tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1253676061569907632024-02-08T18:12:11.145-08:00Writing for Christ ~ The Audience of OneCaseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comBlogger1201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-89283380590964090452019-05-07T19:01:00.001-07:002019-05-07T19:02:21.612-07:00May I redirect your attention...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello my friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long time no blog, eh? :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so excited to let you know I have created a brand spankin' new site. Colorful and bright and begging to be visited by my dear and faithful friends here from Writing for Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please visit: </span></div>
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<a href="http://caseyherringshaw.com/"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CaseyHerringshaw.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For brand new content and an invitation to step into this wild and wonderful and daring adventure of life that God is calling to live to the absolute fullest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writing for Christ will remain up for archive purposes only. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's adventure together. </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-33814530472141795392015-02-27T03:00:00.000-08:002015-02-27T03:00:05.013-08:00Closing My Doors--For a Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX0cVX4WDIduy3r5cromDaWp7SGKwWxd18ibs_CmjL1Cg6Rxk1ZOiiC7jPftknBjlb9ZlU08DhWlWK3k8fPg8QLwUG28ddO_1Ihc8G8Ex7gM7IHcSsIvG_fzbrb_sqb9Msx3Qw_spak/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX0cVX4WDIduy3r5cromDaWp7SGKwWxd18ibs_CmjL1Cg6Rxk1ZOiiC7jPftknBjlb9ZlU08DhWlWK3k8fPg8QLwUG28ddO_1Ihc8G8Ex7gM7IHcSsIvG_fzbrb_sqb9Msx3Qw_spak/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started blogging 4 1/2 years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Almost 5 years of putting my thoughts, promoting my favorite authors, and reviewing books all on this blogger platform. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Words that were delivered to your screen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They carried my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They carried my passion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were my passion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Five years is a long time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have loved every. single. minute. of. it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wouldn't change or exchange any of those 1,000+ blog posts for anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've grown. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've watched me grow up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You: my readers. My friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A huge, <i>huge</i> 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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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 <i>now</i> 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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is <i>far</i> 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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I want to cultivate dying friendships. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to become more involved with the community I've made here in Colorado. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to become more invested in my Virtual Assistant work to authors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to play with my own novels once again after nearly two years separate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Invest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reconnect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I <i>love</i> authors. Promoting them is my heartbeat in so many ways. I want to run <i>full force</i> into serving those around me and I can't do that the way I want to in my current commitments. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You'll still see me around should you care to. I'll be blogging the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on <a href="http://www.wonderfullywoven.com/">Wonderfully Woven</a> and every other Friday on <a href="http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/">The Writer's Alley</a>, not to mention several guests posts throughout the coming year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll be back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is not farewell. And it's far from good bye. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This just a season. A moment in time of resting. Of learning what I'm passionate about again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its exciting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And heartbreaking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Challenging. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You mean too much to me. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you</i> for these five years. I'm excited to see what is around the next bend in the road. </span>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-8858506030033797122015-02-20T03:00:00.001-08:002015-02-20T05:55:19.657-08:00Go the Other Way<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>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. :)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3hSo_DHcAZ_ahaQdOyEvw5lSpFFw4Cm3IiqVMx_B4thNGWI1McJHkYJlnlZuEO_R5UIYaHMBT-ub44bCiK_rCREkV_GG32oT6P1Lyg8O6kskpHEI_FBBckyUvb4NBbVhPLh1U5Xd91M/s1600/group-609640_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3hSo_DHcAZ_ahaQdOyEvw5lSpFFw4Cm3IiqVMx_B4thNGWI1McJHkYJlnlZuEO_R5UIYaHMBT-ub44bCiK_rCREkV_GG32oT6P1Lyg8O6kskpHEI_FBBckyUvb4NBbVhPLh1U5Xd91M/s1600/group-609640_640.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Go the other way, dummy.” </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These were the
words that were spewed at my friend and I as we walked the mall one morning. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, the
problem was, we were going the wrong way. At least according to that crotchety,
old man. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone except
that one man. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the Bible says,
<i>“</i><i>do not be conformed to the world but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind.</i><i>”</i> In other words, don’t just do whatever the world is doing.
Go the other way.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sadly, as surely as
the sun comes up, there will always be the others - those ready to oppose you
for doing things differently. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then stop and pray
for them. Who knows what can happen when you do.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today, cause a
ripple in the flow. Choose to go the other way.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About Mary</span></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GA2OFWOiM1fv3Tzt3Mp62nsvvyi7u938Bn2AT7CpfcheZCRN2mp_g46OKdKMfmZ9tJS3OdQb-7HdZZ-P3tk-HY1pXldWg8PWkeqHMEUjl1Vd7u3HTDEY-W5OJk252gRKW-VOoNnJ-CQ/s1600/262724_159942140743142_2592539_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GA2OFWOiM1fv3Tzt3Mp62nsvvyi7u938Bn2AT7CpfcheZCRN2mp_g46OKdKMfmZ9tJS3OdQb-7HdZZ-P3tk-HY1pXldWg8PWkeqHMEUjl1Vd7u3HTDEY-W5OJk252gRKW-VOoNnJ-CQ/s1600/262724_159942140743142_2592539_n.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">I love the intricate beauty and fine detail of stained glass
windows. The</span><span lang="DE" style="color: #2a2a2a;"> craftsman </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">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.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">When put in place, the stained glass filters the light, shapes
it and colors it in a multitude of ways.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">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.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Some of the hues and colors in my unique design are</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">…</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Food fan. Wife of a crazy in love with me man. Wannabe gardener.
COFFEE & DARK CHOCOLATE CONSUMER. <i>Believer in walking, talking therapy. </i>Crazy
night time dreamer. Homeschool graduate mom. <i>ADD brain struggler</i>. Part
time blogger. <i>Sometimes known as Mild Mannered Missionary Mary.</i></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">SIMPLE SERVANT OF THE
MOST HIGH GOD. Word of God lover.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">I see the Master Craftsman</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">’</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">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.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="Default" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">“</span></i><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Call to me and I will
answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.</span></i><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">” </span></i><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Jeremiah 33:3</span></i><i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">I desperately long to know the God of great and mighty things.
And write His </span><span lang="NL" style="color: #2a2a2a;">words. </span></span></div>
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Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-2705024565505691802015-02-16T03:00:00.000-08:002015-02-16T03:00:02.731-08:00Giveaway! Where Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6cDDsjYQk0cQUlzN-nQ1BFlpL2J86yr5B0ncJF34vfmFURQEACw1vSYUPtDE8YOSN1nCCALhrhIFbTvDIbp5SQIhQlFPxO_KMyVctekqq1knhgKdh3a69yZYSzHYlE8LwBf3ASUOWzY/s1600/Headshot+-+small_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6cDDsjYQk0cQUlzN-nQ1BFlpL2J86yr5B0ncJF34vfmFURQEACw1vSYUPtDE8YOSN1nCCALhrhIFbTvDIbp5SQIhQlFPxO_KMyVctekqq1knhgKdh3a69yZYSzHYlE8LwBf3ASUOWzY/s1600/Headshot+-+small_.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the seventh grade, I read two books that scared the wads
out of me. One was <b><i>Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KuPIWbbaWMGerFtGeKz5eLx9VtKW1-ZdsyBsICSDEtQdVkE5IWwHpvoMqjBNXnIogD_cr1dvGG14uL3l6KQnE-h935iMdcR_5A5fcvV4wBFpVgLDapOMb96kYMe5qCw0FIhKMPp1rIg/s1600/Where+Rivers+Part+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KuPIWbbaWMGerFtGeKz5eLx9VtKW1-ZdsyBsICSDEtQdVkE5IWwHpvoMqjBNXnIogD_cr1dvGG14uL3l6KQnE-h935iMdcR_5A5fcvV4wBFpVgLDapOMb96kYMe5qCw0FIhKMPp1rIg/s1600/Where+Rivers+Part+image.jpg" /></a></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i> Jones</i></b>, 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 <b><i>Go Ask Alice</i></b>, 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That’s the power of fiction, I believe—when a story nestles
deep within your spirit and changes how you think. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out? </b>Take-out<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail? </b>Email<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday deals? </b>Online
shopping<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies? </b>Duh….books!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization? </b>Note
taker<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
