Memoir or Personal Essay

Do you know the difference between writing a memoir and a personal essay? This video explains the difference. And now a few quotes that hopefully make you laugh.

“Isn't this amazing? Clinton is getting $8M for his memoir, Hillary got $8M for her memoir. That is $16M for two people who for eight years couldn't remember anything.”—Jay Leno

“I put off writing the first Left Behind book for a year because I got invited to assist Billy Graham in his memoirs, and had we known what we were putting off for a year, we might not have put it off.”—Jerry B. Jenkins

“His memoir is a splendid artichoke of anecdotes, in which not merely the heart and leaves but the thistles as well are edible.”—John Leonard

“There ain't nothing that breaks up homes, country and nations like somebody publishing their memoirs.”—Will Rogers

“I've given my memoirs far more thought than any of my marriages. You can't divorce a book.”—Gloria Swanson

What Goes Around, Comes Around

A number of months ago, I despaired of my daughter ever understanding my love of writing--much less following in my footsteps along the writing road.

Sure, Christa loves to read. She even pens the occasional 9-year-old novel, complete with heroes and heroines, conflicts and happily-ever-afters. But the one time I tried to talk to her about the magical world of magazine editing, her eyes glazed over. A few minutes later, she wandered over to where her dad sat reading a medical publication. "Oooh, cool pictures, Dad! What is that?!"

Oh, well. Maybe her future is in medicine.

I'm learning, though, that you never know what's taking root in our children. The other day I was working on an article. Christa came into my office and leaned against my shoulder. I didn't realize she was also reading over my shoulder until she said, "I think there's a typo there, Mom. You might want to check that."

What? My daughter was editing me?!

Yep. And she was right--my writing needed to be corrected.

I confess I battled feelings of chagrin and pride. Edited by my 9-year-old. How embarrassing. And then I thought, I must be doing something right if my daughter knew enough to catch a writing mistake. I decided to savor the moment, rather than cringe.

I realize this doesn't mean Christa will love cutting sentences down to size like I do. She may grow up to be a dolphin trainer or a ballerina or doctor like her dad. So be it. I can be confident she'll be a capable writer too--in whatever capacity she chooses.

So What Are We Waiting For?

If you visit The Writing Road often, you know, though I'm trying to write, life keeps getting in my way. I'm inspired by Vonda Skelton's post on February 2, 2010, on the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog, and I believe you'll be inspired too.

http://altongansky.typepad.com/blueridge/2010/02/so-what-are-we-waiting-for.html

I'm not waiting any longer. Instead, I'm trying hard to finish a project near and dear to my heart in 2010. How? I joined a gym just for the daily two hours of "free" childcare. Though I'd love to be in shape, sometimes I don't work out. While my little guy runs around burning energy, I might spend the whole time in the cafe working on my manuscript. Right now, finishing and submitting my novel is a bigger priority than working out. I'd love to do both, but I'm not going to let another year pass with my great idea stuck in my computer. As a friend reminds me, my characters have been served an eviction notice. It's time for them to move into their Happily Ever After and for me to make room for the other characters, whose stories I yearn to tell.

What's your great idea? What's kept you from completing your project? How can you change that?

~Roxanne Sherwood

When Crisis Hits

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:4 (NASB)

Life as I knew it abruptly halted last Tuesday. A dear friend ended up in ICU on life support. I've been taking twelve hour shifts each day so that my precious friend will not be alone. It's amazing how quickly "important priorities" pale in comparison to a life and death struggle.

The second day, phone call after phone call barraged my cell phone. Some called to offer prayers and comfort. Others wanted details. Having to tell what happened was too painful and exhausting. I thought, After this is over I will write an article giving tips for people who know someone who sits beside a loved one in ICU--hoping against hope.

In Chinese, the word crisis uses two letters. One represents danger, which faces my precious friend. The other letter represents opportunity. It's my prayer that through this crisis of opportunity that others will come to recognize and know God for themselves.

