Home Again

There has been quite a change in the weather since you last visited. It’s already sixty degrees here this morning with the nineties predicted! That’s pretty warm for May. So, put on a pair of shorts and come on over for a visit.

Before I forget, let me direct you (after you read this post) to www.bkjackson.blogspot.com. My writing friend and fellow western lover, Brenda, interviewed me on her blog! Imagine someone wanting to interview me! I was quite honored. Go on over and see what I had to say in answer to her questions.

I have so much to tell you about my writer’s conference in Estes Park! I love to attend the CCWC (Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference) for a variety of reasons. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, God’s handiwork surrounds you with a stark majesty that can’t be ignored. This year, even though we woke up to snow on Thursday morning, it warmed up before we headed to breakfast and stayed in the 70’s and 80’s for the rest of our stay. The sun shining on those snow-covered peaks is a sight to behold.

Marlene, the conference director, puts her heart and soul into this event. She provides an atmosphere of learning, encouragement, and spiritual refreshment for accomplished and aspiring writers of both fiction and non-fiction who want to get the gospel message out. Her line up of authors, agents, and editors is outstanding. I am always amazed that these people so willingly take time out from their busy lives to teach, motivate, and guide new writers along the journey to publication. Dynamic speakers at the morning worship and evening general sessions provide inspirational messages that challenge us as authors to strive for excellence in our work, sharpen our writing skills, and fulfill our mission.

It’s always wonderful to see friends from previous years and make new ones. Some people are those with whom I’ve established an email contact over the past few months, and meeting face to face for the first time is fun. There is pure joy in being surrounded by dozens of people who understand your love of your characters, share your excitement about your story idea, and pray for you to reach that goal of publication.

I was so fortunate this year to be accepted into Jim and Tracie Peterson’s unpublished fiction clinic. Jim was the first person I had a one on one appointment with at the first CCWC clinic I attended in 2003. I was a bundle of nerves, but Jim put me at ease right away. I’ll never forget (even though others have done the same since) that Jim took my hand at the end of our meeting and prayed for my writing. He and Tracie are so knowledgeable in the craft of writing and the information they share is invaluable. Tracie is the author of some 90 books ( and how long have I been working on one?) and Jim is an expert in the field of research. Then, there is their daughter Jennifer who is well on the way to making a name for herself in the publishing world. She already edits for some of the major publishing houses. The five sessions we spent with the three of them provided a writer’s gold mine of tips.

Another workshop I attended was entitled “No Pat Answers, Please!” It was very powerful and addressed the standard answers that Christians give to hurting people. Things like “it was God’s will” or “she/he’s in a better place”. “you can always have another child”. Lissa Halls Johnson and Mick Silva are two incredible teachers who have a heart for bringing healing to hurting people.

One evening, I sat in on a round table discussion about what young people are looking for in Christian fiction. There were three sophomores there, fine young adults who shared openly and honestly what they are hungering for. They challenged us as writers to deal realistically with the hard issues our young people are facing today. Our teens are in trouble, and if we don’t give them some truthful answers about life’s struggles and how to deal with them, they will be forever lost.

Despite the wonderful time I had at the conference, it’s great to be home! I miss my husband when I’m away, my daughter, my granddaughter, our two dogs and our cat, my small town, the folks in the corner convenience store, the cattle grazing in the field next to our house, my own bed. Speaking of bed…..

It’s late for me. I worked last night (11 PM to 7 AM) and had every intention of going to bed the minute I hit the front door. Then I connected with my son on messenger and we’ve been having a great discussion about the conference and about writing while I prepared this blog entry. I averaged about four hours of sleep a night while at the conference, so staying awake at work last night was tough. Guess I better go on to bed. But first....

Upcoming attraction: I’m reading “Promises, Promises”, my web designer, Tiffany Stockton’s first book. As soon as I finish it, I’ll post a review. Post a comment on my blog or get in touch through my web site contact page and you become a contestant for a free copy of the book. It’s a Heartsong Presents romance, so if I have any guy readers, this may not be your thing. Still, if you win, I’m sure a lady friend, a sister, a mom, maybe a coworker would enjoy it! Just be sure and leave me contact information so I can get in touch to let you know you won! It’s frustrating to have a contest winner and no way to contact them.

Ok, now I'm off to get some sleep. Feel free to stay and finish your coffee. Oh, man, I forgot to bring out the donuts! Here ya go! Enjoy!

