Category: writing

News from Susan

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Dear friends,
I interrupt my summer reruns & hiatus from posting to share with you a brief update on how the conference last weekend went and what’s coming up.
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On the way to Charlotte, I was delayed an hour in Newark airport. What else is new? (or as Grandma used to say – “So, vat elz iz noo?”) Then 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that we were returning to Newark airport because of trouble with the landing gear. So eager was I to get to Charlotte, my first thought was “Why are we turning back? We could crash land in Charlotte as easily as we could crash land in Newark!” Have you ever been so eager to get somewhere or do something that rational thought completely escapes you? Anyway, turn back, we did, and as we approached landing, the flight attendant warned, “Please fasten your seat belts tightly.” Tightly? Did she really say “tightly?” Would a tight seatbelt really make a difference in this situation?

We had to deplane (btw-is deplane really a word??) and wait for a new plane. My husband (through texting) wisely suggested I write while I wait. Here’s my divine inspiration: “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength… Obviously, Isaiah never waited in Newark airport.” Now, that’s good writing!

Once there, I missed my connection to the hotel, but was able to meet up with my new friend, Karen (another woefully delayed sister thanks to Continental Airlines), and we had a beautiful time of fellowship on the way. God can always redeem a mess!

There is much to tell, but I’ll just summarize briefly, then share what made the greatest impact on me.

– On the first day, two editors took my book proposal for review. One wants to consider reworking the project for a teen audience. This is very exciting for me since I already had a vision for developing it for teens in the future. Who needs to learn about true identity more than teens? Shortly after this meeting, I was introduced to Shannon, a beautiful young author, who has written 10 books for teen girls, offering me help to tailor my message in the language that teen girls can receive. You can find her at www.beingagirlbooks.com

Then, on the last morning of the conference, I met a friend from last year’s conference, and I may have the opportunity to write devotions for a new ministry focused on young women ages 18-29, possibly in conjunction with my 20 year old daughter (who is thrilled about this possibility!) See a pattern developing here? Thank you Lord.
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– Then, on the second day, based on a 1 sentence description of my book, an editor said that I need to do more research – there may too much competition on this topic out there. Well, that was all I needed to hear to send my spirits to the basement. I have researched the competition and found very little that speaks the message the way I do, but frankly, it occurred to me how much easier it would be for me to acknowledge that the need is already met and give up writing for publication. I took a step heading down the slippery slope of despair. How quickly the joy of yesterday melted under the disappointment of today.

– Later that evening, Lisa (my dinner table-mate), shared what her book-to-be about. She could have been describing my book word for word, but with a different, excellent format. She seemed so much more confident and wise, younger and more beautiful, and definitely more spiritual than me. Okay, guess I should just hang it up. I’m heading into the empty nest stage, I would love more time to relax and enjoy my time with my husband.

Our speaker that evening was Jennifer Rothschild. If you want a blessing, you can read about her here http://www.jenniferrothschild.com/. After hearing her, the only thing I could think of was: It’s not about me. It’s about Him. Nothing else.

Lisa and I had the most wonderful conversation after the message. She had experienced exactly the same feelings I had! We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we hugged. It’s not about either of us! It is about HIM empowering women to know who they are because it’s who God says they are and to equip them to live with strength and do what He’s called them to do. And whoever writes this book, and publishes it, and gets the message out there is who God wants to. And in the end, we know that each of us will be equally happy if either of our books is published. Because it’s not about us. It’s about Him and His message.
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– Now I have to edit my proposal to reflect what I’ve just learned, so I can present a better version this weekend in Philadelphia. One thing that I was encouraged to do is to develop a prayer circle. If this work is to go forward, the enemy is sure to come against it. If you would consider being a part of a prayer team with me, please comment or email me. I will keep you posted every 2 weeks (or as needed!).
[and JoEllen – I did get your message but need your email address to respond!]
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So ladies, that’s it for now! Please keep this weekend (Aug 6-8) in prayer as I attend the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. I so appreciate all of you!!

Susan

Will the real miracle please stand up!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
I’m sharing this re-run first because it refers to She Speaks, the conference in Charlotte, NC that I’m returning to next week. Last time, I was on the speaker track, this time I’m pursuing the writer’s track.
Friday, January 16, 2009

