MONDAY MOTIVATION

Life and Scene Scraps

Our lives, no matter how long or how short are made up of pieces. We may relate each part of it specific events, which divide the timelines of our lifetimes. Like scenes in a story, they could also be likened to pieces of a quilt, sewn together by threads of events, relationships and places and times. Depending on the pattern, quilts are made up colorful scraps of fabric, which people have saved or chosen carefully to match.  Some scraps vary in color, others in shade, size or shape. But there’s an order the sewer uses to put them together.

Such is the life of a story, especially that of your main character(s), for the duration of your novel manuscript. While it’s easy to look at writing as linear, since that’s how we have to deal with time, there are other ways to look at your manuscript. If you’re stuck at a certain point in your story, look at your outline. Is there another section of your story you would like to write about? Is there a scene you’ve been thinking about, a place your character wants to go?

We can’t jump ahead like that in life and in a perfectionist mindset this almost feels like cheating—what? How can I write out of order? For the seat of the pants writer, this may seem even harder, but this can also help build the world of your story as you explore those scenes that have planted themselves in your mind, for future use and to build your roadmap. For the outliner, it’s easier to think about what point on your timeline has been niggling at your brain.

If you go ahead and work with what is going on in your imagination, it can help fuel your creativity and give direction for that earlier part in your story, where you were stuck. After all, what your character is doing will help build a foundation for his future. In real life, only the Lord knows what’s coming. However, the imagination can put together an original story with the scraps of scenes from anywhere in the life of your character, just as the sewer uses different scraps of fabric to craft a beautiful quilt.

Writing prompt, pulled from Mom’s sugar bowl: the last car

And the winner of Grace's Pictures, by Cindy Thomson is Wendy Newcomb!
I have already sent her an email.

Happy reading everyone!

SATURDAY SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

Psalm 23:1-4 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd;


I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;


He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;


He leads me in the paths of righteousness


For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,


I will fear no evil;


For You are with me;


Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 68:19

Praise the Lord: praise God our savior!

For each day he carries us in his arms.

Carried by the Shepherd

When I was 24 years old, something happened that forever changed my perspective on life. My brother, John, passed away in a terrible car accident, leaving behind a young family. The Lord was with me through the shock of it, but later there came the questions about why it would happen to such a good person, how unfair it was for his two-year-old son to not have the privilege of knowing him or having his nurture and influence as a father. I was sad for my sister-in-law, my parents and my nephew.

John wasn’t just any big brother, he was much older than I, old enough to be my dad. He was the one who was there for me when my emotionally distant father wasn’t. John was the one who played games with me, hugged me and as I got older, encouraged my writing; especially since he was an author, too. When John passed away, I lost a not only a wonderful big brother, but a substitute dad, a friend and a mentor.

I threw myself into comforting my parents, because I didn’t know how to grieve. Trying to console the inconsolable was I suppose one way I thought I could make a positive difference. While I’ve never liked the valley of the shadow, I’ve never been good at the process of getting out of it.

We encounter the valley of the shadow of death on so many levels throughout our lives, some not as serious as others, but still a loss. We watch a loved one go through ageing, sickness and death or we attend a funeral or visitation of a friend or acquaintance at the funeral home. There are the sad stories we hear or read about, such as a young person with a happy marriage losing their spouse or children left behind as orphans from some tragic accident. 

Then there are other losses we don’t expect to feel so keenly, such as when someone we love changes dramatically and they don’t seem to be the person we once knew. Sometimes friendships change, because of losing contact or unresolved issues. Some people mourn the loss of a pet, a job, or even their home. Even living in a different place can bring a sense of loss of the past.

Earlier this week I read Psalm 68:19 “Praise the Lord: praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.” I had this lovely picture in my mind of Jesus carrying a little lamb in His arms, like the shepherd that He is to us. I sensed a closeness to my Lord, knowing I am one of those lambs He carries each day, staying with me, making sure I rest in the pasture, drink from the Living Water and stay near Him. He will renew me and strengthen me.

Whatever grief is on your heart today, come to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Let Him comfort You through difficult times. He wants to carry you.

(Sheep is from Microsoft Word Clip Art Animal Package '08)

Leave a comment or become a new follower by 8 p.m. this evening to be placed in a drawing for a chance to win Grace's Pictures, a historical novel by Cindy Thomson.

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

Photo by John Hensel

Lilybit’s Review of Grace’s Pictures by Cindy Thomson - 4 Paws Up!

