I started blogging 4 1/2 years ago.
Almost 5 years of putting my thoughts, promoting my favorite authors, and reviewing books all on this blogger platform.
Words that were delivered to your screen.
They carried my heart.
They carried my passion.
They were my passion.
Five years is a long time.
I have loved every. single. minute. of. it.
I wouldn't change or exchange any of those 1,000+ blog posts for anything.
I've grown.
You've watched me grow up.
You: my readers. My friends.
But reality has hit me with harsh winter coldness. I can't keep up. I can't maintain this site. I feel it falling down like a tired roof that has gone too long between repairs.
A huge, huge part of me thinks I can make this work. I can work harder. Stay up later. Get less sleep. Skip more social events. Anything to keep my doors open.
But.
I can't.
I'm doing a disservice to you, my faithful readers. I'm doing a disservice to me, whose standards are so much higher than I have been able to reach in recent months.
And truthfully, I'm tired. My words aren't as full. My devotionals lacking--even failing to feed myself--the main audience I write them for. I'm unable to truly monitor my giveaway schedule and calendar. Right now I don't have the right words from God to share on this site, and others can say through their platform what might be on my soul, so much better.
I'm too serious about making a schedule work on my blog to simply let things slide to the wayside. And I have. And it's shown. Here on the blog and in my personal life as I try to make everything work and fit and happen.
This is far from good-bye for good, because I do not plan for it to be so. I still love blogging. It's still too much of my heartbeat to say this is it. So it's not.
But I want to cultivate dying friendships.
I want to become more involved with the community I've made here in Colorado.
I want to become more invested in my Virtual Assistant work to authors.
I want to play with my own novels once again after nearly two years separate.
I want to read.
Sleep.
Invest.
Reconnect.
I want 2015 to be the year that I stopped. Realized my passions and chased after them. Or if not, then I want 2015 to be the year I'm rejuvenated and re-acquainted with dreams and passions I've put aside--or tried to make fit when the time just wasn't there.
I love authors. Promoting them is my heartbeat in so many ways. I want to run full force into serving those around me and I can't do that the way I want to in my current commitments.
You'll still see me around should you care to. I'll be blogging the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on Wonderfully Woven and every other Friday on The Writer's Alley, not to mention several guests posts throughout the coming year.
I'll be back.
This is not farewell. And it's far from good bye.
This just a season. A moment in time of resting. Of learning what I'm passionate about again.
Its exciting.
And heartbreaking.
Challenging.
But a good, good thing. Don't go too far away, okay? I'll be back. And I don't plan to fall out of touch.
You mean too much to me.
Thank you for these five years. I'm excited to see what is around the next bend in the road.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Go the Other Way
Casey here: you know how there are some people you meet and they just become instantly family? My friend Mary Agius, is one of these people. A fellow writer in Colorado Springs, I met her at an ACFW chapter meeting. You could say we connected over our mutual ability to snark and sass. I do love this woman. And her heart. And...and...and. I think you'll love her just as much as I do. I hope you enjoy her guest post today. :)
“Go the other way, dummy.”
These were the
words that were spewed at my friend and I as we walked the mall one morning.
You see, the
problem was, we were going the wrong way. At least according to that crotchety,
old man.
Apparently there
are unofficial “rules” to
mall walking and the hardcores take them very seriously. But my friend and I?
We specialize in doing things differently.
After a bout of
cold weather, our daily walks had to be moved indoors, thus the mall walking.
But the indoor mall doesn’t compare to beautiful Colorado
scenery. So, after a short time, we grew bored and decided to try something
new.
The regulars all
walk counter clockwise, hugging the wall on their right - the same way we
drive. So, even though there are no rules to do this, most people just follow
suit, Why? Because apparently, that’s just the way it’s
done.
So, for fun, we
decided to go the opposite way? Why not? Except that you then walk straight at
people. Most of them were pretty good natured and just laughed as we zigged
around each other. Even a man with major arm muscles pushing his wheelchair.
Everyone except
that one man.
As I contemplated
his sentiments, I wondered why he would be so upset. What I came up with is
this - he has small world syndrome. When we didn’t
go with the flow, we caused a ripple in his life.