Homecoming

I could hardly contain myself for the excitement I was feeling last Saturday morning. It was the day my daughter-in-law’s mom and I headed to DIA to pick up my son and her daughter. They were returning home after almost a year away in New York City.

Airports are a fascinating place to me. I enjoy the roar of jet engines, the throng of excited people waiting for loved ones, the bored businessmen embarking on yet another trip, keys furiously clacking on laptops, the smells of food, the variety of tourist-snagging shops that catch the eye and lighten the wallet.

My friend and I chatted, made a couple of phone calls, and squirmed nervously, wondering if we were sitting in the right place as we waited for the kids to arrive. When a custodian came by with his mop and bucket, we inquired, only to get a strange look from him. “The passengers arrive over by the fountain,” he replied in response to our question.

Well, of course. That’s probably why there were so many people sitting over there and the chairs in the hallway where we were sitting were sparsely populated. We took seats in the front row and waited with eager anticipation as throngs of people ascended the stairs and poured out of two doors.

Would we see them first? Or would they see us? Would Jason still be sporting his goatee? Would Jaque’s hair be long or short? I pictured the shirt my son would be wearing. I was right, the black shirt with the red design.

Hugs were exchanged, a few unshed tears, and then we moved to the baggage claim. Jaque is a photography buff, so of course she had brought her camera and tripod along. All their luggage arrived except the tripod. I mentioned that it might be located in the oversized baggage area, but my son didn’t think so. Guess where we found it. Mom was right!

We hooked up with a friend of the kids’ in Denver and enjoyed a great meal at Papadeaux. Seafood. Oh yeah, my type of fare! It was delicious, but of course, way too much, so I brought home leftovers.

We didn’t get home until almost 3 AM, but I was proud that we all got up and went to church in the morning. J & J attended our pastor’s youth group when they lived here in town, so they wanted to see him and some of the young people they know form the congregation. It worked out well as there was a fellowship coffee after services.

The time is flying by much too fast. Our kids are no longer “kids”. They are adults who have faced a great deal of hardship and frustration over the past few months. They live in a poor section of the Bronx, where Jaque teaches school to a low income segment of the population. Kids who don’t care about learning, don’t have any respect for anyone, and are probably headed to jail. A good percentage of them anyway.

They had the opportunity to speak to a group of seniors at the school here in town where they graduated. The main focus of their talk was moving on, grasping opportunities, and seeking what’s out there beyond the confines of a small town. They were perfect for the assignment. Who would have thought that two young people who graduated from a school in a town of less than three thousand would move to New York City?

We went out to a place called red rocks the other day, a perfect place for Jaque to get photos of Southeastern Colorado. I hadn’t been out there in 25 years. There is a huge expanse of rock that probably trails all the way to New Mexico if a person were to follow it. We had a great time, running around on the rocks, exploring, finding interesting things, some left by nature and some by man.

Jason and Jaque left on Wednesday evening to spend a few days in Colorado Springs. They have kept in contact with former coworkers from up there and wanted to get together with them.

Prior to that, though, we drove out into the country, far enough away from light pollution to where she could take some time lapse photos of the stars. Our six-year old granddaughter went with us. She was fascinated by all the stars. “I didn’t know there were so many stars up there, mom!” she exclaimed, her eyes full of wonder.

It’s kind of neat to relate to your kids as adults. They have their opinions about politics, the environment, life in general and the world. Their experiences no longer mirror ours. Our son is certified in computer networking and avidly studying to advance even further. Jaque, after she acquires her masters in teaching, is hoping to someday own a small photography business on the side. She could probably do it, too. She is a bright young lady and her photos are awesome.

They will be back today for a few hours before we all head up to the airport early tomorrow morning. Their plane leaves at 9:10 AM, which means check-in somewhere around 7:30. We’ll be hitting the road around 3 AM.

Homecomings are fun. They stir up memories of the past and help us make new ones.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Review of A Soldier's Promise by Cheryl Wyatt

The first time I met Cheryl Wyatt was through an email. She had put out a request for an accountability partner, someone who would encourage her to keep at her writing, meet her weekly word count goals, and complete a WIP within a reasonable length of time. I accepted her challenge.

We met face to face at the 2005 ACFW conference in Nashville for the first time. She was as sweet in person as her personality over the Internet implied. We met again at 2006 ACFW in Dallas, where Cheryl and I shared some private moments and she prayed with me, bringing me comfort over a personal issue that had been bothering me for a very long time.

