The mind of a writer!

The road we take as a writer is not always beautiful and lyrical. Most of the time it’s frustrating, nail biting, and down right scary. As I sit and watch the light mist fall outside my den window, I ponder what makes a good writer, what makes a bad writer?

The mind of a writer takes on several layers. A writer can swing from one emotion to another rapidly. It’s funny how quickly things change in the mind of a writer. I know personally I have had an idea about how a book would go and suddenly halfway through it takes a different turn. Sometimes I sit back and say “Wow, didn’t see that one coming” then I laugh to myself, why would I say that knowing it came from my own mind. Sometimes I think I have two brains, one the inner writer and two the outer person.

As a writer you usually see a story out of the simplest thing. I picked up a beautiful bright yellow leaf and looked at it. My mind exploding with possibilities. I traced the veins with my brain, suddenly thinking about a story line about the road less taken or maybe even a story line of the winding roads of life. Yep I got all that from a leaf.

Last night I was helping my son feed the dogs and he picked up a bowl outside and grabbed a slug. He immediately said, “Gross!” I immediately thought of a story about a person being a complete slug and how they pulled themselves out. This being thought of as I showed my son what happens to slugs as salt is sprinkled on them. Now that’s scary.

At Christmas time I get nostalgic and that brings on a wave of new writing possibilities in my mind. I can’t seem to stay on the same piece of work, I’m constantly swinging from one to the other. My mind saying you’ve got to do this, not that.

Don’t get me started on how music effects my writing. I have a long writing playlist. I use this while writing. It inspires me. It ranges from classical, country, classic rock, love, and just plain crazy. That might be my next blog post, the playlist of a writer.

Well, I’m through rambling. Aren’t you glad? As always good writing and if it comes through your head, write it down immediately and spread it into a story. You never know. May God bless and keep you.

Feels like winter in the south.

Well we are feeling winter on our heels. Can’t believe a hurricane is in the area. Crazy weather. The wind is brisk here in Georgia and definitely a lot cooler.

If you read my blog then you’ll know yesterday was my church’s big Fall Festival. Boy that was a treat. We had a great turn out, but the cold weather was crazy. The wind was whipping around us and we couldn’t keep things on our tables. We could have filmed a commercial for duct tape. I kept a roll around my wrist. I had everything duct taped down.

We did a bubble station with several different kinds and shapes of bubble wands. The kids only had to load the bubbles and hold them in the air. The wind would send bubbles flying everywhere. It was a definite blast.

Well, getting the fireplace ready this week for the coming winter. Expecting a possible first frost in the morning. Burr!!!

To all my blog friends in Sandy’s path, we are praying for your safety and Sandy’s quick retreat.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you!

Well if you have read my profile, you know I’m a children’s minister. It has been a wild ride I can say that. There’s never a dull moment. You go from laughing to amazement to fear in just a few moments. When God made me He added an extra dose of patience, or at least that’s what people say.

Today was one of those days. Usually on Sunday I just teach children’s church which takes place during adult church. Today was my day to also teach the preschool class during Sunday School. They are just funny. Their attention spans last about five minutes, ten if you are extremely lucky. I thought well I will teach about Balaam and his talking donkey. Thought that would keep their interest, WRONG! I finished the story and they played three sessions of musical chairs. I finally gave in and took them out to the playground. Well being Fall in the south you never know how the temperature will be. Let’s just say the wind was blowing my hair over my head and I was freezing. Not the kids though.

Then children’s church started. Had four visiting children along with my regular wild crew. I have the 1st through 5th grade class. Well the music and worship went well, but the closing prayer was a real hoot. One of the boys decided he wanted to pray, started off well, but by the time he ended you could not hear him. I just grinned and took them back out in the wind.

Everything was going well as the preschoolers class let out and they came out too. The other teacher and me and my helpers were talking watching the kids. I constantly do head counts as it is a horror of mine to lose a child. Well, guess what, I lost a child today. One of the visiting children. His mom came out to pick up her two boys and one came running up but not the other. Well I started calling for him and the other children looked so innocent. That should have been my first clue. The mother and I went inside looking in the restroom and then as we started back outside he walked in smiling totally happy with himself. He had been hiding on the playground.