debut novel, published by Abingdon Press in 2012, will always be my heartsong. <i>MOTHER OF PEARL</i> 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. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Kellie's book here! </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KuPIWbbaWMGerFtGeKz5eLx9VtKW1-ZdsyBsICSDEtQdVkE5IWwHpvoMqjBNXnIogD_cr1dvGG14uL3l6KQnE-h935iMdcR_5A5fcvV4wBFpVgLDapOMb96kYMe5qCw0FIhKMPp1rIg/s1600/Where+Rivers+Part+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KuPIWbbaWMGerFtGeKz5eLx9VtKW1-ZdsyBsICSDEtQdVkE5IWwHpvoMqjBNXnIogD_cr1dvGG14uL3l6KQnE-h935iMdcR_5A5fcvV4wBFpVgLDapOMb96kYMe5qCw0FIhKMPp1rIg/s1600/Where+Rivers+Part+image.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 27th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-67677751943682473692015-02-13T07:39:00.001-08:002015-02-13T07:39:34.836-08:00Is He Single? (take 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTirLyvjhkK34ctrbgtCf7MCdMMCcriVc3-PZ-QgnmJ7Nri95MDQMkAChWOrZuxX_rPwq_aLRKM550jfugV9GTmdaX7AMjVc5l93qPKf77DFr2_0rOimNRZsGoGQjHYond7sUNL2hBkU/s1600/couple-47192_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTirLyvjhkK34ctrbgtCf7MCdMMCcriVc3-PZ-QgnmJ7Nri95MDQMkAChWOrZuxX_rPwq_aLRKM550jfugV9GTmdaX7AMjVc5l93qPKf77DFr2_0rOimNRZsGoGQjHYond7sUNL2hBkU/s1600/couple-47192_640.png" height="400" width="368" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hello readers, I originally wrote this post and hit publish without truly taking the time to fully edit, and I was <i>not</i> 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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*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?* :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You’ve probably heard me say this if you’re a close friend
or have read my blog: there is comedy in being single. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah, he actually wasn’t.<b> ***awkward***</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s an interesting conundrum being single. It can produce
unnecessary drama. (can I get an <i>amen?</i>) 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))</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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 <i>now</i> in being single. Because really, I only get this season of my life once. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All manipulation and fun and games aside (because really, let's be 100% serious here: God is <i>not</i> 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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s a great thing being single.</span></div>
<br />Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-54703495210200539942015-02-09T03:00:00.000-08:002015-02-09T06:50:53.252-08:00Giveaway! Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-ZeRDLZY2I5tyVaSzVKRGF21BmKwBy9wFn9JGgWiGrkpHG8HeMUyXR2MlSDvFZoHsebkB-TF5L7knIpN8bxb7k-rY4S2Q9lGF3-YFk6faWBfmlk3pbwGTLJ2plWbO9Z705Ft-opOkrA/s1600/10661958_573685459444274_1944291623394054716_o-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-ZeRDLZY2I5tyVaSzVKRGF21BmKwBy9wFn9JGgWiGrkpHG8HeMUyXR2MlSDvFZoHsebkB-TF5L7knIpN8bxb7k-rY4S2Q9lGF3-YFk6faWBfmlk3pbwGTLJ2plWbO9Z705Ft-opOkrA/s1600/10661958_573685459444274_1944291623394054716_o-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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: <i>Write. </i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aside from The Bible, there are
several…mostly movies. <i>Anne of Green
Gables </i>taught me to imagine, <i>Dead
Poets Society </i>taught me to find my voice and use it and also to seize the
day…and <i>Good Will Hunting </i>taught me
that even two kids from Boston could write a story that changes people. That
movie made me want to do the same. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W0MnzRPiTUdz0IXi1DDcdM2FkB8CMilGLKq1hBENkUNnolPoI0u_vpWaNmVKN8gvEXPetM5DTq0DCloJx3tvGaIeVNfKzdfWyjDXGuzOi1tkXpqB5uMh7q_PPAqd74qF3sq4epOg7c/s1600/Paper-Hearts_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W0MnzRPiTUdz0IXi1DDcdM2FkB8CMilGLKq1hBENkUNnolPoI0u_vpWaNmVKN8gvEXPetM5DTq0DCloJx3tvGaIeVNfKzdfWyjDXGuzOi1tkXpqB5uMh7q_PPAqd74qF3sq4epOg7c/s1600/Paper-Hearts_web.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out? </b>Oh my goodness. Take-out. Preferably Panera
or Chipotle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail? </b>I would LOVE to say snailmail for sentiment but
E-mail wins the day for convenience </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday deals? </b>Online shopping in my pjs!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies? </b>BOTH!<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization? </b>Note taker and doodler. I find I think
better with a pen in my hand! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, <i>A Sweethaven Summer </i>will always hold a special place in my heart
because it was my first, but the whole experience of writing <i>Paper Hearts </i>and allowing my own story
to filter in to the work makes it my new favorite! J </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My website: <a href="http://www.courtneywalshwrites.com/">www.courtneywalshwrites.com</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My blog: <a href="http://www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com/">www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtney_walsh</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank YOU for having me!! :- )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Courtney's book here! </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #999999; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W0MnzRPiTUdz0IXi1DDcdM2FkB8CMilGLKq1hBENkUNnolPoI0u_vpWaNmVKN8gvEXPetM5DTq0DCloJx3tvGaIeVNfKzdfWyjDXGuzOi1tkXpqB5uMh7q_PPAqd74qF3sq4epOg7c/s1600/Paper-Hearts_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W0MnzRPiTUdz0IXi1DDcdM2FkB8CMilGLKq1hBENkUNnolPoI0u_vpWaNmVKN8gvEXPetM5DTq0DCloJx3tvGaIeVNfKzdfWyjDXGuzOi1tkXpqB5uMh7q_PPAqd74qF3sq4epOg7c/s1600/Paper-Hearts_web.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 20th</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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</u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-27014565503284606712015-02-06T03:00:00.001-08:002015-02-06T03:00:04.158-08:00Can I Just Change the Landscape? Let's Just All Dourt--Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsm947pephiBAtqBYxXDj6i6Nv2IBDVpmJLKL9ZhOCapdq9QEVR85gQBelmCZqeucTZ4r2dRyYe7coBiu3vSehLRbWSSCCTzzgwUnKDz2e9Vb9k-hc1t5YqgPL0W-tBAFz54s64qf8PA/s1600/marriage-451596_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsm947pephiBAtqBYxXDj6i6Nv2IBDVpmJLKL9ZhOCapdq9QEVR85gQBelmCZqeucTZ4r2dRyYe7coBiu3vSehLRbWSSCCTzzgwUnKDz2e9Vb9k-hc1t5YqgPL0W-tBAFz54s64qf8PA/s1600/marriage-451596_640.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>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</i> "dourting".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.”<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here’s my terms for it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in arranged marriages by my parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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 <i>is </i>my life, but I am
still under my father’s headship until the day I marry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in never holding hands, kissing or spending
time alone (eg: restaurant, public place, etc). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in dating for the sake of dating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t believe that all “dating” or “courting” is a serious
debate on theology, parenting or values. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I do believe that those things are <i>vital</i> and incredibly important. However, you’ll be doing <i>life</i> 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? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the #1 truth that should always surround <i>every </i>relationship whether it’s
courtship, dating or dourting? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Praying <i>together</i>.
Praying <i>separately</i>. That He would be
working in your hearts. That you would be </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">open to His discernment and wisdom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything else? It’s petty arguments and technicalities.
The standards that rise above all others? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those are the ones we never back down
from. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have an opinion on the whole dating/courting/dourting
concept? </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-68722112442558208352015-02-02T03:00:00.000-08:002015-02-02T03:00:11.155-08:00Giveaway! Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LUjNVnfiCjR60oObQ2jT7A0bKdNxGp4AIsPFh7kr8k2VodnWysYLEIoPvDHzCVeWRQ2cBWzanPI99q1RDvxxzHQ8tWQKiuYL2dPoASVzSx3GL5fxlwZXHTZWa9g6erJV4gKxJ0zdIZg/s1600/dpettrey3sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LUjNVnfiCjR60oObQ2jT7A0bKdNxGp4AIsPFh7kr8k2VodnWysYLEIoPvDHzCVeWRQ2cBWzanPI99q1RDvxxzHQ8tWQKiuYL2dPoASVzSx3GL5fxlwZXHTZWa9g6erJV4gKxJ0zdIZg/s1600/dpettrey3sm.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. :- )<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have any pets?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your favorite book that you have written?</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lUvpWiaaKmxVDBjeYQv5kGXPKeqe2IDI4M78Bj1YXEwhfKqUj4KeT1s1egKLMihFhdh7nhM2P8f6hh37u9MZ31566ts3g1u_FkIGHWjfIMgZpOgSTiqQLrp6Kvs-lZHsWthBep_p3y8/s1600/Sabotaged_24-x36+cmyk300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lUvpWiaaKmxVDBjeYQv5kGXPKeqe2IDI4M78Bj1YXEwhfKqUj4KeT1s1egKLMihFhdh7nhM2P8f6hh37u9MZ31566ts3g1u_FkIGHWjfIMgZpOgSTiqQLrp6Kvs-lZHsWthBep_p3y8/s1600/Sabotaged_24-x36+cmyk300.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is your favorite pastime?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spending time at the beach. I wish I lived
there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Favorite book?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pride and Prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Favorite movie?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pride and Prejudice (I love both versions,
but the Keira Knightley version is my favorite). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What people have inspired you in your writing journey?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What character in a novel you have read has stood out and seemed
to stand the test of time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jane Eyre. She’s a timeless character. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you could meet one person from history who would it be and why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Too fun, thanks for joining us for a third time!! It is a
privilege. :- )<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you SO much for having me again :- )<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Dani's book here!</span></strong></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #999999; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lUvpWiaaKmxVDBjeYQv5kGXPKeqe2IDI4M78Bj1YXEwhfKqUj4KeT1s1egKLMihFhdh7nhM2P8f6hh37u9MZ31566ts3g1u_FkIGHWjfIMgZpOgSTiqQLrp6Kvs-lZHsWthBep_p3y8/s1600/Sabotaged_24-x36+cmyk300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lUvpWiaaKmxVDBjeYQv5kGXPKeqe2IDI4M78Bj1YXEwhfKqUj4KeT1s1egKLMihFhdh7nhM2P8f6hh37u9MZ31566ts3g1u_FkIGHWjfIMgZpOgSTiqQLrp6Kvs-lZHsWthBep_p3y8/s1600/Sabotaged_24-x36+cmyk300.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 13th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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</u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-18323527053625268112015-01-30T03:00:00.001-08:002015-01-30T03:00:03.947-08:00Can I Change the Landscape? Let’s Just all Dourt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6eZLwl0YlQ3ueV0YVM3Eae8Vq9_-NatNBcvv1f4B3-FEWyxN81HNUU8ZIhGSWaUOz9YpVagMQBvLGO2olRJH_SFV0g5zmPLUvUzNcVNFQjLB7LVEQKUzzcy0GxqZ8iagCvnCSNLU_Og/s1600/hands-437968_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6eZLwl0YlQ3ueV0YVM3Eae8Vq9_-NatNBcvv1f4B3-FEWyxN81HNUU8ZIhGSWaUOz9YpVagMQBvLGO2olRJH_SFV0g5zmPLUvUzNcVNFQjLB7LVEQKUzzcy0GxqZ8iagCvnCSNLU_Og/s1600/hands-437968_640.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in dating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in courting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before the hate mail starts coming please keep reading.
