I'm getting a story published!

Back in February, I submitted a story to Guideposts. The story was supposed to be about an extraordinary prayer that you prayed at some point in your life. I wrote about a prayer and how God completely turned the situation around. I received an email about 2 weeks ago that informed me that my story had been accepted for publication. I quickly signed the release, and am now eagerly awaiting my two copies of the book!!! My story is called "Keep Believing." The book is seventh in a series and is called, "Extraordinary Prayers: In Times of Need." It's a small publication, but it IS publication. I'm sooo excited, and just wanted to share. I'll post again when my copy comes in the mail. Should be sometime in June!!!!

God has a plan!

Two years ago, my dear husband forgot me on Mother's Day. Of course he didn't forget me. He forgot to get me a little present. I've told him that I will accept a pack of gum, as long as he doesn't forget. So...... he came in on Monday with a wrapped parcel in his back pocket. It was a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I read it, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best books that I have ever read. I really loved the book for three reasons. One was, that someone can read that book and learn how to accept Jesus as their personal savior. Two was, because it is a historical, and I love history. Three was because I felt a common bond with the characters and I needed to "see" how the main character learned to depend on the Lord instead of herself. I contacted Kim Sawyer, and now we have become very good friends. She came to my church for a ladies' retreat. It was absolutely perfect timing. I shared my dream of being a writer with Kim, and she has been very encouraging to me. I was able to attend the ACFW conference last year, and I learned a tremendous amount about writing. I forged friendships that are also inspirational to me as a Christian and a writer. I have so enjoyed everything I've learned on my journey thus-far. If Keith had not "forgotten" Mother's Day, then he might not have felt compelled to get me a present at the Christian Bookstore. I might not have read Kim's book, and I wouldn't have contacted her. I wouldn't have met her, and I would still be just dreaming of writing, and not pursuing it, still thinking that I didn't know where to start. Right now, the dream looks like it is attainable. I still have a ways to go, but I know that "God has a plan." Everything does happen for a reason, and I am looking forward to the next chapter in God's plan for me.
P.S.--Keith is off the hook for Mother's Day this year. I bought myself a new book by Miralee Ferrell, and some Yellow Box Shoes. So, I told him that he can rest---until my birthday.........

Catching Up

Tonight I am trying to catch up on things that have fallen by the wayside. My dear cousin reminded me that I needed to write something on my blog. So here it is.
My writing journey is a very scenic one. I've been reading, listening, asking, writing, erasing, writing, finding, comparing, illustrating, painting, cleaning, writing, changing, learning, revamping, relaxing, etc. And I've been told that -ing words are very much the no-no, but that's what I've been doing, and the scenery is great!! Oh, I've also been posing for the headshot for those wonderful one-sheets that everyone will be scrambling (-ing again), to complete before the conference in September, which, by the way, will be here before you know it! If you are working (-ing), on it, then I would strongly suggest starting (-ing), on it now and having(-ing), your critique partners to look over it. Look up some examples on Google. What you put into something is exactly what you will get out of it. So make it your best.
I'm really excited about the ACFW conference. Last year was my first time to go. I had never flown on a plane, and I had never been that far away from home. It was a segment in the journey that God is taking me on. I'm looking forward to the next big segment, or small. Let's face it, they are all important. God has a plan..........more on that later!!!

Just a little writing tidbit--Show, not Tell

A very good writer friend of mine pointed out to me this week that as writers, we must remember to show and not tell. This can sometimes be as simple as saying, "The color rose to her cheeks and she sniffed loudly before scratching her nose." --instead of flat out saying,"She lied." The color and the scratch to the nose will tell the reader that she is embarrassed about something. The other sentences in the paragraph will set the stage for the lie. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we are trying to tell in our story, that we forget to show until our faithful critique partner points it out and saves the day. The word "seem" is a definite no-no too. So if you are new to writing, and are ready for a great piece of learning, there it is: Show, not tell. But don't get so wrapped up in making it so perfect that you kill your story in the process. Tell your story first, then you can fix your tells, or grammatical errors in the editing process. I learned that from Kim Vogel Sawyer, a great friend and a great writer. Glean all you can from other writers. I haven't met a mean one yet!!

Love is in the Air

Thinking of Valentine's Day is fun for me because I am a hopeless romantic. Lace, pearls, velvet, ornate carvings, old letters, calligraphy, ruffles, anything victorian are things that I think of around this time of year. And of course, I think of Love. I was a love at first, or maybe second sight kind of girl. My husband asked me to marry him 12 days after we met. And I said "yes." We had a fairytale wedding, complete with the Cinderella dress, yards and yards of tulle, roses, and three tier cake. I even wore a crown. I think of all of the Valentine's Days since we met. Honey has done fairly well at romantic presents. My favorite was a pink flowering shrub. He kept telling me to water it, so I did, and it died. The internet said that I overwatered it. How's that for romantic? Then there was the time that he bought me a beautiful ring with money I had put back in a savings account that he found one day at the bank and thought it was money we forgot about. Yes, those are the moments. He also bought me some very good praise and worship CD's. So all is not lost. This year, he wants to "go on a date." I'm thinkin that's a definite plan. I like that idea. Of course my idea of a romantic movie would be something by Nicholas Sparks, and his would be more like Steven Segal. Still, Honey is fun to be with, and dates are few and far between with 5 in tow. So..... Love is in the air, and I'm breathing it in.

Sugar coated wonderland!

Today, I also wanted to post some pics of our yard and trees. We have had an ice storm here, and the trees are covered in ice. It did start melting today, but I've been told that another one is on the way. Even though the roads have been treacherous, I just had to post the ice. It is so gorgeous!! And as you can see, my beautiful spruce tree on the side of the house fell over from the weight of the ice. Sniff, sniff.

10 things that I love..... and more

Since my great friend Dorothy has challenged me to write a list of 10 things that I love, I have given it a lot of thought. It will be hard to list just 10 things! Dorothy also awarded me with he Happy 101 award. So I will pass the award on to my friend Connie at her blog. And maybe Connie will list 10 things that she loves, and we will learn a little bit more about her as well.
For starters, I will have to borrow a couple from Dorothy as they are things I love too!! :o)
1. My Lord and Savior, Jesus
2. My wonderful, beautiful family
3. Shopping at Goodwill
4. Singing
5. Writing/Reading
6. PINK
7. Collecting dolls, plates, doorknobs, frames, etc.
8. Researching history
9. Roses (pink)
10. Presents
11. Gummi bears and jelly beans

See, I couldn't do it. I listed 11 things, plus I put two things on some lines! But maybe this will tell you a little bit about me, and then maybe we will learn a little more about my friend Connie too!