Would you believe Mom was on errands all day and she just got home and opened the laptop for me? It's that whole lack of opposable thumbs thing that makes writing difficult. And she thinks I'm cranky the last couple of days. Why wouldn't I be when thwarted from my important writing task? Thus the moody looking picture.

Anyway, one of our favorite reads this past summer was Grace's Pictures. It starts a little sad, because Grace McCaffery had to leave her mother behind in Ireland to come to America all by herself. She is shy and doesn’t have much confidence at the beginning, but she remembers her mother’s encouraging words. She's not without hope. Mrs. Hawkins takes her in at a charity boardinghouse for young immigrant girls. Grace meets colorful and interesting characters throughout the book.

She has to make choices to grow and become stronger as she becomes a nanny and saves her money, so she can buy a brownie camera, an innovative invention for the time. She also wants to use it to earn extra money to bring her mother to America. Then the real adventure begins. Grace accidentally takes pictures of members of some of New York City gangsters and they aren’t too happy about it.

Police officer Owen McNulty wants to help Grace, but she doesn’t trust him, because of how she’d been treated by law enforcement back in Ireland. But through her experiences, Grace has to make decisions about the faith her mother has attempted to pass on and the need to forgive.

With realistic characters and rich historical detail, Mrs. Thomson weaves a poignant story that touches your heart. It gives human readers a feel for some of what their ancestors could have gone through when they came here. (At least that’s what my mom tells me. The ancestors of today’s domestic cats were considered royalty in Egypt!) 

Mom and I look forward to the next Ellis Island novel by Cindy Thomson. Four paws up!

Leave a comment by 8:00 PM ET Saturday evening for a chance to win a copy of Grace’s Pictures.

And the winner is . . .

Congratulations to Peggy, who won her choice of:
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by Carlene Havel, Stone of Destiny, by Mary L. Ball or Cairo by Victoria Pitts-Caine ebook.  Please contact me this week.

Happy reading!

MONDAY MOTIVATION

The Distraction Factor

When I sit down to write the next scene of a story I’m working on, I know where I’m  going, but sometimes I’m not sure how to begin where I left off and my mind wanders. It’s not so much a case of writer’s block, but more of an easily distracted state of mind. Suddenly, I remember that cobweb in the family room or the dust bunny next to the washing machine. If I go into the other room, to take care of the problem, I remember there’s laundry in the dryer to be folded that somehow can’t wait. Or perhaps, as long as I’m in the family room, I might as well look for that cookbook I needed to make dinner.

Here are a couple of ways to manage distractions, before they take me away. I try to have a  pen and paper handy to make a list of things I should do later, so I don’t have to worry that I will forget about them. Another strategy I use is to end one day’s writing in the middle of a sentence, so that on the next I have to finish the sentence, which helps me flow into continuing the story before those other pesky thoughts can distract me!

Another distraction I may have is the rude character that intrudes into my mind and begs to written about. There’s only one problem: she is from a completely different story! If that character’s voice won’t leave me alone, I use it as a writing prompt. I take five or ten minutes to explore her thoughts in writing. Now, as I go back to the manuscript I was working on, the new character has to be quiet--at least for awhile. Also, I have another story idea brewing to begin after the current project is finished. Creativity breeds creativity.

What character is begging to get out of your head today and down onto paper?

How do you deal with distractions to your writing?

Please become a follower and/or leave a comment with your email addy in the form of name[at]domain[dot]com for a chance to win the Prism Book group's most recent inspired romance ebook of your choice: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by Carlene Havel, Stone of Destiny, by Mary L. Ball or Cairo by Victoria Pitts-Caine. 

Happy third Birthday, Prism Book Group!

More fun for writers: Check out Tom Threadgill's humorous post:

Highlights and Lowlights: The Truth About Writers (Remember

Goofus and Gallant?)

SATURDAY SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

On the Road of Life

As I drove to a writer’s conference in Indianapolis last week and followed the directions on my GPS, which I’ve recently named Maxine, my friend’s Siri argued with her. Well, not exactly, but they both gave different directions as we came closer to our destination, which led to lively discussion. Both sets of directions led us to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis, one perhaps a little quicker than the other and one without as many turns, but essentially had the same outcome.

During several preceding days, the Lord had brought Jer. 29:11 to my attention at least three times, twice in devotional readings and then a friend texted the verse to me, to comfort me through a time of grieving. On top of that, the keynote speaker at the conference, Robin Jones Gunn, talked about how much better God’s plans are for us than the ones we have for ourselves.