(Mama, don’t hyperventilate, let me finish. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in the <i>world’s</i>
standard called dating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t believe in what the world <i>believes</i> about courting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dating on the other hand, to me, has a more world</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ly 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what I want to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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.”</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sidenote: I tended to get, shall I say, a bit prolific in this post and went far over my 500 word limit. So </i>next week<i> 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. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>In the meantime, a question for you: </i>what is your initial when someone says they are "courting" or if they say they are "dating". </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-48324368520559129962015-01-26T03:00:00.000-08:002015-01-26T03:00:04.218-08:00Giveaway! Beneath the Forsaken City by C.E. Laureano!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0X8kiyNVbLJgJl_P1w2KLCvAPT5LBjNzpkTShGCBBS1Y12P1_jnqUdAtqcmD9D42nyRKeQcblF8-SbXrnkdkFFyYdmqXuCH6WND68IZSyAwk8OxVtAHkMww9EbukCTYTTLByni8DSe0/s1600/CL_Stairs_Full_96dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0X8kiyNVbLJgJl_P1w2KLCvAPT5LBjNzpkTShGCBBS1Y12P1_jnqUdAtqcmD9D42nyRKeQcblF8-SbXrnkdkFFyYdmqXuCH6WND68IZSyAwk8OxVtAHkMww9EbukCTYTTLByni8DSe0/s1600/CL_Stairs_Full_96dpi.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m going to be a rebel here and
pick two. The first title that impacted my life as a <i>reader</i> and a general devourer of stories was <i>The Secret Garden</i>, 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. <i>The Secret Garden</i> 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.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second title that impacted me
as a writer is <i>Tigana</i> by Guy Gavriel
Kay. It was the one that</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> 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.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out? </b>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail? </b>Email. We’ve gone paperless in our house! It’s
a beautiful thing.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday deals? </b>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!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies? </b>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization? </b>Note-taker. My memory is horrible, and
the busier I get, the worse it gets. If I lost my planner, I’d be doomed!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPSFUUuYJY-sr3Bhygu9-0w19pyf0fNtZ6AS27pwP32CtFppdOYhn9RoKRY_KVjyEdmPb3dAICWpOURK6aPIEj-9-vIDav3jXK5AOHT-MWngb9QKS05NQN5abWhIOnf3084ENsK0y14/s1600/Free+24-31st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPSFUUuYJY-sr3Bhygu9-0w19pyf0fNtZ6AS27pwP32CtFppdOYhn9RoKRY_KVjyEdmPb3dAICWpOURK6aPIEj-9-vIDav3jXK5AOHT-MWngb9QKS05NQN5abWhIOnf3084ENsK0y14/s1600/Free+24-31st.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">FREE right now on Amazon!<br />Get your copy now! (link below)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is even trickier than the
books vs. movies question. Right now, I’d have to say <i>The Sword and the Song,</i> 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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can visit me at any of these
places, but right now Twitter is my favorite:</span></div>
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<span class="hoenzb"><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.carlalaureano.com/" target="_blank">Web</a>
| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CarlaLaureanoAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a>
| <a href="http://twitter.com/CarlaLaureano" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://plus.google.com/116050498245896860313" target="_blank">Google+</a>
| <a href="http://pinterest.com/jadelotus02" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks for hosting me, Casey!</span></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oath-Brotherhood-Novel-Song-Seare-ebook/dp/B00IDHW5ZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421720932&sr=1-1&keywords=c+e+laureano"> Oath of the Brotherhood.</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8W4hieEPVwrUZ7zVlEGwSRwhTJ9iXXOsivfNeiVRyDCWyTUyGv1quUxv3a-VCIL6yTkzOl8Bd8YxwXvkY8JYnPCQju9dr7a0v0TupBR0iUE73Uj196xYjwpIEvVSzjpfomW9MbBjpK4/s1600/ForsakenCityCover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 6th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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</u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-62974022596153685612015-01-23T03:00:00.001-08:002015-01-23T03:00:00.710-08:00Grace, Hope and New Beginnings<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>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, </i><a href="http://www.wonderfullywoven.com/">Wonderfully Woven</a><i>. 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!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s a new beginning. The opening of a flower, the fresh
star of a new season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grace is one of my favorite words. Another is hope. The two
truly go hand in hand. We <i>hope</i> for
the new beginning Jesus promises to us. And <i>grace</i>
extends a hand to our hope, wraps its warm fingers around ours and pulls us
close, whispering promises of every new chance. Every new <i>hope.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have <i>hope</i> in
Jesus coming back and taking us as His bride to Heaven on the Day of Judgment.
We have <i>grace</i> knowing we are forgiven
and loved by a Savior that gave His all for our salvation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For if God is for us, then who can stand against us? Who? <i>Nothing</i> 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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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 <i>God
</i>says about you. It doesn’t matter where you’<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>ve gone
and what you’ve done. God has forgiven that and given you a new beginning in
Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His <i>grace</i> gives us
<i>hope</i> 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”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You might have sensed a theme throughout this post. I hope
so. Because I want <i>you</i> 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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don’t doubt the power of God’s love. His new beginning is
your grace. Your salvation. Your hope. </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-84372743983826509072015-01-19T03:00:00.000-08:002015-01-19T03:00:06.455-08:00Giveaway! Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCGN1onmJTMbW4RekMr0_KcGXHj9nJNWDIASMe8Q95f8YgHsIkOLbo0hrBFNs11bWmAtfVOfJGQkC5tqMwYdl56bfG1K8WXvmFqna2yM0nt0CK6ni8M7fbGYcfUHdhUEKXLZRssGCuB0/s1600/IMG_0772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCGN1onmJTMbW4RekMr0_KcGXHj9nJNWDIASMe8Q95f8YgHsIkOLbo0hrBFNs11bWmAtfVOfJGQkC5tqMwYdl56bfG1K8WXvmFqna2yM0nt0CK6ni8M7fbGYcfUHdhUEKXLZRssGCuB0/s1600/IMG_0772.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ Lisa Harris, it is great to have you
here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and
story world?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for having me!!
For years I honestly thought that everyone had characters running around in
their heads, and I was simply someone who decided to write them down. My
mother-in-law assured me one day that wasn’t true. I now look at it as a gift
that I want to use for God. That’s partly what got me started and definitely
what keeps me writing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would have to say the very first
book I wrote. I can’t even remember the title, but it was about a couple’s
journey through infertility, something I was going through myself. It was never
published, but it taught me so much about life, and loss, and God, and was
instrumental in my own healing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqDCx_1vXrDjUmamA6sTQ_-gz6kJgCFk4MYafnwsAFMit7gHmpuQ-zFtzHpd_j_bkA17-LITumi6sxpgDRiXZ2YB_80fugnezN8YXbQUQSS6xrulGzVqe9fAVzIZRiktymTG12dCFnU/s1600/275193_TCMHarris_WB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqDCx_1vXrDjUmamA6sTQ_-gz6kJgCFk4MYafnwsAFMit7gHmpuQ-zFtzHpd_j_bkA17-LITumi6sxpgDRiXZ2YB_80fugnezN8YXbQUQSS6xrulGzVqe9fAVzIZRiktymTG12dCFnU/s1600/275193_TCMHarris_WB.jpeg" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The whole process has been a
journey of learning for me, and I’m not sure I’d changed anything to be honest.
There have been tons of lows—wondering why I was doing this, thinking it’s too
hard, convinced no one would read my books—along with a few highs. I’ve learned
that awards might be given one day, but someone else gets them the next, so you
can’t relay on the ups to keep you going, nor can you rely on the lows—often
lies and discouragements about who you are—to stop you. I’ve tried to enjoy the
journey and learning process, but probably would simply tell myself to work
hard and enjoy the ride!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Homemade or take-out?
Homemade—which is good because where we live we made everything from scratch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Email or snailmail? Email—living
overseas it’s such a blessing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Online shopping or Black Friday
deals? And I’ve also come to love online shopping since we have no malls where
we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Books or movies? Books, of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note-taker or memorization?
