Wanna a Good Life?

Then . . .

• Don't go home and sit down; have a hobby, exercise, interests besides yourself.
• Move around; be active
• Associate with others
• Get six hours sleep at night
• Be less neurotic; deal with stress
• Eat a fiber rich cereal for breakfast
• Get supplements from food
• Cherish your body; stick to healthy foods; focus on family and friends
• Be a creature of habit
• Have faith

Quote:
Time is a great healer, but a poor beautician.-- Lucille S. Harper

Blessings!

Three Things


Three things in life that once gone, never come back:
Time
Words
Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person:
Anger
Pride
Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose:
Hope
Peace
Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable:
Love
Family and friends
Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain:
Fortune
Success
Dreams

Three things that make a person:
Commitment
Sincerity
Hard work

Three things that are constant:
Father
Son
Holy Spirit


Quote:
The hidden harmony is better than the obvious. --Her Arclitus

Blessings

So-You-Want-to-Write-Rant

Ha.
It ain't no piece of cake, folks.
It's a lot of work, dreams, work, disappointments, work, rejections, work.
Got the idea?

To succeed, you've got to write a piece of work that catches some editor's attention, somewhere. I mean, how would you like 76 rejections? Got tough enough skin to survive?

What you gonna do when you reach that horrible, depressing place about a third way through a 45 thou novel, and you can't think of another word to write. What cha gonna do?

Write, write, write.
Just keep writing one word at a time, one line, one paragraph, one page.

Ah, did you know: one page a day, should harvest out to be about a book a year. Now that sounds doable, doesn't it? Thanks to Kelly who brought that to our little, finite mind.

And, that's not all. You get to go to expensive conferences. You get to do tons of research (for your novel so it can be realistic, and for your proposals so they can be appropriate). You get to mingle with people far more important than you are at your present state. You get to beg (well, sort of) for editors and/or agents to look at your novel.

Still want to be an author?

Then, dig in, cause if you've got the determination, the grit, and the desire, you can do it.

Work? Ah, who cares about that? It's the glory of getting that new idea, the beauty of writing those first words on a page, the luxury of typing "the end" to a completed manuscript, the joy of obtaining an agent who believes in you, the screaming, hilarious wonder of signing your first contract--and every other one after that.




Quote:
Either I will find a way, or I will make one. --Sir Philip Sidney

Blessings

Writing Conferences

Benefits?

• Uh, get to meet friends again.
• Get to eat food I don't prepare. Smile
• Get to eat more chocolate.
• Get to smooze with big-shot writers. Hmmm.
• Get to talk about my writing (that is, when I can get in a word edgewise with other people who are so busy talking about theirs. Looks like people would be more considerate when I've got lots to say about mine!)
• Get to listen to in-the-know people who have something interesting and important, and most of all, beneficial to my writing.
• Get to present my proposals to editors.

Downside of it all?

• Well, duh, I'm worn out.
• I'm also hyped up for days.
• I have to talk to people, specifically to editors when I'd just as soon let Diana do, but know I can't.
• Gotta do all that boring stuff like get ready for conference: packing, research comparable books, write proposals, polish, polish, polish
• Overcome all my nervousness.
• Endure all the pressure.

So, I should quit, you think?

Now that's where you'd be wrong, cause one little ole book contract will make me forget all that stuff.

At least until it's time to do it again.

Quote:

One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of candy can make a woman gain 5 pounds.

Blessings

Blessings

More Writer Tips

• Donna Hanover says: Work hard at several projects. That way, no matter what is going wrong, something will die going right.

I like this, but it's because I do it. Whether you're writing more than one novel at a time (usually I have two or three going), or editing, research, writing, plotting, or whatever, it keeps your mind keen and fresh for your projects.

You hit a snag in your novel?
Edit another one for awhile, or go back over the one you're working on. Lots of times I discover a thread I've forgotten about which gives me a new target to aim for.

Your mind is a total burnout?
Start fresh on some new research for that idea you've had for years. Add it to your files to use when you're ready. When you come back to the novel you're trying to complete, you'll be eager and ready to resume working.

Can't quite get the ideas going you need for your new novel? Give your critique partners a call. Set up a half-hour, two hour, whatever, session. Let them know your basic idea, and then sit back and get ready to jot down all the ideas that will soon be flying your way.


Quote:
Fortune favors the brave. --proverb

Blessings

God's Accuracy

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs:

• the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days
• those of the canary hatch in 17 days
• The barnyard hen's hatch in 21 days
• Those of the mallard in 35 days
• The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days

All divisible by 7, the number of the days in a week.