I don’t always understand the turns and forks Jesus brings me to in the road of life, which he has laid out for me, but I must learn to trust that His plan is better. It doesn’t mean there won’t be times that are difficult or painful, that the way there will be easy, without detours. However, I have Jesus and His word, the Bible, the best guide of all, for which I am very thankful. Will I trust Him one day at a time that God has my best interest at heart? Will you?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Prism's Birthday Blog Hop is Here!

We're celebrating Prism Book Group's 3rd birthday with a blog hop!

We're sharing recipes for yummy desserts and Prism is giving away

prizes and discounts on their ebooks! Come join the fun! Go to the

Rafflecopter link below to enter the drawing for the $100 GIFT CARD 

from Prism Book Group!

Easy Mocha Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:

-Your favorite fudge brownie baking mix to make a 13x9 pan of brownies,

eggs, oil and water according to directions

-2 Tbs instant coffee

-1 cup chocolate chips

-1/2 cut nuts (optional)

Dissolve the instant coffee in hot water, blend with mix oil and eggs. 

Add chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Bake according to directions

on box. 

Drizzle with your favorite icing or serve with ice cream for a special

treat. Enjoy!

I'm especially delighted to announce that along with my

co-authors, Lisa J. Lickel, Paula Mowery and Teena

Stewart, I have become part of the Prism Book Group

family with our upcoming November release,

Brave New Century! Below is our lovely, recently

revealed cover:

Rafflecopter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/631b9c0/

Linky Links:

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

How Cats Like to Help Their Writer Friends

Mom decided I should break from the book reviews this week and share how cats like to help their humans write. First of all, I like to either cuddle on Mom’s lap or sit on the back of her chair to encourage her. Of course, when I am behind her head, I am establishing that I am alpha kitty. Sometimes she needs to be reminded that I’m in charge.

Another method I use to help is by walking across the keyboard. You humans always think that we felines are needy enough to want attention when we do that. Really? Maybe we’re trying to show you where you need some serious editing and rewriting done.

And I love to hold one of Mom’s hands between my paws, while I curl up on her lap. This way I have fun watching her try to type with one hand as I pretend I’m sleeping. Oops! What I meant to say is I just want her typing to be slow and purposeful, so she doesn’t make so many mistakes.

Hoping Mom will share her dinner since
I'm such a big help to her.

One of my favorite ways to help Mom with her writing is to put my paws in her water glass and tip it just enough so I can take a drink. What I can’t figure out is why the glass falls over and spills every time. Anyway, Mom has to get up and wipe the water up, thus giving her a much-needed break. She’s onto me, though. Now she sets out cups with lids on them. Oh well.

How does your feline friend or canine pal help you write?

Last week's winner . . .

We have a winner of Linda Glaz's Miss Fishfly: 

Donna of Great Lakes Romances! Congrats, Donna,
and happy reading!

Monday Motivation . . . on Tuesday this week

I had hopes of having a Monday Motivation on Monday this week,
but spent time this past week getting motivated and Monday traveling home.
One of the best motivators for the lone writer is to get out there and talk writing
with other scribes, sharing ideas and inspiration. Educational
and spiritual inspirational opportunities abound at the annual American
Christian Fiction Writers Conference, which was in Indianapolis this year,
September 13-15. And, of course, there are those appointments that give
authors a chance to pitch their books and/or concepts to agents and editors.

This year we enjoyed keynote speaker, Robin Jones Gunn, as she encouraged us to ask God for one thing and watch His plans unfold. The bottom line of her message was that His plans for us are far better than our plans for ourselves and we need to trust and praise the Lord for them--
at least that was what this conference attendee took away. The stories Robin shared were a peek at her non-fiction book, Victim of Grace.

However you receive inspiration, don't forget the smorgasbord
of writers conferences available these days and if you aren't able
to attend, often you can find CDs or MP3s of recorded sessions
available. Now, go get inspired!

SATURDAY SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

       

Interview with Paula Mowery

Jeremiah 12:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Since I am at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference this weekend, I am sharing an interview with my wonderful co-author, Paula Mowery, as she discusses about her spiritually uplifting newly released fiction title, Be the Blessing. Paula Mowery is a pastor’s wife and former homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction. She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her debut work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER. She is also an acquiring editor for Prism Book Group.

Read more of her writing in her monthly columns at the Christian Online Magazine.

Please tell us about your book, Be the Blessing.

Be the Blessing continues the story, which began in The Blessing Seer. The main character, Addy, is a pastor’s wife who wants to do something of significance for God. In this sequel five years have passed since the last book. Addy learns that God is always adding new facets to a Christian’s character to make them more like Jesus. The only problem is that she discovers that God still uses His children even when they experience struggles.