To me, he typified
the world. Everyone is supposed to go this way, think this way, act this way.
It’s just the way it’s
done.
What happens when
someone goes against the flow? Someone doesn’t
think like them, talk like them, or act like them? It rocks their small world.
But the Bible says,
“do not be conformed to the world but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In other words, don’t just do whatever the world is doing.
Go the other way.
When you do, a
transformation happens.You see things you didn’t
see before.You see the everyday things in a new light. As the verse above says,
your mind is made new.
And with that fresh
perspective, you have an opportunity to run into people and interact with them.
When you do, be kind. Make their running in to you the best part of their day.
Sadly, as surely as
the sun comes up, there will always be the others - those ready to oppose you
for doing things differently.
But if Jesus could
ask his heavenly father to forgive those who crucified him by saying, they know
now what they do. We certainly can let go of being called a dummy by those lost
in a small world.
Then stop and pray
for them. Who knows what can happen when you do.
Today, cause a
ripple in the flow. Choose to go the other way.
About Mary
I love the intricate beauty and fine detail of stained glass
windows. The craftsman must have both the
artistic skill to make a workable design and the creative perspective to fit
those intricate pieces together. The beauty of each piece is highlighted by the
selection of colors and style chosen, and that distinct variation makes each
window panel a unique piece of art.
When put in place, the stained glass filters the light, shapes
it and colors it in a multitude of ways.
God, the ultimate craftsman, has a unique design for each of us.
The colored components that make me, me, are different than that the components
that make you, you. But, the same Light illuminates the beauty of the design
and tells a story through us.
Some of the hues and colors in my unique design are…
Food fan. Wife of a crazy in love with me man. Wannabe gardener.
COFFEE & DARK CHOCOLATE CONSUMER. Believer in walking, talking therapy. Crazy
night time dreamer. Homeschool graduate mom. ADD brain struggler. Part
time blogger. Sometimes known as Mild Mannered Missionary Mary. SIMPLE SERVANT OF THE
MOST HIGH GOD. Word of God lover.
I see the Master Craftsman’s hand in every area of
my life. He is muchlike the lead frame that holds the colors of my stained
glass life together. Sometimes, my mind nearly combusts to take it all in. And
that is why I write.
“Call to me and I will
answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
I desperately long to know the God of great and mighty things.
And write His words.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Giveaway! Where Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert
Welcome to Writing for Christ Kellie Coats Gilbert!, it is great to
have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating
characters and story world?
I spent a lot of time in courtrooms working on high profile
cases, including the Jack-in-the-Box e-coli litigation in the mid-nineties and
the largest cattle fraud case in the United States. People are often at their most vulnerable in
these tense situations where much is at stake, and I gained a unique
perspective on the human psyche. Early
in my writing career, I recognized there could be value in telling stories
about women facing relationship fractures, betrayal, and loss and what it looks
like to exhibit strength and dignity in these journeys.
I am meant to write stories for women that focus on
relationships, and the deep places in life. People have many layers, and never
more than in family dynamics and hard times. I’m intrigued with the coping
mechanisms we employ to fill our empty places—that space inside of us designed
to be inhabited by God. These are the stories of my heart.
What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?
In the seventh grade, I read two books that scared the wads
out of me. One was Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo
Jones, about a high school aged couple who
did not follow God’s precepts for sexual activity. The girl ended up pregnant
and they wed, far too early and with dire consequences. The other book was
called Go Ask Alice, a first person narrative of a girl who became a
drug addict. Both of these books caused me to make wise choices for myself to
avoid the consequences depicted in the books.
That’s the power of fiction, I believe—when a story nestles
deep within your spirit and changes how you think.
If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing
called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?
I would tell myself not to get
caught up in the thrill of getting a book published, but instead to educate
myself and focus on what was necessary in order to build my publishing career.
5 preference questions:
Homemade or take-out? Take-out
Email or snailmail? Email
Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Online
shopping
Books or movies? Duh….books!
Note-taker or memorization? Note
taker
Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your
favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your
favorite been published yet?
