Sticky Note: Everlasting Path of Promise

Though the way may be difficult at times, the path before you is an everlasting path of promise, and God will never let go of your hand. When you cannot see ahead of you and you've lost your sense of direction, don't hold hands with doubt and confusion -- hold more firmly to the only hand that knows the way.

Karla Dornacher from Down a Garden Path

A Writers Life by Dasha the Kitten

A Writer's Life by Dasha

A writer's life isn't all comfort.

Reading is Refreshing

The last few weeks have been pretty tough for my family as we have awaited a battery of test results on my step-dad's recently diagnosed lung cancer. This week has been hard as he was admitted to the hospital, but even though that wasn't a good thing, it expedited us getting more information on him.  The actual diagnosis is stage 2 adenocarcinoma. I was there visiting with my son when the doctor came in to inform my parents. It was very sobering, to say the least, to hear this directly from the doctor. Because of my step-dad's many health problems (cardiac, diabetes, etc., etc.) he is not a candidate for surgery.  We haven't received his prognosis from the oncologist yet, but it isn't very optomistic.

Childhood Inspiration: The Velveteen Rabbit

The Veleveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real (1922) is a favorite child's story of mine which I think I appreciated more as an adult as I read it to my own children.

Longing to be authentic is at the core of most human beings, and apparently at the core of one little velveteen bunny according to author Margery Williams.

This is how I have often felt as a writer.  Writing is something I have always enjoyed. It is a part of me. I

was  born with this inherent desire to write, create, to put what was on my mind and in my heart on paper.  Being such a personal thing, writing didn't necessarily seem anything particularly special or worthy of sharing with others.  Yet  through the years that desire became apparent as well. When I started to realize that the ideas were not from me alone, but a gift of the one who created me, I began to consider that perhaps he might want me to share at least some of them with others.

Childhood Inspiration: Joan Walsh Anglund

I was one of those curious and thoughtful little girls. I always had a question and was a little philosopher. So naturally, the books of author and illustrator Joan Walsh Anglund captured my interest. I just loved, and still do, her adorable illustrations and interpretive prose.  My favorite was "What Color Is Love" (published in the 1966) was a favorite. I think I liked this one in particular so much because it made me wonder and made me wonder what others thought.  And although it may sound silly, I truly believe this little book influenced my writing.

Childhood Inspiration: Harold & the Purple Crayon

When I was just a little girl I had a strong connection with a certain little boy named Harold. He was an inspiration to me. I remember riding my bike up to the library in town and take out Harold and the Purple Crayon books by Crockett Johnson. (This, of course, being back in the day when you could let your kids ride up town unattended by an adult.) I also watched him on TV.

I loved Harold because all that boy needed was a crayon and a little imagination. He was wide eyed and saw things around him in a special way (I also think he was ADD like me). He could take a blank surface and turn it into a landscape. He could go anywhere his little heart desired. And did. He had all kinds of adventures and those who dared went with him. I know I did. Harold could imagine anything. And because he could, I knew I could too!

I often think of Harold when I put my own "crayon" in my hand. Ask myself where my character is going, what do they imagine, what can't they see yet, how are they going to solve this problem, how do I get them out of that corner I wrote them into (I write them out of it!), etc.

Harold’s world was limited only by his imagination . . . and a crayon. A purple one. What color is your crayon? Here's mine.

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible – and you try to make others feel at ease. You’re very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows!Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

Find Out What Color Crayon You Are

Watch Harold and the Purple Crayon

Crockett Johnson Bio
Crockett Johnson’s Books: The Harold Series
Geoff Klock on Harold and his purple crayon

 Now it's Your Turn . . .  Who was your childhood inspiration?

Great Ideas

Fellow writers picture this.  I'm laying in bed reading with delight Catherine Palmer's The Courteous Cad. Hubby's by my side engrossed in a Ted Decker trilogy.  My cat is comfortable in her little niche on my other side. New kitty is snuggled under the covers on top of me. Both are purring in purrrfect harmony.You can't get any cozier than this. All of a sudden I get a great revelation about one of my stories and I must write it down, lest the moment pass me by. Notebook and pen are beside me on the floor, but I'm trapped in my bed.  No one in this room was going to budge.  I needed my notebook! I called out to the other room for my son to come to the rescue. "Could you do me a big favor? I need my notebook and pen on the floor right there. I can't reach it." As he handed them to me he shakes his head and chuckles. After two pages of jotting down my notes I returned to my novel. Life is good.