What prompted you to write this book?

Admittedly, I hadn’t thought about a sequel, but my editor asked me if I thought I might write the next phase after The Blessing Seer. I told her I wasn’t sure, but that night ideas began to come to me. I knew I couldn’t leave Addy’s story where it had ended in The Blessing Seer. She had more to learn.

What kind of encouragement do you hope Be the Blessing will be to your readers?

I hope Be The Blessing will encourage Christians to see that they are always a witness for Christ even in hard times – maybe more during those times. God doesn’t waste any experience we might have. He will teach us, as well as use us to touch others.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your writing, Paula?

The one thing I would share about my writing is that I am excited and yet humbled all at the same time that God allows me to write for His glory and share His truths with my readers.

Thank you, Kathy, for hosting me. I’m thrilled God saw fit for us to “meet” and share in writing our anthology, Brave New Century.

Me, too, Paula. Thank you for joining us today. Be the Blessing was released September 13 and is available wherever ebooks are found.

Endorsement for BE THE BLESSING:

"We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. Can God use even the worst events in our lives to help us feed the world around us?Be the Blessing skillfully provides both food for thought and food for discussion." -- Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Sea Glass Sisters and The Prayer Box.

More about the book: Addy Townsend hadn’t strolled with Conrad or had a vision in five years. Now Conrad has returned to challenge her to be a blessing to those around her. The Holy Spirit begins to nudge her into service in new ways and she follows.

But when she is blindsided with personal problems, can Addy learn to be a willing vessel even in times of struggle and suffering?

1 Peter 3:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. ¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way.^[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

Lily reviews Miss Fishfly

With a name like Miss Fishfly, what’s not to like? I like eating fish and I like batting at insects. I helped Mom catch an ant the other day and I act like I am going to die of starvation when she opens a can of tuna and won’t share. However, Miss Fishfly is about neither of these things.

Miss Fishfly, a novella by Linda Glaz, is a sweet contemporary romance about two young people dealing with the baggage from their pasts, which they don’t want to carry into the future. Christy Hayes, a hard working nurse, was once deserted by her father and has been looking for love with the wrong kind of guys. Cole Keller, a war hero from a dysfunctional  background, has been betrayed by the one woman he thought he loved.

Both of them are struggling to find something more in their lives, but don’t think God is the answer. They are thrown together by the wedding of their best friends, Aleni and Brice, and again at the bedside of Cole’s dying grandpa. A friendship between Christie and Cole that begs to be more, and the gentle prodding of the God-fearing people in their lives, send the two on a quest for healing and a future that promises more than their pasts.

           

Miss Fishfly is a page-turning, quick read with strong (human) characters and real life situations. It’s a story of hope and healing. Both the hero and heroine have flawed pasts, but also have good qualities, like real people. Christie is caring and sensitive to other’s needs. Cole has a tender spot for children, especially Brice’s stepson, and respect for his Grandpa Hartway. Mom says we should all have a Grandpa Hartway in our lives—someone lovable who imparts the message of God’s grace with truth and wisdom. Personally, I don’t like it when children try to pet me all the time, because I’m so cute, but Mom says I have to play nice. Cole sounds super patient.

           

My only complaint is that this novella is too short! Mom and I would love to read more about Christie, Cole and their families. One other teensy thing—there are dogs in the story. But I will forgive the author this indiscretion at this time and still give Miss Fishfly four paws up. (Besides, don’t tell the other cats, but I kind of like dogs. I rode to Petsmart with one the day Mom and Dad came to adopt me.)

Please leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of Miss Fishfly!

MONDAY MOTIVATION

CHARACTER EXPLORATION

Have fun with your characters. When you get stuck, try a little exercise. I start by praying for God’s leading. Close your eyes and see your character. Where is he/she? Think about the sights, sounds and smells around them, putting yourself in their shoes. Now, what is your character doing? Talking to someone? Looking for something? Painting a picture or just a wall? Playing a musical instrument? Running down a road?

You may find new things out about your character you never thought of before. I had a character, who had a lost love she hadn’t told me about before. He returned to her life. I wound up with a whole new twist to my plot. My character actually winds up marrying this lost love, who becomes a stepfather to her son. This complicates family relationships and holds her back for a time from making important decisions she needs to make about her commitment to God.

It’s funny how a simple five or ten minute exercise of the imagination can help breathe new life into a story, give more depth to a character and guide them down paths we hadn’t originally planned.