Miracle on the Hudson

I’m sure you heard about the “splash crash” of US Airways flight 1549 to Charlotte, NC yesterday. Taking off, a flock of geese were caught in the engines, and the plane went down in the Hudson River. Thankfully, the pilot’s skillful maneuvering averted greater disaster, and the quick response by ferry and boat operators helped to rescue the passengers. The newscasts cited people testifying that, during this ordeal, many prayers were uttered throughout the cabin. Some, maybe many, of these prayers were spoken by people by who have never prayed before, but this desperate situation brought them to their knees. An old saying goes, “Nothing improves your prayer life like big trouble!” And, unfortunately, that is true. We often amble through life without any communication with the One who gave us life. That is – until trouble hits.
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The real miracle here, I think, is not so much that people were spared death. The miracle is prayer itself. That the Creator of the entire universe would deem to hear our feeble cries for help is amazing. That He who set stars and planets into orbits is concerned with our baby’s fever, our financial woes, our relationship problems, even our parking spaces! (Don’t even tell me you’ve never prayed for a parking spot!) He is intimately aquainted with all our ways, and He greatly desires to spend time with us as a mother loves to spend time with her child. What if we never heard from our child unless he or she was in trouble? Wouldn’t that be so sad? We love to celebrate their joys, their sorrows and their everyday experiences. And so does our heavenly Father. It’s not that He doesn’t know about what’s happening. It’s about relationship! He wants to hear about it from us, and prayer will build that relationship on our part. It will help us to know Him better the more we speak with Him.
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Miracle in Charlotte
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When I heard that the plane was destined for Charlotte, I felt the impact profoundly. Charlotte holds a very special place in my heart, having visited there last June for what has become a turning point of my life. I plan to share more on this in the future, but God’s miracles were present at the She Speaks conference in Charlotte. The fact that I was even there was a miracle in itself. It was a conference for speakers and writers and women in Christian ministry. I have kept secret a desire to write a book for about 8 years when I found myself at this con ference. At the end of the first day, I cried myself to sleep, “There is NO way that I am up to this task.” My thoughts as I drifted off to sleep were that I would pay attention to the sessions the next day and glean what I could from the various speakers, but forget about my book dream. When I woke up the following morning, a single thought pushed through the haze. “Do not bury your talent. ” I had one talent, and I did NOT want to be compared to the wicked and lazy servant who buried his one talent rather than invest it. I didn’t give this much more thought, but my spirit felt lighter as I made my way to the sessions that day. The first speaker shared an uplifting devotion, and then I proceeded to a session I had previously selected called “Pathway to Publication.” This presentation was a nuts & bolts, point by point, systematic discussion about pursuing publication. Since I had decided that I wasn’t going to pursue publication, I wondered what I was doing there. Near the end of the session, the speaker said, “Now, don’t forget. You have to give an account to God. Do not bury your talent.” She continued on with her factual helpful information, but sitting there, I could barely breathe. Did I hear correctly? Indeed I did. Later on, we spoke and she (again very matter-of-factly) repeated, “Yes, you have to give an account… Do not bury your talent.” This was a confirmation to me to do what I believe God has called me to do.
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I purchased a keychain in Charlotte Airport waiting for my delayed flight back to NY. It is a daily reminder to me that God works even in the smallest details of my life.
There were many other doors that opened in 2008, but I share this one today because it confirms the miracle that our all-knowing, all-powerful God cares about our concerns, no matter how tiny they seem in comparison to His vastness, and He wants us to share our burdens with Him. He desires relationship with us, and to me, that’s a miracle!!
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Miracle at your place
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Prayer ought not to be a laundry list of requests to God. It’s not even just pleasant conversation with God. I am reminded of what Corrie ten Boom shared in “The Hiding Place”. She was being taken out of her barrack at the concentration camp by Nazi guards. Her friend ran past her and whispered, “I’m storming the gates of heaven for you.” That’s what prayer is – entering a spiritual dimension where God dwells. And we’re invited!

News

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Friends,

I have some good news and some perhaps less than good news for those who have been a reader for a while.
The good news:
I have been awarded a scholarship to attend the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference the first week in August. I will have many opportunities to learn and grow as a writer, and also to meet with industry professionals who might (hopefully) be interested in my work. This is one more door that God has opened before me, and I am walking through!

The less than good news:
It was most unexpected, and although I am thrilled, I confess, I’m concerned. It comes at a somewhat inconvenient time. I am attending the She Speaks women’s conference the weekend before, and our family vacation is also at that time. The time crunch to prepare for both conferences and vacation means that something else has to give.
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So I’ve decided that for July and maybe early August, I need to pause in writing for this blog. But I still want to be sharing with you, so I will be scheduling some of my older favorite posts. Since there are some new readers out there, they’ll be new to you. And for my faithful “old” friends, please consider these as “summer re-runs”! I know sometimes, I need to hear things a second time anyway.

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I promise to update you with news from the conferences, and I covet your prayers for these meetings. It’s exciting and a little scary at the same time, a whole new chapter of my life. I thank you for walking on this journey with me.

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Most of all, I pray God’s will is done, that I will sense His will and be obedient to it, that I will be able to fulfill His calling, and He be glorified in and through me.

And I pray that for you, my friend, as well.
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As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Eph. 3:20-22
Susan