Note-taker—I have to write everything down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That is so hard! I’m going to say,
Blood Ransom, because it was the first time I was able to write the book I
wanted to write. You know, that book from the heart. It was a romantic
suspense, set in Africa. . .I loved writing that book!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Would love to hear from you! I
have a website at www.lisaharriswrites.com.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for having me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqDCx_1vXrDjUmamA6sTQ_-gz6kJgCFk4MYafnwsAFMit7gHmpuQ-zFtzHpd_j_bkA17-LITumi6sxpgDRiXZ2YB_80fugnezN8YXbQUQSS6xrulGzVqe9fAVzIZRiktymTG12dCFnU/s1600/275193_TCMHarris_WB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWqDCx_1vXrDjUmamA6sTQ_-gz6kJgCFk4MYafnwsAFMit7gHmpuQ-zFtzHpd_j_bkA17-LITumi6sxpgDRiXZ2YB_80fugnezN8YXbQUQSS6xrulGzVqe9fAVzIZRiktymTG12dCFnU/s1600/275193_TCMHarris_WB.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Lisa's book here! </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on January 30th</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-39933866167152280032015-01-16T03:00:00.000-08:002015-01-16T03:00:05.284-08:00Stop Putting God in a Box OR My Final DREAM Post for 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u0n7B9rnbN9VGcWZpSIu_rfBdrMxBWnvd1q7p1Cyjkm0ZyEpB7gDujAP4E3zA2FpgGHRXi14JLCJHUEitMmC3sJwq5HvDoEyQkYFtpKXrf5aGs1hQkK3IKkDMa9Vi0resF-mG0YZZr0/s1600/kites-152760_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u0n7B9rnbN9VGcWZpSIu_rfBdrMxBWnvd1q7p1Cyjkm0ZyEpB7gDujAP4E3zA2FpgGHRXi14JLCJHUEitMmC3sJwq5HvDoEyQkYFtpKXrf5aGs1hQkK3IKkDMa9Vi0resF-mG0YZZr0/s1600/kites-152760_640.png" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s been a year of living with a word that has
changed my life. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Dream</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God whispered the word over my heart in October 2013,
nudging me towards truly <i>dreaming </i>towards
the goals and desires laid deep in my heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were scary dreams. Dreams that I could easily push
aside, because no matter how much I might want them, they would require me to
stretch out of my comfort zone. Go beyond what was comfortable for me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t like going beyond what is comfortable and familiar
to me. I like the here and now. The safe and secure. But safe and secure doesn’t
challenge you. At least it doesn’t challenge me. And God was asking me to <i>dream</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How often do you put God in a box? How often do you say: “this
is what I believe you can do and we’re not going over this X limit, God. So, thanks.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only person those kind of prayers does a disservice to
is you. And the reason we do it? We’re coming back to fear again. How often do
we dare to pray for something that seems so far beyond all comprehension and
belief that it seems almost impossible for us to achieve? Something that might
as well just be scoffed at, because the possibility of that happening to us is,
well, <i>impossible</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We don’t pray those kind of prayers often. And I dare to
say, that even when I toe into the waters of deeper dreaming, I’m still
cringing at the chilliness of the stream. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God’s dreams for us aren’t babbling brooks in the corner of
a peaceful meadow. God’s dreams for us are rushing rivers, pulsing towards the
very best interest He has at heart. Scripture promises this. And yet so often
we refuse to surrender fully and let the rush of those waters carry us along. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God told me to dream in 2014. To not put Him in a box and
see what He would do. <b>To move forward
with a passion for life and a constant expectation that He was about to do
something awesome.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I look back on 2014, I’m awed. I’m humbled. I’m grateful.
But I’m not done dreaming. In fact, a couple months ago, God laid another dream
on my heart. A dream that when it thumped me between the eyes, I literally
went: “You’ve got to be kidding, God. Something like that will never happen for
me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did I really just back talk to God? Oh yes, I did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God’s plans on our lives aren’t held to the ground by human’s
finite abilities, expectations, social status or fear. This is <i>God</i> we’re talking about and to. The Creator
of the universe. His passion for us is unending. His plans for our lives
whispered in our hearts and ears as dreams that push us forward.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If we let Him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God told me to dream. I dreamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I’m not stopping yet. My life isn’t over. And neither
are the dreams.</span></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you dreaming crazy
dreams with God?</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-77816355201928391602015-01-12T03:00:00.000-08:002015-01-12T03:00:05.806-08:00Giveaway! Rodeo Family by Shannon Taylor Vannatter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7MzA7XyXahlDNq727dkArNaF6P39hX7K2Xjv_DmsGkh0MB3RBohohxzZq7b-rt8Xppyugdf8bAG3Nd61FKVveynNBOeA6cPCPKogM7wgApDtoHC_YQAqE_oL09_yevdH3KL7ZG_QqBc/s1600/Shannon+Taylor+Vannatter+Headshot+-+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7MzA7XyXahlDNq727dkArNaF6P39hX7K2Xjv_DmsGkh0MB3RBohohxzZq7b-rt8Xppyugdf8bAG3Nd61FKVveynNBOeA6cPCPKogM7wgApDtoHC_YQAqE_oL09_yevdH3KL7ZG_QqBc/s1600/Shannon+Taylor+Vannatter+Headshot+-+red.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></span></a></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ
Shannon Vannatter, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made
you decide to start creating characters and story world?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had a creative writing class in the 3<sup>rd</sup> grade and loved it.
My teacher was very complimentary and encouraging about a few short stories I
wrote. But I never had any other classes like that. As a preteen, we moved away
from all my friends and it took me a while to acclimate. With lots of alone
time, I created a story in my head. Sometimes, I’d act it out in my locked
bedroom with lots of drama. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I watched a lot of hunky detective shows, my story was a damsel in
distress and cute detective to the rescue. I’d add scenes, more drama, and
change the end. I thought it was a movie, but I didn’t want to go to <st1:city w:st="on">Hollywood</st1:city>, so I didn’t
know what to do with it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I was fifteen, I met my future husband and started living my own
romance. I forgot about </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgMMNKAaQakgBmm0h0XKlzizrgI9tbeu5lVizR5vroxhoLlz4_uO5DWOr_M0F4LZHXLHfvRgxOkyaXlW-eUerQCdpso_B68YEUVx3qSFasoGtinoob-q-dDs2zg97eAdPtAW34mrkkCM/s1600/Rodeo+Family+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgMMNKAaQakgBmm0h0XKlzizrgI9tbeu5lVizR5vroxhoLlz4_uO5DWOr_M0F4LZHXLHfvRgxOkyaXlW-eUerQCdpso_B68YEUVx3qSFasoGtinoob-q-dDs2zg97eAdPtAW34mrkkCM/s1600/Rodeo+Family+cover.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the story. Until fifteen years later when my husband
started working evenings. We didn’t have our son yet and I needed something to
occupy my evenings. I went to the library to find clean romance books like I’d
read as a teen, but I couldn’t find any. </span><br />
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That’s when I remembered my long ago story and thought—Hey, that could be
a book. Once I started writing it, my characters kept talking to God. Even
though I was unaware of the Christian fiction market, I let them. I didn’t know
about Christian books because the library didn’t really carry them back then. Fourteen
years later, that story became my 8<sup>th</sup> published title, Rodeo Queen.
I had to go back and completely rewrite it because when I originally wrote it,
I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has
significantly impacted your life? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The standard response for a Christian is the Bible, I’m sure. It’s truly
a life changing book. Other than that, I can’t remember the story, title, or
author, but it was a Heartsong Presents book. It was the first inspirational
romance I’d ever read. I’d completed my book, learned there was a Christian
market and a writing friend loaned me a Heartsong. It was an awesome experience
to read a clean romance with a gospel message like I’d written and know it had
gotten published. I had a lot to learn though. I stopped counting rejections at
200 and spent the next 9 1/2 years attending conferences and workshops before I
finally got published.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a book, you dork. If I’d realized that story in my head was a
book, I’d have started writing sooner.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out?</b>
Homemade, if I don’t have to make it. I sincerely hate cooking. I do it anyway,
but it frustrates the life out of me.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail?</b> Email. I
never was much of a letter writer even before email.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday
deals?</b> Online. I hide under the covers on Black Friday. Besides I’m not a
morning person. Even though I’m an avid bargain shopper, no bargain is worth
that.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies?</b> Books
definitely. And I like paper. I only read digital if it’s a title by one of my
favorite authors and it doesn’t come in paper. I like seeing my books lined up
on the shelf. When they’re in my tablet, I don’t feel like I really own the
book.</span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization</b>?
Note-taker definitely. Ever since my son was born, my memory is gone. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rodeo Queen will probably always be my favorite since it lived in my head
for so long. But I love all of them and I miss the characters after I complete
their books. Especially when I end a series. Maybe that’s why my rodeo series
has gone on for so long—I’m attached to the characters.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more
about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="ColorfulList-Accent11CxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Learn more about <st1:place w:st="on">Shannon</st1:place> and her books at </span></strong><a href="http://shannonvannatter.com/"><strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">http://shannonvannatter.com</span></strong><strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;"> and</span></strong></a> check
out her real life romance blog at <u>http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/</u>.
Connect with her on Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter">http://facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter</a>,
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29672798-shannon-vannatter">https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29672798-shannon-vannatter</a>,
Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/stvannatter/">http://www.pinterest.com/stvannatter/</a>,
and Twitter: @stvauthor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks Casey :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgMMNKAaQakgBmm0h0XKlzizrgI9tbeu5lVizR5vroxhoLlz4_uO5DWOr_M0F4LZHXLHfvRgxOkyaXlW-eUerQCdpso_B68YEUVx3qSFasoGtinoob-q-dDs2zg97eAdPtAW34mrkkCM/s1600/Rodeo+Family+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgMMNKAaQakgBmm0h0XKlzizrgI9tbeu5lVizR5vroxhoLlz4_uO5DWOr_M0F4LZHXLHfvRgxOkyaXlW-eUerQCdpso_B68YEUVx3qSFasoGtinoob-q-dDs2zg97eAdPtAW34mrkkCM/s1600/Rodeo+Family+cover.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></span></a></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Shannon's book here! </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on January 23rd</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-55458314258560504532015-01-05T03:00:00.000-08:002015-01-05T03:00:11.623-08:00Giveaway! Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkvFxk2DFEewPa6WqstBX6ZbwoHPLB5seBAyP6u4A3o31cebrrI1bXy2qrxbFIozTMbtnCBIKqkikOVPatbXrEmouTd3pY2jVF6_JSOJn96hayYANkkIUbRM49Rltvc6yjcUdhKF84hw/s1600/Stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkvFxk2DFEewPa6WqstBX6ZbwoHPLB5seBAyP6u4A3o31cebrrI1bXy2qrxbFIozTMbtnCBIKqkikOVPatbXrEmouTd3pY2jVF6_JSOJn96hayYANkkIUbRM49Rltvc6yjcUdhKF84hw/s1600/Stairs.jpg" height="400" width="327" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ Lynne Gentry, it is great to have you
here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and
story world?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up on a Kansas dairy farm.