Our lives may be ordered by the Lord if we entrust Him with them. If we try to control our own lives, we fail and make a mess. Only the one who made the brian and the heart can successfully guide us to a profitable end.

Quote:
People see God everyday; they just don't recognize Him. --Pearl Bailey


Blessings!

Joshua's Hope

Try this book for a stirring read and one that will keep you wondering who'll win out in the end. I know Carol Ann and she's a great writer and sweet friend.

"Hope Courtland escaped her marriage to save her life. Her only regret is leaving her four-year-old stepson, Joshua, behind. Though she wants custody, no attorney is willing to tackle her ex-husband in a custody battle. Hope's faith begins to falter. She learns that Joshua is paying the consequences for her freedom, and in an act of desperation, she kidnaps him. Suddenly, she becomes a suspect in her ex-husband's murder.

Zack Stone is content to be sheriff of Pine Cove, Tennessee, where the worst conflict he deals with is handing out speeding tickets. Though his faith is strong, he struggles with issues of forgiveness surrounding his wife's death. When he rescues Hope in a rainstorm, the last thing he expects is to find a woman who stirs his heart. Being a small town sheriff shouldn't involve kidnapping and murder, but Zack can't turn his back on Hope and the little boy she loves.

Wild Rose Press, publisher.
Carol Ann Ernhardt, author.

Her book has gotten rave reviews. Try it!


Quote:
Dream as if you'll love forever.
Live as if you'll die today.

Blessings

Tips for the Determined Writer

• Tom Clancy says that 'writing is most of all an exercise in determination.'

Determine to write.

Determine to keep at it, one word at a time; one sentence at a time; one paragraph at a time; one page at a time.

Determine that nothing will interfere with your writing time, save emergencies and family 'musts.'

Determine that you'll ignore the ringing phone, the knocks on the doors, the wandering mind.

Determine to do one new thing for your writing today.

Quote:
Action is the antidote to despair. --Joan Baez

Blessings

The Redeemable

I help out with Bible Club sometimes on Tuesday evenings. Lots of these kids come from the neighborhood and love the games, stories, songs, and snacks provided. I see how they respond to each individual section of the two-hour fun and learning time.

One little boy (I'll call him Ricky, and that's NOT his name, of course) is about eleven. Very mischievous, a troublemaker, and a kid that craves love. He readily admits to stealing and being thrown out of stores, forbidden to return. He brags about the trouble he gets into at school, teases the other kids and sometimes refuses to participate in activities even at Bible Club.

Why does he continue to come? Who knows? Maybe he's urged to come by parents who want some free time. Maybe he comes to be with friends. Or maybe he does come because he senses someone loves him.

Last night we sent chocolate roses home with any of the kids who wanted them. It was a favorite! Eyes lit up. They lifted and admired the boxes the roses came in. Some couldn't stand it, and eventually opened and ate the chocolate.

But Ricky gave his decision about what he'd do with the TWO roses he had, when he left the bus: "I'm going to give one to my mom and one to my dad. I don't know why I'm going to give one to my dad."

My heart expanded with love for this growing into a teenager youngster. Sometimes dirty, definitely ornery, and a homely little fellow, grew lovelier with those simple two sentences. Down in the depths of his inner being was something that made him think of some one besides himself.

Maybe, just maybe, he could be salvaged from the life of crime for which he seemed to be heading.

Dear Lord, show your love through me to this young boy.



Quote:
Hold a true friend with both your hands. --Nigerian proverb

Blessings

Writers Who've Influenced Me



Liz Curtis Higgs: cause I saw her in person and saw her humbleness in giving God the praise for her success.

Deb Vogts: cause I saw Deb face rejection not only from publishers but from an agent, and then come forth with victory.

Catherine Marshall: cause I love the book Christy!

Jan Karon: cause I love her Father Tim books!!

Karen Robbins, Cathy Messecar, Terra Hangen, Trish Berg, Leslie Wilson and Brenda Nixon: cause they wrote the best little Christmas book. I love this nonfiction book.

Mary, Stephanie, and Ro: best critique buddies a person could want. AND one's already pubbed. How great is that?

Lindsay and Jamin: critique friends who've accepted all my criticisms for their own work, worked and learned so much that they're invaluable to me now!

Just a few, but, wow, these people are awesome!



Quote:

Lord, grant that I can always desire more than I can accomplish. --Michelangelo



Blessings

What We Writers Write

Genres: the various differentiated areas of novels.

Let's start with Mystery writing!

According to Sue Grafton, the mystery is:
"a way to examine the dark side of nature, a means to by which we can explore the perplexing questions of crime, guilt and innocence, violence and justice. The mystery not only re-creates the original conditions from which violence springs, tracking the chaos . . . but attempts to divine the truth through the process of rational investigation and eventually restores order to the universe."

