For the month of March, I will be participating in Speedbo. This is a writing challenge offered by the writers at Seekerville. You select your goal, then WRITE. As published writers, they help unpublished writers sail off UNPUBLISHED ISLAND with valuable advice and fantastic encouragement. A FUN community! www.seekerville.net
LIGHT is “My One Word” for 2013
I subscribe to Seekerville (www.seekerville.net), a blog that helps aspiring writers sail from “Unpublished Island” to the mainland of successful publication. Their blog is always timely and of great encouragement. They had a virtual party on New Year’s Eve, featuring the book My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. (www.myoneword.com) They challenge Christians to “Choose just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year.”
Their message called to me. After some consideration, I have chosen LIGHT as my word for 2013. The main reason, or the first one that came to mind as I decided on this word, is that I want to glow in the LIGHT of God’s love for He is the LIGHT of the world. This is a good choice for many reasons which I will discuss in future blogs.
May you walk in the LIGHT of our Lord!
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
I love all the lights of Christmas!
I love the multi-colored lights sparkling on our tree.
I love the icicle lights hanging from the homes in our neighborhood along with bushes decorated with tiny flowers of light.
I love the dancing flames of our fireplace.
I love the glowing luminarias lighting the path for Mary and Joseph.
I love the flickering candles.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is attending church on Christmas Eve as child…..the pageant, the carols, the story of Jesus’ birth….but especially holding the white candle lit by passing the flame from the candle on the altar to each person from the front pew to the back. As we silently left the church, we would shelter the flicking light wanting to arrive home with our candle still shining.
Jesus is that light.
There is a lighted cross in our window this year, a reminder that there is a light in our lives—always.
Our prayer for you this Christmas is that your path is always lighted.
Blessings to you for a shining Christmas!
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
I recently read a book my husband recommended, “Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip To Heaven and Back” by Todd Burpo, a Wesleyan pastor from Nebraska. This is the “astounding” story of his son Colten’s experience in heaven when the boy was near death. Yes, it reaffirms what I believe and gives me a picture of heaven as seen through a child’s eyes. I have thought about Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:3-4. “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” NIV The revelations in this book helped my eyes to see heaven like a little child–a simple, trusting belief.
My husband and I go to a local care center one Sunday a month to provide a church service for the elderly residents. Yesterday, my husband used the message in this book during the worship service. One of the staff members thanked him for the message. As we asked the folks what special prayers they would like for the following week, we had more meaningful conversations than we had before. One lady told us of the angels that surround her bed at night. Another asked for prayers for her parents who she hopes are in heaven. I believe that the reinforcement of my beliefs helped to comfort the woman who told me of her pain.
I am thankful that reading “Heaven Is For Real” helped us to offer comfort and hope to others and gave us the experience of seeing the world and heaven as little children. I pray that we continue to be like little children.
This is a great organization! National Novel Writing Month!
Since my November calendar is filled this year, I didn’t think I would sign up this year for National Novel Writing Month. It seems I don’t have as much on my “To Do” list in the summers, so I have enjoyed Camp Nano the last two years. S’mores, hiking and campfires, what’s not to like? My Camp Nano project from 2011 became a short story which won a contest and was published, so I do believe good things can happen from concentrated writing time. But, November? Thanksgiving, travel, Christmas shopping, putting the garden to sleep…..However, the call of “word count” and the thoughts of other writers with cramped fingers hovering over their keyboards…well, I just have to be a part of this. We are writers, and by November 30, my novel and many others will be closer to the finish line. Blessings to all those writing this month! Together we succeed!
I had a writer’s moment today…..
Directed to the doctor’s waiting room, I glance at a stack of magazines. The one on top shows a cover that looks familiar……
It is the February issue of New Mexico Magazine, the issue with my first published story. I pick it up, quickly flip through the pages to find “Turquoise Remembrance” which I haven’t read for six months.
My story—-sitting in a waiting room. Amazing. Where people I don’t know would be reading it.
After chatting with the doctor, I explain why it was fun to see the magazine in his office. He said his wife is a potter and often finds little faults with her art pieces that he doesn’t even notice.
I smile and reply, “Yes, I just reread my story while waiting and cringed at some awkward wording.”
Yes, I am a writer. I will always critique my work and want to make it better.
I love being a writer!
Five things to remember for attending RWA Literacy Signing event….
Anaheim, California–July 25, 2012
Having heard about the yearly Romance Writers of America’s Literacy Autographing event, I’m anticipating the fund raiser for promoting literacy during the RWA 2012 convention. I walk into the convention center, filled with famous romance writers, and feel overwhelmed–all these amazing authors gathered in one place with an atmosphere filled with cheerful enthusiam. There are over 400 romance writers signing their books (which raises nearly $53,000 for promoting literacy). I learn a few things for next time:
#1. Allow plenty of time. I arrive about an hour after the event starts so I won’t wait in line. Basically, this works, but the number of authors to visit and navigating the room does take time. And authors run out of available books—too soon–so standing in line might be better.
#2. Take a “must-get-autograph” list with a map showing where the authors will be sitting–available on the RWA conference site before the conference. I have my map in hand, ready to seek out autographs.
#3. Plan on spending more than expected on buying books. This always happens to me, but I justify my overspending because the dollars go to a great cause–promoting reading.
#4. Enjoy chatting. I enjoy talking with the authors themselves and the other buyers in the payment line. One buyer is a friend of someone at the conference doing a Kickstarter movie about romance writing www.lovebetweenthecovers.com. Another gal is impressed we are buying books for other people—she says the night is all about her and her love of reading. You go, girl!
#5. Eat before you attend. I am so busy that I foget to eat and get a little fuzzy. I head out to meet others for dinner—forgetting to stop by the tables of a few authors I want to meet. Well, I hope they will participate next year at the literacy event! I’ll see you then!
Meanwhile, I’ll be reading all the new books in my TBR pile–so sweetly signed by amazing writers. Love romance!
I was sorry to learn that Connie Gotsch passed away on Sunday, July 15. Connie was the program director of KSJE, a local radio station. She hosted classical music on her morning show. She also hosted “Write On Four Corners” which spotlighted area writers. I met Connie when she interviewed me about the Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story contest. Knowing that I was nervous about recording a “spot,” she was so gracious in helping me relax and enjoy the experience. She signed a copy of her children’s book, Belle’s Star, for my granddaughter, “We always have a choice.” Connie made a choice to be an inspiration for our community of Farmington, NM. She will be missed. Blessings to you Connie…..
Sherida Stewart 