As I anxiously wait in ICU, El Roi, the God who sees, whispers, "I see you." The prognosis is not what we hoped. The decisions to be made are painful and difficult. God sees my friend and knows his will for our lives. Please pray for us, especially my friend's parents.

Friday Funny: For All You Writers Who Procrastinate--Yes, You!

I confess: I procrastinate.

Anybody willing to join me?

Great Resource: My Book Therapy Ezine

In a cold, remote, Siberian apartment, Susan May Warren dreamed of writing a novel and longed for an online community of other writers. In time, Susie became an award-winning, multi-published author, but it took a bit longer for the online community she'd envisioned. Eventually, she founded a mentoring/critique service, My Book Therapy, along with award-winning author Rachel Hauck, and started an online community. The My Book Therapy community of writers is called Voices because it's the place where your inner writer finds a voice. Voices are writers who desire to connect with other writers and who want to take their craft to the next level. Now, Susie and Rachel have launched a great writing resource: Voices. The My Book Therapy Ezine, an online magazine, written by the Voices.

I can't say enough about this quarterly online magazine that blends a community of writers with informative articles on writing craft, industry, encouragement and more. You'll need to read it yourself at

Voices: The My Book Therapy Ezine

Some of the Featured Articles this month include:
--A Word of Encouragement: Stay the Course by Reba J. Hoffman, Ph. D as My Book Therapy’s prayer coordinator
--Consulting with the Specialists: Jim Rubart, a media pro and Chip MacGregor, a top agent
--Tax Tips: Hobby Loss Interpretation for Writers by Danica Favorite-McDonald
--From Author Sighting to Author Signing by Leah Morgan
--Contests, Chats, Upcoming Releases, and so much more.
Lisa Jordan, a Genesis finalist, is the editor of The My Book Therapy Ezine.

~Roxanne Sherwood

What Makes a Book a Bestseller?

“I've been bragging for over 25 years that my first New York Times bestseller was a book I copied from the U.S. Government Printing Office!”—Matthew Lesko

Authors dream about writing a bestseller. Major publishers rejected The Shack who told the author, William P. Young, his book was

• “too edgy” (religious publishers)
• "too secular" (religious publishers)
• "it has too much Jesus in it" (secular publishers)
• "too religious" (secular publishers)

And there lies the rub for many Christian authors unfettered by theological or religious stereotypes or telling a story from an original perspective.

After rejection by 26 publishers, Young and some friends self-published The Shack in 2007. Eleven thousand copies sold out in four months, fuelled entirely by word-of-mouth. The Shack became number one on the June 2008 New York Times trade paperback fiction best-seller list. And today after 7 million copies sold, The Shack remains on The New York Times paperback fiction bestseller list.

The Shack’s bestseller status surprised Christian publishers and even The New York Times. And everyone has an opinion—pro or con—about this book, including Mark Driscoll, (known as the cussing pastor), Pat Robertson (known for his argumentative opinions) and even Jay Leno (NBC removed Jay’s comments from Utube).

What Makes a Book’s Sales Snowball?

Platform? Clever marketing? Favorable Press? Timing? Story? Word of mouth?

No one really knows. If writers owned the “bestseller key,” they’d open the door to fame and wealth. Just as William P. Young was an accidental author, writing for publication is an accidental profession. Or is it?

I believe it’s the convergence of a writer’s passion, faithfulness and God’s timing.

Christianity Today's Book Awards

For two decades, the annual Christianity Today Book Awards have recognized outstanding volumes that shed light on people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission. This year, the judging process began with 472 titles submitted by 72 publishers. CT editors selected finalists in twelve categories. Click here to view the 12 winners (including two ties) and 11 notables.

The Christian Bestseller List

If you want to stay abreast each month of which Christian books rank as best sellers, click on this link. Based upon actual sales in Christian retail stores in the United States, these lists published by CBA uses CROSS:SCAN as the source for the data collection.

