The love of writing

Do you love what you do? Whether you’re an accountant, doctor, writer, factory worker or a housewife, you have to love what you do. It helps keep you going. I love writing. I also love being an accountant and children’s ministry director. It makes things so much easier when you love what you do.

When I have a story in my brain I look forward to every time I open my laptop. It’s exhilerating just getting the story out to everyone. Maybe what goes through my brain doesn’t appeal to you, but some people like it. According to some of my adoring fans they love it, which for a writer is awesome to hear. That means I’ve accomplished part of my goal and thats to reach someone with my writing. A couple have asked me several times, where on earth do you get all these story lines.

What’s fun is when you’re writing and you actually laugh out loud or wipe tears. One of the stories that I’m working on is a Christian romance that is about grief and going beyond the loss of a spouse to find love again through faith. As I wrote the death scene I kept a box of tissues next to me. I wrote it while thinking of what if this was me. How would I react or feel? How would I handle telling my child? How would I move on from there? It was a very eye opening experience.

That’s what the “Lean on Him” series is all about. It’s to help people realize that faith can get you through life’s many facets. Life throws so many things at us and sometimes we need to be reminded that we are stronger than we think.

Another thing I love about writing is living my characters lives through their eyes. I emmerse myself in the character and imagine the way I’d respond to certain things. I get to live anywhere in the world through my characters. I get to experience things, ride horses, own a ranch, go to Switzerland (childhood dream), and so much more. Through my characters I get to right wrongs, build faith and just be myself. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Fans help make it a wonderful experience also. Hearing from those that love my books helps inspire me. It’s great when someone sends me an email and asks when’s the next book coming out. Some fans keep up with me through this post, my Facebook, Twitter and other areas. It’s awesome to talk to someone from across the world that has been touched by something in one of my books. That makes it so worth every long night, neck strain, finger trauma and everything that comes with being a writer.

So, come join me for the adventure that is a Writer.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

In Memory of my Dad

This is not my usual writing post. Today marks seven years since my wonderful daddy died. He was the kindest man you could meet. He never met a stranger and loved everyone. He could fix anything and everyone called on him to fix anything and everything.

I’ve more than once in the last seven years picked up the phone to call and ask him how to fix something, but then I’d realize that wasn’t possible.

He was taken away from us suddenly. He had a massive heart attack. The funny thing about heart attacks is they don’t discriminate or give warning. He was in great health and we all had joked he would out live us.

As for me I’m comfortable in the knowledge that I’ll see my daddy again one day. He was a man of faith and loved the Lord. I have no doubt where he is. I know he’s looking down from Heaven shaking his head at this post. But I felt I needed to honor him for a day, but in my heart I honor him everyday.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You… and if you still have your father, go hug him today or call him up and just say “I Love You”. That’s the last memory I have of daddy is leaving the night before and he gave me a big hug and said he loved me and I told him back.

Time… A writer’s Nemesis…

Time. We all wish for more time in the day. I don’t know how many times I’ve been working on something and wished for 25 hours in a day instead of 24. Someone told me the other day that I had too many irons in the fire, but I don’t agree.

I love to be busy. It’s a good thing since I’m a wife, mother, Accountant, Children’s Minister, Author and self publisher. Wow, what a list 🙂 Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but then again it’s rewarding.

Everything I do is because of a passion. I’m not the type of person to jump into something that I don’t like to do. Some aspects of my passions are not my favorite things to do, but that’s the nature of the beast.

As a writer you need a little time everyday to put pen to paper or fingers to keys. I love writing and don’t always have those precious minutes to write. I usually write at night when my son is watching television or playing his musical instruments. My husband is usually reading or watching television as I tap away. Some people say, how can you write when the television is blaring in the background, well it’s easy. I go into a world of my own when I write. It’s really scary sometimes how immersed I get.

So, make a plan. Sit down and work out a schedule of your passions. Make sure you give ample time to each one. That’s my goal this week to set up a schedule for writing. I’m going to set aside a little time each day to get that done. It may sound crazy, but in my busy life I need this to stay sane…

First and foremost I have to make sure to put in time for my family and especially for my faith. I have a prayer time everyday which helps me to get through my day. If you don’t you need to try it. It sets the tone for the day.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

P.S. Continue to pray for Oklahoma.