Where are you when you get some of your great ideas?

Ultimate Blog Party Winner

Thank you for everyone who partied with me during 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party!   I made lots of new friends and found lots of great new blogs.  I wish I could give each and everyone of you a prize.   I submitted the 80 entries for my contest at random.org. and the winnner of the ULTIMATE BOOK LOVERS GIFTBOX is Jess at It's All About the Savings!! 

 

True Imagination

click to open and save

Who Are They: 10 Publication Roles

Have you ever wondered what the correct terms are for various roles in the publication proccess? Here is a brief glossary that help explain some of the roles of those involved in the process of bringing a manuscript to life.






Critique partner (aka Critter) -  A peer who reads a manuscript with a critical eye and provides valuable feedback that will help the author improve grammar, spelling, style, continuity, genre guidelines, etc.

Beta Reader - (Alpha being the author) A reader who is not necessarily a writing professional, who will read the finished manuscript prior to submitting it to a publisher for the purpose of evaluating the book from a general reader's perspective and provide feedback on the story as a whole including readability, quality, and any areas that still might require adjustment.

Book Reviewer - One who will read and review book objectively for the purpose of providing an  brief summary and honest opinion of the book to share publicly for the perusal of those who may consider reading that book.

Advanced Book Reader - Books that are sent to industry professionals and professional reviewers from literary magazines, etc. who will have an opportunity to print a pre-release review of the material.

Endorser - An author who agrees to read a book prepublication at the request of an author. agent, or publisher for the purpose of providing support through a qualifying comment on the quality of the work, shown in a positive light.

Influencer - Someone who agrees to participate in positively promoting a book by sharing a review, interview, on book store & book review websites, social media, and or their blog.

Literary Agent -An agent's job is to determine if your subject has a market they can help you reach. They serve as a liason for the author to the publisher by submitting manuscripts, negotiating contracts, providing marketing advice, and many other essential aspects of communication and marketing.

Editor - An editor reviews book manuscript submissions and considers if the book will be a viable project for the publishing house and champion the project within the publishing house before an editorial review board for final consideration. Editors take the manuscript and turn it into a polished product ready to be printed and market ready. They address the overall structure and organization including character and plot development, pace, organization, subplots, character motives, tone, etc.

Copy Editor - The copyeditor works on the book at the manuscript stage, marking grammatical and spelling mistakes, querying inconsistencies, conflicting information, and awkward phrasing, verifying facts, preparing a style sheet, and keymarking the manuscript for design.  They make sure the manuscript is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent.

Proof Reader  (aka line editor)- The proofreader works on the book at the galley proof or page proof stage, comparing every word of the manuscript with every word of the proof, verifying correct word breaks, making sure that all editorial changes were input, and (with some publishers) verifying that elements were set according to design specifications.

Do you have anything to add or clarify to this list?
Who are your favorite publishing peeps! I'll tell if you do.

5 Minutes for Mom: Ultimate Blog Party 2010

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting their annual Ultimate Blog Party 2010. If you don't know about 5 Minutes for Mom it's an awesome site with so many great resources for Moms and for all Women to enjoy. Their 5 Minutes for Books and 5 Minutes for Giveaways always interest me!

Ultimate Blog Party 2010 features loads of great prizes so be sure to hop on over after your done reading this post.  Some of the ones I'm hoping to win are:
 

Toshiba Satellite Laptop - Grand Prize from 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party
US11 – A $100 gift eCertificate to Restaurant.com, immediately redeemable online at over 13,000 restaurants nationwide from Amy LeForge of Earnest Parenting
USC 25 -$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card-online or in store from Baba’s Farm Life
US31 – A $20 Amazon gift certificate from Jennifer Sikora  at For Such a Time as This
USC 47 – 4-week eCourse: “Change Your Thinking. Change Your Life.” 4 full weeks of audio and written lessons from Life Coaching for Christian Women delivered to you daily to help you grow closer to God. Valued at $29.95 from Life Coaching for Christian Women
USC 63 –  “Bath and Body Works” Gift Card worth $20 from Tree Lindsay at Mommies Faves
USC 3 – A $50.00 Target Gift Card from Peggy Gorman

As a party favor I'm offering a prize! It's an ULTIMATE BOOKLOVERS GIFTBOX which will include a couple of Christian novels and items for booklovers and writers including writers tools/office supplies ($35 value)!  Sorry no pic, but I promise you'll be thrilled!