Needless to say I was beyond upset. I looked at the mother and begged apologies. I guess she went through this a lot because she patted my arm and smiled. I had to sit down. It was not a good feeling.

Some days it comes to either you laugh or you cry.

Have a great night to all.

Tax Season over tomorrow!!!

Well, another tax season is coming to a close. As I sit here in my office putting the finishing touches on yet another procrastinators return I wonder “why do I do this every year?” I guess because I love accounting. There is something about working with numbers and solving problems that just pulls me in. I do wish the IRS would get a handle on how they want to handle Accountants. They are constantly changing things and every year my tax books get thicker and thicker. It can get a little hectic around the office.

I guess that’s why I’m enjoying writing so much. I get to lose myself in another world for a little while every day. Well almost every day. Sometimes I can’t wait to get lost in another person’s life. I will be sitting at my desk figuring out plots and what will happen next. It’s so sad the life and mind (or lack of) of a writer. We are always churning out a story from everything we see. I can see someone on the street that is intriguing and BAM! a story comes to mind. I know, I have a problem, but if it publishes and sells books…

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday evening, or what’s left of it. Tomorrow it is back to school for my son. He has been out on Fall break. Man that clock is going to be terrible sounding at six in the morning. Oh well, life goes on. Good writing and My God Bless you tonight!

It’s Friday! Thank Heavens!

If you haven’t looked at your calendar, it’s Friday! I always feel a since of relief when Friday rolls around. Although Friday in an accounting office can be pretty hectic with payroll. After payroll is done though it gets pretty laid back.

On Friday it is a day to summarize the week and get ready for the weekend. I start figuring out what I will take care of on Saturday. Top of the list is house cleaning (and mine is desperately in need) and then there is my writing. Saturday is the day I do most of my writing. I wait until I have everything done, then I sit down and relax with my laptop and my current manuscript. I get giddy on Friday waiting on that special time when I can make my books come alive in my mind.

Think about the feeling you get when you look at the clock and it’s 4:30 on Friday. Your heart flips a little as you realize the weekend is only thirty long minutes away. You start watching the seconds count down. (My grandmother always said that makes time go slower to watch the clock or more precisely she said “A watch pot never boils.” Smiling at memory) Well I started when I got up this morning watching and waiting.

So have a wonderful Friday and remember the weekend starts in a couple of hours. As always good writing and may God bless you!

When Love is Rekindled…

Have you ever had a love in your life that you gave up? Did you always wonder what would have happened if you would have given that love a chance? What if there was more to the story? What if you had a good reason to step away from that love? Well, your heart will never be the same….

Check out an excerpt from the 2nd book in the “Flames of Love” Series, my current writing project, “Rekindled Flames”, it may have you thinking about that love that you gave up.

“As we lay our dear friend to rest, let’s reflect on his life for a moment.” As Lydia listened to the pastor start on her father’s great life, she lowered her head. It was hard to believe he was actually gone. As she tried to get her head straight, she felt as if someone was burning a hole in her from their stare. She’d been getting a lot of weird looks since she had come home for the funeral.

She finally decided to look up and as she gazed across the top of the grave, she locked eyes with the man that had haunted her dreams for the last two years. She knew she must have gasped because her mother reached over and grasped her hand. She looked quickly around at her mother. She was looking at Randy too. Her mother and father were the only two people on earth who knew her secret. They were well aware how fragile it was to her.

She decided that she needed to face the reality of the fact that he was at her father’s funeral. Didn’t she halfway expected it? He had gotten to know her father as their friendship blossomed. Her mind drifted back about four years and she had to close her eyes to hold back the pain. It still hurt badly.

What? Did you think I was going to tell all? Can’t do that, not yet. For one reason it is not yet finished and another reason is that it would give away the story. I am excited to continue this series. It was a special one for me. I hope you enjoyed the small excerpt. If things work out well, it will be finished soon, that is if I don’t have writers block.

As always, have a wonderful Tuesday and good writing. May God bless and keep you.

Decisions filling my head…

As I give “A Love Never Lost” it’s final once over, I contemplate the decision at hand. Now what? I have about 12 novels started and they are all fighting for first place in my mind. Do I go with the historical romance that is 1/3 of the way completed, or the paranormal one that my editor is wanting yesterday, or do I go with one of the others?

