounds strange but I would go to a grave yard with a pad of paper and draw nature. And talk to the graves as if they were old friends.

My character has a horse, too, and has to learn how to ride again. Riding is wonderful therapy for anyone.

How did you meet your husband?

Starr — We met when we were six. Both in the hospital for two different reasons. We were on mats in physical therapy waiting our turn. He and another boy were behind me laughing. They took turns pulling on my pig tails. I cried and they [nurses] had to take me back to my room. Yes, and I married him. But there were many stories between then and our marriage.

That’s funny and cute. I’m sure he’s glad you decided to marry him too.

What is your hobby?

Starr — I have many. I paint, draw, write poems, write short stories, crochet, cook, compose music and play many instruments. I sang and gardened prior to PPS.

Just so our readers understand what PPS is, PPS is called Post-Polio Syndrome.

I enjoy poetry and the hope it gives. You wrote a poem called “Whispers of Heaven.” I think our readers will love this section you wrote:

A life unvarnished, rattled with pain

And back to this life I did reclaim.

The time has since has passed seeming far away

But still I am here and will remain,

thinking of time and that I must stay

For all we are now, and all we’re to be

We must follow the path that leads to thee

I know not where nor do I the time

What life I now have alone it is mine

But knowing what waits beyond is not pretend

For each of us holds to love when it’s our life’s end.

From my research, I’ve learned that Post Polio is a syndrome where the challenges of polio come back after a 20-40 year span. What is your approach to PPS?

Starr — I deal with it day by day. I try to enjoy every day, and am very thankful that I am here. Because I know life can be gone in an instant.

Through your life experience, how have you become a better person?

Starr — I am more sensitive to other people’s feelings and am very patient.

Being patient truly is a gift. What are some things that make you happy?

Starr — Well right now it is being a grandmother. I have wanted to be one for such a long time.

Who was instrumental in shaping you into the wonderful person you are today?

1940s Apron Starr — I would have to say my Mom, because she pushed me. She was hard on me, but did it to make me stronger. And also all the staff at the children’s hospital I spent most of my life in.

What is your encouraging advice to others, and something that writers can infuse into their own characters’ lives?

Starr — Never be defeated, defeat the circumstance. Let go of pain, both emotional and physical. And the last is to forgive all those who have hurt you, and forgive yourself. It will lift such a weight off you. I have found that if you allow the sorrow to fill you with hate, you will never have the love you seek.

Thanks for sharing with us today, Starr! Your story is beautiful, inspiring, and a great reminder that we can have confidence no matter what we go through. We all have challenges in life, and I’m encouraged by your outlook on life.

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Posted on August 3, 2018July 27, 2018 by Tisha — 5 Comments

Defining Success Part Four

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Sometimes I’d like to quit. Really. Just close up the piano and bolt the lid, and snuggle down with a nice cup of coffee and listen to good, encouraging music. This is true when I feel like I’ve made an egregious error or said something that came out the wrong way when I didn’t mean for it to—but the “enter” key has already been punched before I could delete; and the words have escaped my lips. And especially true when I may not have gotten as much sleep as I wanted, or have had a full calendar. It’s then life becomes one big mess of words, you know?

Do you ever struggle with saying the right words at the wrong time or the wrong words at the right time? Perhaps I’m not the only one who feels this way from time to time. . . Nevertheless, it’s a part of fallen humanity, and I imagine we’ve all had those moments of “Oh man, I can’t believe I said it that way. . . Well, guess it’s too late to retract my words—they’re already out there.” And then we find ourselves praying, “God, please forgive me. Strip away any words that would sound arrogant or unhelpful or unkind” or “God, please use this experience to help me grow,” and “Please help me to choose my words more wisely next time so that they reflect you.” However the case may be for you, dear reader, when our words—spoken or written—come out sounding all wrong like a piano with a bad cold, it’s always a good idea to take a moment to reflect.

Such is a moment for reflection, and midyear is a good time for it, right? And in reflection, we can indeed grow from that little experience and thus know how to respond better the next time. Sometimes it always feels as if it’s the next time most of the time.

Perhaps a personal anecdote may illustrate this. Usually I like to read agency blog posts and comment on nearly every blog post. The particular blog post spoke of the tension in promotion (of an author’s books), and was it faithful promotion or self-ful promotion? Was there indeed a tension? the agent wanted to know. And so I responded, essentially saying that there necessarily wasn’t “tension in the marketing,” and the rest of my reply, the way it sounded—after, of course, I posted the reply—was like fingernails across the blackboard, and what sounded like a prideful statement. In reality, however, that’s not how I meant to say it at all.