Do you find excitement in what you do?

It’s a simple question. Do you find excitement in what you do? Whether it’s your job, your writing or more importantly your faith. What excites you?

I try to find excitement in everything I do. If I find excitement, I find happiness and it means I’m enjoying myself. Life should be enjoyed as much as possible.

As a Christian I find so much excitement in my faith. I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy being a children’s ministry leader so much. I enjoy teaching children about faith and our Savior. I get so excited when they get it and get saved. It’s just awesome and inspiring.

I get very excited being a parent. Every new thing my son does I get smile of pure pleasure. It’s exciting watching him grow up which is happening way too fast… Sometimes I just sit back and smile. I’m so proud of him.

With my job as an accountant I get excited when things go well, when I get that account balanced or when I get a new client.

With my writing it’s a up and down excitement. There’s the new sale, the new book, the new blog friend or just the new idea that takes over your day.

So get excited today. It makes your day go better when you’re excited about something. If you can’t think of anything to be excited about, then just be excited to be alive.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Excitement and Tears…

I know I’ve already posted my normal daily post, but just had to do this one. It’s a separate post because this one is on my life.

Yesterday was an awesome day at Church. Well, any day at Church can be awesome, you just have to be open to it. But yesterday was above the normal bar. We had a Easter Cantata. For those of you who don’t know what that is, well it’s a music driven play. The Church Praise Band performed several songs and we had video’s to go with them and a speaker in the background. It went really well, and yes I cried. I know you’re not surprised. I’ve always been open to the fact that I cry easily. I’m emotional what can I say and especially when it comes to my Faith.

The second most important thing was two of my wonderful children from the Children’s Ministry were saved last week and they went down front yesterday to make their choice public. Yep, I cried again 🙂 It’s so awesome when children make that most important decision. It makes my job so rewarding. I’m always in awe of how the Lord works in such young lives.

Then since we had rain yesterday, the annual easter egg hunt was held inside in the sanctuary. I was worried about how it would go, but I shouldn’t have been. It went off without a hitch and the children had a blast.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Crying doesn’t show weakness, but strength…

I’ve talked several times about how I cry easily. It’s just a trait I have. A sweet love song, a romantic movie, a faith filled gospel song, or just a memory brought back to life.

In my opinion crying never shows weakness, but the strength to endure. When a song brings on a memory it’s the strength of heart to let your emotions open up. When a sweet romantic scene in a movie brings on emotions, it’s the strength of that emotion that brings on the tears.

Sometimes a sweet memory gets brought on by a smell, a song, a person, or just memories in general. This can bring on a silent tear that also comes from the strength of the memory.

Maybe you think differently, but I can tell you this, it’s the strength that we hide that brings on the tears. The strength of the memory that pours out as life’s sweet tears.

A good author can bring on tears in just a few words. I’ve cried reading before. A book that brings on tears usually get’s read several times and put to memory.

So let those tears flow and show your true strength.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Life…Such an awesome opportunity

I was feeling a little let’s just say down to earth this morning. If you know me then you know I’m always floating around on a cloud of thought and wonder. I’m blonde, what can I say 🙂

Well in this frame of mind I got to thinking of the wonderful opportunities we are given each and every day to make a difference in someone’s life. Maybe not a big difference but at least a little bit of a difference.

As writers we are given the chance to inspire with our words, to educate, or simply to take someone’s mind off the real world if only for a little while. That’s what I think of when I’m writing. What if someone reading my work is needing a reprieve from something? Maybe they’ve suffered a loss and just need to get away for a moment to another world. Maybe they have a bad marriage and just need hope.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we don’t stop to think of others. I see so many different kinds of people from different cultures, different backgrounds and different financial situations in my business. Sometimes I just sit and listen as they tell me their problems. Not real sure why people assume an Accountant is like a bartender, but maybe it’s just I’m a good listener.

I get down on life sometimes, yes even me. Then I think of the horror that a friend may be going through or maybe I think of someone who is terminally ill and I look up and say Thank You and I’m sorry for having self pitying thoughts. I’m sure He looks down and smiles. That’s life. We have our up days and our down days.