Our cows didn’t travel. So neither did my family. I longed for adventure. I
wanted to visit exotic places and meet famous people. Imaginary trips became my
escape from rural isolation. In an instant, my mind could magically transform a
tree house into a medieval castle, hay bales into a pioneer fort, or a dank
root cellar into a time portal that could transport me into the ancient
civilizations of the Bible. In my make-believe world, I was bold, brave, and
beautiful. The heroes were handsome and romantic. Humanity’s fate hung in the
balance. Good always triumphed over evil. And in the end, I left the past in
far better shape than I found it. Outlandish journeys still feed my creative
soul. I love to explore Roman baths or traipse through old English castles. My
mind goes crazy imagining myself living in those times.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I loved Anne of Green Gables. She
is a spunky example of God’s ability to redeem every life.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Ryagl6-6PbOYBO4SYz9az_NGgCHXbdbbChvzL002w5gq9NzpAKzcx28Z-_4-XxSQ-tA9aGk8DtYEEtzoqKvKlpk1Rf-ewSeAHBD_k1ODKe7MOGsKfRbhNSQvvdKAS6KOsHxF2nWowg/s1600/Hi-Res+Cover+RTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Ryagl6-6PbOYBO4SYz9az_NGgCHXbdbbChvzL002w5gq9NzpAKzcx28Z-_4-XxSQ-tA9aGk8DtYEEtzoqKvKlpk1Rf-ewSeAHBD_k1ODKe7MOGsKfRbhNSQvvdKAS6KOsHxF2nWowg/s1600/Hi-Res+Cover+RTE.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My husband says if it weren’t for
guilt trips I wouldn’t go anywhere. What mother doesn’t regret something in the
past? I would tell myself that everything and everyone does not have to be
perfect … including me.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out? </b>Love homemade, but live on take-out.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail? </b>Finding a handwritten letter in my mailbox
thrills me. I still love to send handwritten notes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday deals? </b>There’s nothing in the
stores worth fighting my way through Black Friday crowds. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies? </b>Both.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization? </b>Oh, that my memory was what it used to
be. So many facts were required to write this series that I had to become a
very organized note-taker.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, when I finished the first
book in the series, HEALER OF CARTHAGE, it was my favorite. Now that book #2 is
coming out, RETURN TO EXILE, it is my favorite.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love connecting with readers.
They can find me on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4987522.Lynne_Gentry">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4987522.Lynne_Gentry</a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twitter: @Lynne_Gentry <a href="https://twitter.com/Lynne_Gentry">https://twitter.com/Lynne_Gentry</a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Lynne-Gentry/215337565176144">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Lynne-Gentry/215337565176144</a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and my website: <a href="http://www.lynnegentry.com/">www.lynnegentry.com</a> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks for having me, Casey.
Always enjoy chatting with you and your readers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Ryagl6-6PbOYBO4SYz9az_NGgCHXbdbbChvzL002w5gq9NzpAKzcx28Z-_4-XxSQ-tA9aGk8DtYEEtzoqKvKlpk1Rf-ewSeAHBD_k1ODKe7MOGsKfRbhNSQvvdKAS6KOsHxF2nWowg/s1600/Hi-Res+Cover+RTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Ryagl6-6PbOYBO4SYz9az_NGgCHXbdbbChvzL002w5gq9NzpAKzcx28Z-_4-XxSQ-tA9aGk8DtYEEtzoqKvKlpk1Rf-ewSeAHBD_k1ODKe7MOGsKfRbhNSQvvdKAS6KOsHxF2nWowg/s1600/Hi-Res+Cover+RTE.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Lynne's book here! </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on January 16th</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-77383468312495830882014-12-22T03:00:00.000-08:002014-12-22T03:00:02.769-08:00Farewell 2014...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wow, hello 2015, right around the corner--nine short days away. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those who said time flies the older you get weren't joking. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much has happened. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much has changed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, this blog has and continues to be, one of my constants. You, dear reader, are valued and treasured in my life. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In an effort to spend more time with my family and friends, I am taking a blogging break until after the first of the new year. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll bring 2015 in with new giveaways from our beloved authors, my standard devotional posts that always promise to include a bit of what God is teaching and growing in me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I'll also have my best book list of 2014 with fabulous book recommendations you are going to want to add to your wist list in 2015. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until then, dear reader, I wish you wonderful Christmas and New Year celebrations, with all those you love around you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See you next year!</span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-52928082998738522592014-12-19T03:00:00.001-08:002014-12-19T03:00:07.349-08:00Lester Did it Right (It Matters How You Live Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbB8YwoJ7-3lnFVkI-53j3spY50DBYV9xfvcRqjsx0MnjivTrC1D7b8JIO_nlaNi1fEosFpkLyHb7-EXsG6_L0WdXeP4_HCaDg_ek1LnxKRTEAL_QLIs9dKeL6Dok7f2C4WC6SUsUDhg/s1600/plough-321615_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbB8YwoJ7-3lnFVkI-53j3spY50DBYV9xfvcRqjsx0MnjivTrC1D7b8JIO_nlaNi1fEosFpkLyHb7-EXsG6_L0WdXeP4_HCaDg_ek1LnxKRTEAL_QLIs9dKeL6Dok7f2C4WC6SUsUDhg/s1600/plough-321615_640.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our actions directly affect lives around us. What you choose
to do. What you choose to say. How you choose to live your life, it makes a
difference—more than you think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week I talked about my great-grandfather. A man who
only saw the church and the people in it as white-washed tombs, people who
seemed pretty on the outside, but dig deep enough and his life was cleaner than
theirs. Why should he make a point to change the way he lived when they weren’t?
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those people might not have realized it, but their actions
were directly affecting my grandfather’s lack of a walk with God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Except for Lester. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My great-grandfather was a farmer, a mountain of a man, who
spent the last few years of his life confined to a nursing home, separated from
my grandmother because it wasn’t a facility that accommodated them living
together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cousin Lester visited every week. Pushing my grandfather
throughout the grounds of the facility, in and out amongst all the flowers and
plants my farming grandfather would have loved. Lester didn’t just come because
he wanted to connect and spend time with his family, Lester came because of an
aching desire to make sure Grandpa didn’t die lost. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn’t through words that Lester showed Grandpa his need
for salvation. It was through actions. It wasn’t through preachy sermons and
demands that Grandpa “change his ways”. He already thought he was righteous. It
was through the simple fact that Lester <i>lived
his life</i> with a <b>passion for Christ. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your life is a mirror. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You either reflect Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or you reflect the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s not a complicated choice and it does have eternal
effects. You touch lives everywhere you go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can’t walk through this life
without leaving some kind of fingerprint on another person’s life. My question
for you is: are you walking with Christ in such a way that people <b>see you as different? </b>If you aren’t
seen as having something different, all witness is lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grandpa saw something <i>different</i>
in Lester. Someone genuine, something he didn’t have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My dad used to tell me, “if you can spot them (those being
in the world and lost), they can spot you.” To be honest, I struggled with
believing this. How could my life, lived in such a way that didn’t have me
preaching on a street corner, point people to Christ?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it does. And I saw it over and over when I worked at the
medical office. Patients stopped me in the halls, spoke to me at the counter or
made comments just in general passing—that I was <i>different</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You’re either ridiculed for following Jesus or you’re
praised for it. Either way, people can’t get away from the love that I have for
my Savior. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Lester? He didn’t give up. He kept chasing God in front
of Grandpa up until the very end. It wasn’t a sprint to make an impression on
an old man, it was a marathon he was running for life. And </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grandpa’s wasn’t the
only life changed. I guarantee it. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You don’t know what seeds someone else has planted that you’re
watering, weeding, harvesting. I just know a man that didn’t need to preach to
spread the gospel, ended up bringing a hard-core, crusty farmer to know the
Lord. </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-66119676911928426962014-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:002014-12-15T03:00:01.526-08:00Giveaway! This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_2E9B0vNeRbAw_hsliqDimxQUHtMwxPdvaxta_eATGp6GB5uiikDTJ7rqzVwPxLvrfTJoGNuD_GiTM8bkt7SasRFc7kYa_dxED45IIdf8ehjkAEEwTqvJYnrvLWo93363vUc3NU-1_U/s1600/Author+photo+-+Joanne+Bischof.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_2E9B0vNeRbAw_hsliqDimxQUHtMwxPdvaxta_eATGp6GB5uiikDTJ7rqzVwPxLvrfTJoGNuD_GiTM8bkt7SasRFc7kYa_dxED45IIdf8ehjkAEEwTqvJYnrvLWo93363vUc3NU-1_U/s320/Author+photo+-+Joanne+Bischof.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ Joanna Bischof, it is great to have you
here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and
story world? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you! I’m so glad to be here!
Thinking back on how I got started as a writer, I can’t recall a time that I
wasn’t creating characters. It just seems like I was always telling stories.
The habit is getting harder to kick as the years go on. ;)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ooh, that’s a hard one. It kind of
sounds cliché, but I’ll say <i>Little House
in the Big Woods</i>. It’s one of the first books I can remember hearing my dad
read to me as a child and it not only made me country at heart, but it planted
that seed in my heart for story. It’s one that I’ve loved sharing with my own
children now.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’d tell myself that the more you
write and work and learn, the more you will wish you could go <i>as</i> you were meant
to.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6B6bMzXKD-ApfjyCLqR7RWB0vmEABfBUulogPEV27cbCBlIvP4oiA4hPJj1TlMScLk6hpbENRZCjOJGyzacQU7ucS4r85lL1UL3xqKsDvAal8M0TbM-wrIjFGLZbgQW2w2Tb5IIufSc/s1600/This+Quiet+Sky+by+Joanne+Bischof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6B6bMzXKD-ApfjyCLqR7RWB0vmEABfBUulogPEV27cbCBlIvP4oiA4hPJj1TlMScLk6hpbENRZCjOJGyzacQU7ucS4r85lL1UL3xqKsDvAal8M0TbM-wrIjFGLZbgQW2w2Tb5IIufSc/s640/This+Quiet+Sky+by+Joanne+Bischof.jpg" width="408" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">back and re-do,
but to press on and in looking back, only look back with joy and thankfulness
that with each story, in that point of your life, you wrote the book you were
meant to exactly </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade or take-out? </b>Homemade (but I almost wrote take-out)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Email or snailmail? </b>Snailmail. My dad’s a mailman so I’m biased.