Coding:

• p. designates paper binding;
• c, cloth
• l, leather
• b, board
• +, tie

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Top 50 BEST SELLERS

Crazy Love, Francis Chan & Danae Yankoski, David C. Cook, p, 9781434768513; Oasis, CD, 9781598593969

Fearless, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849921391; Nelson, CD, 9780849963971

Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781591451884; ChristianAudio, CD, 9781596447370

Going Rogue, Sarah Palin, Zondervan, c, 9780061939891; HarperAudio, CD, 9780061990731

The Love Dare, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, p, 9780805448856; Brilliance, CD, 9781441807410

The Love Dare Day by Day, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9781433668234

The Shack, William P. Young, Windblown Media, p, 9780964729230; Oasis, CD, 9781598594195

Jesus, Light of the World, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781404187627

Shades of Blue, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266228; Zondervan, CD, 9780310324195

Forgotten God Francis Chan, David C. Cook, p, 9781434767950; Oasis, CD, 9781598595765

Imagine Your Life Without Fear, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780849920202

The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren, Howard (Simon & Schuster), c, 9781416559009; Simon & Schuster Audio, CD, 9780743581783

The Love Dare, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, l, 9780805448658; Brilliance, CD, 9781441807410

Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781591451877; Oasis, CD, 9781589267107

Praying God’s Word Day by Day, Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9780805444209

Daily Guideposts 2010, Andrew Attaway, Ideals, c, 9780824947835

Green, Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595542885; Oasis, CD, 9781598595796

Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker, Tyndale, c, 9781414326818; Tyndale, CD, 9781414326832

The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, Zondervan, p, 9780310276999; Zondervan, CD, 9780310247883

What in the World Is Going On?, David Jeremiah, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785228875; Oasis, CD, 9781598595666

It’s Your Time, Joel Osteen, Simon & Schuster, c, 9781439100110; Simon & Schuster Audio, CD, 9780743596855

Give this Christmas Away, Matthew West, Tyndale, c, 9781414336442

Miracles, Karen Kingsbury, FaithWords (Hachette), c, 9780446557955

The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman, Moody, p, 9781881273158; Oasis, CD, 9781589269064

Same Kind of Different as Me, Ron Hall & Denver Moore, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780849919107; Nelson, CD, 9780849963957

Game Plan for Life, Joe Gibbs, Tyndale, c, 9781414329796; Tyndale, CD, 9781414329819

2012, the Bible, and the End of the World, Mark Hitchcock, Harvest House, p, 9780736926515; Oasis, CD, 9781598597141

Jesus Lives, Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781404186958

Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman & Jim Reimann, Zondervan, l, 9780310285892

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, Stormie Omartian, Harvest House, p, 9780736920865

A Lineage of Grace, Francine Rivers, Tyndale, p, 9780842356329; Oasis, CD, 9781589266452

Voices of the Faithful 2, Beth Moore & Kim Davis, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849920714; Oasis, Mp3, 9781598596441

90 Minutes in Heaven, Don Piper & Cecil Murphey, Revell (Baker), p, 9780800759490; Baker, CD, 9780800744366

Wild at Heart, John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780785287964; Oasis, CD, 9781589263703

Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World David Jeremiah, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849919626; Oasis, CD, 9781598596472

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781400202065; Nelson, CD, 9781400202287

The Magnificent Obsession, Anne Graham Lotz, Zondervan, c, 9780310262886; Zondervan, CD, 9780310289036

Captivating, John & Stasi Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780785289098; Oasis, CD, 9781589268555

The Noticer, Andy Andrews, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785229216; Nelson, CD, 9780785229230

Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers, Multnomah (WaterBrook), p, 9781590525135

What God Wants for Christmas Family Life, FamilyLife Publishing, bx, 9781572299313

What Difference Do It Make? Ron Hall & Denver Moore, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849920196

The Glory of Christmas, Max Lucado & Charles Swindoll, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781404187597

The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian, Harvest House, p, 9780736919241; Harvest House, CD, 9780736919869

The Beginner’s Bible, Zondervan, c, 9780310709626

The Hole in Our Gospel Richard Stearns, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785229186; ChristianAudio, CD, 9781596440272

