I took a Risk its Paying off

I did it I took a risk and joined the new social network tsu.co about five weeks ago, I wanted to network with other writers and Christians and networking I am.  The support is great and I appreciate everything that this place offers some people tend to ignore the no spam or no innappropriate material rule but that is what the block and unfriend buttons are for right? 

No Tsu.co is not perfect but then again neither am I so it is a nice fit...It has allowed me to carry my networking with others to a new level and I am able to share my faith and my books which I love.

You have to be invited by someone who is already a member to Tsu, so I am inviting my blog readers by giving you my short link...
https://www.tsu.co/Michellekidwell

Remember an Author has to have the ability to grow his or her network to make an impact right?

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. ..

Love in Christ

Michelle

A Dream Lived

They say writers have to develop a thick skin, when it comes to reviews and dealing with others in a competive world, but the fact is many of us are a sensitive breed.  We take things personally, we hurt at what others say, or take offense.  I know I have and I am sure others have as well.  Perhaps that sensitivity is what allows us to create such relatable characters. 

As authors we need to remember that each of our paths, as well as our pasts are different.  We may not all have the fame of Danielle Steel, JK Rowling, or Cynthia Voight but we can certainly learn something from them.  In order to succeed, I think we must learn what failure is, and be sensitive to those around us.

Look at Stephen King, teachers told him in highschool he would amount to nothing.  He is by no means my favorite author, but I learned that you don't have to listen to others who tell you you are going to fail.  In fact if you want to suceeed.  Don't!

JK Rowling was a Mother, who was on Public assistance before she catapulted on the scene with her Harry Potter Series, hoping to make it only to make it as a writer.  She never expected to make it rich as an author, but that she did.

I know these are the exceptions, but the point is you have to persevere.  You have to be willing to put a lot of time in effort into what you are doing in order to realize that sucess can happen.

I am an Indie Author, went that way a couple of years ago, and there are Indie Sucesses as well, look at Eragon,Christopher Paolini.  And with the creation of ebooks, Kindles, Ipads, Iphones, and Androids, a whole new world has opened up for Indie Authors.  I for one feel blessed to be part fo that world, some of my friends may not agree with me but that's there right.

God Bless

Michelle!

 WebStory: What a desktop blogging software!

My Words His Gift to Me

publish

First of all let me say I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Easter and I pray you took the time to remember the true meaning of Easter. I enjoyed my Easter I helped out Mrs Cheryl with the kiddos yesterday I truly enjoy working with her.

This is of course my writers blog but I would not be the writer I am without my faith.  The good Lord gave me a gift for words and I pray that I use those words for his glory.  Whether I am writing fiction or nonfiction I want my first question to be "Am I writing something that is pleasing and glorifying to the good Lord?"

I came across a verse in Psalm 45:1
Psalm 45[a]
    For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.

 1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
   as I recite my verses for the king;
   my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Life is full of writing opportunities and ideas and I find the ideas all around me my kittens for one have got me to thinking about reworking a children's book I wrote when I was 16 called Timmie the Kitten.

I think we as writers and readers tend to look at the world around us and allow ourselves to get lost in thoughts and story ideas and that is a good thing but as a writer I do not want to get so wrapped up in the story that I forget the one who gave me the gift.  I do not ever want to forget Jesus's sacrifice on the cross.

I want to close this entry with Matthew 28

Matthew 28

Jesus Has Risen

 ¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
 ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

 ¹¹ While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³ telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

 ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Make Money Writing Interview With Janice Hanna Thompson

Make Money Writing Interview With Janice Hanna Thompson

Please note book does not go free until Monday-Friday, thank you...

In Christs Love

Michelle

Janice Thompson/booksbyjanice@aol.com

Welcome, Janice. Can you tell us about your latest venture?

Thanks for having me. I’m thrilled to share about my latest book, MAKE MONEY WRITING, which is now available from amazon for kindle users. The book, which is loaded with helpful hints for freelancers, is free from March 12^th – March 17^th. After that, it will sell for $4.49.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing experience?

Sure! I write under the names “Janice Thompson” and “Janice Hanna.” I just signed contract #79 (For QUEEN OF THE WAVES) and have written in a variety of genres, including romance, historical, contemporary, cozy mystery, juvenile fiction, non-fiction and more. I’m best known for my light-hearted contemporary novels and for my quirky characters. I’m pretty passionate about writing, and even more passionate about helping others discover their writing talents and abilities. For the past seven years I’ve worked as a full-time freelancer, earning my living with my books, teachings, articles, and write-for-hire work.

Why did you decide to write this book?

For several years now I’ve divided my time between freelance writing and teaching. So many aspiring writers discover that I’ve published several books and they come to me to ask the inevitable, “How do I get published?” question, usually followed by, “Is there really money to be made in publishing?” Over the past couple years I’ve put together several freelance writing courses to answer their questions, but I felt the need to do more, so I compiled all of my mini-teachings into one book.

Will readers get all of the same materials they would get in one of your courses?

No, the courses are very specific to their individual topics. MAKE MONEY WRITING covers a variety of areas of interest to the freelance writer, including: earning top dollar, magazine article writing, write-for-hire work, writing the novel and/or non-fiction book, the submission process, succeeding as a freelancer, and more. The book is not a textbook. Instead, it is motivational in tone and focuses on offering encouragement to freelancers and giving them basic tips for success in each of the areas listed above.

Can you tell us a little more about the book?  

Sure! It might make more sense to share some of the chapter titles because they will give you an idea of some of the topics readers will find in the book.