And I LOVE sending and receiving cards.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Online shopping or Black Friday deals? </b>ONLINE SHOPPING</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Books or movies? </b>Books! I’m a sucker for Dystopian YA and that is my
great escape.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Note-taker or memorization? </b>Note-taker all the way<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>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?</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh what a question! Hmmm… I’d say that my
favorite book is yet to be published. It’s one that I wrote this year and was
such an intense experience. It was a storyline that I didn’t dare tackle, in a
time of my writing career when I didn’t dare try and write another book….but
them sometimes God has different plans. The story tumbled into my lap at church
in the middle of the sermon and I quickly dug through my purse and found an old
receipt to write the idea down on (sorry Pastor, Joe!).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a subject that I knew very
little about and would require a lot of research. It was also a subject that
pretty much terrified me. I have a dear friend who I confided in and asked her
to talk me out of it. She ended up talking me farther <i>into</i> it and four weeks later, after an utter whirlwind of writing
and simultaneous research, I had a 93,000 word book staring back at me. Despite
the hectic pace, or perhaps because of the pace, it was the most worshipful
writing I’ve ever done. It was a God-thing through and through, each step of the
way. The story is so dear to my heart and I’m dreaming of the day it might be
published.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers can find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/joannebischof">Facebook</a> or at my <a href="http://www.joannebischof.com/">website</a>. Also, I send out a <a href="http://joannebischof.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92b0eb7f643b291a3655856fe&id=fce68948fd">newsletter</a>
3 times a year and in the upcoming Christmas edition, I’ll be giving away some goodies
to subscribers!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh, and I’m on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/joannebischof">Pinterest</a> so if you’re a
pinner, I’d love to clink teacups there!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for having me, Casey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6B6bMzXKD-ApfjyCLqR7RWB0vmEABfBUulogPEV27cbCBlIvP4oiA4hPJj1TlMScLk6hpbENRZCjOJGyzacQU7ucS4r85lL1UL3xqKsDvAal8M0TbM-wrIjFGLZbgQW2w2Tb5IIufSc/s1600/This+Quiet+Sky+by+Joanne+Bischof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6B6bMzXKD-ApfjyCLqR7RWB0vmEABfBUulogPEV27cbCBlIvP4oiA4hPJj1TlMScLk6hpbENRZCjOJGyzacQU7ucS4r85lL1UL3xqKsDvAal8M0TbM-wrIjFGLZbgQW2w2Tb5IIufSc/s320/This+Quiet+Sky+by+Joanne+Bischof.jpg" width="204" /></span></a><strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Joanne's book here! (this is an ebook only contest)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 26th</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-48811889107532260422014-12-12T03:00:00.001-08:002014-12-12T03:00:02.691-08:00It Matters How You Live<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love country music.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, before my jazz-loving, corny-lyric-hater friends click
off this post, allow me to continue. I want to tell you a story. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I do love country music, I am very picky about what I
listen to. And most of the time Pandora gets it spot on, but every once in a
while, they sneak a song in that has me quickly flipping back to Chrome and
hitting the “thumbs down” button. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this time…I stopped. The tune was catchy (really any
country tune is pretty catchy), the crooners’ voices the right mix of twang and
spice. Yes, my ears perked up. Then my brows dropped. The lyrics were far from
what I could call acceptable listening material and I was ready to flip to the
next song, but the lyrics paused me again, for an entirely different reason.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ll give the quick and easy Casey paraphrase: “Prayin’ on
Sunday and cussin’ on Monday…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I listened again and sure enough those same lyrics
repeated themselves. My heart cracked a fissure’s length and I wanted to wave
my hands, stop the music and holler, “wait, that’s not right! Do you realize it
matters how you live? It’s not just today. It’s not just tomorrow. It’s everyday
living in Christ with your life as a blazing flame for Him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But no one was listening to me in that editing room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7wqUzt4sxpQ2fO-GtAPS4xC4kWL4PGMvyqQVURzdgJWcCgxucJN9zb5duqJbu5vTNlC4l_t3jo4JPaK920EeTdpOOJNJT8sTrZ62M33v1xzrOhZDljv0SfydIdqe8ZPx0uaL0tYGUHA/s1600/P1040816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7wqUzt4sxpQ2fO-GtAPS4xC4kWL4PGMvyqQVURzdgJWcCgxucJN9zb5duqJbu5vTNlC4l_t3jo4JPaK920EeTdpOOJNJT8sTrZ62M33v1xzrOhZDljv0SfydIdqe8ZPx0uaL0tYGUHA/s1600/P1040816.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My great-grandfather and grandmother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My great-grandfather was an old salt-of-the-earth farmer. A
bear of a man, he towered over my great-grandmother, with hands like slabs,
calloused out of hours working over the farm ground he loved. He was the iconic overall-clad man of America.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He died years ago when I was tiny—I don’t remember the man
at all. At his funeral my dad asked one of his cousins, “Did Grandpa know and
trust Jesus as his Savior?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why such doubt about my grandfather's salvation? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because Grandpa had one statement to say about church
people: he didn’t smoke. They did. He didn’t drink. They did. From their actions and for all intents and purposes, he lived a cleaner, holier life then they did. What made them any
different than the rest of the world? He didn’t see one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ultimately, his choice for salvation, was just that <i>his</i> choice. He owns that choice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But those “church people’s” lack of living for Christ
greatly influenced my grandfather.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve been called legalistic for my stance on how I believe
my life should be lived: purified and holy in Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve been told it’s
ridiculous for me to expect Christians to walk in this same path of purity and
holiness in Christ <i>all the time</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What do I look back and tell them? <i>How you live your life affects everyone around you</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My grandfather looked at a church and saw a white-washed
tomb. What made them so different that he should change to follow their God?
There wasn’t a difference. So he didn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So you’ll forgive me if I’m on fire. You’ll forgive me when
I look you directly in the eye, lower my shoulders and speak it like it is: it
matters how you live. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let the world, made up of the individuals you run into every
day, see you and see something beautifully </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">different.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Holy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(My grandfather's story doesn't fully end here. Next week, I want to share a sliver of someone's life who <i>did</i> show Grandpa Christ and how it changed the thread work of my family story.) </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-78310589842864319662014-12-08T03:00:00.000-08:002014-12-08T03:00:02.147-08:00Giveaway! The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a3MbhVdqnO0dbsZUpn-kHTDozkrNzHtR3PDzgP122c20yWq7CtFAwqzB8U6VjznS0lBhQcQMcVEnD_-a7RV8o3EXi9sgPcB3XZPnEKZuFLx7DIwoP8DoxWydpH5segTxZsEbw-rALEI/s1600/Melanie-4+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a3MbhVdqnO0dbsZUpn-kHTDozkrNzHtR3PDzgP122c20yWq7CtFAwqzB8U6VjznS0lBhQcQMcVEnD_-a7RV8o3EXi9sgPcB3XZPnEKZuFLx7DIwoP8DoxWydpH5segTxZsEbw-rALEI/s1600/Melanie-4+(5).jpg" height="320" width="276" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ Melanie Dickerson, it is great to have
you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters
and story world?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hi, Casey! I actually started
writing again—I say ‘again’ because I wrote two novels and lots of short stories
and poetry in high school and then quit when I started college—because I was
looking for a job where I could stay home with my kids. As soon as I started
writing again, I was hooked. I knew it was what I was meant to do.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think Redeeming Love by Francine
Rivers really made me see certain situations in a more grace- and mercy-filled
light. It is a powerful story of love.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJscj9K0m2ebmFdhNi1aSQDEB-_AodaQCUlNkx4kyZXHHuBe1bQDkvoEkrFtyfRfB5Cmz0V4WEglnOdi7DPG5zjv2Jdjgx2Kz0TzMjcgC32BDUSjuFNBFn9kyVWV_6cOOHhpx1tHZQJpk/s1600/Princess+Spy+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJscj9K0m2ebmFdhNi1aSQDEB-_AodaQCUlNkx4kyZXHHuBe1bQDkvoEkrFtyfRfB5Cmz0V4WEglnOdi7DPG5zjv2Jdjgx2Kz0TzMjcgC32BDUSjuFNBFn9kyVWV_6cOOHhpx1tHZQJpk/s1600/Princess+Spy+cover.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would tell myself not to quit
writing after high school. I wasted 15 years! Just kidding, sort of, but I wish
I had continued writing in my spare time and had continued learning about
writing and publishing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Homemade or take-out? Homemade. I love to cook (when I have time)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Email or snailmail? Email</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Online shopping or Black Friday
deals? Online shopping!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Books or movies? Both!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note-taker or memorization? Neither? :-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think it might be The Merchant’s
Daughter. I put a lot of emotion into writing that book! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook. I’m always on facebook!
