I've got mail--from Australia

A while ago, I submitted a story for a book that is being compiled and published in Australia. Today, I got the email and permission agreement--I'm in! The book should be published this fall so as it gets closer--watch for the link to the website and more information. The title is It Happened by Design by Kathie Thomas.

Licking the bowl

I'm helping a friend move into her winter home here this week. She's a writer too and invariably our conversations turn to sentence structure, plot and punctuation. We can't roll our carts through Sam's without commenting on something related to writing. Even now, she is reading something she wrote while I think about how to edit the final pages of my book one so I can move on and finish the other two.

What is it about writers that we get so caught up in our work? In our passion? In what we hope God intends for us to do?

I keep a notepad by my bedside for those late-night inspiring thoughts that I am certain will be lost by morning.

I underline everything I read in books and drive my daughter nuts when I then give her the book to read.

I can't wait for a quiet moment when I can immerse myself back into my characters.

Is this the writing life?

I sure hope so because I don't see if going away any too soon. It's as good as that last drop of vanilla yogurt with whipped cream on top.

I promised myself I would never do this but alas; the grandmother bug found another victim. Toys R Us-- remember the fun you used to have going there with your own children?

"Get out of that!"

"It isn't your birthday yet!"

Oh--but it all changes when you are called Grandma. Toys take on new meaning--does he want that? yes, I think so--that one there too. Look at him climb in this playhouse. Are you sure you don't have room in your apartment for it?

I would have bought the entire store if I thought it would have made him happy. But it probably wouldn't have. He only wanted to play with his grandparents a little longer.

Now what on earth does this have to do with writing?

Everything.

Prayer Partners

Occasionally, I add a new blog link way over there on the right-hand column. Today I have added one for all you coffee lovers. I have been blogging with Joanne for awhile and enjoy her take and style of writing. Whole Latte Life offers not only a fresh way of writing but she also posts some great pictures and a look into her writer's life. Please take a peak at her site when you get a chance.

I really try to blog as much as I can. There are so many amazing writers out there and when I stumble across some of them, I can't wait to connect and share our experiences. It is always uplifting to me to discover how many of the same struggles we share but also to able to share in the praises of a published work.

In my new writers' group, we promised to pray for each other and our writing endeavors. When I pull out my latest WIP, what a wonderful feeling it is to know people are actually praying for what the Lord can and will do with my work.

Do you have prayer partners for your writing ministry?

Do you need one more person to be praying for you? Please let me know!

Monday Blessings

I worry about upcoming events in my life like my grandson worries when he catches sight of a ready-made bottle. I can imagine him worrying if he'll get it before he reaches that ultimate screamin pitch (know the one-- a little ear piercing), or if it will be warm enough or if it will fill the hunger that is gnawing in his little stomach.

That's kind of I have been doing since Friday when I knew a reporter was coming to our writers' group today.

Will anyone show up or will I look like a complete idiot? Will I know what to say if she asks me a question? Will I stumble all over my words like I usually do when in a group?

The list went on.

But before I loosed my ultimate scream from stress, I prayed. I asked God to send people who wanted to write for the Lord. I asked him to bless the reporter who came and that she would be nice and understand what we strove to do. I asked for a peace in my heart as I arrived in the library parking lot.

Guess what? God heard.

Six devoted writers joined hearts and minds again to day to lift each other up in prayer and encouragement.

Roxanne, the local reporter, was a sweatheart. She listend to our goals, our fears and our thoughts that success is not a number but a process and in God's hands.

So the next time I am worrying about what faces me--I hope I'll look back on today and breathe a little easier. If God's in it--let it go and Let Him.

Please check out my Clermont Christian Writers blog for more detail about our group and goals. I'll be posting later today.

A great week

Overall-- this was a fabulous week as far as submissions go. I got a letter in the mail yesterday that another story I wrote for Chicken Soup-- the high school book -- is now at stage two in the process which means I had to agree or not agree to the edits. Of course I agreed. The editor does a fantastic job.

