Friday, June 25, 2010

Putting It Into Perspective

  • I find myself reflecting and thinking how blessed I am, I could have got down, when the doctor told me my foot maybe broke, but then I read a note from Kristen Jane Anderson on facebook talking about letting go and moving forward, in her case she was letting go of shoes she had before she lost her legs it was kinda of a closure for her, but it put things in perspective for me.

     
     

    The fact is Lord never promises you life is going to be easy, that you are not going to have any troubles, because there is no such thing as the perfect life, but when you live for the Lord, you are serving a perfect Lord.

    A Couple of weeks ago Amber and I spent a couple of days reading Life In Spite of Me, Kristen Jane Andersons story of surviving a suicide attempt, that should have killed her, she lost her legs, but her life was spared, and her testimony continues to save lives!


    Yes Life in Spite of Me is an intense and painful read, but it is also a story of how God can transform something negative into something used for his glory which is why I wanted Amber to read this, but I wanted to read it with her incase she had any questions.

    A couple of weeks later, I still find myself thinking about what Amber and I read, and Amber continues to talk about it!

    In Christs Love

    Michelle~

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

My Niece and I just finished Life In Spite of Me, yes it is an intense book with a serious subject matter, but I believed it was important my Niece and I read this book together, because it speaks so openly of one Woman's attempt to end her life (Kristen Jane Anderson) when she was still a child really only seventeen: The book speaks of the fact that that is not an asnwer though, and that Christ has a purpose for our life, and that he loves us! I wanted my thirteen and a half year old niece to be able to hear this story, and I wanted her to see that when things are bad we can always turn to God, and there is no shame in getting help when it is needed .I both read the book to her, and she read parts of it herself, and we discussed what were the good decisons made and what were the bad, I first heard Kristens story on Oprah a few years ago and when she and Tricia Goyer announced they were writing Kristens story together, I knew that this was a book I wanted to read and to share with others, I believe Kristen's story will literally save lives, I know it already has!I work with children and I have a teenage niece, as well as other teenagers in my life, so I felt I should read this book for that reason and because it is simply a story that needs to be told needs to be read, because despite the darkness she went through it speaks so beautifully of how that darkness transformed to light when she opened her heart to Christ.I would recomend this book to anyone really, because it is such a powerful story that speaks so beautifully of how God works in lives...God BlessMichelle~

Friday, June 11, 2010

Guest Author Interview Anita Higman and Janice Thompson Authors of Ozark Weddings

Your Barbour Heartsong 3-in-1 collection is entitled, Ozark Weddings. Tell us a little bit about the three stories.

Anita: All three stories are set in Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock, and Hot Springs. Larkspur Dreams and Castles in the Air are romantic comedy, while the middle story, The Love Song, is more dramatic in tone.

Janice:
Larkspur Dreams is a lighthearted, whimsical tale that will appeal to inspirational romance readers, particularly those with artistic leanings. The Love Song reaches into the depths of the reader's soul, dealing with the topic of overcoming past hurts. Castles in the Air provides a humorous look at the way we are perceived by others, and teaches us that our prejudices (comical as they might be) often keep us from the very thing God has planned for us.


 

Anita, you and Janice co-authored the three stories in Ozark Weddings. How do writers go about co-authoring?


 

Anita: There are a number of ways to co-author a novel. One writer might do the research and the other writer may actually write the story. Or co-authors may each choose a character and write from that character's POV. In the three novels, I guess you could say I wrote the body and wings of the stories, and Janice helped to make them fly. She has a gift for critiquing.

Janice: Working with Anita is a breeze because she conceives and fully plots the stories then lets me add my thoughts/tidbits to give them flavor. She is so quirky and fun to work with, and I am very proud of the stories we have co-produced.

Were there times when it was hard to work together?

Anita: Janice is not only talented, but easy to work with. There were a few times in one of the novels that I found myself writing in a way that strayed from the general concept of a Heartsong romance. Janice made some good suggestions, which steered me in the right direction.

Janice: I can honestly say that I've never worked with anyone who was so willing to accept critique and/or take suggestions as Anita. She is a precious friend and collaborative partner. I already knew she was talented (even before we began this project) but had no idea how gracious she would be. Since I've written for the Heartsong line for years, I was able to "teach her the ropes" (as it were) and she was a ready learner! That's not to say she hasn't taught me a thing or two. I've learned much from her throughout this process, particularly as it applies to romantic tension. She's far better at that than I am, and I'm happy to admit it.


 

Why did you choose to be a writer?

Anita: Ever since I was a little girl, I had this need to express myself in some sort of artistic medium. I've tried a number of things: piano, painting, decorating, and acting. But I've never been very good at any these endeavors, except writing. I guess really then—writing chose me.

Janice: Like Anita, I've always been artistic. As a youngster, I sang, danced and played the piano. I was also very involved in theater as a young person. I've been writing since childhood. I wrote my first novella in 6th grade, then went on to write musical comedies for the stage before turning to books in the mid-90's. Like Anita, I can truly say that I didn't choose writing; it chose me. Or, perhaps I should say that God chose it for me, as a gift.