With two published books and one more under contract, Cheryl is way beyond the point of needing a kick in the pants from me! Yet, despite her success, she has proven to be a loyal friend and source of support.

Cheryl is an inspiration to me. When I first began my Internet friendship with her, she was writing one day a week since she had little ones at home. Those one-day a week sittings at her computer proved very productive! I’m so proud of her.

I received A Soldier’s Promise as one of the books included in the LI book club I joined before I even knew Cheryl’s book was in print. I was so excited to see her name on the front cover. Let me tell you now my impressions of her book.

Pararescue jumper Joel Montgomery, despite reservations about returning to his home town, responds to a dying child's request. When he meets young Bradley's teacher, feelings are set in motion he had not anticipated.

Cheryl brings her characters to life by portraying the conflicting emotions in their daily lives that create stumbling blocks to their happiness. Past hurts, present struggles, and future dreams are all worked nicely into a tender and compelling love story.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was that the hero, Joel, has a unique and exciting profession. Despite the physical and emotional strength required to pursue such a career as pararescue work, Cheryl portrays his weaknesses, his fears, and his reconciliation with a past that has brought him a great deal of pain over the years.

The reader can’t help but fall in love with young Bradley, the sick little boy who has a battle of his own to fight. Despite the gravity of a child whose life is in danger, Cheryl injects enough humor to provide the reader a few laughs while traveling the roller coaster of Amber and Joel’s romance
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Heroine Amber rounds out the story with her fierce compassion for her young, ailing student, her struggle to win Joel’s heart, and her unwavering faith in God, even when His answer to her prayers seems to be “no”.

Here’s wishing Cheryl lots more success with her future releases. Cheryl, thanks for being a friend!

Contest drawing: I will be giving away a free copy of Cheryl's book, A Soldier's Promise at the end of January. In order to enter, simply leave a comment for any of my January blog posts. Subscribe to my blog and your name will be entered twice, doubling your chances to win! Good luck.


Thanks for reading my blog.

Time is Already Flying By!

We are ten days into the New Year and already I am struggling with meeting my goals! How frustrating is that? Very! However, I need to take some of my own advice and reevaluate my plans.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at my Toastmasters meeting. I spoke on New Year’s resolutions and how they involve lifestyle change. There lies the key. It is so difficult to change, especially when you have been as disorganized as I all your life. Maybe I’m a bit ADD as well, because it seems I can’t ever stick to one project for any length of time. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I can do the things I like for hours at a time! Give me a good book and if I’m not interrupted, I could read it from cover to cover. Set me down at the computer and I can find things to do on it that keep me occupied for half a day.

Housekeeping chores are another thing entirely. I can only focus for a certain length of time on going through old mail or organizing my myriad collection of books. So, I’m going to set a goal of fifteen minutes once a day to do that sort of thing. Maybe that way, the wood on top of my computer desk and the spare desk in my bedroom will be visible by the end of 2008!

I received a critique of one of my WIPs from one of the members of my new critique group the other day. Even though these particular pages have been entered in the Genesis contest twice and scored in the nineties both years, she identifies a major flaw. This is good, because the same problem has been gnawing at the back of my mind for months. Still, I have decided to move forward with this manuscript and get if finished. Then I can go back and rework it. If I don’t, I will be forever working those first couple of chapters. Maybe if I finish the story, I will be able to better define my heroine in chapter one. Big change for me. I’m used to rewriting the same chapters over and over until I think they are right. All that rewriting, and still they are not.

Sometimes this whole writing thing is so exasperating! I work out great scenes in my mind, but when it comes to putting them on paper, they don’t sound near as exciting. I think of other writers I have spoken to, published authors, who say it never gets any easier. I derive some consolation from that, knowing there are dozens of you out there experiencing the same agony as me. Searching for the right word. Checking sentence structure. Researching facts. Dreaming great dreams of touching lives with words.

So, I will press on and hope that I see some success in 2008.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I would like to wish everyone a healthy, prosperous, successful, and blessed 2008.

The beginning of a new year brings to mind the obligation of resolutions. It seems like the logical time to “sweep out the old, bring in the new”. Start over. Do “everything right”.