So that makes two more definite, one almost definite and an article in the magazine. Ok-- so that means I can sit back and take a break . . . I don't think so.

I have the writers' group on Monday at our local library to get ready for over the weekend. A reporter contacted me today and wants to sit in and do a story on us. May I say that really puts me out of my comfort zone???

Please be praying for the next meeting that we fill the room with writers and want-to-be writers who write for the Lord.

Author David Heeren

Jesus identified the primary sign of His Second Coming: "Immediately after the distress of those days, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn." (Matthew 24:29-30) It's a celestial sign, but what is it?
Author David Heeren zeroes in on the sign in his book, The Sign of His Coming. http://davidheeren.com/


I met David last month at our Clermont Writers group. I was really impressed with his writing credentials and with his latest book. Check out his website for more information and how to order.

Come to the Fire

http://www.cometothefire.org/magazine/ Check out this link! I sent a story in and knew they were editing it but didn't know yet if and when it would be published.

How did I find out?? I googled my name. Try it with yours!

Official

It's official. Two stories of mine made it in the Chicken Soup for the soul: Empty Nesters that comes out at the beginning of October! I'll be posting more information as we get closer to the release date. The stories in this book mean more to me than others as I recently became an empty nester.

Two years later, I'm still dealing with it. (That's recent enough for me!)

Yes, it's much easier now but life changes drastically when your children leave home--and move across the country. My role changed. For years, I'd been the mom--juggling three lives, and one day my only child walks down the aisle and into the arms of someone else.

I know it's normal. I know it is God's plan. I know I have a great son-in-law. But it still leaves a hole in our home to fill.

That's when I am thankful I write. Journals, stories, books. I take these life experiences and pour them onto paper hoping somehow what I've gone through will make a difference in another life.

I miss my daughter. I miss waiting up for her at night and feeling my relief as she her creeps into my bedroom to kiss me goodnight. I miss trying on crazy outfits with her at our favorite outlet store. I miss sitting side-by-side at the nail salon as we get our toes manicured.

I miss the closeness.

But God had other plans.

We rush to see in a chick-flick at her mall; we hurry into Kohl's and peruse the sale racks; we decorate her home for her child's first birthday party. And then we hug goodbye. After a three day hiatus, I got to be a mom again--with a twist. We wipe back tears and try not to break down as our husbands steer us toward the car and door.

So I'm home again and what do I do? I write about my time with family. And then I submit. Finally, today, I receive word that one of those magical moments will be in a book form so that hopefully others will relate and I will have made a difference.

There's no place like Home

We left Seattle last night and arrived back in Floria this morning. Needless to say, my brain is in sleep mode as taking the red eye and sleeping don't go hand-in-hand with me. I hope to catch up with some interesting writing information this week, but I also returned to a possible hurricane in our area tomorrow that might change some of my week's plans.

Some good news-- I have another story being considered for Chicken Soup. This makes my ninth story either under consideration or slated for publication in the past two years. One of my stories made the top 150 but not the cut, and another story was accepted but the book was cancelled.

When submitting to Chicken Soup, know please remember that the process could take a very long time, quite possibly up to a year or more. I try to write stories and wait until I know for sure I wasn't selected for that book before sending it anywhere else. Makes it a whole lot easier.

I'll also put some writing opportunities updates over on my Clermont Christian Writers blog later this week.

Slides, sighs and silly smiles

We're having a heat wave here in Seattle and I'm in a home without air! How does a Florida girl survive?

When you travel without your computer--writing stays home as well. As I mentioned earlier, this trip is one of those much needed interruptions in a writer's life. Today my grandson turned one and I get to experience his day with him. Moments like these don't occur everyday. Special moments are the meat and vegetables of my writing.

When I popped my head into his bedroom door this morning and he offered me his biggest smile--I fell in love all over again with this little boy.

"Happy one-year-old birthday," I said as I approached the crib decorated in mint green and yellow.

