It's November again, and fall has come to the south. The trees are turning their bright colors, and soon they'll drop their leaves. The nights are chilly, but the days are still filled with bright sunshine.
I love this time of the year. Fall is my favorite season, and I especially love the holidays that we celebrate. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorites. To have family and friends gather around the table on Thanksgiving and share a meal together is a blessing that my family enjoys.
Paalm 107:1 says, O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
God has been so good to my family. He has blessed us through the years and continues to do so each day. As we approach this holiday season, I want to concentrate more on the One who provides the blessings and less on the stress of getting ready for a special day. After all, without Him, none of it would be possible.
So this Thanksgiving, let's remember to give Him thanks, because His mercy does endure forever.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
A New Experience
Some time ago I was approached by a committee at church who told me they wanted to present a drama for youth groups in the area. Since they knew that I am a writer, they asked if I would team up with another member of the church who also writes to come up with a script. Since I was feeling good that day, I agreed.
Now we are counting down the days until the first performance, and I'm hoping everything will come together. In all honesty I think we produced a good script, and I'm really impressed with the acting abilities of the church members who are playing the parts. The set creators have done a fabulous job, and I can hardly wait for opening night. At the moment we're having trouble with one scene that is a little long. Of course being the writer, I don't want to see any of my words cut, but we're going to have to do what's best for the performance. We have rehearsals twice this week, so I'm sure we'll get it worked out.
We're not a large church, but I know that God is in this project. The story is about how God can get us through the worst times in our lives, even when Satan is determined to win the battle.
As we iron out the production problems over the next few weeks, I know that all we have to do is step back and let God work through us. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Now we are counting down the days until the first performance, and I'm hoping everything will come together. In all honesty I think we produced a good script, and I'm really impressed with the acting abilities of the church members who are playing the parts. The set creators have done a fabulous job, and I can hardly wait for opening night. At the moment we're having trouble with one scene that is a little long. Of course being the writer, I don't want to see any of my words cut, but we're going to have to do what's best for the performance. We have rehearsals twice this week, so I'm sure we'll get it worked out.
We're not a large church, but I know that God is in this project. The story is about how God can get us through the worst times in our lives, even when Satan is determined to win the battle.
As we iron out the production problems over the next few weeks, I know that all we have to do is step back and let God work through us. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ACFW Conference
The last time I posted I told everyone about the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference that was coming up in Denver. I was so excited about going, but the experience held a lot more for me than I would ever have imagined.
I arrived the day before the conference began and had a wonderful time meeting up with old friends. The next day I attended a workshop presented by Donald Maass. This session was based on his book Writing the Breakout Novel, and it was great. The highlight of that day, however, was my meeting with Natasha Kern and having her accept me as a client. What a blessing she is!
The conference began on Thursday afternoon, and we were swept into the excitement of the next few days as we heard Debbie Macomber speak about her experiences on the journey to publication. As she now has over 100 million books in print, it makes her struggle even the more inspiring.
I thought everything was going along fine until the unthinkable happened on Saturday morning. For the first time in my life I fainted. Just fell out of my chair at the breakfast table in front of all the attendees. I was rushed to the hospital where I was diagnosed with altitude sickness. (You know Denver is the mile high city, and I'm from the area of Tennessee that has very flat land.) The Lord was good to me in my time of distress and provided a writer who was a former ER nurse. She came right to my side to give aid and accompanied me to the hospital. I shall forever be grateful to Candy Calvert for her support and her kind spirit throughout the ordeal. For the remainder of my time in Denver I was on oxygen and even had to have a portable unit to take on the plane.
Even with my mishap, I am so glad I was at the conference. If you're a Christian writer, I encourage you to join ACFW and be at next year's conference. It's going to be in Indianapolis, and I don't think I'll get altitude sickness in that city. I hope to see you there.
I arrived the day before the conference began and had a wonderful time meeting up with old friends. The next day I attended a workshop presented by Donald Maass. This session was based on his book Writing the Breakout Novel, and it was great. The highlight of that day, however, was my meeting with Natasha Kern and having her accept me as a client. What a blessing she is!
The conference began on Thursday afternoon, and we were swept into the excitement of the next few days as we heard Debbie Macomber speak about her experiences on the journey to publication. As she now has over 100 million books in print, it makes her struggle even the more inspiring.
I thought everything was going along fine until the unthinkable happened on Saturday morning. For the first time in my life I fainted. Just fell out of my chair at the breakfast table in front of all the attendees. I was rushed to the hospital where I was diagnosed with altitude sickness. (You know Denver is the mile high city, and I'm from the area of Tennessee that has very flat land.) The Lord was good to me in my time of distress and provided a writer who was a former ER nurse. She came right to my side to give aid and accompanied me to the hospital. I shall forever be grateful to Candy Calvert for her support and her kind spirit throughout the ordeal. For the remainder of my time in Denver I was on oxygen and even had to have a portable unit to take on the plane.