There are several definitions of the word “resolution”, but the one I like is “finding a solution to a problem”. I have learned over the course of my life that one does not find the solution to all of one’s problems somewhere between midnight December 31st and 12:01 AM January 1st of the subsequent year.

The solving of problems takes time. It also requires change, and change seldom occurs overnight. Change is a process that must be planned out, evaluated, implemented, and re-evaluated for its effectiveness.

Resolutions are usually broken within the first week. By the first of February, we are in despair over our failure to live a healthier lifestyle or make a dent in the to do list we promised to complete. Most of us still carry the burden of those bad habits we vowed to shake. Sometimes it seems that we remain at a standstill as time marches forward.

This year, I have decided to dispense with resolutions and set goals instead. Defined as “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed”, goals are friendly little things. They represent movement, progress, final arrival at a destination. If they are not achieved by a certain date, they can be moved a bit further along on the calendar without too much protest.

Goals can be broken down into pieces. A resolution is like cramming half a sandwich into one’s mouth all at once, forcing a person to choke it down. Goals can be achieved at a more leisurely pace, making them much more palatable.

A word of warning. Goals come with a companion that cannot be denied. Responsibility. If we do not hold ourselves accountable to our goals, they are as worthless as a paper sack with a hole in the bottom. We have to set up consequences for failure to meet our goals and exercise the self-discipline necessary to enforce them.

Be specific about the goals you wish to achieve and break them down into realistic possibilities. Rather than setting a goal of writing 500 words a day, aim for 2500 words a week. That gives you leeway when the grandkids stop by unexpectedly, you have meetings to attend, or life events just get in the way. This little padding can mean the difference between success and failure.

If you find you are consistently not meeting the goal, take the time to do an evaluation and find out why not. Is it too unrealistic for your life-style? Is it a matter of self-discipline? Are there other things in your life that need to take precedence right now, other goals that are more important?

If you find your goals are feasible, put those consequences in place. “If I have not written 2000 words by Friday, I need to skip that favorite Saturday evening TV show”. Be firm with yourself when you need to be and give yourself a break when it is warranted.

Throw out the resolutions that shatter like tinkling glass when they are broken. Set goals that are tangible, flexible, and rewarding when achieved. Move forward in 2008!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Interview with Author Peg Phifer

Welcome, Peg. I’m delighted to have this chance to interview you and allow you to tell others about the new writing opportunity you are offering. I understand “Apples of Gold” is a venue for devotionals and short inspirational pieces. What is your main goal in providing this opportunity to writers?

Thank you, Pat. I’m delighted to have an opportunity to talk about my new venture. “Apples of Gold” (Proverbs 25:11) is a new feature on my blog “Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria,” but it is not a new idea with me. A number of years ago I was editor and publisher of an e-newsletter and website called Wordsmith Shoppe, in which I featured a writer of devotions in each issue, also called “Apples of Gold.” The idea resurfaced when I started up my blog.

Devotion writing is a niche market and writers of these inspirational thoughts and musings don’t get the recognition other writers do. At least that’s the way I see it. Most often they become part of a compilation book of devotions that include many other writers in, say, 365 days of daily devotions. So I thought I’d open one day a week on my blog to give some of these writers a bit of exposure.

But I’ve expanded the original concept to include not just the standard formula devotional, but ‘slices of life,’ poetry, almost anything that has an inspirational tone, perhaps even a lesson learned from a personal experience.

Is there a particular target audience you are hoping to reach?

No, not really. I just hoped to provide meaningful and thoughtful reading for anyone who comes across my blog. Each Apples of Gold post is listed as an archive file with an embedded link to that particular posting. Contributors can direct friends and families to their posts. That way they get exposure and my blog gets the traffic.

It’s exciting to report that I now have fourteen regular contributors and I have all the Thursday slots filled up through early March. I’m considering breaking off Apples of Gold into it’s own blog and then we won’t be restricted to just one day a week. I’m praying about that.

I realize you offer guidelines on your web site, but could you give us a brief overview of your guidelines here?

Sure. As I mentioned above, I’m open to almost any type of short inspirational writing, subject to approval. But I’m not too difficult to please. Submissions must be sent as an attached Word document, RTF or plain text (i.e. Notepad). The subject line must contain the words “Apples of Gold.” At first I was trying to keep word count between 300 and 500 words, but I’ve loosened up on that and have accepted longer articles. A brief bio, Web site and blog links, email contact (not made public unless approval granted), and a jpg or gif photo is nice. If the contributor is published, those credits may be included, as well. (Links for all this at the end of this interview.)

