What I Learned From the Apple Seed (Be A Novelist)

Be A NovelistBankrupt of Ideas

In the earliest days of my writing–as I dreamed of becoming a novelist–I saw myself as bankrupt in the area of ideas.  I felt I lived such a mundane life that there was really nothing much I could write about.  Additionally, as I read other books, stories and articles, it seemed all the good ideas had been taken.

Looking back now I realize–with the wisdom of hindsight–that these doubts and fears were based on my low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.

A Nugget of Truth

I think it’s so neat how God put these doubts forever to rest.  It wasn’t because He flooded my mind with a bazillion ideas.  That would have been too overwhelming.  Instead He gave me a little nugget of truth that set me free.

Apple SeedIt came in the form of a daily devotion–a little devotion booklet that I read every morning.  The devotion for the day, January 9, 1980, stated:

A few people know how many seeds are in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in each seed.” 

 This particular message was talking about the fact that within each one of us lies unlimited potential for good.  However, that’s not what the message said to this trembling, fearful, budding writer!  Not at all!

God’s Specific Message

To me it was God speaking specifically of the unlimited store of ideas that lay dormant within ME!  Little ole me. It was one of those Eureka! moments that live forever in your mind and heart.

I tore out the page, glued a real apple seed to the page and placed it at the front of my idea notebook.

At the bottom of the page I penned these words:

God alone knows how many stories and articles lie resident within me, waiting to be born.

Connected to the Creator

Today, I look back over a lifetime of producing hundreds of articles, short stores, and more than fifty published books and I marvel.  How could I have ever thought I had a shortage of good ideas?  I am connected with the Creator God of the universe who still has not used up all His ideas for another unique snowflake–or for another unique human being.

My thoughts of being idea-bankrupt were abolished in a moment of time.  The exact same thing is true for you.  You have a reservoir within you that is brimming over with good–and even great–novel and plot ideas.  And God knows each and every one of them.  Because He authored them first!

What an exciting and freeing thought!

Clean Teen ReadsBe A NovelistTired of the struggle writing your book? Need a helping hand? Norma Jean’s Coaching Services may be the answer you’re looking for. Fill out the questionnaire on the page and let’s see if we’re a right fit. A FREE consultation gets the ball rolling. (Or the pen writing!) Click HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Did you know? The 1st title in the Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection is always a FREE Kindle download? You didn’t? Well now you do. What  are your waiting for? Click this little link right HERE and enjoy Flower in the Hills!

Be A Novelist

Clean Teen Reads

Be A Novelist

Clean Teen Reads

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Research for “Brought To You By The Color Drab”: Blind but Victorious

Be A NovelistIn my latest teen novel, Brought To You By The Color Drab the main character, Race, gets a job as a driver for a blind piano tuner. (Actually, it was either take the job or land in juvie. So he took the job. But more about that in the book.)

A Terrifying Condition

Blindness can be a terrifying condition. The level of fear can be almost overwhelming. But I happen to know a blind person who overcame the fear and pushed through to amazing victory in his life.

Jim Stovall

I knew Jim Stovall in the early days, shortly after he’d totally lost his sight. (Up to that point he could still see forms and shadows–then all went black.) During this time in the 1980s, he was still incubating the idea for the Narrative Television Network. On a daily basis, he was calling major companies in an attempt to find sponsors. Even back then, Jim was doggedly determined.

Now many years later, Jim is an author, motivational speaker, movie producer, as well as remaining president of the NTN company. In 2010, Stovall received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Council of the Blind for his work with the Narrative Television Network.

The Ultimate Gift

You can watch Jim in this video telling his story. This interview was a few years ago–there have been so many accomplishments since. Perhaps you’ve heard of the movie The Ultimate Gift. If so, then your life has been touched by Jim Stovall

In Brought To You By The Color Drab, Stan Crosslin, did not allow his loss of sight to define his life. Like Jim Stovall, Stan pressed through and became a positive influence in the life of my main character, Race Paloma.

Enjoy the video…

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Download Chapters 1 & 2 of Color Drab FREE.

Just CLICK HERE!

Clean Teen ReadsBe A NovelistTired of the struggle writing your book? Need a helping hand? Norma Jean’s Coaching Services may be the answer you’re looking for. Fill out the questionnaire on the page and let’s see if we’re a right fit. A FREE consultation gets the ball rolling. (Or the pen writing!) Click HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Be A Novelist

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