I have a personal page and an author page, and I love interacting with people
on both.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks, Casey! It’s my pleasure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Melanie's here!</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b>For extra entries:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 19th</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-56205253190796218502014-12-05T03:00:00.001-08:002014-12-05T03:00:08.542-08:00Your DREAM (a One-Word Post), Your Purpose is God-Ordained<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMM7Cc8b5E3ODaSzVRzUvg9yZD94vj7aTmDntPUbP9Jxo8f-zsXO7vIsV9K_bTF8ts2VC7PRW-X6qhwhpz7NKHWM1KyH0olB1CGrpLonmSyd2SVQJ_KjZBKGGI6QMj8lB8vqZ57ViyN4/s1600/flower-215565_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMM7Cc8b5E3ODaSzVRzUvg9yZD94vj7aTmDntPUbP9Jxo8f-zsXO7vIsV9K_bTF8ts2VC7PRW-X6qhwhpz7NKHWM1KyH0olB1CGrpLonmSyd2SVQJ_KjZBKGGI6QMj8lB8vqZ57ViyN4/s1600/flower-215565_640.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>For if their purpose
or activity is of human origin, it <b>will</b></i><b> </b><i>fail.
But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find
yourselves fighting against God.</i> Acts 5:38-39 (emphasis mine)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How often to do you stand in the face of a situation or
circumstance and gulp back the fear crowding out your vocal chords and
constricting your chest in a vice grip? How often do you stare down the length of
a dream that seems so very far away and want to turn around and slink back the
way you came?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So often it seems like the easier way out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But we forget that little promise at the top of this post. <i>For if their purpose….their activity is of
God </i>nothing<i> can stop you</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me repeat that for the power behind this simple word:
NOTHING. Nothing can stop you. Not man, though he may try. Not the devil,
though he will definitely do everything within his power to divert your
attentions, your energies—emotional, physical and spiritual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not the uphill climb that at times you think might kill you.
Not the war zone we often feel trapped in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Nothing,
nothing, nothing</i> can stop you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The thing with living this life? It’s not going to be easy.
You’re going to be put into situations that aren’t going to be pleasant. They
are going to stretch and grow you in ways that will often be uncomfortable—even
downright painful! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But God’s plans for
you will not fail. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who can come against God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>There is no wisdom, no
insight, no <b>plan</b> that can succeed against
the Lord.</i> Proverbs 21:30 (emphasis mine)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you walk in confidence in that promise? Do you walk in
faith and surety that any plan man has against you is like fighting against
God?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we all know who wins against the King of Kings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we stop bowing to the world’s pressures, when we stop
cowering in fear at the feet of those who want to see us defeated and we rise
into the confidence God is calling out in us, through His almighty strength we
start to live a different life. We start to live a life that acts out the
promises He put in His word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You have a dream. A passion. A drive. You have a <i>purpose</i>. It’s as unique as who you are. Doesn’t
matter if you’ve been to college or have the highest degree you can attain.
Doesn’t matter if you wipe children’s noses all day or manage the most corporate
of accounts. <i>You</i> have a heavenly
purpose God is going to use if you open your heart and life to His guidance and
direction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The question is: are you going to walk forward believing,
trusting, confident that God’s plans for you will succeed and <i>nothing</i> man has to say against you will
ever gain a foothold?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Man’s arrows only find purchase when you turn your gaze off
God and back to your problems. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pursue those dreams. Fight that battle. March forward in
confidence. Believing that nothing man does can defeat our God’s plans created
for <i>you.</i></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-2742802159765235482014-12-01T03:00:00.000-08:002014-12-01T03:00:08.994-08:00Giveaway! That's Amore by Janice Thompson!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacKNu3qnT8RdgWfisyD_lYRoqnnqb9myd0gITCiBwaiL3EAwe0rBZ6gdIhoL54Ms19oPG_ar0tDUj5iCSHTzfIeLDfIxHQ3Xd4qZdwq3rpyjTPYrVfBmo0VNJCR3XNtBf2fQY3eu8x78/s1600/4968515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacKNu3qnT8RdgWfisyD_lYRoqnnqb9myd0gITCiBwaiL3EAwe0rBZ6gdIhoL54Ms19oPG_ar0tDUj5iCSHTzfIeLDfIxHQ3Xd4qZdwq3rpyjTPYrVfBmo0VNJCR3XNtBf2fQY3eu8x78/s1600/4968515.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to Writing for Christ Janice Thompson, it is great to have you
here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and
story world?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m a playwright at heart, so I’ve
always been fascinated with characters. I can almost envision them coming to
life on the stage or the big screen. I started developing characters as a
child, fiddling with story ideas and eventually stage plays. By the time I
reached adulthood, I was hooked! At first I wrote to fill a need (plays for the
theater company I worked with). After that, my love of books took precedence
and my first few novels were born. My first book (Duty to Die) was published in
2000 and several romances followed. In 2005 my career took off when I
discovered first-person, light-hearted writing. I haven’t looked back!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Narrowing it to one is tough! I
guess if I can only go with one, it would have to be <i>Little Women</i> by Louisa May Alcott. I’ve always been a huge fan of
her lead character, Jo March, in part because of Jo’s fascination with the
written word. Like me, Jo loved play-acting and character-creating. She also
dared to dream that she could pull off a “man’s career” (writing). Her
ink-stained hands proved her right! I aspire to be more like Jo. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing
called writing, what </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrrVIryCF7jP1SUe8pDwRU_FdBTkphVbzxlT5kAjkKLFu-KWlUK_o9goKpHW9YBqjor6Cn44i8oj8UNafmbyL6AKzhpKH1gTgA1WvjjfSN5ZBejoSUg4qiwG8vVZ94BPNE32nlQgEroY/s1600/22436926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrrVIryCF7jP1SUe8pDwRU_FdBTkphVbzxlT5kAjkKLFu-KWlUK_o9goKpHW9YBqjor6Cn44i8oj8UNafmbyL6AKzhpKH1gTgA1WvjjfSN5ZBejoSUg4qiwG8vVZ94BPNE32nlQgEroY/s1600/22436926.jpg" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">would you go back and tell yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If I could really re-do one thing,
it would involve re-thinking my “brand” (what I’m known for). Back in the earlier
days (prior to 2005) I fought the idea of being branded because I thought it
would limit my writing. Once I finally settled on my tagline <i>(“Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters”</i>)
I truly found myself. I wish I’d settled on my light-hearted “brand” earlier on
because it helps define me and also gives me direction for future books. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 preference questions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Homemade or take-out? Homemade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Email or snailmail? Email</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Online shopping or Black Friday
deals? Both! (I spent a small fortune in stores and another small fortune
online! This is what happens when you have eight grandchildren.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Books or movies? I have to choose?
I love movies so much. Like plays/theatricals the story springs to life in
front of me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note-taker or memorization? Note
taker. I’m A.D.D. to the max!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Fools Rush In</i>, my first “Weddings by Bella” book is definitely my
favorite. The idea came from a wedding I was in, one with a real-life Texas
bride and a groom from a large Italian family. Merging those worlds seemed like
so much fun, so I took the idea and ran with it, creating Bella Rossi’s
all-things-Italian family with D.J. Neeley’s
down-home-southern-boy-with-cowboy-boots persona. What a blast!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Places for readers to learn more about you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook: Janice Hanna Thompson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.janiceathompson.com/">www.janiceathompson.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twitter: booksbyjanice</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for being with us today! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are so welcome! Thanks for
having me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Janice's here!</span></strong></div>
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Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-74399620011173115572014-11-28T03:00:00.001-08:002014-11-28T03:00:02.450-08:00When Thank You Just Isn't Good Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtdTE67hOzJXbRBloXOaTVPgi5DZ4fOrYorPgreRIIdEKfe1KTELNPVF83pHsB4Y28-lRQEO9DIIYjzbD39AqFRucTpTCd-Lmu_Nbc0Q0XXTK_Fk1oQfKE7AJoy66M5VMCdjFvmygmn4/s1600/1544455_10205199558610586_6396948293195784729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtdTE67hOzJXbRBloXOaTVPgi5DZ4fOrYorPgreRIIdEKfe1KTELNPVF83pHsB4Y28-lRQEO9DIIYjzbD39AqFRucTpTCd-Lmu_Nbc0Q0XXTK_Fk1oQfKE7AJoy66M5VMCdjFvmygmn4/s1600/1544455_10205199558610586_6396948293195784729_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a night painted in blackened canvas across the sky,
pinpricks of light poking holes and blinking greetings in the shape of the little
dipper and others I wouldn’t be able to point out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God’s creation. Unfathomable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet He loves us. Created us to love him with a passion
and a drive that is almost startling. That we could and would fall in love with
Someone we have never seen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet I only continue to fall in love. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a group of us young people gathered around a
blazing campfire. Often standing too close, stretching out cold fingers and puffing
the smoke of our breath into the air. Laugher ran rampant like a wild thing.
The comforting promise of home cooked food in cast iron over hot coals tempted
growling stomachs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stood on the edges, smiling, the fellowship filling a hungry
void in my soul that had long gone unfilled. And all that ran through my head
was: I’m so blessed. I’m. So. Blessed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessed by these people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessed by their love for God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessed by their desire to honor Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessed by the sheer fact that they have accepted me into
their group. Given me their unfettered </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">friendship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Musical instruments appeared from their hiding place behind
the fatness of tree stumps hauled over for makeshift chairs. We settled in
closer, shoulder to shoulder as the guitars, mandolin and banjos were picked
and tuned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Slowly, gradually, gently, the words of long-favored hymns
filled the air between the tendrils of smoke and the warmth of the
still-blazing fire. And the voices of a dozen people, in love with God, rose in
unison. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Awana favorites. Modern praise and worship songs. The old
hymns often forgotten in today’s typical services. These were our campfire
songs of choice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emotion clogged my throat, bubbling in my chest and an
overflow of gratitude welled in my heart that I can’t, still, put into words.