It’s funny how a writer’s mind works. I am going to sit down with my notebook that has all the manuscripts printed and screaming at me. As I work in my accounting office, the “Notebook” sits beside me constantly murmuring “finish me, finish me.” I know sounds like I am losing it, but as a writer, I have to listen to the voices in my head. That’s where the stories come from.

So as I start this Thursday morning, I smile and sip my coffee. I slowly peruse the pages of “A Love Never Lost” and get ready to jump into one of the 12 feet first. It’s a poignant moment for me. I still feel sad, but excited that my new baby is getting ready to take it’s first step into publication.

The video trailer is already on Youtube. Just look for Stephanie Hurt and check it out. I have 4 others on Youtube, so check them out. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a decision and another published novel. Have a wonderful day to all my followers and as always good writing and may God lead your words!

Somber day in America!

This is a day to remember those that lost their lives 11 years ago. I remember exactly what I was doing that day. I was so excited because I had moved into my new home office that was separate from the house the day before. My son was only two. We were watching “Little Bear” and my aunt called to tell me to turn the tv on the news.

I remember sitting there holding my son crying for those poor people. I looked down at my son and thought, he will never see the world that was before 9/11/01. It will be forever changed in this one moment in time. I was right. Somehow I managed to keep him calm, but my heart was aching.

This is for all of those that lost someone on that tragic day. Freedom will always ring true, love will stay in your heart, and justice will be served, either on this earth, but mostly at the feet of our Savior. May God bless and keep you.

Summer’s almost over, Bring on Autumn!

Well, it’s official, Labor Day weekend is here. I always feel this refreshing giddiness during Labor Day weekend. I look forward to the crisp Autumn air and the beautiful palette of colors that God uses to color the many trees in front of my house. Case in point, picture above is front yard last fall. I always feel good, knowing the hot, humid southern summer is almost over. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer too, but after two months of 1oo degree days, bring on Autumn!

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. There are so many festivals and fairs to attend. There’s the annual trip to the North Georgia Mountains. Also, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. My favorite time of year! I walked in the grocery store this week and was assailed with the scent of cinnamon. It took me to another time and place. I was suddenly humming “Jingle Bells”. My son just looked at me and laughed. Then he told me to hum quietly, someone might hear me.I obliged since he is not feeling well. He is coming down with a dreaded summer cold, as am I. Good thing it will be a three day weekend

With this renewal of spirit, I plan to have a write-a-thon this weekend. I have set a goal to finish one of the manuscripts I am working on. It is lovingly entitled “New Book” and no I am not leaving it named that. I hope the name will come to me as it progresses. This is one of those books that just keeps evolving with every chapter. It will be the longest novel I have written so far. I was surprised when I actually looked at the page count. I am already at 125 pages and nowhere near the climax or the ending.

My assistant is busily working on my 4th video trailer. She has promised to strangle me if I work on one of my other manuscripts in process. I am excited about this new book. Hopefully by Monday afternoon I will have a completed manuscript, ready for editing and cover design.

So, Happy Labor Day to all! Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend and for those of you from other countries, go ahead and consider yourself honorary Americans and take the weekend to enjoy life!

Free on Smashwords.com & yada yada

Man, you offer something free and people go crazy! But that is a good thing. I have received a couple of good reviews from my two free books offered on Smashwords. It has been crazy how the downloads have just multiplied.

Check them out, what can it hurt, they are free. Do you hear me FREE!

Now for the yada yada part!

My assistant reminded me yesterday that the new season of Ghost Hunters will start soon. That is great considering True Blood season ends this Sunday. SO Sad!!! Just finished watching the last in the new Dallas season. Can’t believe they brought it back, but really glad. I spent a nail biting summer several years ago waiting to see Who shot JR? (That ages me doesn’t it?) Some of you are probably saying JR who?

Spent most of the night listening to my son’s hermit crabs knocking their shells against their cage. My mind here lately has been on finishing the books I have started. Not good since I am an accountant and run a business helping others keep their business straight.

I am excited about the new books. My assistant is chomping at the bit for me to finish them. She has read what has been written on them and she said I leave her just dangling in the wind. Sorry Kaleigh!

Well, until my next post, have a blessed day and remember that God loves you no matter what!