My
debut novel, published by Abingdon Press in 2012, will always be my heartsong. MOTHER OF PEARL features a mother who
learned too late that her daughter was making bad choices that put her in
danger. I still get weekly emails from readers telling me they cried buckets
and could not put the story down, which were my exact emotions while writing
the book.
Places for readers to learn more about you?
My
website is a great place to hang out. Readers can find out about my books, of
course, but also take part in a new feature—my monthly contest for fabulous
giveaways. There are links to all my
social media sites (I love PINTEREST!) and a sign-up for Kellie’s Readers
Club!
www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com
Thank you for being with us today!
Readers, enter to win Kellie's book here!
Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 27th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
Friday, February 13, 2015
Is He Single? (take 2)
Hello readers, I originally wrote this post and hit publish without truly taking the time to fully edit, and I was not happy with the results. Unfortunately, once it hits the internet, there really isn't much you can do to pull something back. So if you're getting a second email from me today, I apologize, but I think you'll enjoy this post better. It communicates the humor I failed to nail in my first attempt. Always a mold-able pot on the Potter's wheel!
*A funny parody into an often-times frequent phrase that runs through my head. Though nothing more than a giggle for your day--because who doesn't love a laugh?* :)
You’ve probably heard me say this if you’re a close friend or have read my blog: there is comedy in being single.
*A funny parody into an often-times frequent phrase that runs through my head. Though nothing more than a giggle for your day--because who doesn't love a laugh?* :)
You’ve probably heard me say this if you’re a close friend or have read my blog: there is comedy in being single.
A single girl always has plenty of room for a bit of help--often coming in the form of plenty of friends wanting to look out for her in the terms of well, blind
dates and blind hookups. (answer me single ladies, can there be anything more
awkward? And yet potential for soo much comedy!) To be completely honest with you: I really don't mind being set up. A chance to get to know someone else? Yes, please! Sometimes you have things in common, sometimes you don't and most of the time it doesn't go anywhere--which is fine, because really, isn't it nice to know there is hope for those of us waiting patiently? The more Christian guys I meet, the more impressed I become with those out there. And truly, they'll bless some great girls.
Buuuuuuttttt, sometimes I get myself in trouble. Like recently when a group of friends were talking about a certain guy—what would seem to be a potentially eligible bachelor, I of course, being single and unable to keep my mouth shut, piped up and asked “so is he single?”
Buuuuuuttttt, sometimes I get myself in trouble. Like recently when a group of friends were talking about a certain guy—what would seem to be a potentially eligible bachelor, I of course, being single and unable to keep my mouth shut, piped up and asked “so is he single?”
Yeah, he actually wasn’t. ***awkward***
That would be me. The one to stick her foot in her mouth. But it made ya laugh, right? Okay, I'll go back to my work now.
That would be me. The one to stick her foot in her mouth. But it made ya laugh, right? Okay, I'll go back to my work now.
It’s an interesting conundrum being single. It can produce
unnecessary drama. (can I get an amen?) Explain plenty of giggles between close girl friends and
often needless hours of Facebook stalking. *ahem* (I have not done either of these things at all.) ((I'll let you decide if that was sarcasm or not))
It’s a fun question to ponder and one that often gets me
into so much trouble. And usually about the time I go to ask the “is he single”
all important question—I find out, he’s not. Hmm. Maybe I just need to stop
asking the question. Think that’s been my problem? I highly doubt it.
There are certain benefits to being single that can’t be
enjoyed when you’re married. And there are many positives to marriage that we can't see or fully understand as being single. So why worry about what's yet to happen around the corner. We're here now. I plan to find the joy now in being single. Because really, I only get this season of my life once.
All manipulation and fun and games aside (because really, let's be 100% serious here: God is not going to honor any form of manipulation. Period), questions about
someone’s marital status aside, desires to rope a guy—er, be wed, aside
sometimes you just have to pause in the hunt. Sometimes you just have to stop
over thinking and wondering and dreaming and just laugh. Just enjoy the
awkwardness. The potential. The camaraderie that only comes from the goofiness
of this part of our lives.
We only get it once. Let's enjoy getting to know the people around us. Find the humor in everyday living (your health will thank you for it if you have daily laughs. This is a proven fact...somewhere. I'll let you look it up). Because single guy or not aside, you just might make a new friend. I know have! And that's not something that comes around very often.