The Beginner’s Bible With Bible, Zondervan, *, 9780310718574 Cover Pack Ltd. Edition

The Missing, Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764205729; Oasis, CD, 9781598596243

Fathered by God, John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781400280278; Oasis, CD, 9781598596854 The Bible Promise Book KJV Barbour, l, 9780916441432

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Christian Living BEST SELLERS

Crazy Love, Francis Chan & Danae Yankoski, David C. Cook, p, 9781434768513

Fearless, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849921391

The Love Dare Day by Day, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9781433668234

Forgotten God, Francis Chan, David C. Cook, p, 9781434767950

Imagine Your Life Without Fear, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780849920202

Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781591451877

The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, Zondervan, p, 9780310276999

The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman, Moody, p, 9781881273158

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, Stormie Omartian, Harvest House, p, 9780736920865

Wild at Heart, John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780785287964

Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World, David Jeremiah, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849919626

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781400202065

The Magnificent Obsession, Anne Graham Lotz, Zondervan, c, 9780310262886

Captivating, John & Stasi Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780785289098

The Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian, Harvest House, p, 9780736919241

The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785229186

Fathered by God, John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781400280278

Prayers That Rout Demons, John Eckhardt, Charisma (Strang), p, 9781599792460

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785213062

Praying God’s Word, Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Group, p, 9780805464337

Heaven, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale, c, 9780842379427

Fasting, Jentezen Franklin, Charisma (Strang), c, 9781599792583

Fear Not Promise Book, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781404187757

You Were Born for This Bruce Wilkinson, WaterBrook, c, 9781601421821

Believing God Day By Day, Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9780805447989

3:16 Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849901935

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God, Charles Stanley, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781400200924

Have a New Husband by Friday, Kevin Leman, Revell (Baker), c, 9780800719128

Have a New Kid by Friday, Kevin Leman, Revell (Baker), c, 9780800719029

Love and War, John Eldredge & Stasi Eldredge, Random House, c, 9780385529808 CHRISTIAN LIVING

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Fiction BEST SELLERS

The Shackm William P. Young, Windblown Media, p, 9780964729230

Shades of Blue, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266228

Green, Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595542885

A Lineage of Grace, Francine Rivers, Tyndale, p, 9780842356329

Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers, Multnomah (WaterBrook), p, 9781590525135

The Missing, Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764205729

An Amish Christmas, Beth Wiseman & Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595548214

Intervention, Terri Blackstock, Zondervan, p, 9780310250654

Take Two, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266174

The Secret, Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764205712

The Sound of Sleigh Bells, Cindy Woodsmall, WaterBrook, c, 9780307446534

Burn, Ted Dekker & Erin Healy, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595544711

White Christmas Pie, Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour, p, 9781597899376

Kelly’s Chance, Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour, p, 9781602608900

Take One, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266167

Kiss, Ted Dekker & Erin Healy, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781595548191

The Silent Gift, Michael Landon & Cindy Kelley, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764203633

The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis, Zondervan, p, 9780060652937

Plain, Pursuit Beth Wiseman, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781595547194

The Inheritance, Tamera Alexander, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781595546326

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Inspirational/General Interest BEST SELLERS

Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781591451884

Going Rogue, Sarah Palin, Zondervan, c, 9780061939891

The Love Dare, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, p, 9780805448856

Jesus, Light of the World, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781404187627

The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren, Howard (Simon & Schuster), c, 9781416559009

The Love Dare, Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, B&H Publishing Group, l, 9780805448658

Praying God’s Word Day by Day, Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9780805444209

Daily Guideposts 2010, Andrew Attaway, Ideals, c, 9780824947835

Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker, Tyndale, c, 9781414326818

It’s Your Time, Joel Osteen, Simon & Schuster, c, 9781439100110

Give this Christmas Away, Matthew West, Tyndale, c, 9781414336442

Miracles, Karen Kingsbury, FaithWords (Hachette), c, 9780446557955

Same Kind of Different as Me, Ron Hall & Denver Moore, Thomas Nelson, p, 9780849919107

