Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Freshness of Spring

As I walked around the lake at Look Up Lodge yesterday, I watched a blue heron sail across the lake. A snake raised its head to the sun, and the fern fronds prepared to unfold. The azaleas bloomed shades of blushing pink. What a beautiful place to talk to God and sing his praises. I'm spending a week with my daughter, Hannah, at the camp where she works.

I am at home in the woods and at camp. I spent at least one week every summer at church camp, and I loved every minute of it.

Yesterday we visited Carl Sandburg's home in Flat Rock, NC. After Mr. Sandburg passed away, his wife and family made sure the estate got into the hands of the National Park Services. The home looked like the family had just gone out for a walk. All of their possessions lay right where they left them. He owned more than 117,000 books. The shelves filled with tomes lined every room. I loved it!!!

Mrs. Sandburg raised goats. In the field behind the house, we visited her farm. Two babies, less than twenty-four months old hobbled on their little legs. What a delight to see them and to watch their mama. She protected them from the other goats, but she let us pet them. So sweet!

Today more adventure-off to Asheville to see Jason, Missy and Scout.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

ACFW

This week I joined the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) organization at the recommendation of two authors that I respect. With that comes responsibility and action. God blessed me with this story he's given me and now he is leading me into a group of folks who also write for him. I pray that I can keep up with the task he set before me and that I continue to have a heart for the story.


I've already met some interesting people online and hope to get connected with a critique group. I want to help another author along this journey as they in turn help me. God has great things in store-I just know it!


Pray for my journey. I'll keep you posted.


Currently revising,
Penny

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Edit, Edit, Edit!

Wow, I am so thankful for the people God provided me who have been willing to read my book. You all know who you are. Thank you sooooooo... much! Edit, edit edit. That's where the story met the cursor, and the tweaks, deletes and corrections rolled from page to page. I enjoyed this whole process. Although  I experienced trepidation with each step, my desire to dive in and move forward won.


I have often heard writers say that they write because they cannot not write. I understand what they mean. Ink flows in my blood, and I have to put it on paper.


Now to write the query letter, synopsis and bio. Yikes!
I'd appreciate your prayers as I continue this journey with God.

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Printed Word

Today, I printed 215 pages of double spaced, Times Roman pt. 12 font. That's right, I printed my first novel. Granted it is not finished until all edits are complete and I know in my heart that I cannot add or subtract anything without changing the story. But it is at this moment all in one place with a new title, Peace, Love and Mashed Potatoes.


As I've worked side-by-side with God to complete this work of fiction, I've understood the meaning of submission on a much different level. I've been obedient and accepting of God's input and appreciative that he chose me to write this book. He has fed me ideas and guidance as I've typed along. I continue to be amazed at how God has placed the people I need into my life at just the right moment. This week one of my friends at work, an English Professor, offered to read and edit my story. I also have family members and another dear friend who are readers. I am blessed.


I pray that He uses Willow's story for whatever purpose he intends and that those who read it will be blessed.  And I pray that he continues to give me insight as I prepare this written work for market. Please pray with me that God's will is done in where this book ends up.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Fiction---Me?

Wow, I have not been on here for several months. Life gets so busy and I've been spending my writing time working on a novel. Yes, a novel. I have officially written more than 50,000 words and am working toward the end of the story. 


I never dreamed that God would call me to write fiction. I've written many poems and hundreds of devotions. I've even penned ideas for a nonfiction book. But, now I am working on a story about a young woman who chooses to return home to help her mother and in the process she learns to forgive her deceased father. But that's not all, she meets Reed and Claire and a mystery unfolds that surprises them all. 


My working title Unexpected Joy came to me at about 40,000 words. I plan to finish the writing in January and then the real work begins, editing and creating a sales pitch. I'm praying God leads me in every step.


I may share my woes and joy here as I travel this writing journey.


Happy New Year! 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering

Ten years ago today I clearly remember the principal of the school I worked at coming in with a shocked look on his face. He sat down on one of the tables and told my coworker and me that an airplane had just attacked the World Trade Center. We sat shocked. Why would someone attack? As the day wore on, we learned of more devastation and innocent lives destroyed because of the evil that dwells in this world. I remember sitting in front of the television when I got home. I could not stop watching the footage and I could not stop wondering, why.

Today I think about the families and friends who lost loved ones that day. Yesterday I read about the babies who lost their fathers and how they have grown up without that important person in their lives. I think about the firefighters, policemen, citizens, and so many others who tried to help. Some of them lost their lives, too.

Sadness fills my heart for these people and for the enemy who must be filled with evil. I pray that God bless those left behind and those who have this memory seared into their minds. May God bring peace to us all.

Friday, August 19, 2011

What's Inside

Confined to my living room, for several days after surgery, left me too much opportunity to watch television. Since I work Monday through Friday I don’t usually view daytime television. I am happy to say that I have not missed one thing. Every show I turned on talked about improving how a person looks, mostly aimed at women. Hair color, weight loss, the right clothes, the right undergarments, the make-up, the nail polish, and on and on it went. No one spoke about how a person lives, what they think, how they feel, what they read, what they believe. The shows focused on what other people see who pass me on the street. How sad. I saw women who have anchored television talk shows for over twenty years, still trying to look twenty. My question is “What’s the point?”

God created me to grow and age gracefully. He wants me to seek is face and fill my heart with his word. Some of the most beautiful women I know wear very little to no make-up, but they have an internal glow that shines through because they are at peace with God and know his plans for their life. Some of us are overweight, but that doesn’t mean I’m not beautiful, it means I’m blessed with an abundance of food. I am really tired of the focus being on the outside and for our young women to only see what they view from the mirror. If you have influence over young women, encourage them to take care of themselves, but that the really important side of them is the inside. Fill them with love, a caring spirit, patience, peace, joy and all the attributes that create the person God wants them to be.