We only get it once. Let's enjoy getting to know the people around us. Find the humor in everyday living (your health will thank you for it if you have daily laughs. This is a proven fact...somewhere. I'll let you look it up). Because single guy or not aside, you just might make a new friend. I know have! And that's not something that comes around very often.
It’s a great thing being single.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Giveaway! Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh!
Welcome to Writing for Christ Courtney Walsh, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?
Gosh, honestly, I think I’ve
always sort of been a creator of characters, though I used to focus primarily on
creating characters for the stage. When my husband transitioned out of music
ministry into Children’s ministry I saw what it looked like for someone to
really be walking in their gifts, doing what they were called to do. I wanted
that—so I prayed about it and asked God what I was supposed to do…and the
answer came back pretty clearly: Write.
What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?
Aside from The Bible, there are
several…mostly movies. Anne of Green
Gables taught me to imagine, Dead
Poets Society taught me to find my voice and use it and also to seize the
day…and Good Will Hunting taught me
that even two kids from Boston could write a story that changes people. That
movie made me want to do the same.
If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing
called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?
Not to panic. Or to worry so much
about whether or not every single person who reads my books will like them. I’m
learning that when you’re an artist/writer/person who creates, you aren’t meant
to please everyone. Your work doesn’t resonate with all 4 billion people on the
planet. And that’s okay. God has a very special path and a special message
we’re each telling with our own life. You never know who it’ll impact and how
they need to receive the message.
Homemade or take-out? Oh my goodness. Take-out. Preferably Panera
or Chipotle.
Email or snailmail? I would LOVE to say snailmail for sentiment but
E-mail wins the day for convenience
Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Online shopping in my pjs!!
Books or movies? BOTH!
Note-taker or memorization? Note taker and doodler. I find I think
better with a pen in my hand!
Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your
favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your
favorite been published yet?
Well, A Sweethaven Summer will always hold a special place in my heart
because it was my first, but the whole experience of writing Paper Hearts and allowing my own story
to filter in to the work makes it my new favorite! J
Places for readers to learn more about you?
My website: www.courtneywalshwrites.com
My blog: www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtney_walsh
Thank you for being with us today!
Thank YOU for having me!! :- )
Readers, enter to win Courtney's book here!
Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 20th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
Friday, February 6, 2015
Can I Just Change the Landscape? Let's Just All Dourt--Part 2
I started this impromptu series last week with a challenge that we stop bashing courting AND dating and letting everyone redefine those terms--which I think has left much margin for error in what those terms truly mean and many heated (but necessary) posts around the internet. So I propose a change. Something called "dourting".
I’ll define “dourting” in a quick one phrase summary: “a
chance for two people, of the opposite sex, to meet, get to know the other
without the pressure of a ‘ring by spring’ mentality at the end, in a safe, comfortable
environment for both parties with clear boundaries set in place, but an
understanding of truly getting to know this person that you may end up
committing yourself to.”
When you dig into the layers of what “dourting” is, it’s
really just a combined method of both courtship and dating. Thus the name.
Here’s my terms for it:
I don’t believe in arranged marriages by my parents.
I do believe that our parent’s wisdom and discernment in
these situations is vital. Out of respect to them and my heart’s desire, I want
anyone I “date” to talk to my dad first. No, this is not my parent’s ultimate
decision. It is my life, but I am
still under my father’s headship until the day I marry.
I don’t believe in never holding hands, kissing or spending
time alone (eg: restaurant, public place, etc).
I do believe that a couple needs to be careful, aware that
other’s are watching and their lives and relationship together is an example
and witness. Everyone has personal convictions on the above mentioned topics.
Personally, I will be saving my first kiss until at least after my engagement.
I don’t believe in dating for the sake of dating.
I do believe in getting to know someone within very loose
confines that some may call “dating”, but I consider an opportunity to know if
this person is someone to get to know more seriously.
I don’t believe that all “dating” or “courting” is a serious
debate on theology, parenting or values.
