All New and Fresh and Shiny...

Welcome to 2009!

The beginning of a new year is always daunting to me. So many things I want to do, so many things I want to reflect on. . . where to start?

First:

2008 was a good year because...

job i love
book contract
old friends
new friends
new city
and the list could go on

But rather than bore you with a highlight reel of my 2008 I will instead tell you what I hope for 2009.

Some are sort of resolution-like, others are just plans.

1. Finish book #1 (okay, this is sort of unfair since it is almost finished and is due on Monday--but it will feel good to check it off the list)

2. Finish books #2 and #3 (whew! I am finding that writing is an emotional experience. Never really realized that until recently. So this means I am likely to be an emotional basket case for much of 2009...haha!)

3. I have a HUGE list of books I want to read. I have a confession. I've never read Jane Austen. Not a single page of anything she wrote. So at the top of my list, once I've turned in my book on Monday, is to read Jane Austen.

4. I'm going to get serious about becoming a homeowner. Yep. It's about that time. I'm nearly a grown-up, after all.

5. I want to run in 2 5Ks this year. I completed one in 2008--so I'd like to double that in 2009.

6. I want to have less stuff in 2009. I'm due for a big old yard sale. And then...the stuff that goes away won't be replaced. This includes shoes, jeans and dresses. I seem to have a problem with those 3 items. I buy them in bulk.

7. Travel. It has been eons since I've been on vacation. So 2009 is the year of the trip. Plane, train, or automobile--I don't care. Have baggage, will travel.

8. In 2009, I will get out of my comfort zone a little more. Try some new things. Meet some new people. Really, I will.

9. I will cook more. Hopefully while wearing vintage aprons (which are what I want for my upcoming birthday). And when I cook, I will invite other people over to enjoy it. (see #8)

10. Finally, but also most importantly, I will be a better student of God's word in 2009. My faith needs sharpening and there is no better time to start than today.

Okay, there are some of mine. How about you? Anything in particular you hope to do in 2009?

And because I simply couldn't resist, the song of the day is a beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne.

Happy New Year!

This Christmas...

All I want for Christmas is...

1. Words. The right ones. Both for my manuscript and my everyday life.

2. Peace. On earth, in my life, etc. Just that general Peaceful Easy Feeling that I hear so much about.

3. Contentment. This is somewhat elusive in my world. Just when I'm content, something happens to make me discontent. :) I just might have a special gift for making things harder than they need to be.

4. And along those lines...Simplicity. Although on second thought, maybe not so much. I say I want things simple, but seem to thrive best on Complicated.

5. My family. Games, food, laughter. Funny how now that I'm "all grown up" Christmas with my family becomes less about gifts and more about time.

6. My friends. Oh how blessed I am. I stood in the kitchen tonight and gazed at my fridge, which is adorned with Christmas photo cards from them. I'm a lucky girl for sure.

7. Time. It goes too fast for my liking. I went to bed and it was January and now all of the sudden, we're nearing the end of December. What happened? I look back and am astounded at how quickly the year went. Note to self: Live in the moment.

8. Boldness. I need a little bit of bold for Christmas this year. No more doormat. But not so assertive as to make me brazen or harsh.

9. Spontaneity. I need some of this too. Just a tad. To keep me out of a rut.

10. Organization. This should be on everyones Christmas list this year. I think with a little more organization, I'd get more of #7. Which would give me more #5, #6, and #9.

Okay, that's about it. You think Santa can come through for me?

The song of the day is Mistletoe by Colbie Caillat.

Fearless

Life is scary.

Seriously. Crazy things happen to people. Cars crash. An unexpected diagnosis changes lives forever. People go postal and innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire.

I know. I sound a little paranoid, huh?

But I've been thinking lately about taking risks. As those of you who are familiar with me and my blogs know, I am not a fan of change. And I've had a lot of that lately. New city, new house, new job, new friends, new church, and the list goes on and on and on.

Sometimes it is hard to take a chance on the unknown, isn't it? Whether it is moving to a new city, going on a date with someone new, or just finding the courage to finish that book...it is always scary. At least it is for me.