I know from my association with you, Peg, that you feel a deep commitment to serve other writers on their journey toward success. I’d like to hear your thoughts on that calling.

I’m an introvert. So it’s easy for me to stay behind the scenes and help others along the way. I really enjoyed my fourteen years doing my e-newsletter, providing all types of helpful information for writers, such as: Conference schedules, market news, contests, opportunities and calls for submissions from other sources, paying markets, interviews, etc. For a while, I even had a chat room where a featured writer, editor or agent would visit and conduct a mini workshop or do a Q & A session. These included folks like Jack Cavanaugh, Sally Stuart, Marlene Bagnull, Eva Marie Everson, Andrea Boeshaar, Lynn Coleman, oh . . . I can’t remember them all. But after a time, I felt the Lord calling me somewhere else, and I discontinued that adventure.

And He led me to ACFW, then ACRW, in 2001, and in 2005 I was elected as Treasurer on the ACFW operating board, serving in that position for 2-1/2 years. It was a special time that allowed me to give something back to that great organization for Christian fiction writers.

“Apples of Gold” is just one more opportunity for me to help fellow writers on their writing journeys.

Who have been your strongest influences during your writing journey?

Oh, my, there have been so many over the years. I have to say that my very first encourager was Jack Cavanaugh. In my early attempts at serious fiction writing, in an online chat room, Jack helped me brainstorm a bit with some character development and a tricky plot. There were others, too, at that same time period. Lynn Coleman for one. Marlene Bagnull was a constant encourager and supporter of my Wordsmith Shoppe efforts. More recently are Christina Miller, crit partner who also writes in my historical era, and Staci Stallings, mentor extraordinaire.

Any parting advice for fledgling writers?

I’m not sure I have any new advice to offer as I’m a ‘fledgling’ myself. Just keep at it. Pray about everything. Be sure you’re in the center of His will in your writing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, you won’t have peace about your efforts if you’re not where He wants you to be, or going where—and when—He directs you.

Thank you, Pat, for giving me this chance to share. I didn’t think I’d have much to say! LOL

Links:
Website: http://peggyblannphifer.com
Blog: http://peggyblannphifer.blogspot.com
Apples of Gold Guidelines: http://peggyblannphifer.com/applesofgold.htm
Submission Mailto: applesofgold@peggyblannphifer.com (be sure the subject line says Apples of Gold.

The Measure of Success

I have a great deal of admiration for those who, despite commitments of family, work, community activities, and numerous other obligations, can manage to write on a daily basis. Try as I may, I can’t do it.

These past three months have been tough. My mother-in-law passed away in August, just a month short of her 90th birthday. We had to euthanize our beloved German Shepherd/Chow mix of 15 years in October. My brother-in-law passed away in November. A dear friend has been dealing with serious health problems since July. Add to that the fact that I managed to contract walking pneumonia, had an allergic reaction to the medications, and had inflammation in the rib area for days from coughing so much. Seems on the days when I felt like writing, I was too busy with other things, and on the days when I had time, I felt lousy.

Yet, I look at others who have so much more on their plate than I do, small children at home, a full time job, stressful family situations, and they manage to stay faithful to a writing schedule.

My thought for November is a quote from John Foster Dulles, who served as Secretary of State during President Dwight D.Eisenhower’s administration. “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”

My tough problem has carried over through many years, so I guess the measure of my success at this point is pretty poor in the writing world, anyway.. And it is more than one.

Disorganization.

Procrastination.

Fear of failure.

So, my goal for the rest of this year is to eliminate at least one of those tough problems. Despite the everyday obstacles that always manage to creep into the middle of the road, I plan to barrel around them and forge ahead.

There was a discussion on the ACFW loop a while ago about giving up writing. Can’t do that. Don’t think the Lord wants me to. So, if writing success is one of the goals I am meant to accomplish in this lifetime, I better set my mind to getting busy and doing just that.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Interview with new author A. K. Arenz

Welcome, AK. I’m delighted to have this chance to interview you and give you an opportunity to discuss your upcoming release, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma. Tell us a little about your book.

Thank you, Patti. It’s an honor to be here.