Gratitude for the hearts of the people around the fire, the sound of our voices
and the knowing that even as we poured out praise to our Creator, I, at least,
was being filled up immeasurably.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw_Dy_e7le6GKvQQpOX4_G-0GorO6F67siMjWpm3ysWnOuEx-NTIs1sMYIlMd_99aNyOkpfT4iBSksbC9VCar53a52VGWpYU5hKT3W01_NwzOX2VsPx9qP-Me7vDubvSFt1xpzP4tfpE/s1600/10402388_10154337055826515_1062190511401747808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw_Dy_e7le6GKvQQpOX4_G-0GorO6F67siMjWpm3ysWnOuEx-NTIs1sMYIlMd_99aNyOkpfT4iBSksbC9VCar53a52VGWpYU5hKT3W01_NwzOX2VsPx9qP-Me7vDubvSFt1xpzP4tfpE/s1600/10402388_10154337055826515_1062190511401747808_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We take these kind of things for granted. Maybe you are part
of a church family already—have been for years. We tend to forget the impact this has on those
looking in <i>and</i> those on the inside.
We get caught up in emotions and politics. What one person has said or done
that we didn’t care for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those things don’t matter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From someone who never, truly, had this promise of
fellowship before, every petty, unimportant thing falls completely by the
wayside and only Jesus in the center of the relationship still stands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love this group. I thank God that I have found and been
found by them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s the day after Thanksgiving. My heart is reflectful. My
mind (and not just my stomach) is full. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have so much to be grateful for. <i>I</i> have so much to be grateful for. This is the season for these two
little words that to me, always seem so shallow to truly touch on how deep my
gratitude lies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But they will have to do. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So…<i>Thank you. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's just going to have to be good enough. </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-91763948169190218072014-11-24T03:00:00.000-08:002014-11-24T03:00:05.860-08:00Giveaway! A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDvm4nRvaipic1HGnHqoMOsHLIEKgdORYxLRO1JFmGWZHnYs1z_JQTEZikmi9C0Cq22Qf_eE_jJ1bp3BWLYLPEpSCVqPokVl6yt8_jNqUtz67_watIEpxzg6wl3Pp80nq0xxmvVe1NlE/s1600/Regina+-+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDvm4nRvaipic1HGnHqoMOsHLIEKgdORYxLRO1JFmGWZHnYs1z_JQTEZikmi9C0Cq22Qf_eE_jJ1bp3BWLYLPEpSCVqPokVl6yt8_jNqUtz67_watIEpxzg6wl3Pp80nq0xxmvVe1NlE/s1600/Regina+-+Photo.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Welcome back to
Writing for Christ Regina Jennings, I am excited to have you here for a second
time. :)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
Thank
you, Casey. I appreciate you inviting me. It’s always nice to get together with
other writers!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>What has
changed in your writing life since you were last here?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
My
writing has fallen into more of a routine. Before I was contracted I wrote when
I had time. Now, it’s part of my schedule, for better or worse. Also, I know
what to expect of the process. I can anticipate what’s coming next with edits
and marketing requests. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
A
new development is that I’m involved in the launch of a small boutique press.
Redbud Press is publishing mid-length romances with three coming out in March
2015. We’re really excited about the authors we’re working with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>What recent
read stood out to you as truly spectacular? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_boZ6q8RZEILqWiHQKoQPWXOeiWCRI1N4ohrZ8Mk_JCuhAiImuyot_YtmJ8oxj6uCPby_Qtp6wuOr8Q3eP9c-q-1lxODwC_pxgvn9nP-cavbGXS0JYwC3q0Yc5Ih7soqh2t55acp0lbk/s1600/A+Most+Inconvenient+Marriage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_boZ6q8RZEILqWiHQKoQPWXOeiWCRI1N4ohrZ8Mk_JCuhAiImuyot_YtmJ8oxj6uCPby_Qtp6wuOr8Q3eP9c-q-1lxODwC_pxgvn9nP-cavbGXS0JYwC3q0Yc5Ih7soqh2t55acp0lbk/s1600/A+Most+Inconvenient+Marriage.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
I’m
just crazy about Stephanie Landsem’s Living Water Series. I was blessed to get
to read an ARC of <i>The Tomb</i> and it
absolutely blew me away. Stephanie writes Biblical fiction so the stories are always
familiar and yet she manages to sneak in at least one honest-to-goodness
surprise in every story. Reading her books always leads to a worship
experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>What do you
find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
My
favorite part of writing is getting to talk about the plot and characters with
other avid readers. Sometimes this happens while I’m plotting, but even better
is when the book releases and I get to introduce these characters I love to my
friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>What do you
find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? :)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
Rarely.
I love to write outside in my front yard beneath the sycamore trees, but it’s
really hard to find that perfect time. In Oklahoma there aren’t many days that
the weather cooperates, and even when it does, it’s hard to find the right time
of day. Usually, it’s too bright to see the laptop, but when it starts to get
dark the bugs hurl themselves against the glowing screen. Gross.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>Okay, something
fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of
time?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
I
think my max has been 3000 words in a day. I should’ve clocked it so I could
tell you how many hours it took, but I usually don’t get very long stretches of
uninterrupted time, so it probably took most of the day. Not very impressive,
huh?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<b>Thanks for
being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">
Thank
you, Casey. You’re a wonderful hostess!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<strong style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Readers, enter to win Regina's here!</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, </span></span><u>you will not win.</u></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For extra entries:</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_boZ6q8RZEILqWiHQKoQPWXOeiWCRI1N4ohrZ8Mk_JCuhAiImuyot_YtmJ8oxj6uCPby_Qtp6wuOr8Q3eP9c-q-1lxODwC_pxgvn9nP-cavbGXS0JYwC3q0Yc5Ih7soqh2t55acp0lbk/s1600/A+Most+Inconvenient+Marriage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_boZ6q8RZEILqWiHQKoQPWXOeiWCRI1N4ohrZ8Mk_JCuhAiImuyot_YtmJ8oxj6uCPby_Qtp6wuOr8Q3eP9c-q-1lxODwC_pxgvn9nP-cavbGXS0JYwC3q0Yc5Ih7soqh2t55acp0lbk/s1600/A+Most+Inconvenient+Marriage.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a follower</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~Be a subscriber</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 12th</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Attn Readers! </b><u>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 </u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125367606156990763.post-47863162820773523072014-11-21T03:00:00.000-08:002014-11-21T03:00:09.045-08:00There Is Nothing Wrong With You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlVi1ZauyMwUScyxIOJFkkIBThacOlwG5dspwWULd4-MChrFRED_9nmfT8wHzSiRe9N9kOLfmPodoOoChP9439ZeHD0DHIxkq7OXCO5jq6FlwdHYGQ58knotq_7NuBfVog3lCALPWlCQ/s1600/sundress-336590_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlVi1ZauyMwUScyxIOJFkkIBThacOlwG5dspwWULd4-MChrFRED_9nmfT8wHzSiRe9N9kOLfmPodoOoChP9439ZeHD0DHIxkq7OXCO5jq6FlwdHYGQ58knotq_7NuBfVog3lCALPWlCQ/s1600/sundress-336590_640.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We often measure success by who notices us, don’t we? It’s a
dangerous trap to fall into, but we all do it. At least, I know I do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We become caught up in measuring our worth against what
other people notice or don’t notice about us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sister, can I be brutally honest with you? At the risk of
being labeled shallow and immature, I’m baring my soul. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I do this cycle of self destruction thinking most often when
it comes to guys. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you’re a young, twenty-something female, eager to move
forward with your life, desiring to find the man you’re going to spend the rest
of your life with, wanting to settle down and start a family, it would seem
that many of the guys you come into contact with become possible suitors. At
least in your mind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You consider who they are. How they act. Maybe what they do
for a living. How they treat other people. The words coming out of their mouth.
The godliness of their daily lives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe you start to think something along the lines of what I
do: <i>This is a person I’d like to know
better</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe you have that ring bought and on your finger already
during this train of thought, but can I dial you back a bit? You’ll only
experience heartache and frustration if you think in far more reaching terms
than just <i>let’s get to know each other</i>.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But about half way through this realization that this is a
person you’d like to know better, he isn’t reciprocating. Nope. To you, it’s
almost like you don’t exist or maybe just don’t matter to him in the same way
that <i>you</i> want to matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can’t speak for what he’s thinking. Maybe he’s trying to
work up the courage to talk to you just as much as you’re over thinking any form
of interaction or connection with him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can only speak for my emotions in those situations and
it’s <i>really easy</i> to spiral down the
path of: <b>what’s wrong with me?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do I have a third alien nostril that only he can see?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is nothing wrong with you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wait. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did you hear me? Let me say it again—repeating just as much
for me as I am for you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is nothing
wrong with you.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And there is nothing wrong with him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where the problem lies is not so often within the person,
but within the emotions and attitudes towards those people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our worth as women and daughters of the King, is not found
in whether the young man in our singles group notices us or not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m not saying we shouldn’t want him too, but we <b>can’t hang our security on what one
particular guy or even a society of people think about us</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Girls, these aren’t just empty words I’m writing on my
screen right now. I’m having to live them in real life color right now. I have
to remember daily—sometimes hourly—that while I do long to find that “Mr. Right”—Jesus
is <i>always</i>, first and foremost, the
only One I should ever measure my worth against. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that’s hard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m not going to be the first to raise my hand and say it’s
easy, because I’d be lying. And I don’t think this struggle is unique to just
me either.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So let me say it again, Sister, and let these words sink
deep within you: <b>God has your future.
Your future spouse. Your future career. Your future dreams. <i>And there is nothing wrong with you</i>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep shining that light for Jesus. The world needs more of <i>you</i>. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the right guy is going to fall in love and pursue that
in you. </span></div>
Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.com7