I do believe that those things are vital and incredibly important. However, you’ll be doing life with this person full time should
you decide on marriage. Thus, you need to know: do you have the same interests,
similar hobbies or passions? In your free time are your desires mutually
compatible?
This only truly scratches the surface of what it means to
get to know someone—the person you could be spending the rest of your life
with. And honestly, I won’t know most of it until I actually start the process.
But the #1 truth that should always surround every relationship whether it’s
courtship, dating or dourting?
Prayer.
Praying together.
Praying separately. That He would be
working in your hearts. That you would be
open to His discernment and wisdom.
If this is not the person you’re going to spend the rest of
your life with, they are someone else’s spouse. And their heart and emotions
should be taken into consideration in every part of this journey. Just as yours
should. And keeping your heart and mind aligned with God’s is the only way to
truly succeed at something like this.
It’s a dicey subject anymore in Christian circles. We seem
to be stumbling around in the dark with a white cane with a red tip. It doesn’t
have to be. It doesn’t have to be a complicated, hyperventilating inducing,
one-size-fits-all kind of model.
In fact, I have to admit my hackles come up just a bit when
one person or side picks a fight against the other. Every method is not going
to work for every person.
But the point remains strong. A relationship should be so
devoted to Christ’s best interest for the other party that in their being
together—as friends—as potential mates—in any situation, they reflect Christ and
His love for the church.
Everything else? It’s petty arguments and technicalities.
The standards that rise above all others?
Those are the ones we never back down
from.
Do you have an opinion on the whole dating/courting/dourting
concept?
Monday, February 2, 2015
Giveaway! Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey!
Welcome back Dani Pettrey! Since this is the third time for you to
visit, I thought I would throw in some fun questions, maybe some that aren’t
part of the norm in other interviews. :- )
If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be?
I’d visit Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i.
My family and I vacationed there a couple years ago and it was incredible. We
kayaked, snorkeled with sea turtles, swam with dolphins and relaxed on the soft
sand beaches. It is my idea of the perfect vacation.
Do you have any pets?
We sure do. We have a ten-year-old black Lab
named Jack. He’s my writing buddy. I have a loveseat in my office and whenever
I’m writing, he’s curled up on it.
Your favorite book that you have written?
This is always a difficult question to
answer, but if I were being hard pressed, I’d have to say Submerged because it
kicks off the McKennas’ adventures. I’m also loving my current work in
progress—it’s the first book in my new four book series that will debut next
year.
What is your favorite pastime?
Spending time at the beach. I wish I lived
there.
Favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice.
Favorite movie?
Pride and Prejudice (I love both versions,
but the Keira Knightley version is my favorite).
What people have inspired you in your writing journey?
Shakespeare and Dee Henderson. I know it’s a
funky combination, but I’ve always been in awe of the breadth and depth of
Shakespeare’s work. I love that he was so passionate about storytelling, and I
find it amazing that his plays are still being told and retold in novels and on
film. Dee, on the other hand, is my favorite modern writer and she was gracious
enough to take me under her wing during my writing journey. I’ve been so
blessed by her instruction and friendship.
What character in a novel you have read has stood out and seemed
to stand the test of time?
Jane Eyre. She’s a timeless character.
If you could meet one person from history who would it be and why?
I’d love to sit down with Jane Austen and
chat about life and writing over a good cup of tea (or coffee in my case).
Okay, last one and a fun one for our readers today: If you were
stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing, what would it be?
Why?
On a serious note, it would have to be my
Bible. I can’t imagine trying to go through life without God’s Word and
instruction. On a fun note, my espresso machine—can’t go without good coffee.
Too fun, thanks for joining us for a third time!! It is a
privilege. :- )
Thank you SO much for having me again :- )
Readers, enter to win Dani's book here!
Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 13th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
Friday, January 30, 2015
Can I Change the Landscape? Let’s Just all Dourt
I don’t believe in dating.
I don’t believe in courting.
Before the hate mail starts coming please keep reading.
(Mama, don’t hyperventilate, let me finish. ;-)
I don’t believe in the world’s
standard called dating.
I don’t believe in what the world believes about courting.