Do you have a “stuck” two-dimensional character that needs to have more depth of “life” breathed into them? 

Last week's prompt

I took about five minutes to write about last week's prompt,

which was fresh-baked bread. It led me to reminisce about

my bread baking days, when my sons were younger. Here are

my results, with little editing:

I miss baking bread. When the boys were little, I ground my own white wheat berries in a grain mill, making it into flour. Then I used my mixer with the dough hook to create lovely, pliable dough. The dough had a grainy texture and a nutty taste.

As the dough sat in a warm spot to rise, you could smell the yeast. Then as each loaf baked and was removed from the oven, the scent of honey and wheat blended with the yeasty goodness. I couldn’t wait until it cooled enough to slice and slather with butter. And my boys, big and little lined up for a chance to sample the golden-brown bread. 

Did you use last week's prompt and find it helpful? Here's a new prompt--write

about: Sunshine

WE HAVE A WINNER FOR LAST WEEK'S DRAWING!

Davalynn Spencer is the winner of the Amazon Gift Card! Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

This week, please leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook edition

of Linda Glaz's Miss Fishfly, which Lily will be reviewing on Wednesday.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift

This sunflower seed ended up in a geranium pot, 

probably thanks to a chipmunk. It leaned 

toward the sun and bloomed where it

was planted that year.

I haven’t done much with planting flowers the last couple of years, so I relished the opportunity to visit the local Bordine’s Nursery this past May, taking in the splash of radiant colors and scents of the flowers surrounding me. So many flowers and such a limited budget! I finally settled on some deep pink geraniums for the patio and a potted two-tone light pink for the front porch. Then it was onto Meijer for flats of petunias. I planted them in window boxes along the sides of my patio.

Each plant, especially the petunias, had been outgrowing their makeshift pots and looking rather forlorn. When I transplanted them to a roomier pot and nourished them with fertilizer and cool water, they seemed to perk up and stand taller. They bloomed and flourished during the heat and rain of the summer—for awhile.

Then the weather cooled down and while the greens in the geranium pots flourished, there were barely any blooms left. My petunias continued to bloom profusely and leaned toward the sun. The plants are full and colorful, so much bigger than the little plants I brought home.

To be fair to the geraniums, they probably didn’t get enough water while we were away on vacation, so I am trying to make up for it. Like the geraniums, I need to drink in the water of the Word enough to keep the soil of my heart soft. When I don’t get that time with the Lord, my heart hardens to His Word taking root in me the way it should. I need to lean toward the Son (of God), Jesus, every day.

Jesus made a comparison of life in the Spirit to being part of a plant: Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, NLT) He is always there, calling us to lean into and depend on Him for strength and guidance. The Son of God is there for you, waiting for you to spend even just a few minutes in the scriptures, so He can speak to you with His still, small voice. Jesus is waiting for you to ask Him for forgiveness, for help each day to live this life. Lean into Him.

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

Lilybits (photo courtesy of
my nephew, John Hensel)

I told Mom that I thought this should be called Lily’s Literary Corner, but she complained about the fact that it would limit her creativity and asked me, “What about people who don’t like cats?” As if! Who wouldn’t adore six pounds of gray tabby with big green eyes and a sweet purr? Besides, I try to say things like “mom” and “no”. I’m really good at the second one. Anyway, when Mom told me that I could do book reviews and author interviews sometimes, but she reserved the right to decide what gets posted, I found a discreet place on the living room couch to sharpen my claws.

I need to find something to do while Mom and Dad aren’t here to annoy, so I read. My first book review will be for Hearts Crossing by Marianne Evans.

Landscape architect, Daveny Montgomery, and high school English teacher, Collin Edwards, meet when he helps out during the landscaping around Woodland Church of Christ. Daveny wonders why he doesn’t go to church with his family. Collin is intrigued by the talented and hardworking Daveny.

Collin has been running from God, but the more time he spends with Daveny, the more he realizes he must face the bitterness a tragedy caused. Will Daveny wait on God and give Collin a chance? Will Collin open up to Daveny and look to God for healing? It’s a great story of hope for those who care about prodigals, at least that’s what Mom said.

The hero and heroine were compelling. I mean, I could almost feel their humanness. Ms. Evans gives her characters real depth and both Mom and I really enjoyed this novella. Even though cats weren’t integral to the plot and there’s no mention of eating grass as a delicacy, rather than just planting it, I give this story four paws up! (Since I don’t have opposable thumbs. Rats!)

Leave a comment or follow if you want to be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card this week!