Tag: learning

Thankful for Change? Not Really

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Cor 12:9)

As Thanksgiving draws near, I’ve focused on gratefulness as the theme of my blog posts. This week, I’m thinking about change and how to be thankful for those things that are, quite honestly, unwelcome and unwanted. Change is hard, and it’s often accompanied by some sort of trial. How can I turn my heart toward thankfulness in difficult times? Continue reading “Thankful for Change? Not Really” →

Back to School

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Prov 9:9)

When fall approaches, I start thinking about going back to school. I always enjoyed school, from learning new things to seeing my friends to joining clubs.

Even as I got older, I continued my love of learning. I studied English literature and writing as an undergrad and secondary education as a graduate student. Sometimes, I think about going back to get my Master of Fine Arts or maybe even my doctorate. Continue reading “Back to School” →

Overcoming Negative Self-Talk

Posted on by Staci Mauney
At the Skirvin Hotel for WriterCon 2019

Writing is a solitary activity, but like anything else, my writing is better when I have a group of people who can provide feedback and cheer me on. Attending a writing conference is a great way to meet like-minded people, learn more about the craft of writing, and learn more about the business side of writing.

This weekend, I attended WriterCon, an annual writing conference in Oklahoma City. Even though I’ve been attending writing conferences for years (and even helped organize a few), I learn new lessons each time. Continue reading “Overcoming Negative Self-Talk” →

How I Became a Reader of Nonfiction

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to read. However, I haven’t always loved reading nonfiction. As a teenager, I tried to read spiritual growth books, but the few I picked out had messages that seemed to be written for other people. For many years after that, I avoided reading nonfiction, including spiritual growth books.

A few years ago, I noticed a tremendous surge in the number of spiritual growth books on the market, and I decided I was ready to try the genre again. I carefully chose the books I felt I could best apply to my life. Continue reading “How I Became a Reader of Nonfiction” →

Freelance Writing: A Look Back at My First Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—” (Prov 1:5)

This month marks the one-year anniversary of my working full time as a freelance editor and writer. As a way to remember the occasion, I thought it would be appropriate to look back over the year and discover some of the lessons I’ve learned.

  1. Working as a freelancer has its perks. I can set my own schedule. Major perk.
  2. But setting my own schedule is challenging when I take low-paying jobs that require an enormous amount of work in order to build my clientele list and pay the bills. Finding jobs that pay well can be challenging, but I’ve learned that my time is valuable, and I must charge accordingly. If I don’t value the services I offer, why would anyone else?
  3. I’m learning to say “no” and set boundaries, especially when someone takes advantage of me.
  4. I’m learning what I enjoy writing and editing. I like academic editing. And manuscript editing. And nonfiction writing, especially grant writing, the mere thought of which makes some of my friends cringe and say a prayer of thanks that it’s me and not them. The jury is still out on fiction writing, but only because I struggle with it so much more than any other type of writing.
  5. Even though I’m an introvert, I’ve struggled to adjust to working alone. I enjoy spending time by myself, but I also enjoy the company of close friends. By nature, I’m introspective and spend a lot of time in my head. Now that I write full time, I find myself getting lost in my thoughts. I’m learning that I have to make an effort to reach outside of myself and connect with others. Through volunteering at church and networking with a fantastic community of authors and strong Christian women, I have found the support and guidance I need.
  6. My friends and family let me ask them questions or run project ideas by them, but for the most part, all the decisions for the business are up to me. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I don’t want to fail. I’ve learned not to rush my decision-making process and not to be so hard on myself if a decision doesn’t play out the way I hoped it would. Growing the business – and myself – is an ongoing process.
  7. Throughout this past year, I’ve struggled to find balance between my work and personal life. Working at home has been an awesome experience, but there’s very little separation between my work and the rest of my life. I have trouble leaving work “at work” when I never actually leave the office.
  8. It’s normal to have doubts. Write anyway.

In Proverbs 16:16, Solomon writes, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” It is my prayer that when I look back over the past year, I will take note of lessons learned so that I can move forward into year two of running my own business with a clear mind and open heart. When I ask, the Lord will provide wisdom and guidance for each step that I take and help me touch the lives of others through my work.

Dear Jesus, thank you for providing the opportunity to pursue my dream of writing full time. I pray for wisdom to make decisions that will honor you. Amen.