Sunday Morning Sunshine: Spring Brings New Life

 Spring

Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.

John Muir

Blossom by blossom the spring begins.

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.

Ellis Peters

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.

Pablo Neruda

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

English Proverb

“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” 

Marty Rubin

Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush. 

 Doug Larson

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

William Shakespeare

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.

Margaret Atwood

Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.

Bishop Reginald Heber

Happy Spring! 

 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Be as Wise Men

Be as Wise Men.

Lo, when the Wise men saw the star in the east, which went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy....

Jesus is our star. He's our Savior, our leader, our comforter, our all. He is the ultimate guide who will never lead us wrong but safely, loving, carefully guide us in all things of our lives.

Be wise.

Be happy.

Be at peace.

Follow the star! 

Serious Wednesday: Include Christmas in Your Next Novel

Whether you love or hate Christmas, for writers, it's an opportunity to share some joy, happiness and
perhaps write with a different perspective than where your usual writings take you. Here are some very good reasons to write with a Christmas theme or background or even as part of your plot: 

1.  It helps to increase your reader audience. Readers love Christmas-themed books. Christmas books look great on store shelves and attract attention. By writing a Christmas-themed book, you will possibly draw new readers who will follow you through the rest of the year, reading your other books. 

2.  There's a huge demand for holiday-themed books. The colorful festive books with their shiny snowflakes and fancy script titles are hard to miss. They line bookshelves over the holidays and scream for attention. There is a big demand for these types of books, and if you're trying to make a living at writing, then Christmas is the perfect time to release a holiday book. Shopkeepers are looking for these type of books to sell that fly off the shelves. Why not capitalize on this opportunity? 

3.  If you approach it right, writing a Christmas-themed book can put you in a holiday mood. Admit it, from Thanksgiving on, life is busy and can be stressful, but having a Christmas book release kind of gives you a sense of happiness and peace. Just knowing that you've fulfilled and shared some joy to readers should, in return, fill you with a sense of completion. 

There are a lot of good reasons to write a Christmas book, and these just touch the surface of the why. I would encourage you to give it a thought. You might just come up with the perfect plot! 

Serious Wednesday: In Love With ...

 I'm so in love with...

SUSPENSE!

and by that I mean...

WRITING suspense.

Why?

Keeps my attention.

Gives me enough thrill without being overly scary.

I enjoy plotting the hard times 

the protagonist goes through.

But also,

the triumph he/she feels,

the victory she/he can claim,

the joy and/or relief in overcoming

the hard time.

What else?

In suspense, you can add touches of

whatever you want.

Meaning,

quirkiness,

romance,

Science fiction,

a bit of inspiration

or anything else that interests you.

You can make it as fun as you want,

as serious as you love,

or as spiritual as you feel called to do.

Suspense.

The Best of the Best! 

My opinion. 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Flowers and More Flowers

What's more beautiful than flowers in the summertime? 

I can't wait to see these each summer. 

I walk out onto the porch to see how close they are to bloom. 

Every Mother's Day,

Our church gives flowers to all the mothers.

Beautiful star-shaped flowers

These little wild violets always bring a smile

to my face.

Enjoy your summer.

Plant a flower.

Smile! 

Serious Wednesday: Reaching Your Goal

 Don't kid yourself. Writing is hard work. But, oh my, when you've reached your goal for the day--
the week--or finished that goal! What a feeling. 

Relief. Relaxation. Happiness. 

But...you can't reach that relief, relaxation, happiness stage until you get there. Tips on getting there?

Here goes:

1. Whatever you're writing, you need to plan ahead of time. Whether you're a by-the-seat writer or a plotter, you have to have some idea, form, or outline--at least in your head--for how you're going to proceed. What's your story or article about? Where are you headed? What will be the problem for your character? How will he/she handle the situation? How will the problem be solved? What genre are you writing in? How long will your book be? 
2. Research is a big part of writing fiction (or nonfiction for that matter). Do it with due justice. Make sure you know what you're writing about. Sometimes on certain things, you will have to do extensive research. Other times a quick check on google will give you the answer you need. Don't skim on this one. Research is important. 
3. Who are your characters? Jot down all the information about these people you might need to remember throughout your writing. That includes major and minor characters. Their coloring--eyes, hair, skin, etc. Where they work--if they work. What they enjoy doing--their hobbies, food tastes, habits etc. Who are they? Their personalities. their employment--even if they work. 
4. What is the problem in the book? How must the protagonists overcome it? How are the antagonists causing the problem, and why? Jealousy? Anger? Greed? Love? Money? 
5. How will the problem be resolved satisfactorily? Writers end their books in different ways. Most have a good, happy ending. Some leave the reader with a question, some with a teaser for more coming. Make sure you know what you want to do to give your characters--and your readers--that feeling of satisfaction! 

Whatever you do, don't try to get around these areas of importance. Embrace these thoughts, make them a part of your writing. And enjoy your journey! You'll be glad you did when your readers can't wait for the next book! 

Wednesday Question: 

What are some hints you use in your writing? 

Enjoy your writing! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Christmas Joy!

 Merry Christmas!

Rambling Friday: Christmas Means Joy

 Fear Not! For behold, 

I bring you good tidings,

of great joy,

which shall be to all people!

Saint Luke 2:10

Because of Jesus' birth and the death of the cross,

when we accept the gift of life from him,

we have everlasting joy.

Unspeakable joy.

Joy that someone who hasn't accepted this

gracious gift, will never fully understand.