To be eligible you MUST comment and do at least one of the following. For extra entries you may do as many others actions from the list as you like, but you must let me know what they are in your comments.

Follow Writing to Distraction (w/feedblitz or my follow badge)
Add Writing to Distraction  Badge (see my sidebar for code)
Link to Writing to Distraction in your blog roll or side bar
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Retweet this post
Link to this post on your Facebook page
Visit 5 Minutes for Mom

 

About this blog and my writing:

When my boys (Justin & Brandon) were little I started writing stories for them and we acted them out. I shared some of those stories with many other children. Many of them "illustrated" some of the stories and characters. It was so much fun!  I've also encouraged my sons and one of my step-daughters to write.  When the boys were little and had their own stories to tell I wrote down the words.  As they got older they wrote down their own stories and one of my step-daughters even turned them into plays.  I've kept and treasured many of them that they did just for fun or in school (homeschool  & public).  Sometimes at  family gatherings we read aloud some of these stories that they wrote  and illustrated when they were little - now that they are young adults this is a lot of  laughs.

Writing for me has been a great outlet as a mom. It was a way to record some of those family memories (I wrote poems about the boys at each age, and family poems).  I wrote to encourage other moms (I used to put out a "Moment for Mom" newsletter).  And I wrote to nurture myself (journaling, poetry, articles, and stories for grownups). Now that the kids have grown I finally have time to consider writing as a career and am working on a historical fiction novel. I blog all about it here on at Writing to Distraction! I'm so glad you've stopped by!

Don't forget to comment to be eligible for the prize! 
Are you a writing mom?  I'd love to hear about it. :)

Sticky Notes: Prayers

God has editing rights over our prayers. He will... edit them, correct them, bring them in line with His will and then hand them back to us to be resubmitted.

~ Stephen M. Crotts,

Words of Hope

Dr. Rev. Augustus Wilmont Dowdy, Jr., retired minister, author, and a founder of the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers in the 1990's (my local writing group), went home to be with the Lord last week.  He went in for treatment options for his newly discovered cancer and passed away just two days later.

Wil was the author of a ministry book entitled "Phone Power: Using the Telephone in Ministry" which was published by Judson Press in 1974. Although technology has increased much since then, the phone is still a powerful ministry tool. He also wrote numerous articles and had the priveledge of interviewing Maria Von Trapp (Sound of Music) and penned her life story for Christian Life magazine.

April Writing Prompt & Giveaway

It's time for the April Writing Prompt & Giveaway! 

This month I'd like to issue a challenge.  Dig out something that you wrote long ago.  You've most likely aquired new writing skills since then.  Take another look at it and do a little revising.  When the piece is ready, share it below on with Mr. Linky so we can all enjoy it.

You can win a prize similar to this just for participating! Please see official rules and prizes.

Considering the Resurrection

If my thoughts were more profound I would share them here.  As it is, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the simplicity of the gospel, yet awed by the complexities  that it contains.  This is one of those times.  So I offer a few words of others followed by my favorite Bible chapter on the resurrection.

“Christianity is not merely a religion that was marketed well with just the right political spin by gifted writers. It is a living, breathing, ongoing conversation between God, humanity and all creation empowered by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (William J. Carl, Living Pulpit, March 1998, p.6)

“Some religions, both ancient and modern, require no historical basis, for they depend upon ideas rather than events. Christianity is not one of these.”
(A Short Life of Christ by E. F. Harrison, 1968)

“Jesus Christ alive from the dead is the answer to all the broken dreams, the collapsed hopes of your life and mine, the pressures that we feel from day to day, the sense of our failure and the inability to perform as we would like to perform.”  (Ray Stedman, The Living Hope, March 1976)

One chapter.    It says it all . . .

Where I'm From Entries!

Your'e going to love these! Here are the entries for the March Writing Prompt/Giveaway "Where I'm From" poems. They are all wonderful and I hope you'll take the time to read each of them. I hope they'll inspire you to write your own poem.

The winner of the random drawing among eligible entries is . . . Darlene! Darlene has won a photo box of writing goodies. Thanks to all of you for participating. April's prompt/giveaway begins on Monday, April 5th.

Where they're from . . .

1. Sonia Parham
2. Deborah
3. Carla Gade (me)
4. Daphne Tieman
5. Darlene Franklin