Not all lessons are learned in the classroom. I was reminded of some important lessons this week at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park.

I took a clinic at CCWC where each person submitted the synopsis and first ten pages of his or her novel prior to the conference. Then, during the meetings we discussed each one and the instructors went over the manuscripts. The instructors were experienced authors and editors. When mine was discussed, they pointed out good aspects and some that needed to be corrected.

In the genre of Christian Romance, we are told to keep our characters clothed and appropriate at all times. However, as I was listening to a sermon on Genesis, chapter two, last weekend, I started thinking about how important it is for our characters to be naked, based on verse twenty-five – “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (NKJV)

Ok, before everyone faints from the shock or starts writing me emails, let me explain. True love only occurs when we are totally honest and totally vulnerable with each other.

God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And here was evening and there was morning, one day. (Genesis 1:5, NASB)

This verse, Abba, makes me think even more strongly that the darkness is not meant as spiritual darkness. That it is just the darkness of the night, the time when we can rest. I am reading this as the darkness is a good thing and cannot be equated with the difference between sin and following you as many people do.

God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4, NASB)

Light and darkness – I have so much trouble with those words and their meanings. This seems to imply that the light is good and the darkness is bad. And in some ways that is right because the Light of God is good and I need to walk in His light. But at a more literal level, the darkness is also good because it is in the dark that we find God’s rest and time for our bodies to repair themselves.

Then God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3, NASB)

Light, this word has so many meanings. Right now, I am seeing light as wisdom. As I move over the face of the waters of Your creation, will you open my eyes to the things I need to be seeing and thinking and doing? Is it in the basic of Your creation that I will find the answers for my life? Abba, I seek Your light to be upon the turbulent waters in my life. I need Your light to expose the turbulence and to show me where and how it needs to be changed.

The earth was formless and void, and darkness over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2, NASB)

That’s interesting, Abba. When the earth is formless and void, it appears that everything was covered with water. What should that be saying to me about water? Water is basic to creation. Interesting. Studies have shown that water is a catalyst to creation. Sitting by a fountain, in the shower, next to a moving stream; these are all places where people, especially myself, tend to come up with new ideas and thoughts.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1, NASB): The beginning – the start. As I start once more on this journey of typing the Bible, Abba, please open my eyes to Your wisdom, Your knowledge, and Your order. Abba, please let me find Your order for my life in this exercise.

The earth was formless and void, and darkness over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2, NASB): That’s interesting, Abba. When the earth is formless and void, it appears that everything was covered with water.

[NOTE: This is the same blog entry as I posted on the ACFW Colorado website] A few days ago, I think it was on Facebook, I saw these words: "Writers are people who haven't given up their imaginary friends." (Jacob Nuckolls). All the characters in my mind started to laugh hysterically. “And you never will get rid of us,” they yelled. This started a string of memories and thoughts.

Below are continued thoughts from Chip macGregor’s presentation on From Wannabe to Published Author . In depth information on these notes can be found at Chip’s website.

I attended a continuing session with Chip MacGregor entitled From Wannabe to Published Author. Below are some of the highlights from that presentation. In depth information on these notes can be found on Chip’s website.