So I’ll keep going. Take a deep breath. This post is not out
to attack any one person. Any one decision. My blog is a place for my thoughts
and convictions—thoughts and convictions others may or may not share. And
honestly, what I’m about to share may change in my life depending on my
circumstances. But these are my standards. These are my convictions. So with
that disclaimer out of the way, I’ll keep going…
There has been some hot and heated discussion around the ‘net
lately about courting, dating and how you should or should not do it. Funny
thing is, a lot of this advice seems to come from us singles who haven’t really
done too much of either. (Speaking for myself included).
I grew up with the thought that I would live at home until I
got married and courtship would play a big part in that process. And yet, I’m
now living in Colorado, a thousand miles from home, still single and any kind
of relationship process is going to look a lot different.
The concept of “courting” is that much of it is done within
the home of either her or him, group settings a very intentional way of getting
to know someone. My dad always described this process as an “interview”—the most
important one you’ll have of your life.
So many view this standard through the legalistic blinders.
And yes it’s true, many people do take this a more legalistic direction. That’s
their decision. And courtship can’t be viewed entirely out of the bias of one
individual—though they are welcome to their opinion.
Dating on the other hand, to me, has a more worldly standard
that I shy away from. A system that has sent our young people up to flit back
and forth between boyfriend/girlfriend with no sense of commitment or
stability. A mini “divorce and remarriage” every time you swap a significant
other.
Can I propose (no pun intended) a completely new, different
and fresh term? One whose definition is not skewed by bias or history or
background? I think it has a catchy name too: “Dourting”.
This is what I want to do.
I’ll define “dourting” in a quick one phrase summary: “a
chance for two people, of the opposite sex, to meet, get to know the other
without the pressure of a ‘ring by spring’ mentality at the end, in a safe, comfortable
environment for both parties with clear boundaries set in place, but an
understanding of truly getting to know this person that you may end up
committing yourself to.”
Sidenote: I tended to get, shall I say, a bit prolific in this post and went far over my 500 word limit. So next week I will continue the post series with a stronger definition of what "dourting" is exactly and how and where every relationship we walk into, whether it will become something more, should be centered around.
In the meantime, a question for you: what is your initial when someone says they are "courting" or if they say they are "dating".
Monday, January 26, 2015
Giveaway! Beneath the Forsaken City by C.E. Laureano!
Welcome to Writing for Christ C.E. Laureano, it is great to have you
here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and
story world?
Thanks for having me, Casey!
That’s a tricky question to answer. I’ve loved stories as long as I can remember.
In fact, pretty much all of the pictures of me as a child seem to show a book
in my hand or within easy reach. I started writing short stories (and very tiny
novellas) when I was 7 years old. It wasn’t until I was severely injured in
high school and had to put my dreams of being a professional ballet dancer
aside that I got serious about writing novels, though. The stories have always
been buzzing around in my head; I suppose it just took some age and some
confidence to get me to put them down in longer form.
What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?
I’m going to be a rebel here and
pick two. The first title that impacted my life as a reader and a general devourer of stories was The Secret Garden, which I think I read in second or third grade.
Up until that point, I’d been reading small kids’ chapter books, which were fun
but light. The Secret Garden had this
magic and depth that just resonated with me, even as a child. (It probably also
helped further my fascination with the British Isles and India, which just so
happen to pop up in my writing today.)
The second title that impacted me
as a writer is Tigana by Guy Gavriel
Kay. It was the one that
took me beyond Lewis and Tolkein and showed me that
there were some fantasy writers doing amazing things. It was primarily because
of Kay that I got into both reading and writing fantasy, and I still cite him
as the biggest influence on my work today.
If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing
called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?
Get plugged into a writing
community sooner. I only knew about the organizations that catered to published
authors; I didn’t know about things like ACFW even existed until I had refined
my craft to publication level! I could have saved myself a lot of trial and
error and maybe shaved some years off my journey had I known to find a writing
group/mentor/organization when I started to write seriously for publication.
5 preference questions:
Homemade or take-out? Homemade. Even on deadline countdowns when I
know I won’t cook, I stock up on organic frozen meals so I don’t have to resort
to take-out.
Email or snailmail? Email. We’ve gone paperless in our house! It’s
a beautiful thing.