He tucked his blanket in his hand and rolled over on his back--his smile peaking from behind the fist of blanket.

I carried him downstairs, fed him a breakfast of pancakes and admired what God had given me. Ok, if you aren't where I am yet in your life--you might be thinking 'what is so different than being a mom?" and I will tell you..."wait."

I slid down a play slide during our morning walk wondering if I had been too busy to do this with my daughter when she was the same age. Maybe. But I sure wasn't going to be this time.

My adventure tonight is a trip to Toys R Us to let him pick out his present.

Yes, my stories come from the memories we make. What memories are you making now?

Getting Bogged Down

Ever have one of those days? One of those weeks? Maybe for you it lasts a little longer?

I'm working on three books right now. One I am editing again for the billionth time; the other two I am waiting for inspiration to finish the endings. Then the rewrites. But it seems I keep getting interrupted somehow.

I belong to a writers group called Writers Interrupted. Check the link out on this page if you don't belong. It is for writers who get interrupted by life. I was interrupted yesterday when my car was hit by a careless driver. Had to sit along the road for an hour while the local sheriff wrote up the paperwork. Made me late for my hair appointment and then I missed going to the bank and store cause I got caught in a huge thunderstorm.

I will be interrupted further tomorrow when I fly to Seattle to see my grandson on his first birthday. (So I will be blogging from the Bothel area for a few days.)

But not all interruptions are bad--like the trip to see family. But sometimes I get bogged down because I let the intrusions happen and my writing suffers first.

I interviewed about fourteen writers at the ICRS this year and asked each of them if they work on a schedule. Almost all of them block off time for writing in their day and on their monthly calendar. They try to minimize those interruptions when they can because they are serious about their craft--their ministry--and their commitment to God to do what He has called them to do.

So as I get up today and look at my list of to dos, how much time will I set aside for doing what I know I should be doing? It is a hard job being disciplined as a freelance writer but the rewards are great!

Getting Organized

When you attend a writers conference, quite often, the speaker talks about something you already know. You'll scribble some notes to be polite but you are wishing they would come up with something new--after all, you paid a ton to come to the conference.

Not so at the conference I attended in PA.

One speaker suggested we organize our writing. She even drew a little diagram on the board for us to copy. OK, I don't write like that. I go with my gut, forget the storyboards, and the index cards or the notebook with little flags sticking out of each section. I keep it in my head.

So I wanted to fold up my notebook and check out what others were doing in the reception area. But then she caught me. Her method seemed almost too simple. Would it really work for me?

1. Working Title

My biggest pitfall. I need a book of titles to use. Weak area--I know it. So why start here? But the more I thought about it, it made sense. Start with a title that focuses on what I want my book to be about.

2.Theme

IN ONE SENTENCE or even one word she went on to say. Like Hope, grace, renewal
I rarely speak in one word let alone one sentence but I had also recently made up a One Sheet and knew how much some editors preferred them. When I have only fifteen minutes to pitch a book, I guess I should narrow my theme down.

3. Hook

For me, the most important part. I want to make sure the reader will feel the need to keep reading.

4. List what I want to cover in the book (15-20 items)

Each chapter should fall under 2000 words. Prioritize the events in the book.

5. Takeaways

Starting with my lead in -- what do I want my book to leave the reader feeling, knowing, understanding etc.

6. Ending

I want the reader satisfied and when he looks back at number five and my lead reason for the book--a connection is made.

So I came away with some new information mixed with some old. I also came away excited to put my next book to the test.

Sunday night ramblings from the mountain

(yeah . . . we have mountains here)

I can't wait to share more writing information with you and I also have another book I want to share as well from a person in my writers group.

Hang on.

I can't kick it in gear tonight after a day of church and a trip to the newest health food store. (Whole Foods) Anyone shop them? I usually don't as it is a hike into Orlando for me but I wanted to try some of the gluten free kits. I got a cake, some bread, a cookie mix and some pretzels. Can you tell I am a recovering carb-addict?