Ah, broken humanity, such as we are. It is only by God’s grace that we aren’t in worse shape, for God’s grace keeps us and encourages us and, yes, admonishes us when we need it. From there, we can learn and grow so that the next time becomes less and less.

So the next time I’m—we’re—tempted to say something, let’s give our answers a third glance-over or engage our brains a little deeper and make sure that’s how we truly want to word it, and what we really mean to say. And as a writer, it’s such a huge responsibility to type each word, and it sends humbling chills down my spine to think that the words God’s given me will someday be read by others, if he so chooses.

Words. They’re tricky little things, aren’t they?

As Ignatius Loyola said, “Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God.”

I guess maybe quitting isn’t the best course of action, because I truly love what I do. And maybe I really don’t want to quit. Perhaps the best course of action is to make sure we’ve had enough sleep, or enough coffee in our system, or re-read a passage for better clarity, so that we can have that certain measure of confidence before sending our words out into the world. And by that—and especially by keeping the focus where it needs to be, on God—we can rest in the success, knowing that it truly is from him because he created words.

Posted on May 18, 2018May 16, 2018 by Tisha — 2 Comments

Author Interview: Jessica Ronne + Sunlight Burning at Midnight Giveaway

Jess and I have discussed that she sleeps more than I do—and she has eight kids! How could I sleep when I was reading her memoir (about the birth of her son Lucas, who had a serious heart condition, and the passing of her late husband, Jason) Sunlight Burning at Midnight?? I’m excited to introduce to you my friend Jessica Ronne, fondly known for her simply lifestyle at Jess Plus the Mess, founder of the Lucas Project, and lives the mantra #justkeeplivin.

Thanks, Jess, for sharing a bit of your life with us today. And, readers, there’s a #giveaway at the end, so just keep reading!

What was your go-to Bible passage or quote during your pregnancy with Caleb, and how did that transform your thinking?

Psalm 91. The imagery of the Father, covering me with his mighty wings, shielding and protecting me and my family from harm was an image I often returned to.

Who was your earthly rock during the events surrounding your Jason’s illness, and how did they give you hope?

I’m not sure I allowed anyone to be my earthly rock. I’m too stubborn to let people into my pain and so Jason and I relied heavily on each other’s strength during those tumultuous years. He retained his mental and physical strength almost to the very end and was my rock. I leaned on him until I absolutely had to let go.

How did you think your kids would react to meeting new husband Ryan and the Ronne kiddos? And what surprised you?

They were so excited. Only weeks after Jason’s death Caleb asked when he was going to get a new dad. There was such a void there that he wanted filled. He loved the idea of a father because his experience with Jason had been so positive. It surprised me how well they all clicked from the very first day. They laughed and played and even fought like they had always been siblings!

What has been the best memory so far with your family?

Hmmm. There are so many joy filled days. I don’t know if I have one. One moment that may seem insignificant to many but holds meaning occurred after we followed our hearts and moved to rural Tennessee to pursue a simple life. We purchased a big old deserted house and the water pipes broke and so we didn’t have water. The kids needed a shower, and it began to rain. I told them to grab a bottle of shampoo, put on their bathing suits, and head outside to shower. They danced all over the patio, lathering each other up as bubbles flowed down their bodies and into the overgrown grass. There was such joy and determination and this idea of – as long as were together and we’re a family we can get through anything and find joy in the mundane, and we have.

Jessica, thank you so much—your story is truly an inspiration to us all.

jessica-ronne-headshot-tisha-martin-author-editor-sunlight-burning-at-midnight About Jessica Ronne

Jessica Ronne is a wife, mother, author, and teacher. She lives in the hills of Tennessee with her husband Ryan and eight children where they cultivate the simple life, which they’ve discovered isn’t really all that simple. She is the author of Sunlight Burning at Midnight, her memoir of beauty from ashes. She can be found at jessplusthemess.com, blogging about faith, grief, food, simplicity, special needs children, blended families, and everything else in between. You can find her also on Facebook: jessplusthemess and on Instagram: jessplusthemess.