Even with my mishap, I am so glad I was at the conference. If you're a Christian writer, I encourage you to join ACFW and be at next year's conference. It's going to be in Indianapolis, and I don't think I'll get altitude sickness in that city. I hope to see you there.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Premier Christian Fiction Conference"
STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
DENVER, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009
Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.
This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.
This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.
The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.
STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
DENVER, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009
Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.
This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.
This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.
The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Welcome Back!
My friend in Texas told me today that I had to do something about my blog. So I gave it a facelift and made a resolution to post at least once a week. Now all I have to do is follow through.
Actually, as she reminded me, there has been a lot of good news that I could post. My cozy mystery Pedigreed Bloodlines was a finalist in the inspirational category of the Daphne du Maurier Awards. This contest is for books published in the previous year and is sponsored by the Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers of America.
I went to Washington D.C. the middle of July for the awards ceremony that coincided with the beginning of the Romance Writers of American Conference. The winner was my friend Christy Barritt from Virginia with her book Suspicious Minds. We had a great time at the awards party which really lived up to its name--Death by Chocolate. I've never seen as many different dishes that contained chocolate.
While I was in Washington, I went to RWA's Literacy Signing. I couldn't believe it when I walked into this huge room that is used for trade shows and saw about 500 authors sitting at tables signing their books. All of them had donated their time and the proceeds from their sales to literacy. I had a great time walking up and down the rows of tables and meeting authors whose books I've read.
I didn't get to stay for the conference since I had to get back home for my husband and me to celebrate our anniversary. Next year RWA is in Nashville, and I hope I get to go for the entire conference.
Actually, as she reminded me, there has been a lot of good news that I could post. My cozy mystery Pedigreed Bloodlines was a finalist in the inspirational category of the Daphne du Maurier Awards. This contest is for books published in the previous year and is sponsored by the Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers of America.
I went to Washington D.C. the middle of July for the awards ceremony that coincided with the beginning of the Romance Writers of American Conference. The winner was my friend Christy Barritt from Virginia with her book Suspicious Minds. We had a great time at the awards party which really lived up to its name--Death by Chocolate. I've never seen as many different dishes that contained chocolate.
While I was in Washington, I went to RWA's Literacy Signing. I couldn't believe it when I walked into this huge room that is used for trade shows and saw about 500 authors sitting at tables signing their books. All of them had donated their time and the proceeds from their sales to literacy. I had a great time walking up and down the rows of tables and meeting authors whose books I've read.
I didn't get to stay for the conference since I had to get back home for my husband and me to celebrate our anniversary. Next year RWA is in Nashville, and I hope I get to go for the entire conference.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
It's that time of year again when we give special thought to the blessings God has given us. In keeping with the season, I offer these Thanksgiving quotes:
Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.
-- Author Unknown
It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.
-- Author Unknown
There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
-- Author Unknown
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron
On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan
God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. ~Izaak Walton
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward
Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner
Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.
-- Author Unknown
It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.
-- Author Unknown
There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
-- Author Unknown
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron
On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan
God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. ~Izaak Walton
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward
Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My Favorite Holiday
It's my favorite time of year again. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. The memories of my childhood Thanksgivings now melt into the ones with my own family, and I know how blessed I have been.
I can close my eyes and see my grandmother's kitchen. The smells of all my favorite foods, the laughter of my cousins, and the family gathered around her big oak dining table fill me with a yearning for days long past and loved ones who've gone on to be with Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could return to the simple time of my childhood. Then I see my children and grandchildren and know how I must take advantage of the time with them.
My grandmother's oak table now graces my dining room. On Thanksgiving my family will gather around it. My husband, children, and grandchildren will be there. My mother, now 87 years old, will reign as the matriarch as my brother and sisters and their families also celebrate the day.
We will speak of those who are missing either because of living far distances or having passed from this life. We will relate funny stories of years gone by, and we will thank God for the great Christian heritage given us by those who came before us.
I can close my eyes and see my grandmother's kitchen. The smells of all my favorite foods, the laughter of my cousins, and the family gathered around her big oak dining table fill me with a yearning for days long past and loved ones who've gone on to be with Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could return to the simple time of my childhood. Then I see my children and grandchildren and know how I must take advantage of the time with them.
My grandmother's oak table now graces my dining room. On Thanksgiving my family will gather around it. My husband, children, and grandchildren will be there. My mother, now 87 years old, will reign as the matriarch as my brother and sisters and their families also celebrate the day.
We will speak of those who are missing either because of living far distances or having passed from this life. We will relate funny stories of years gone by, and we will thank God for the great Christian heritage given us by those who came before us.
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