That's the reason the angels proclaimed Jesus' birth.

That's the reason, we as people on earth, can experience real joy!

Great JOY! 

Sunday Sunshine: The Key to Serenity

The Key to Serenity

When you know

and believe

without question

or doubt

That in all you do

God is there

to help out,

You hold in your hand

the golden key

to peace and joy

and serenity.

--Helen Steiner Rice

Rambling Fridays: What of Life?

Yesterday was my birthday, and I don't know whether I should be happy and satisfied that I achieved another year or be sad because I'm another year older.

Right about now, I tried to make a list of the pros and cons, and other than the usual life's problems, I couldn't think of much to add on the "con" side, so I'm going to share some of my joys of having birthdays.

• I get flowers almost every year from my sweet hubby. I totally love plants and flowers. They cheer me, they're esthetically nice to gaze upon. They make me feel loved. They boost my emotions. 

• I have a ton of wonderful memories to enjoy and reflect upon.  One of our favorite things to do while traveling is remembering. And all the pictures I've taken through the years makes the past come alive!! We could have missed out on this blessing, but we didn't. That is something to be thankful for.

• Sometimes, but not always, I get ice cream cakes! Oh, the anticipation of getting one. Will it be this year? Has my husband forgotten I love them? And the delicious first, cold bite...

• The presents and cards from my son and his dear friend...and my close friends. What fun! Knowing that I have a wonderful son who cares about me. Knowing I have friends who love me. God's blessings for sure. It might be a beautiful card or a simply signed card by an elderly hand, but knowing I have those who care enough to remember...I am blest!

• Knowing that I've been given another year from God is a miracle of love! Thank you, God, for loving me and giving me so many wonderful blessings. 

Life is good.

Losing My Sanity

It's a fact. The Christmas season is a rushed, overly commercialized holiday. With ads and promotions pushing you to buy more, do more, be more, it can get too hectic. I've been there and done that. 

But it doesn't have to be. When you've reached that spot in your life where you wonder if it's all worth it, then STOP.  Take a deep breath (or several) and walk away for a few minutes. 

Here are three ways that can help you produce a spiritual and comforting season for yourself and those you love who surround you. 

1. Focus on what's important.  Too many activities or duties will wear even the strongest down. Don't! Don't try to cram everything in. When I looked at all the things that were interesting, that I'd love to experience or share with my loved ones, I knew I couldn't do them all. Some filtered out because of the distance we'd had to travel, others because of pressing duties. But two items have remained, and both will give us time to spend one-on-one with those we hold dear. 
2. Go with the flow.  Allow time for the unexpected. Life happens, plans change, ideas evolve. Don't stress out over it, but breathe deeply over the unexpected, savor the moment, and know that all things happen for a reason, even when we don't know why. You only get to live once. Don't allow even one second to pass without you squeezing every bit of joy from it.
3. Enjoy the season.  Relax, breathe evenly, rejoice in the blessings you have, remember the good times, the lessons learned, that God loves you...and keep the joy or the reason for the season and the hope that is ours who love Him. 

Don't lose your sanity over a wonderful month of celebration. Do you have other ideas on how to keep the stress from your life? Share!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday Morning Peace:Joy!

Joy to the World! 

The Lord has come!
Let earth receive its king!

Merry Christmas!

On Passionate Writing: A Thief and Joy

Comparison is the thief of joy!
--Franklin Roosevelt

Don't get caught in the trap of comparing yourself to others!

Don't measure your success by other's success. 

Don't allow yourself to long for other things, other's looks, other's abilities.

Do search for what you are to do with your life.

Do accept yourself as you are.

Do value your talents, small or large.

Never quit improving on your efforts.

Never put down yourself, your efforts, your results.

Never quit believing.

Blessings!

On Passionate Writing

On Passionate Writing

It is a writer's greatest pleasure

to hear that someone

was kept up until the unholy hours 

of the morn

reading

one of his books.

--B. Sanderson

Writing is the strangest

and most interesting,

besides the most misunderstood,

craziest and hardest

most frustrating--

yet satisfying talent--

or is it a curse?

career?

hobby?

job?

                                                                                                     purpose?

A writer will certainly dwell in stages of 

despair

discouragement

hopelessness

yet writing affords deep . . .

satisfaction and pleasure,

determination

happiness and joy 

by one act of a reader, in reading.

To the real writer, 

that is enough.

Blessings!

My New Year's Wish

All that is beautiful, all that is best--
Joy of activity, calmness of rest,

Health for life's pilgrimage,
Strength for its strife,

Sunshine to brighten the pathway of life.
Courage to trust, tho' the skies be o'ercast.

Hope for the future born out of the past,
Love that is tender and friends who are true;

This is my New Year's wish for you!

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

SHARING . . .

 



 

First Christmas with Gramps!

Who's happier? Gramps or baby?

 

Happy New Year!



Sunday Morning Peace

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are:

Something to do
Something to love
And something to hope for.

--Joseph Addison

Blessings

Happy Thoughts for Sunday Morning

     Or any day for that matter).

Nature is too thin a screen;

the glory of the omnipresent God

bursts through everywhere. 

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Prayer is the beginning and the middle

and the end of all good: prayer illumineth the soul

and thereby doth the soul distnguish great from evil.

--St. Francis

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection,

not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

--Martin Luther

Let me tonight look back across the span

'Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say--

Because of some good act to beast or human--

"The world is better that I lived today."

--Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Happy blessings this wonderful day!