I love this. A validation posse. Before I got into writing seriously I might never have truly understood what this would mean and how important it is as a writer. As for what I do on this site, my validation posse has been those individuals that my writing has somehow touched their life and for those who have left comments to let me know how those words did touch their lives. But writing Mari's book and also my fiction writing, to have just the right posse is more important than I ever … [Read more...]
Day 17: Love Thy Reader
This put a smile on my face. For anyone who has taken the time to read something I've written, it's almost like they are a friend who I'm opening my heart and thoughts to. Both the lighthearted and funny kind to the heart-wrenching and agonizing kind. This website has become a part of me, just like Mari was while on this earth and continues to be while in heaven. For some people things they may read may just be words to them. But they're so much more to me. They're a part of my soul. No, not … [Read more...]
Day 7: Jumping Off
I have to laugh. Talk about something hitting home. I have been struggling to get back into my writing. I have a completed first draft of my fiction novel but have been unmotivated to just sit down and edit it. I have several story ideas, that as soon as they pop into my brain, I immediately write them down. Everyone I talk to tells me to just jump in and do it. Yet, I don't no matter how much I should. I could come up with a million excuses, or a better way to say it would be … [Read more...]
Day 6: Daring to Tell
I wonder how many closet writers there are because they're scared to get out of their comfort zone, daring to tell what's rolling around in their brains. Fear can be a great force within ourselves. It can stop us from doing so many things, things even God may want us to do. We have to remember that God will give us the strength we need to do things according to His plan. In our own human form we are weak and vulnerable. It is through Him that He gives an invisible shield of … [Read more...]
Day 3: The Holy Calling
Its amazing sometimes how God works. Many say His ways are mysterious. The bottom line, no matter how much we want to control every thing, we simply don't know His plan for all of our lives. His plan is greater than any of us can fathom. For me this hit me head on like a Mac truck (I know clique, but it's true) when God decided to answer our prayers about healing my precious baby girl by telling us all no, that it was time to bring her home to heaven where she'll be free from autism. He … [Read more...]
The Journey with Mary Hamilton
Please welcome this weeks guest Mary Hamilton for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? Early in my writing journey, the church I attended put on an annual dinner theater as an outreach to women. I’d only written a few articles for take home papers and magazines when they asked me to write the next play. The idea was scary (what if I failed?), but enticing (what if I succeeded!). With lots of prayer, I agreed to try. My hour-long play was … [Read more...]
To Change Something About Yourself
If I were given the opportunity to change one thing about myself it would be to have much better patience. I didn't want to just say patience, because no matter who you are you have some. It might seem microscopic, but it's still there. God may have bestowed many gifts upon me, some still unknown, but the one He didn't give was the gift of patience. This is a weak area for me. I can easily get frustrated and don't dare try to talk to me in those moments of deep frustration because I have a … [Read more...]
My Favourite Character of All Time
MICKEY MOUSE!!!! He's the man, or at least that's what I've said for years. I started to collected Mickey Mouse when I was around 13 or 14 years old. I still collect him and many of the Disney characters like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. I still own things from all those years ago and some have either broke or been lost over time. When someone asks me what I want for my birthday or Christmas I tell them it's easy. Anything with Mickey Mouse. I'm not even … [Read more...]
FALLing into Place
Nothing in life is ever easy for most of us. It's the things we work hard for that tend to be the most rewarding in the end. Compare someone who started from the ground up in a business and worked hard to make it a multimillion dollar one or the child born into wealth who never had to work a day in his life that when he turned eighteen he just expected much of the same. Who will appreciate what he has more? Hopefully it would be obvious that the guy who worked hard as the one who did doesn't … [Read more...]
Choosing to Fail
Think about this quote: "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." —Malcolm X I've heard this before but put another way. The gist is if we never try anything new we will never know if we will succeed. It's those who are willing to fail who become the successful ones. Throughout my life, and especially in my adult life, I've tried many things and have failed many times. I've tried to do several business from home. I've wanted to do many different things. I've slowly learned … [Read more...]