Anyways, be ready for some interesting -- I hope--information and as usual my 'whatever' depending on where my mind leads me.

Please check out the Clermont Christian Writers blog and check out some of my latest finds for submitting stories. Let me knowthe kinds of places you are searching and I will see what I can find for you. We have to submit regularly if we want to be accepted!

Thanks again for checking in on my ramblings!

And the winner is . . .

My husband went golfing today (all day--he found a place he can play for $7)but before he left, I asked him to help with my selection of a winner. Since all of the entries were absolutely wonderful, I wanted to choose fairly. So I put all the names in a cup and asked him to pick!

Drum roll please . . . And the winner of the Women of Passions book is Karen!
Congratulations! Please E-mail me at terri.tiffany@yahoo.com with your snail mail and we'll mail you your copy!

Here's what Karen had to say about her passion:

My passion is really to follow the Lord daily as He opens up unexpected opportunities and blessings. If I could give encouragement or help to women in particular, it would be to encourage them to want their children to develop in all types of areas but especially in spiritual growth! If their children can glimpse the fact that God's plan is so much better than their own, it will be the best gift they can give their family. And my passion that goes along with that is, of course, writing.

Thank you for participating in my first book give-away!

Just the Facts

I don't know if you can tell, but not being able to post for a full week has been killing me! Now that my book give-away (my very first) has been running almost a week-- I wanted to share some of the facts I have discovered during this process for those of you who are thinking about doing it on your own blog.

1. My goal was to share some information about a fabulous book! (ok, so I have a story in it too) but when you sit down and read the other great stories, you will put the book down feeling as though God knew exactly what you needed right then. Did I meet that goal? I sure hope so cause some of the responses I got (go read them again!) were awesome! Everyone has a passion and when you read those who wrote in--it might trigger one in your own life.

2. When I posted the book information, I went around to all the other writer sites I belong to like God-linked, Faithwriters, Writer Interrupted and Shoutlife and posted a comment about my give-away. I know, there are a ton of them on there. But what happened when I did?

I had the most traffic to my blog EVER!

I have this free counter attached to this site so I can tell what kind of traffic I am getting. I may have not gotten as many comments as I would have liked, but a bucket load of people saw the book cover and hopefully read the information.

3. Why so few entries? Well, I must have gotten a dozen people who wrote and said they tried to leave one and it didn't go through or got kicked off etc. Do I understand technology? Ask my daughter. Anyways, maybe you might need a Google account to sign in? Maybe not, but this could be a drawback.

4. Would I do it again? Of course. In fact, I am in another anthology coming out sometime soon that I plan to do a give-away.(I'll keep you posted.)

So am I going to pick a winner?? Relax. Tomorrow I will and I'll post it here. So if you are reading this and thinking, I'd really like a copy, it isn't too late to sign up. If you don't get kicked off.

My First Book Give-Away Contest!

Women of Passions: Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God is a superb collection of stories and inspirational writings providing the reader with a powerful connection to the Heart of God. Women from various backgrounds and walks of life open their hearts with a fresh perspective on the ageless questions asking “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “Why me?”
Regardless of the reader’s age, vocation, personal interests or level of spiritual maturity, the stories in this book will lead them to their knees in prayer, to their feet in thanksgiving, or to the phone to share with their closest friend.
Used as a devotional, shared in a small group setting for discussion, or picked up when there are only a few free minutes in her busy day, the reader is invited to press beyond her comfort zone to experience the unexplainable passionate love shared between a woman and her God.

I'm giving away this terrific compilation of stories to someone next week!

How do you win ? It's easy! Send me a post telling me about your passion. Whether your passion is your family, teaching Sunday School . . . whatever, I want to know!

When? Today through next Friday.

Don't Forget! Read my story in the book about the surprising way God gave us a Christian bookstore!

Only two more days to enter! I'll post the winner on Saturday!