Reader, your turn! What’s been a hard or challenging experience for you, and how have you seen God help you through it? In short, what’s been your sunlight burning at midnight?

Now … for the giveaway details:

no purchase necessary to enter or win
open to participants under the age of 18 and in the lower U.S. 48 states
your name/email will not be sold to any third party vendor or used in any way other than to contact you if you are selected a winner
giveaway runs until Friday, May 25, 2018, through Rafflecopter
All the best to you!

Enter the Giveaway! Click here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde8b93613/?

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Tisha — 6 Comments

Three Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

Writing with the Winter Blues
Don’t know about you, but this winter’s dragged on forever with no end in sight. Here in the Midwest, we had our first snow over Christmas. Then negative below temps stretched three grueling weeks, as did the snow. And in February, it kept snowing, melting, snowing, melting, raining, snowing, melting, raining, snow—Ahhh!

The country girl in me couldn’t take it any longer. And the writer in me shriveled for a bit; I felt like a snowman stripped of his decorations by giggling children who wanted to build a bigger snowman. And the editor in me? . . . quickly sprang to life because I needed to get cracking on my manuscript edits and guest blog posts and author book giveaway interview blog posts and client meetings and editing for clients and conference preparation and book proposals.

Are you with me still? Yes? Great!

How do you write during those winter blues? (Instead of simply staring out the bay window waiting for Spring?) My writer friend Pearl Allard wrote a fabulous post about her shriveled season. You can read about it here. You’ll love her beautiful tantalizing descriptions, words of wisdom to power you through. Right Click the link and Open link in new tab, reader or save her article, and come back here. You won’t to miss what’s coming next. . .

I’d like to share three things I do to beat those winter writing blues:

Beat on another door.
If writing isn’t working for you, it’s okay. Don’t panic. It happens to every writer, from multi published to beginner, from confident to scared, from experienced to inexperienced. No one’s exempt. Consider working on your platform—remember, that means building relationships on whatever social media is most comfy for you—or jotting down new story ideas, or sending out emails to writer friends to plan attending the next conference together. Several great ones coming up are listed in The Christian Writers Market Guide. Several conferences to look into that are surprisingly affordable: Calvin Festival of Faith and Writing, Blue Ridge Writers Conference, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, SoCal Christian Writers Conference, St. Davids Christian Writers Conference, REALM Makers, Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, and Breathe Christian Writers Conference, to name only a few. How about offering to beta read for a friend? Get involved in a blog tour or three. Two great tours to sign up for are Singing Librarian Books and Just Read. I’m part of Singing Librarian’s blog tour coming up Friday, April 6, for an author’s book, and the story line’s beautiful. You should come back and see what it’s all about!
Beat your brains out with manuscript edits. No, don’t actually do that. It hurts. I just couldn’t think of a better way to begin point two. Seriously, though. Sometimes when those words don’t flow like milk and honey, it’s best to stop frustrating yourself and look over what you’ve already written. Don’t focus on writing. Focus on editing. Does a sentence not make any sense to you as it did at 2 a.m.? Make a note in the margin and move on. The trick here is not to stop and dwell on the words. We’re not writing, we’re editing. Big difference. Do you need to do more research for a particular scene? Jot some thoughts down of what you need to google or find in your research book’s index. Do you need stronger verbs? Nouns? Words in general? Pull up the online Thesaurus and enjoy discovering new words that are spicier than those old ones.
Beat your plans into submission. Again, I’m writing this at 4 a.m. so my word choice may not be the best. Sorry. I think I need to use the Thesaurus more often too. What do I mean by “beat your plans into submission”? Think ahead. If you haven’t written a book proposal, use this stunted writing season to research the best ways to organize your book proposal. Keep in mind each agent or publisher has different requirements, so you’ll want to pay careful and close attention to their submission guidelines. Important: a book proposal is like a job resume. You want it to best fit the agency’s or publisher’s (if you’re self-publishing) guidelines you’re submitting to. Guidelines can be found on the agent’s or publisher’s official website. Generally, a book proposal consists of: the cover letter, target audience, current and future marketing (for when your book baby is published), complete synopsis (NO secrets kept here), and the first three chapters or fifty pages of the manuscript. A few great resource articles are Keys to a Great Book Proposal, Jane Friedman’s How to Craft a Book Proposal, Crafting an Academic Book Proposal, and a few excellent and affordable books to include to your wintertime reading: Michael Hyatt’s Fiction and Nonfiction Book Proposals and Writer’s Digest Selling Your Nonfiction Book (ebook). Check them out and let me know which you’ve decided to get!