Game Plan for Life, Joe Gibbs, Tyndale, c, 9781414329796

Jesus Lives, Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781404186958

Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman & Jim Reimann, Zondervan, l, 9780310285892

Voices of the Faithful 2, Beth Moore & Kim Davis, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849920714

90 Minutes in Heaven, Don Piper & Cecil Murphey, Revell (Baker), p, 9780800759490

The Noticer, Andy Andrews, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785229216

What Difference Do It Make? Ron Hall & Denver Moore, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780849920196

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Children’s BEST SELLERS

The Beginner’s Bible, Zondervan, c, 9780310709626

The Beginner’s Bible With Bible, Zondervan, *, 9780310718574 Cover Pack Ltd. Edition

Read and Share Toddler Bible, Gwen Ellis, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781400314645

O Little Town of Bethlehem Ron, Berry, Ideals, b, 9780824965662

The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, Zonderkidz, c, 9780310708254

Read With Me Bible, Zonderkidz, c, 9780310920083

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree, Stan Berenstain & Jan Berenstain, Zondervan, c, 9780310719403

The Legend of the Candy Cane, Lori Walburg, Zondervan, c, 9780310212478

Read and Share the Story of Christmas, Gwen Ellis, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781400314683

I Am Not Afraid, VeggieTales & Big Idea, Thomas Nelson, b, 9781400311583

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Young Adult BEST SELLERS

God Girl, Hayley DiMarco, Revell (Baker), c, 9780800719401

Do Hard Things, Alex & Brett Harris, Multnomah (WaterBrook), c, 9781601421128

God Guy Michael DiMarco, Revell (Baker), c, 9780800719418

Lies Young Women Believe, Nancy DeMoss & Dannah Gresh, Moody, p, 9780802472946

Redefining Beautiful, Jenna Lucado & Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781400314287

The One Year Book of Josh McDowell’s, Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler, Tyndale, p, 9780842343015 Youth Devotions

Chaos, Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595543721

The One Year Book of Devotions for Teens, Susie Shellenberger, Tyndale, p, 9780842362023

Guys Are Waffles Girls Are Spaghetti, Chad Eastham & Bill Farrel, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781400315161

Chosen, Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595543592

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Biblical Studies/Theology/Ministry BEST SELLERS

What in the World Is Going On? David Jeremiah, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785228875

2012, the Bible, and the End of the World, Mark Hitchcock, Harvest House, p, 9780736926515

What God Wants for Christmas Family Life, FamilyLife Publishing, bx, 9781572299313

Macarthur Bible Commentary, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785250661

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, B&H Publishing Group, c, 9780805428360

The Bare Bones Bible Handbook, Jim George, Harvest House, p, 9780736916547

Sparkling Gems From the Greek, Rick Renner, Teach All Nations, c, 9780972545426 New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance James Strong, Thomas Nelson, c, 9780785260967 of the Bible Super Saver

God Sightings: Learning to Experience God Every Day, Group Publishing, p, 9780764439254

More Than a Carpenter, Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell, Tyndale, p, 9781414326276

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Children’s Bibles BEST SELLERS

Adventure Bible Revised (NIV) Zondervan

Adventure Bible for Early Readers (NRV) Zondervan

Teen Study Bible Revised Edition (NIV) Zondervan

Revolution the Bible for Teen Guys (NIV) Zondervan

True Images the Bible for Teen Girls Updated Edition (NIV) Zondervan

FEBRUARY 2010 CBA Study Bibles/Speciality Bibles BEST SELLERS

Every Day With Jesus Bible (CSB) B&H Publishing Group

Chronological Study Bible (NKJ) Thomas Nelson

Study Bible (ESV) Crossway

Life Application Study Bible Revised (NIV) Zondervan

God Sightings the One Year Bible (NLT) Tyndale

Daily Bible in Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings (NIV) Harvest House

God Sightings the One Year Bible (NIV) Tyndale

Study Bible (KJV) Thomas Nelson

Life Application Study Bible (NLT) Tyndale

Personal Size Giant Print Reference Bible (KJV) Thomas Nelson