Once I spoke in chapel during Homecoming week at my alma mater. One of the pieces of wisdom I imparted to the college students in the audience was "I'd rather regret something I did, than something I didn't do." I think sometimes I need to remind myself of this concept. (and notice the quote at the bottom of this blog--apparently Mark Twain and I see eye to eye!)

So this week, I promise to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. Take some risks. Finish writing some chapters even though sometimes the very fact that someone will actually read them next October freaks me out a little!

The song of the day/week/month (depending on how long it takes me to blog again!) is Fearless by Taylor Swift.

And for your amusement (and because LOVE quotes) here are a couple that I thought were applicable:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.--Mark Twain

The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. --Theodore Roosevelt

To Err is Human...

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." Lewis B. Smedes

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Mahatma Gandhi

So the big theme of the book I'm working on is turning out to be forgiveness. And I have to say, that was a bit of a surprise! I knew all along forgiveness was key, but didn't realize how pivotal it was really going to be.

Forgive. Seems like such an innocent little word, doesn't it? But it is a hard concept. At least for me. In the writing of some particular scenes, I had a horrible realization. I've been holding on to a lot of bitterness. Even a little anger. Let's just say it was quite cathartic to allow my heroine to let go of hers. In a way, I think I sort of learned to let go of mine.

I did have some help though. I happened to hear a fantastic sermon on forgiveness. Have you ever felt like the preacher was talking to you? Like he might as well just come stand right in front of you, point and say "This sermon was written especially for you, so listen." Well that was the uncomfortable position I found myself in a couple Sundays ago. The scripture was Ephisians 4:31--"let go of all bitterness, rage and anger." He asked us why, if God could keep forgiving us for all of the dumb stuff we do--why do we have such a hard time forgiving each other? Good point, huh?

So there you have it. Much easier said than done, I know.

The song of the day is "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley--because as he so profoundly implies, forgiveness is really the heart of the matter. I like this song so much that I've included some of my favorite lyrics:

There are people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby; cause life goes on
You keep carryin' that anger; it'll eat you up inside, baby

Celebration!

Talk about overwhelming!

I attended the ACFW Conference in Minnesota last week—it was fantastic!

The speakers were wonderful, I met tons of authors, and really learned a lot.

The highlight was Friday after lunch. The editors from Barbour got up in front of the crowd to hand out contracts to 3 prospective authors in the audience. And believe it or not, I was one of the three!

Have you ever been in a moment that you just knew was life changing? That is what it was like for me. It almost felt like an out of body experience to walk up to the podium and accept the letter of intent from Becky Germany—they want to buy my three book series. Wow. Words seriously don’t describe the feeling.

I remember going back to my seat and noticing that I was shaking. I leaned over and said “I need to go call my mom.” And I remember the knowing glances of the people I passed on my way out of the room. They all knew I couldn’t contain myself. I proceeded to call practically everyone I knew.

I’m not sure if my feet are on the ground, even now. When will it feel real? Once I have a real deadline? Once I know for sure what the release dates will be? Or will it not feel real until I hold my book in my hand and see it on the shelf at (hopefully) Wal-Mart? Actually I’m a library kind of girl, so knowing people can actually go and check my book out might be the thing that ends up the “coolest part”. Haha.

However you look at it, I am excited. And overwhelmed. And ever so blessed.

The icing on the cake to my weekend was the awards banquet Saturday night. I actually won the Contemporary Romance category in the Genesis contest. Again, wow! I was so certain I wouldn’t win, I didn’t even prepare a speech. So I had to give my thanks “off the cuff” and felt like I could barely form words. I remember looking at Camy on the stage and saying “I don’t have anything to say” but somehow I managed to step to the microphone and speak.

I distinctly remember saying “Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to follow such a big dream.” And I mean that sincerely. For me, publication has been a big dream. And it took me a long time to begin sharing that dream with people. But you know, no one ever laughed. No one ever told me that was a good idea, but not to get my hopes up. Everyone I’ve shared it with seemed to think that it was a normal dream to follow, and many of them shared with me their complete confidence in me that it would someday happen.