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma is a cozy mystery with a hen-lit feel. The heroine, Glory Harper, is not your typical grandmother. While others may be baking cookies and smiling at their grandchildren's antics, Glory’s out with her seven-year-old grandson, joining in the fun. Their most recent adventure, skateboarding, resulted in Glory's broken leg and Seth's awestruck admiration. Affectionately called his "Bouncing Grandma," Glory hasn't been doing much bouncing these last six weeks with her leg in a cast and stuck in a wheelchair. But, things are about to change.

The first of the Bouncing Grandma Mysteries begins when Glory spies a foot dangling out of a rolled Oriental rug as it's carried into her new neighbor's house. Determined to discover what's going on, and undeterred by police officers who try to convince her it was simply part of a mannequin, Glory sets off on a new adventure with far higher stakes--those of life and death. With the aid of her sister, Jane, the occasional help of a police detective who is a dead ringer for Harrison Ford, a lot of prayer, and more twists and turns than even Glory could have dreamed of, fifty-two year old widow, Glory Harper finds romance when she least expects it...and a mystery to die for.

I believe that Baby Boomers and others will relate to Glory's escapades and the desire to be a fun grandparent, as well as her determination to stay young and active--in spite of a few mishaps along the way.


When did you first begin to feel that writing would become an important part of your life?

I was probably in the fourth or fifth grade. When I read Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion, I remember suddenly having this incredible feeling that this was what I wanted to do. Like most kids, making up stories is how we play; only now, I wanted the ability to write them down and share with others.

I was twelve before this finally happened, and the story I wrote – The Adventures of Christopher and Christina – got passed around the study hall that the seventh graders shared with the high school. People would bring the pages back to me and actually ask for more! That amazes me to this day.

I know through our cyberspace friendship over the past year that you have suffered a great deal of physical pain that has left you discouraged and frustrated. Would you discuss those handicaps?

In the last few years, I have developed problems with my hands. When it was just pain from cramping and such, it wasn’t fun but still workable. Then, unfortunately, it moved on to my fingers and later into my fingertips in a far worse way. The nerves in my fingers and fingertips will become hypersensitive to the point that even touching myself is beyond painful. When this happens, and nothing is capable of relieving the horrendous pain, you get to the point where thoughts of having those offending limbs chopped off almost sounds appealing.

In trying to get relief, I’ve gone to The Healing Rooms for prayer, and were it not for those wonderful people, I hate to think where I’d be today. While not cured, God has shown me little tricks to help when the pain seems about to return---a lot of prayer, wearing white cotton gloves when working at the computer and writing, as well as using pencils to type---all assist me in pushing forward. Cutting out salts has also been a godsend.

What gave you the perseverance to continue with your writing in the face of that kind of adversity?

This year it became a struggle to do the independent database job I do for the company where my husband works. The pain was zapping my strength and energy to the point that I began to think God was sending me a sign that I should stop writing.

But, anyone who writes can tell you that quitting isn’t all that easy – and even through the pain, I prayed for a definitive answer, a sign that would tell me what to do once and for all.

My weekly sessions with The Healing Rooms started to break through the 7 months of horrible pain around the same time Joan Shoup (J.M. Hochstetler), of the new small press Sheaf House, contacted me. I’ve known Joan through ACFW for a couple of years now, and though as a group, we’d discussed our writing woes, I hadn’t thought about submitting to her. Turns out the thought was God’s. Joan asked me to submit.

Who have been your strongest influences during your writing journey?

I’d have to say my daughters, Kelly and Randi, who have always believed in me. Even when they were kids, they were always there to read through and comment on my work. To this day, Kelly is my number one critiquer – on top of the fact that she is an awesome editor, which is something I think she should be doing as a living.

Any parting advice for fledgling writers?

I could give you the standard answer to “never give up,” but I believe there is more you can do.

In your deepest, darkest hours, when you’re down and feeling kicked by all around you, reach out your hand to the One who gives hope when it seems there is none, who gives love when all seems lost, who gives peace when the war is raging within and without. He never gave/gives up on us. He proved His love and mercy by sending us His Son. And through His Grace, all things are possible.

Thanks again, Patti, for letting me visit with you. Remember to visit me at www.akawriter.com for updates. The site is a work in progress, so it’s constantly changing.

Take care and God Bless. AKA ;)

Thank you, A.K. It has been a delight to have you here today. I can’t wait to read about that bouncing grandma!

Thanks for reading my blog!