So, a mystery writer must be(come):

• A psychologist (a person who studies humans and human nature). A person who studies and details little, sometimes unimportant, items that can be used at a later time, or that make sense when put together with other information. A person skilled in mind puzzles.

A mystery is (to some people's way of thinking) the most explicit of all novels. You pose a question in the beginning. By the end, you have answered all the questions. The basic question: Who did it?

A writer must follow some rules to write a mystery. Some of them are:

• Plot (which is everything for a mystery novel)
• Hero (ine) must be credible and interesting.
• The setting must be a suitable background for your story line and your pool of characters.
• Some type of violence is required. (whether theft, greed, murder, etc.)
• Some types of violence are a no-no! (graphic details of crime and certain types of crime dealing with children or animals)
• First person point of view is the preferred manner of story telling, although it does limit the story line to the ONE view. Some do use third view and succeed.
• This is a duh one: the hero cannot be the villain. Kind of hard to do this in a 'normal' mystery.
• Bring in the culprit early in the novel, within the first two-three chapters. Fairness to the reader in giving the clues throughout the book.
• In a mystery, two character scenes simplify the ease in reading the story.
• Do your research (this works for all genres!). You don't want a more knowledgeable reader turned off by your confusing, lack of correctness information weaving throughout your book.

Remember: rules are meant to be bent or broken. But you better have a good reason to do so!

Quote:
What you want is to practice, practice, practice. It doesn't matter what we write (at least this is my view) at our age, so long as we write continually as well as we can. I feel that every time I write a page either of prose or of verse, with real effort, even if it's thrown into the fire the next minute, I am so much further on. --C.S. Lewis

Blessings

Tidbits on a Happy Marriage

• Even the smallest things your mate does for you should never be taken for granted


• A successful marriage calls for two career diplomats


• In courtship you look over appealing attributes; in marriage you overlook minor faults


• Marriage is a reciprocal agreement

Quote:

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections



Blessings!

Two Types of Boyfriends

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.

1. She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.
2. She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to the neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.
3. She loved her second boyfriend, too. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate, and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.
4. The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal person and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend although he loved her deeply. She hardly took any notice of him.

One day the girl fell ill and knew her time was short. She thought about her luxurious life and wondered about her boyfriends and would she be alone when she died.

She asked her fourth boyfriend, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way," replied the fourth boyfriend and walked away. His answer cut like a sharp knife.

The girl asked the third boyfriend the same question, and he replied, "Life is too good. When you die, I'm going to marry someone else." Her heart sank.

The seond boyfriend said, "I'm sorry, I can't be there this time. I can't help you. At the most, I can only walk with you to your grave." The girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out, "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was skinny from malnutrition and neglect.

Grieved, the girl said, "I should have taken better care of you when I had the chance!"

You have four boyfriends in your life:

1. Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.
2. Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status, and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
3. Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can go, is to the grave.
4. And your first boyfriend is your soul, often neglected in pursuit for wealth, power, and pleasures of this world.

Your soul in the only thing that will follow you. Cultivate, strengthen, and cherish it now, for it will follow you to the throne of God.

In essence, it is the REAL you.




Quote:
Enjoy yourself! These are no "good ole days" you're going to miss in the years ahead. --anonymous

Blessings!

Deb Vogts Debut Novel

On the cover:

Mattie Evans grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Although her family has lost their ranch, she still calls this land home. A skilled young veterinarian, she struggles to gain the confidence of the local ranchers. Fortunately, her best friend and staunchest support is John McCray, owner of the Lightning M Ranch. They both love the ranch and neither can imagine living anywhere but in the Flint Hills.

Gil McCray, John's estranged son, is a pro football player living in California. The ranch is where his mother died and where every aspect of the tallgrass prairie stirs unwanted memories. Gil decides leaving the ranch is the best solution for his ailing father and his own ailing heart. But he doesn't count on falling in love.

When Mattie is called in to save an injured horse, she finds herself unwillingly tossed into the middle of a family conflict. Secret pain, passions, and agendas play out against the beautiful landscapes as love leads to some unexpected conclusions about forgiveness and renewal.

"A really good story that I enjoyed a lot." Jane, one reader, says about Deb's debut book. (Jane's looking forward to reading the second and third book in this series.)

I was one of Deb's critique partners when she wrote this book, and I highly recommend it. Deb knows the setting, has knowledge about horses, and is a skilled writer who will keep you turning the pages. I saw her go through a tough period and come out with success.


Quote:
The activity of happiness must occupy an entire lifetime; for one swallow does not a summer make. Aristotle

Blessings