Lost
Oh, brother. I've lost three things this week. And all three major items, not just my head, or an old shoe. Important stuff.
So, what to do? Look for it, obviously. Pray. Plead earnestly actually. And desperately. Look some more. Repeat all of the above. I must have searched through the house and the car and my purse three times last night.
On to other things . . .
I'm getting headaches from figuring out my synopses thing-a-ma-jigs. Like how to make them interesting enough an editor jumps up and down, and begs for my manuscript. Like how to get them so enticing editors bid on them.
Yep, I said bid. As in auction for a piece of work. Yikes. I think I'd be satisfied for just one editor to give me a slight nod. Yes, I'd like to see your work. Oh, well.
A tip for all you ministers' wives:
Have a fun night with your kids and/or hubby cooking supper and cleaning up afterwards. What? You don't like pizza again? Who cares? Gets you out of the kitchen (or at least, at the table watching) and maybe you can squeeze in a few minutes for relaxation, devotions or something else important to you.
And your quote for today:
Aim for the stars so you can hit the moon!
Don't you just love the stars? Brilliant-sparkly white in all that dark sky? Mysterious, and fun, and wonderful to dream under.
See ya tommorrow, and
blessings . . .
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
ACFW
American Christian Fiction Writers. Why am I so hepped up on this conference? Well, let me see if I can name a few of the reasons:
* I've gotten tons of info from their email loop
* I'll get to meet and talk with some of the best christian editors in the U.S.
* I'll maybe have a chance to obtain an agent
* I'll get to make new friends with other writers
* I'll get to meet my critique partners.
* I get a critique from a well published author.
Is that enough?
September 21st through 24th are the dates. Liz Curtis Higgs is the main speaker, with many other well established writers participating in the workshops. I'd urge you to check it out. Even the letters ACFW will take you to their website. Do it. Today.
Your quote of the day: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. --Theodore Seuss Giesel
Cool, huh?
Here's . . . that tip for all you ministers wives:
Anyway possible of finding out ahead of time what your visitors like to eat? Or dislike? If you can, that's a great bonus in preparing the meals that'll delight everyone. But, you know, don't sweat it. Cook what you do best and hope for the best. If all else fails have a few staples on hand, like a frozen batch of homemade soup, or a tasty casserole in the freezer. That'll save the day when you're running late. And most of all, don't spend all your time in the kitchen preparing fancy meals while everyone else is enjoying themselves outside. Delegate the chores, keep it simple, and you'll have fun, too.
Blessings to all. Have a great weekend. See you Tuesday, next week.
* I've gotten tons of info from their email loop
* I'll get to meet and talk with some of the best christian editors in the U.S.
* I'll maybe have a chance to obtain an agent
* I'll get to make new friends with other writers
* I'll get to meet my critique partners.
* I get a critique from a well published author.
Is that enough?
September 21st through 24th are the dates. Liz Curtis Higgs is the main speaker, with many other well established writers participating in the workshops. I'd urge you to check it out. Even the letters ACFW will take you to their website. Do it. Today.
Your quote of the day: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. --Theodore Seuss Giesel
Cool, huh?
Here's . . . that tip for all you ministers wives:
Anyway possible of finding out ahead of time what your visitors like to eat? Or dislike? If you can, that's a great bonus in preparing the meals that'll delight everyone. But, you know, don't sweat it. Cook what you do best and hope for the best. If all else fails have a few staples on hand, like a frozen batch of homemade soup, or a tasty casserole in the freezer. That'll save the day when you're running late. And most of all, don't spend all your time in the kitchen preparing fancy meals while everyone else is enjoying themselves outside. Delegate the chores, keep it simple, and you'll have fun, too.
Blessings to all. Have a great weekend. See you Tuesday, next week.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Minister's wife: Tips
TIP OF THE DAY . . . for the minister's wife:
Do you entertain much? Feel inadequate in making that not-very-well-known visitor comfortable? Try these ideas:
* Prepare a welcome basket. Include such things as travel-sized lotion, shampoo, band-aids, small notepad and pencil/pen, some hard candy like peppermints, and any other thing that comes to mind.
* Have a table and chair so they can write
* A good comfortable chair
* Plenty of pillows
Some don'ts:
* Get rid of all the souvenirs and knick knacks you've collected and stored in that spare room. They're in the way and if accidentally broken, makes for an uncomfortable situation, something you're trying to avoid. Remember: keep it simple.
* expect for them to cram their clothes in an already overfilled closet. Remove your winter clothes and all those you can't wear anymore. Have a nice empty closet. They'll love you for it.
How do I know these are essential to your visitors? Been there, done that. I've entertained and visited in homes for over twenty-nine years as a minister's wife.
Happy entertaining!
Interested in writing? Have you registered at American Christian Fiction Writer's conference yet? It's the premier writing conference. Check it out. More later . . .
Did I tell you I'm a writer? (among many other things) I write christian suspense, romance, and children's books.
Here's your quote for the day: Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it. -- Dwight L. Moody
Blessings
Do you entertain much? Feel inadequate in making that not-very-well-known visitor comfortable? Try these ideas:
* Prepare a welcome basket. Include such things as travel-sized lotion, shampoo, band-aids, small notepad and pencil/pen, some hard candy like peppermints, and any other thing that comes to mind.
* Have a table and chair so they can write
* A good comfortable chair
* Plenty of pillows
Some don'ts:
* Get rid of all the souvenirs and knick knacks you've collected and stored in that spare room. They're in the way and if accidentally broken, makes for an uncomfortable situation, something you're trying to avoid. Remember: keep it simple.