I try to give advice when I can, but I’m always careful how I do it. One thing that’s helped me is my Faith. I give it to Him and He helps me through it. Some people don’t know to do this or don’t believe in Faith. I don’t push mine on anyone but I try to be a good example and I do let them know what gets me through the day or rather Who.

When I’m having a difficult day I try to remember it could be worse, a lot worse.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

“I Love You” How do you say it?

As a romance author I’ve studied a lot about romance. I’ve read different view points from very different types of people and cultures. It’s amazing how people say three simple words.

Do you just throw “I Love You” out there constantly?

Do you tell your loved ones when you see them coming or going or both?

Do you say ‘Ditto’ when they say they love you?

Do you put conditions on your love?

Do you feel like you have to buy love?

Does love feel your heart or just roll off your tongue without your heart being involved?

Does you love show in your actions or your eyes?

These are just a few questions to ponder on this day of love, which in my opinion should not be designated for one day but everyday. Love is such a wonderful feeling. Maybe you don’t have someone special in your life, but you still have the capacity to love.

True Love can be found in what Jesus did when He died on the cross for us. Some of you may not get into religion, but for those of us that have faith and believe it’s a love that fills your whole being. It gets you through the hard stuff and gives you pause when things are going great.

When you love, love with your whole heart, your mind and your soul. Give it your all and be ready to apologize when you let it slip. Let people know you love them. Sometimes simple actions mean more than three simple words. Show your love today and everyday.

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Happy Valentine’s Day…

Great News! Read on!

Well, I can’t contain myself. I have just found out that I made it to the 2nd round in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. I am so stoked right now. I entered my romance novel “A Love Never Lost”.

I have squealed and laughed and jumped up and down. Then I realized that if a client came in they would think I’d totally lost it. Then I said I don’t care so I started back. My cheeks hurt from smiling. I know it’s only the second round but that’s huge for me. I thanked God for being with me during the wait. It’s been intense. Now having to wait until March 12th for next results. Fingers Crossed.

Good Writing and May God Bless You!!!

Taking time for ourselves…

Some might say, what does it mean to take time for myself. It’s funny when my accounting clients come into the office and see my books on the table beside my desk. At first they glance at them and then they do a double take. The look that comes over their face is priceless. What’s unsettling is they look at me seriously and say when do you have time for this? Will this affect what you do for me?

I actually laugh when they say that. I look at them and say ‘I don’t live in this office 24/7. I do have a family, a home and need time for myself. I shake my head and think don’t you take time for yourself. Why is it that people expect you to live for them? Just because I take care of your accounting does not mean that I live to do only that.

I realized last year during tax season that I was spending too much time catering to everyone but myself. I would spend 12 to 15 hours in my office working. What hit home was when one night I was pulling a late night and my hubby and son came to the office to visit me. That’s what they called it. I felt horrible. Then my doctor (A good friend) told me I needed to start taking more time for myself. He reminded me I was middle aged. I do not consider 44 middle aged, but evidently he does.

So I started right then and there staying in the office less, taking on less responsibilities and living life. God gave me this wonderful life and He didn’t promise me tomorrow. So why was I spending my life behind a desk. The next night I was in the house and cooking dinner when my family got home from work and school. My husband walked back out the door and came back in. He said he thought he went to the wrong house. My son was excited to have me home for a change. It took five years off my life.

Then I started publishing my books. That made me start looking at my future. I know I can’t do taxes and accounting forever. I love my job don’t get me wrong, but tax preparation can be down right frustrating with the changing laws and constant issue drama. So I decided to start making little changes like turning over more stuff to my assistant. Some work days we spend the whole day just searching ideas for new book covers or research of the next book. That’s something I would never have done this time last year. It has helped my health, my home life, my work life, and especially my sanity. Well, maybe not my sanity, I’m not a sane person, but who is if you really get down to it 🙂

So start today, this minute thinking of yourself. Give yourself some time. Start spending some time each week just for yourself. Take a bubble bath, read a good book, take a leisurely walk, play a game with your family, watch a sappy movie or just sit and watch the clouds go by. But live like today is it. Live like you have no tomorrow. Love more intensely, take romance to another level and hug your child more than just when they are leaving for school. (Hint, if you have a teenager it might be met with a ‘really mom’ but do it anyway.)

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!!!