 

When did you have your first success as a writer?

Anita: After several years of writing, I had some gradual success—books for children, books of one-act plays, and nonfiction for women. These successes were enough to keep me going toward my ultimate goal, which was to write novels.

Janice: This may sound a bit silly, but my first real writing "success" happened my senior year in high school, when I was chosen to help write the senior production. I had a blast, and the scene I crafted (a 1930's/Busby Berkeley-esque "The Show Must Go On" scene) was a huge success. I can't tell you what fun I had, or how great it felt for people to respond as they did.


 

Do you have any special methods of getting into the writing zone, such as favorite scents, music, or certain foods?


 

Anita: In the past I used to go to a French café, order coffee and scrambled eggs, and then write a rough chapter. The noise, music, and bustle always energized me creatively. But now I'm more of a homebody, so I sit for long hours in my office, working on my stories.

Janice: An "ideal" writing situation for me would involve someplace like Starbucks (or otherwise) with a cup of my favorite hot beverage in my hand (to be discussed below). Ironically, when I'm at home, I can't stand having music going. I find it terribly distracting... something about the "beat" drives me nutty. Having the television on is okay, but it's often muted. Crazy, I know. I'm a fanatic about my Diet Dr. Pepper and several flavors of hot tea. I particularly love Earl Grey and Chai Latte, among others. And I'm nuts about hot chocolate in the wintertime. I'm also crazy about my puppies. I have two red mini-dachshunds named Sasha and Copper. They usually settle in next to me on the sofa, Sasha on my right, Copper on my left. When we're all in place (with a cup of tea or a Diet Dr. Pepper on the end table, depending on the season) I'm ready to begin. Of course, I usually have to weed through several emails (clearing a path) before I can actually start writing. Whew! Sounds like quite a process, doesn't it?! It's a wonder I get anything done at all!

 
 

 What is your best advice for aspiring writers?


 

Anita: If you feel called to write, don't let people discourage you. I'm sure they don't realize the impact of their words, but negative remarks can undermine our courage and joy. Comments similar to: "Maybe you weren't really meant to be published." Or, "Are you making any money at this yet?" Perhaps you've heard, "Why can't you write like my favorite author?" Honestly, I could go on and on here. Writing is a great and honorable profession—one that can challenge, inspire, and change people's lives. If you love words and love arranging them into stories, then don't let the battering influence of dispiriting comments shatter your dream. Keep pressing on!


 

Janice: I often say this to young/new writers: Learn the craft, but don't necessarily write what the publishers/agents/houses tell you to write. Trends change. Stick with the stories God places on your heart and if He intends them to be published, He will find the right publishing house in the right time.


 

What are your writing plans for the future?

Anita: I'd love to just keep doing what I'm doing. But I think I'd also enjoy writing novels for the young adult market.

Janice: I'm open to whatever God wants (and I really mean that). If He shifts me in a new direction (women's fiction, for example) I'm following His lead! If He asks me to lay the writing down for a season in order to accomplish a different task, I'm open to that, too.


 

We'd love for you to visit our websites at www.anitahigman.com and www.janiceathompson.com. If you're interested in our Heartsong collection, Ozark Weddings, it can be purchased in bookstores or ordered online at www.amazon.com.

Thanks for inviting us to your blog!


 


 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What About the Children

I read a startling statistic the other day, 68 times more per capita on a felon than is spent on a church ministry for kids who are seeking the Lord. Perhaps you don't agree with my stand on this, but facts are facts, and the fact is that we need to reach children while they are still children, because if we do that, perhaps we could cut down the number of felons. There is no doubt that things have changed in this day and age, and danger lurks at places, but I truly believe if we give a solid foundation when the time comes children will be able to do things on their own, but not only that, they will know that when things are touch they can always lean on the Lord when times are tough.


 

I try to remind my thirteen and a half year old niece of just how much the Lord loves her, and we love her. Lately she has been haunted by nightmares of something that happened when she was little, but she knows that she has people who care, and that Jesus loves her. That foundation not just of faith, but of love but at the same time I do worry, because of the way things are, I want my niece to get an education that will help her to achieve her dreams, but even more than that I want her to have a foundation in faith, and so I often find myself praying for my niece. She has gone through a lot, and needs stability and needs to no that she is loved, which I make sure she does know, as does my Mom "Grandma" And my brother "Uncle Sean." When Amber is with us she is surrounded by people who care and who will talk to her and help her figure things out, I know how difficult it is to be a thirteen year old girl, but she deals with things that I did not have to deal with, because it was a different era.

That one statistic I read in has had me thinking for the last few days and has got me thinking and then when Amber came up today, after dealing with a difficult few days I once again find myself thinking of ways we could better serve our youth. I may not have a child of my own, but my niece is like a daughter to me, and I will do what I can to help her not just become some statistic, I am believing she is going to serve the Lord and show the world what it is to live for Christ…

God Bless

Michelle