And now it will.

Song of the day: Beautiful Day by U2.

Below are pictures from the awards banquet! Enjoy!



With Christine Lynxwiler


Posing with my new EDITOR, Rebecca Germany


With one of my favorite authors, Rachel Hauck


Christine Lynxwiler, Susan May Warren, me, Susan Downs, and Rachel Hauck


Just me, feet not on ground! haha!

Just Like a Friday Afternoon

First, I thought of an addition to my previous post about things coming back around...the "new" Beverly Hills 90210. How random is that? I admit I was a fan back in the day, but coming out with it again seems a little odd.

Anyway, it's funny how things seem to have moved so slowly for me for the past year while I've been working from home, yet I look at the calendar and am amazed at the time that has passed.

I just accepted a new position, which I am really excited about. I'll be moving to Memphis very soon. I've already found the perfect place, but can't move in for a couple of weeks. So my time in Arkansas is winding down.

Exciting stuff. Lots of changes coming my way. Normally I'm a girl who is a bit resistant to change, but I'm welcoming these. I've loved the time I've gotten to spend here, but it is time to move forward. The good part is that I'll still be close enough to come home often. I've never lived anywhere that was within reasonable driving distance to home, so that is good.

The decision to move to Memphis just made a lot of sense to me. I'd considered other cities, but when I really thought about it, Memphis was really the clear choice. And then I found a job that was perfect for me, and that made it even more of a clear choice.

So now I'm packing and looking for furniture and home decor! And, of course, trying to get my book finished. I'm supposed to have it done before I leave for the writing conference in Minnesota. Am hopeful that goal is one that can be reached, but as I'm writing, I'm beginning to realize that it will likely be a week or so after conference that it is actually ready to turn in.

And the song of the day....is my all time favorite song! This Time of Year by Better than Ezra. It just reminds me of crisp fall days and that feeling you get on a Friday when you have the whole weekend ahead. Great song. Enjoy!

Nothing New Under the Sun

So lately I've been noticing that lots of things seem to be coming back around...

First there was the new Indiana Jones movie. I sheepishly admit that I haven't seen it. The trio of Indy movies are some of my all time favorites. Remember the scene where the girl has "I Love You" on her eyelids while in his history/archaeology class? Love it! In college I always wished I had an Indiana Jones type professor. (but unfortunately, I did not. except for that Italian teacher, but we were actually in Italy, so that doesn't count. although my friends and I nicknamed him "Adonis" for the summer and I did end up having dinner with him once...but I digress)

Then, the New Kids on the Block reunite. Stop. It. Now. I can't take the madness. Yes, NKOTB hit their fame just as I was coming of age as a pre-teen. I loved them all, but Donnie the most. And I do have a very sad story about the time I wanted to see them in concert so badly--they were going to be at Six Flags in Atlanta and I happened to be in Atlanta and it just seemed too perfect. And wouldn't you know, the tickets were sold out. Some friends tried to pull strings at a radio station, but to no avail. So my dear mother drove me out to Six Flags just to see if we could get a glimpse. And there was the tour bus! I tried to get her to rear end it so they'd have to get out, but she refused. And imagine my disappointment when we finally got back to my Aunt's house to a message that said the radio station had found us 2 tickets. But by then it was too late. So now I'm trying to decide if I should catch a concert this time around. I have several friends who are going to catch the show in Atlanta, so we'll see if I end up getting a ticket and going.

And finally, the new back to school JCPenney commercial. That reenacts scenes from "The Breakfast Club" (an all time favorite movie) while playing "Don't You Forget About Me" from the movie soundtrack. Do teens today even know that the scenes in the commercial are from a movie? Probably not. John Hughes--you seriously need to come out of hiding and do more movies, because today's movies just aren't on the same level.

Okay. I know, it was a rambling post. But in my defense, it is late and I'm in a rambling kind of mood. :)

Song of the week....it was a tough choice. I finally settled on the aforementioned "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds. Great song. Great movie. Those were the days.