* expect for them to cram their clothes in an already overfilled closet. Remove your winter clothes and all those you can't wear anymore. Have a nice empty closet. They'll love you for it.
How do I know these are essential to your visitors? Been there, done that. I've entertained and visited in homes for over twenty-nine years as a minister's wife.
Happy entertaining!
Interested in writing? Have you registered at American Christian Fiction Writer's conference yet? It's the premier writing conference. Check it out. More later . . .
Did I tell you I'm a writer? (among many other things) I write christian suspense, romance, and children's books.
Here's your quote for the day: Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it. -- Dwight L. Moody
Blessings
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Famous writer
Ha. That was just to get your attention.
What's it feel like to get your picture in a local newspaper because you're part of a group of writers who put together a self-published book?
Pretty good. Hey, some review is better than none.
Anyhow, it's part of the process of writing and publishing. Besides doing the agony (joy) of writing, you get to edit, edit, edit, edit, create one-sheets, write a synopsis, research a market plan, write up a pitch, print our professional business cards (several different kinds, no less), work through your nerves, spend a lot of money going to a writer's conference (have fun), meet some new friends, hear some great speakers, get a chance to talk to agents and editors, tremble with anticipation for that request (send me a sample), and finally, finally, someday, reach your goal. Hold your published book in your hands.
Of course, that's not the end of it. If you want your book to sell, you gotta put that marketing plan (see above) into practice. Visit bookstores and any other stores that sell books, set up signings, print bookmarks and other marketing tools, give speeches (on your book, or at least bring your topic around to your book in some sneaky way), bore everyone around you with the only topic you really want to talk about (writing), blog, set up a webpage, and oh, probably a dozen other things I haven't mentioned yet.
So all that brings us to our quote for the day: Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams! -- Henry David Thoreau
Minister wives: You're Tip of the Day: Call a friend and tell them they're appreciated. It'll make their day, and yours. You'll be surprised at the response you'll get, at the delight that will seep through that phone into your ear and down to your heart.
And by the way: I'll post mostly on Tuesdays through Fridays.
Blessings
What's it feel like to get your picture in a local newspaper because you're part of a group of writers who put together a self-published book?
Pretty good. Hey, some review is better than none.
Anyhow, it's part of the process of writing and publishing. Besides doing the agony (joy) of writing, you get to edit, edit, edit, edit, create one-sheets, write a synopsis, research a market plan, write up a pitch, print our professional business cards (several different kinds, no less), work through your nerves, spend a lot of money going to a writer's conference (have fun), meet some new friends, hear some great speakers, get a chance to talk to agents and editors, tremble with anticipation for that request (send me a sample), and finally, finally, someday, reach your goal. Hold your published book in your hands.
Of course, that's not the end of it. If you want your book to sell, you gotta put that marketing plan (see above) into practice. Visit bookstores and any other stores that sell books, set up signings, print bookmarks and other marketing tools, give speeches (on your book, or at least bring your topic around to your book in some sneaky way), bore everyone around you with the only topic you really want to talk about (writing), blog, set up a webpage, and oh, probably a dozen other things I haven't mentioned yet.
So all that brings us to our quote for the day: Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams! -- Henry David Thoreau
Minister wives: You're Tip of the Day: Call a friend and tell them they're appreciated. It'll make their day, and yours. You'll be surprised at the response you'll get, at the delight that will seep through that phone into your ear and down to your heart.
And by the way: I'll post mostly on Tuesdays through Fridays.
Blessings
Friday, August 18, 2006
Wonderful Words
Words.
Aren't they the most amazing things? and look at what can be done with them.
Tear down, hurt, or bash someone.
Or better still: encourage, bless, pray for others.
You can write with them: Articles, letters, books, journals.
You can share your feelings through them: Memories, musings, dreams.
And blog. Ah, yes! The rage of the century.
Look at that word in the title of this blog: meandering. Isn't that a totally lovely word? What does it bring to mind? Lazy, clear water brooks? Paths that amble through woods or fields? A stroll through a loved park? Maybe you like to meander through the library, searching for the right book to carry home and read by the fire or in a favorite chair.
More on that subject later.
An important announcement:
The American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference coming up.
When? Thursday, September 21, 2006 and Sunday, September 24, 2006
Where? Dallas, Texas at the Marriott Quorum at the Galleria
Check out their website for more information:
www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com
If you're a writer, or even an aspiring one, this is the up and coming event to attend.
A Quote to make your day . . . hmmm . . . how about this one:
"And thou shall be secure, because there is hope." --Job 11:18
And for you who stand beside your husband as he serves in the ministry, here's An Idea. Of course, you've heard it many times, but doesn't make it any less true. Sometimes we need the reinforcement of an idea on our minds and in our hearts. Take some time out today, for yourself. It doesn't matter whether its five minutes or the whole afternoon. Just do it. Here's some of my favorite ways:
* Take a sudsy bath with a special scent lavishly sprinkled in.
* Talk to your pets
* Take a walk--somewhere, anywhere
* Begin a journal, or pick up that neglected one. Make an entry, share your innermost feelings.
* Laugh for the sheer joy of hearing your voice. Laugh for the sheer healthiness of it.
* Forgive someone. And if you have no one to forgive, then pray for someone.
If you don't like those suggestions, think of one of your own. Something you especially like. Just be sure to do it. Today. Remember the old adage: tomorrow never comes.
Blessings.
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