10-20-30

Thanks to all who have stuck with me, despite my almost two week break from blogging. BTW, I was unable to participate in the Toastmasters contest (see post of 9/28), due to my assignment to night shift. There was no way I could work until 7 AM, drive the 25 miles home, sleep for a couple of hours, then drive the 50+ miles to the contest and do a presentation anyone would understand. I was disappointed, but there will be other opportunities.

Today, I am responding to Carla Stewart’s invitation (Carla’s Writing Café at www.carlastewart.blogspot.com) to join the “tag game” and answer the question of what I was doing 10-20-30 years ago. Thanks to Mary DeMuth for spreading the virus!

Ten years ago: My husband and I were parenting two teenagers, a 16 yr old daughter and a 14 yr old son. Our daughter had obtained her driver's license, and for her 16th birthday, we traded my beloved pickup that was costing way more in maintenance than it was worth, for her first car, a used Plymouth Sundance which she promptly named Ginger. (Okay, we don’ t have horses, so we name our cars). Both of the kids were on swim team, so we spent every week-end for most of that summer traveling to the swim meets in surrounding towns. We, owning an Explorer, were designated to carry the swim tent, which meant we were always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

I was working full-time as an RN at the Fort Lyon VA Medical Center, a psychiatric facility. Our census was winding down in preparation for the inevitable closing that took place in 2001. Most of our patients were older schizophrenics who had been at our facility for most of their adult lives.

Writing was a far off dream that had been put on the back burner in the whirlwind of keeping up with the activities of two teens (boy scouts, sports, helping with homework, etc, etc). However, ’97 was also the year I entered the computer age with an actual machine that had a real hard drive. Prior to that, I had stuck my thumb into the technological age with my second hand Apple 2E purchased from a friend at work.

Twenty years ago: Hubby and I were dealing with all the challenges of raising a 6 yr old girl and a 5 yr old boy. We marveled at the quickness with which they absorbed new knowledge in school, refereed their scraps, and for the most part, enjoyed being parents.

We were both working full-time for the VA, him in housekeeping services and me as a staff nurse and relief house supervisor on the evening shift. The VA was much more active at that time. We had a lot of aggressive, acting out patients and I loved my job. I especially enjoyed doing supervisor, where it was my responsibility to coordinate staff for all the units throughout the hospital and respond to the emergency situations. Hubby and I didn’t see much of each other as we worked different shifts to cut down on the amount of time the kids had to be with a baby-sitter.
I signed up for a Writer’s Digest course in ’87 and became friends with a co-worker who was taking the same course. Unfortunately, although we tried to motivate each other, neither of us ever finished the course. Still, the writing bug lay dormant in my blood, just waiting to coax me into the world of becoming a full-time writer.

Thirty years ago: I had lived in Colorado for four years and finally made the commitment to marry the man I’d been seeing on and off since a few months after moving here. We had plans to move into the mobile home I had purchased a couple of years before, but Mother Nature took care of that. A windstorm turned the trailer over on its side five months before our wedding, driving a utility pole through it and leaving it a shambles. In June, we jointly purchased a home and were married there in September. I can remember feelings of terror as we signed papers for two thousand dollars in earnest money that would be gone if we reneged on the deal. We didn’t. We’ve been living here ever since.

I was working on my first WIP then. Prior to moving here from New York in 1973, I had taken a trip on horseback in the San Juan Mountains. I started writing my first novel based on that experience on a manual typewriter. My friends at work avidly devoured every word. When I look back on it now, I shudder at what bad writing I was capable of! After much polishing, revising, and rewriting, it is still sitting on my computer as one of my hopefuls.

It’s been fun reminiscing. I hope those to whom I offer this challenge will respond and participate. They are:

Brenda Jackson (Arizona Inspiration)
Peg Phifer (Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria)
Kassy Paris (The Writings of Kassy Paris)
Sharlene MacLaren (Writing Fiction for the Soul, Romance for the Heart)
Kim Woodhouse (God’s Love, Grace, and Forgiveness – My Journey)
Rose McCauley (Rose McCauley, Christian Author)
Patricia Carroll (Writing Life)
Pam Meyers (A Writer’s Journey)
Angie Breidenbach (God Uses Broken Vessels)

I have an exciting announcement to make. I will be interviewing soon-to-be-published author A.K. Arenz this month on my blog. Come on over and hear about this lady’s writing journey, the obstacles that have loomed n her way, and where she has found the strength to overcome them.

Thanks for reading my blog!