Online shopping or Black Friday deals? Online shopping. Crowds make
me anxious. A weird thing for an extrovert to say, I know, but people get crazy
when bargains are at stake!
Books or movies? Hard one. They’re both vehicles for storytelling
and I couldn’t live without either of them! But if you forced me to answer, I’d
have to say books.
Note-taker or memorization? Note-taker. My memory is horrible, and
the busier I get, the worse it gets. If I lost my planner, I’d be doomed!
Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your
favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your
favorite been published yet?
FREE right now on Amazon! Get your copy now! (link below) |
This is even trickier than the
books vs. movies question. Right now, I’d have to say The Sword and the Song, which is the third and final book in the
Song of Seare series (September 2015). It was by far the hardest, most intense
thing I’ve ever written, but getting it finished and sending it on its way to
publication was like seeing that rebellious child finally graduate from
college. I am immensely proud of what it’s become.
Places for readers to learn more about you?
You can visit me at any of these
places, but right now Twitter is my favorite:
Thank you for being with us today!
Thanks for hosting me, Casey!
Readers, enter to win Carla's book here! AND make sure that you download her first book in this series for FREE the 24th thru the 31st here: Oath of the Brotherhood.
Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 6th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
Friday, January 23, 2015
Grace, Hope and New Beginnings
Occasionally I will be sharing a more devotional type post with you. One of my favorites from the blog I contribute to on a weekly basis, Wonderfully Woven. If you are looking for encouragement, an opportunity to be uplifted and friends to come alongside you on your journey through life with Christ, be sure and visit. We have much to offer. But enough with the shameless promotion. :-) Instead, I'll just share my post and hope it encourages you!
It’s the fresh blanket of snow on the ground. It’s the green
grass that grows in the spring. The flowers that dare to peek their colorful
bulbs out of the earth and subject themselves to the threat of frost.
It’s the promise of the empty tomb. The white bride on her
wedding day. The gift of forgiveness and the warmth of a hug.
It’s a new beginning. The opening of a flower, the fresh
star of a new season.
God’s grace is that. A new beginning. A new promise. The
chance to start over and have everything wrong we’ve ever done cast as far as
the east is from the west.
Grace is one of my favorite words. Another is hope. The two
truly go hand in hand. We hope for
the new beginning Jesus promises to us. And grace
extends a hand to our hope, wraps its warm fingers around ours and pulls us
close, whispering promises of every new chance. Every new hope.
We have hope in
Jesus coming back and taking us as His bride to Heaven on the Day of Judgment.
We have grace knowing we are forgiven
and loved by a Savior that gave His all for our salvation.
May is one of my favorite months out of the year. It springs
forth new life and promises the rebirth of all that was old and dead and
dormant during the long, cold winter. When we breathe in the hope and promise
of a new beginning it almost seems as though nothing can daunt us. The world is
in the palm of our hand and we can take on anything with just a pair of flip
flops and a hat to keep the sun from burning our cheeks.
When we strip away all our insecurities, throw away the
fears and wrap ourselves in the warmth of the Son’s love there is nothing that
can defeat us.
For if God is for us, then who can stand against us? Who? Nothing can stand against us. Nothing
can stand between us and the new beginning that God gives us through the death
and resurrection of His Son.
When I think of what Jesus has done to give me a new
beginning, my heart swells with a deep-seated love and longing for this Man
that came to earth for me…for you.
He gave us a new beginning in our relationships. In our
marriage. In our friendships. In our jobs. In our lives. It doesn’t matter what
the past says about you; that’s not what God
says about you. It doesn’t matter where you’ve gone
and what you’ve done. God has forgiven that and given you a new beginning in
Him.
His grace gives us
hope that there is more to this life
then just muddling through. Then just making a mistake. Then feeling like a
failure. Then wondering if you will ever “arrive” or “make it”.
You might have sensed a theme throughout this post. I hope
so. Because I want you to know that
your new beginning doesn’t have an expiration date. It doesn’t disappear if you
don’t take advantage of it soon enough or lose it because you’ve made too many
mistakes.
Don’t doubt the power of God’s love. His new beginning is
your grace. Your salvation. Your hope.