IN OTHER WORDS – No, I did not grow up in the South! But my good friend, Connie, did grow up southern and she recently launched her new website at:

www.doublewidewisdom.com

It is very creative and clearly reveals her unique voice. Connie is fun, quirky and a bit blonde at times without being blonde…and you can’t help but love her.

She is an established writer and comes up with wonderful ideas. Please do visit her website and leave a comment to encourage her in this new endeavor. I can’t wait to see her again at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Hopefully, we’ll be in some classes together and maybe we’ll even find some cool thrift shops in Black Mt. or Asheville!

IN OTHER WORDS – Oh yes, I’m so thankful I can read! Thank you to all my teachers : )

I can’t imagine life without reading, life without books. I remember as a young girl, falling in love with books. The library was one of my most favorite places. Still is…

To share in this joy of reading, if you leave a comment you’ll be entered into a book giveaway contest for “The Judgment.”

A signed copy by popular author, Beverly Lewis. Remember to include your email and check back next week to see who won.

Do you remember when you first learned to read? Was it an amazing discovery for you? 

IN OTHER WORDS – True words and a wonderful quote.

In all of your busyness, remember to cherish your friends.

Make time for them.

Fit them into your schedule.

Allow the song of friendship to sing a sweet melody in your life!

October is an ideal time to re-connect with a trip to a local tea-room or a day spent picking apples and sharing hot mulled cider.

What will you plan next month for a “Friend-day?”

IN OTHER WORDS – Sticky Situations. We all face them at one time or another.

If we are writing a story, it is easy to craft conflict for our characters and painless to watch them suffer through and learn from them.

In real life? Not so painless.

We’re going through a major one at the moment and no matter which way we turn, people will be hurt, will misunderstand and everything will get just plain…sticky.

No matter how honest we try to be, people will believe what they decide is fact and there is no reasoning or communication allowed. Hmm…yes, it is a sticky situation.

God is faithful to deliver us. Through it all, He has shown us His perfect will and we have no doubt of the direction we are heading towards. In fact, we are excited about what God is going to do next. Great and mighty things! 

Have you dealt with a sticky situation recently? Share a comment about how God brought you through.

IN OTHER WORDS – Beach Reads!

I’m not sure who came up with this phrase but it is fitting for the books I love to read in the summer time.

Covers with seascapes, beaches, sandcastles, lakes, oceans, water, water and more water – draw me in and hook me every time. Sally John and Trish Perry both have a lovely set of summer stories. I’ve also read “Carmel-by-the-Sea” by Sandra Bricker and “Sandpebbles” by Patricia Hickman. Lorna Seilstad has a sweet Lake Manawa Summer series. I highly recommend these books.

Do you have a favorite Beach Read? It must have a summer cover to qualify : ) as a true Beach Read. Summer is way too short in upstate NY so I need more suggestions for new books to read on vacation.

Suggestions, anyone? 

Winner of last week’s drawing is: Janet Brown! – Congrats! Please send me your address…

If you’ve never been to a Writer’s Conference, you need to consider this one.

This was my 8th year attending and I still found new classes and workshops along with an awesome faculty. It was wonderful to have Vonda Skelton and Deb Raney back once again! Along with Jim Watkins and Torry Martin. I do hope Dr. Al pairs Yvonne Lehman and Torry up once again, what a team!

So glad to see old friends, Jorlyn, Sherry, Dee Dee, Erin, Michelle and others. Also meeting new sweet friends, Dorcas and hubby Zee and Alicyn who I’m still waiting to hear from, hint hint.. I hope all who attended left with a new inspiration and firm resolve to dig deeper into the writing craft.

• Returning home…after the conference: If an agent or editor requested material from you, send it out!
  
• Follow up new contacts with a simple email.
• Connect with another conferee to share goals each month.
• Organize notes from conference, including handouts from website.
• WRITE!

IN OTHER WORDS – “If there was a moment when the crowd’s praise became thunderous, the voice of God from within John (the Baptist) was even louder.”

I love this thought written by Gordon Macdonald (an excellent book I highly recommend.)

He writes about how John knew he was only the forerunner to Christ. He could have went along with the thought that he was the new Messiah. Floated for awhile in the false recognition and power. No, not for a moment.

He never reacted to the crowds with a false identity, he knew his calling and direction and remained humble and true to his purpose.   

True ministry is servanthood. (Mark 10:42-45)

Our Lord and Savior gave us this example to follow. Can we do no less?

All the glory must go to Jesus Christ, never to ourselves.  When I think of those I love and respect in leadership, they are the ones who continually turn the attention and all the praise to the Lord.

Can you think of someone in your life who fits this definition of leadership? 

For those of you who enjoy Amish Fiction and live in New York State, well-known author Beverly Lewis will be visiting several locations for book signings this week. If any of the locations are within your area or close enough to travel to, I would encourage you to stop by to meet Beverly and pick up one of her latest books.

Thursday, March 26

10:30 am EST at Bender’s Parable Christian Store
8550 Sheridan Dr. (map)
For more information, call 716-633-5757

Williamsville, NY

2:00 pm EST at Life Resources
3902 Maple Rd. (map)
For more information, call 716-836-4001

Amherst, NY

7:00 pm EST at Wadsworth Library
24 Center Street (map)
Book Discussion and Signing
For more information, call 585-243-0440

Geneseo, NY

Friday, March 27
11:00 am EST at Alpha and Omega Parable Christian Store
1601 Penfield Rd. (map)
For more information, call 585-381-1250

Rochester, NY

2:00 pm EST at Sacred Melody Bookstore
3501 James St. (map)
For more information, call 315-437-1095

Syracuse, NY

7:00 pm EST at The Living Word Parable Bookstore
952 Troy Schenectady Rd. (map)
For more information, call 518-479-7276

Latham, NY

Saturday, March 28

10:00 am EST at Arrowhead Parable Christian Store
1 Harry L Drive (map)
For more information, call 607-798-1793

Johnson City, NY

Have you read any of Beverly’s books? Or watched the Hallmark movies?

—

IN OTHER WORDS – “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

It’s almost March in this new year of 2015. Above is my to-be-read shelf from library.  My latest reads have been:

• All’s Fair in Love & Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant- fun read
  
• Winter Brides by Denise Hunter, Deb Raney, Betsy St. Amant – love this collection
  
• Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh – great characters and setting
  
• Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden – always enjoy Camden’s books
  
• Dancing on the Head of a Pen by Robert Benson – great “little” book on writing

What have you been reading?

IN OTHER WORDS – “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

This quote from Epicurus is one used in The Nesting Place by Myquillin Smith also known as “the Nester.”  I found this book at my local library and totally enjoyed the read and the inspiring photos. Myquillin balances practical and realistic solutions to making your house a “home.” With clever yet simple ideas she also weaves in a Christian perspective.

This book was a delight to read and I recommend it to anyone who agrees that, “it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” A favorite subject was her idea of “quieting a room.” Myquillin suggests as a creative project, to remove all the cutesy extra items from one room and store them in a holding area in another room. Then view the cleaner space and assess what you truly want to put back or re-arrange differently. Sounds like a marvelous idea to whittle down some of those things that only bring more clutter. Check out her book and also her blog at www.thenester.com

How do you make your house a “home?”

Do you enjoy creating your own cozy nest?