Earning Top Dollar

Jumping the Hurdles

In the Beginning. . .the Writer Set Goals

What Industry Pros are Saying about Goal-Setting

Write. . .for Hire!

Revolutionize Your Writing

Girls Just Wanta Have Funds

Double Your Word Count in Two Weeks

Cash in on Magazine Articles

Sync Up

Freelance Lingo

Stop, Drop and Roll (Adding the Crisis Scene)

From Mii to Wii (learning how to incorporate the “we” factor)

Make ‘Em Laugh

Elevating Your Elevator Pitch

Seven Days to Better Writing

Five Things a Writer can Learn from American Idol

Got Moxie?

Becoming a Public Speaker

Writers are from Mars, Readers are from Venus

. . .and much, much more!

What other projects are you working on?

I’m currently writing QUEEN OF THE WAVES, a novel set aboard the Titanic. Very compelling story, I must say! And I’m tickled about my upcoming release, Wedding Belles.

You mentioned your courses. Can you tell us what’s going on in that world?

Yes, thanks for asking. I’m tickled about the recent release of my Non-Fiction Writing Course. I recorded this course in the studio several months ago and had a blast doing it. I’m convinced this is the most comprehensive package I’ve ever put together. Non-Fiction writers should be able to take this course and find some degree of success building their platform, writing short pieces and fully developing a non-fiction book. There’s even information on how to pitch (and ultimately market) the non-fiction book.

Here are the ten topics within the course:

From Magazines to Books: Building Your Platform

Understanding Non-Fiction Book Types

Best Selling Topics

Compiling Your Information (Braiding the Book)

33 Tips to Strengthen Your Writing

Incorporating Fiction Techniques in Your Non-Fiction

The Submission Process

Making the Sale (Includes all aspects of the contract/sale/edits/production)

Marketing Your Book

How to Stay in the Game

As with all of my courses, this one is available online at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. 

How can readers get the free kindle book?

They can follow this link to amazon: http://amzn.to/yBeVBh. The book will be free from March 12^th – March 17^th and will revert to is usual $4.49 price after that.

Janice, how can readers reach you?

I love to chat with my readers! To learn more about my books, visit:

www.janicehannathompson.com

To learn more about my writing courses, including my new non-fiction course, visit:

www.freelancewritingcourses.com

Facebook: JaniceHannaThompson

When God Moves

Don't you just love it when God moves.  I mean really moves. I have been experiencing that lately in my writing and in my life, and I must say I am always at awe.

I know in life their are times that we don't necessarily feel that God is moving in our lives, that somehow we are being given a bad hand, or whatever you want to call it.  I look at myself as a positive person, a person who looks at the blessings in life, who sees what God has given her and I would say I am most definitely blessed, but like everyone else I have those why me moments.  I mean who doesn't?  Can you honestly tell me you have never had a why me moment?  I know I have, but I have also had plenty of those moments when God moves in such an incredible way, I am just dumbstruck by his grace.  I must tell you when that happens it is awesome, and right now I feel that life is pretty blessed things are coming together nicely, because I believe I am doing what God has called me to do.  I am writing what I am supposed to right, and that is my ministry the written word, I work with children too, but my biggest mission field comes through my writing.

And Now I am going new places with my writing, by that I mean I am getting it out their, I have had a Christian publisher express interest in Finding Star, after I sent them my synopsis and first chapter they requested more so I am working my best to make Star shine...I have spent so much time and energy on this book, probably the hardest book I have ever written, but it is so worth it, hearing this story, and knowing someone is interested in it.  An awesome moment that tells me my efforts have not been futile.

Right now I am just so in Awe of God's grace.  I know that this is not an over the night process I have been working nine years and have had seven books published in order to reach this goal, but I know I could not have done it on my own.  It is only by God's Grace I am where I am, and I believe I will continue to grow.

The pics of the books above are of my latest released book Shadows From Our Past!!!!

God Bless
Michelle!

Welcoming in a New Year 2012

I woulds like to thank all of my friends and readers for their support in my writing, and in my decisions in general, I may not always be perfect but I am trying to lead the best possible life I can.

I hope this year finds you all blessed and happy!! And I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  2012 is only moments away here on the west coast, but for some of you it has already come, and I pray it has come with many blessings.

2011 was a year of letting go for me, letting a friend who was dragging me down go, and sadly losing friends far to young to death, but it was also a year of learning to embrace life more, to enjoy it, to the fullest.  Which is my prayer for you in 2012 may you find success in 2012 but the greatest success is learning to be the person God created you to be and to embrace the gifts he has given you. And for my fellow Authors, I hope to see many more of your books out in 2012 !

God Bless
Michelle

Italian Blessing
May your life be like good wine, tasty, sharp and clear, and like good wine may it improve with every passing year.

From the Land of Wrimo (2011)

I just completed my Nano novel today, closing it out at 70,138  The novel I did this year The Scent of Summer a ya novel about a young girl coming to terms with an accident that changed her life forever, but she discovers too that with Faith, and the support of loved ones.  Just as the simple act of writing this Nano novel took the support and understanding of my family, allowing me the hours on the computer when I could be doing other things, like housework which despite everything I have managed to keep semi under control.  I have also managed to spend time with the boys, and work on outlining another story, not Nano related called Desert Rose, so I have been keeping myself busy.  It seems last year I was barely making Nano's goal so itfeels good to have made my goal a week and a half ahead of time this year.

I will at least not have to be pushing myself on Thanksgiving, and Black Friday, which happens to be my birthday this year, and no I really have no intentions on sitting around in some line waiting for a great discount on some electronic.  I plan on spending the day relaxing spending time with my family and friends.

Michelle R Kidwell