I hope you find these three things for beating the winter writing blues helpful.

What about you? How do YOU beat those winter writing blues? Let me know in the comments! Looking forward to hearing from you!!

Speaking of winter blues—oh look!

There’s a bright orange chested robin careening over a pine tree; and there’s the sun—the sun!—peeking over the horizon. I feel better now. Spring’s on its way. Hot dog! I’m gonna fly now—see you at the next writers conference! First, please leave a comment; conference’s not for a few weeks yet. I want to engage in conversation with you about YOUR winter writing blues.

Posted on November 3, 2017October 24, 2017 by Tisha — Leave a comment

Vintage Power: Women Workers

1940s teenage friends girls cooking baking wartime WWII tisha martin author editor

1940s two ladies girls wartime work vintage lunchboxes tisha martin author editor

wartime workers girls delivering ice 1940s WWII tisha martin author editor

WWII women working together during hard times while the men were away. Don’t you just love the community spirit? Could you imagine hauling such a large chunk of ice? My soul!

As Jerome K. Jerome says, “I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”

Posted on October 27, 2017October 24, 2017 by Tisha — 2 Comments

In a world of fall color: give thanks

Fall is one of my favorite time of the year because it brings comforting things—coffee every day, thick sweaters, warm boots, evening reading with a flickering candle beside, and a season of thankfulness.

What and who are you thankful for? What do you enjoy about the fall season? I’d love to hear your comments!

bronte emily tisha martin author editor fall historical fiction romance

john greenleaf whittier fall tisha martin author editor historical fiction romance

Next month, I’ve got two great post #giveaway for you that you won’t want to miss! #amreading and #amediting … For the authors AND readers in your life! Just in time for the season’s shopping and fall reading!

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Tisha — Leave a comment

4 Inspirational Quotes About Fall + Photos

Welcome, September! I love your colorful leaves that inspire me, your blustery walks down a country road or city sidewalk, your chilling breeze as I sit before a fire and brown marshmallows with family and friends.

Here’s a few of my favorite quotes and poetic bits going into the Fall season and the month of September. I hope you enjoy them.

Coffee Book Window Fall

Just smell it! Bring on the fall with #books and #coffee.

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“There’s a little bit to love right here in September.”

— Cara Grandle

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By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer. — Helen Hunt Jackson

Books are the window to the soul.

Posted on September 8, 2017September 1, 2017 by Tisha — 7 Comments

Perspective: Polio Interview with Starr Tillman

Since I enjoy researching and writing about the WWII American home front and polio, I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend, Starr. I met Starr through the Post Polio Facebook page and I was so inspired by her love for life and her beautiful heart. As I got to know her, it became apparent that a beautiful heart is all about having the right perspective. Starr, thanks for letting me interview you and for sharing your life with us.

My character, Laurie, contracts polio in 1943, a time when America was engulfed in the throes of a world war, but also, fighting a home front war, the war against the crippling disease. What is your polio story?

Starr — Where should I begin. I have thought about it for a long time. I became sick at age 6 months old. I was born to teenage parents, Mom was 16 and Dad 15. They did what all parents do and I was vaccinated on schedule. It was my third dose, which was the live virus which I contracted polio. I have had good times, bad time, sad and happy. But looking back I would not change a thing. It is what made the person I am. It got me to where I am today. I love my life and I feel very blessed.

I know hospitals are not fun, but you’ve talked about some fascinating stories between you and a boy you met while in the hospital. What is your favorite memory?

I’m sure being in and out of the hospital was a love-hate relationship, especially because your best friend became your husband. 🙂

How did you spend your summers after polio?

My character had a horse, too, and had to learn how to ride again. Riding is wonderful therapy for anyone.

How did you meet your husband?

That’s funny and cute. I’m sure he’s glad you decided to marry him, too.

What is your hobby?

Starr — I have many. I paint, draw, write poems, write short stories, crochet, cook, compose music and play many instruments. I sang and gardened prior to PPS.

I enjoy poetry and the hope it gives. You wrote a poem about “Whispers of Heaven.” I liked this section you wrote:

A life unvarnished rattled with pain

And back to this life I did reclaim

The time has since has passed seeming far away

But still I am here and will remain