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

From The Land of Nanowrimo 2011

I dont know who else is with me, but I am taking part in this years Nano, making this year six or seven for me.  Somewhere along the lines I lost count, but so far so good.  I am on day six and nearly at 18k so far I think I am ahead of schedule and praying it continues.  I would like to reach the halfway mark by Tuesday.  For a total of 25k.  I took part last year as well, but got a late start because I was so busy with other things, but this year I decided to jump in head first, and I am doing just that.  I am somehow managing.

I am writing a YA novel this year for Nano last year, and I believe the year before were both Mysteries, because that is what I generally write Christian Mystery.  But The Scent of Summer (The working title was beckoning, so this is the story I am telling.

I hope my fellow Nanowrimers, are having a sucessful 2011 writing journey.  And may you all have a blessed Holiday Season

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Author Photoshoot for Seventh book Publication

I am sorry I know my posting have been sporatic to say the least, but I am getting ready for the Publication of Shadows from Our Past! My friend Melody of Sweet Melodies Photography was gracious enough to bless me with taking an hour out of her busy schedule to do these pics for me...

It Doesn't Seem Fair (Casey Anthony Verdict)

I don't know about you but the Casey Anthony Verdict sickened me. Shouldn't Caylee be allowed to rest in peace, but how is she going to do that, with her killer walking free, and even if her Mother did not kill her shouldn't she have reported her missing, who in their right mind goes a month without reporting their child missing? I am not a parent, but I would like to think if I were a parent I would want to do something right away, I would fight for that precious child.

It seriously sickens me that someone will not pay for this crime at least on this side of Heaven.

But doesn't the Lord say vengeance is mine, so I am sure she will face her judgment for her part in this.

Rest in Peace Caylee, you Deserved Better.

God Bless

Michelle~

Balancing My Two Passions, (Writing and Publishing, Children's Ministry)

I guess sometimes even the best intentions fail right? I am writer, so writing a blog should not be that difficult and in concept it is not, but perhaps it is because I feel more comfortable in a land of fiction, where I have a little more control over my characters. And perhaps it is because I am dividing my time between two passions, working with Children at my church, (my faith pays a key role in what I write, and why).

I have for as long as I can remember been an avid reader, a good book, and I am a happy camper, but sometimes technology does get in the way, you know the blessing and curse of it all? Don't get me wrong I love, love, love my computer and could not have six going on seven books published without it. The seventh, Shadows From Our Past, the fourth and final book in The Marishka Tanya Alexei series, should be ready for release around the first of September, I know it is fast.

I am still writing though, currently on a wip called The Price I Pay, another Christian Mystery, because that is the genre, that I most often feel comfortable in writing, though I do try my head at Ya, and I have had books of poetry, and non fiction published as well, all for the Grace of God.




The Children are a joy to work with though, the pic below was actually taken by a preschooler with a vtech camera, got to love that they make digital cameras for kids LOL!

Back to the writing though, I have written the prologue and the first chapter in The Price I Pay, I have an idea of the direction I want it to go in, but not an exact clear picture, so I guess I will wing it LOL!

In Christs Love
Michelle~

I'm Here For You (For Amy)

I'm here for you

The way you were for me

In those early days

Of childlike faith


When I felt stuck between

A little girl lost

And a girl coming of age

Finding herself

Finding her faith

You never judged me

You just loved me

And now it's my turn to repay the favor.

Your Daddy is gone

A good man for sure

A great man more aptly put

But I'm here for you my sweet

Friend who was always there

When I needed her.

The way you listened as I told

You secrets from my past

To painful to talk about

But you were one of t he first

I opened up to

And you assured me

Nothing I could do made me deserve that

Kind of treatment.

You were the friend

That would go out of her way

In those early days of faith

To make sure I had a ride for church

And a friend to pray with

Eventhough you were raising a young family

Of your own.

And your Daddy was a great man

One I trusted easily and completely

Not easy for me

But he just had a way about him

Christ shinning through

The way he'd just hand someone

Money because he felt it pressed

Upon his heart

Didn't matter he had his own suffering

He still shined Christ's love.

I'm here for you my friend

The way you were for me.

I can honestly say

I would not be the person

I am today

If it were not for you.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

6/30/2011

2:47 P.M PST

The Journey Begins Again (Publishing Shadows from Our Past)

I am currently getting ready for my final book in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series to go into publication. This is my seventh book, and the excitment begins again, but I have plenty else to keep me busy while I wait.





The children I work with bring me such joy...


The waiting I think is one of the hardest parts of the publishing process, so it does help to keep yourself busy, with postive, uplifting things, so I will continue to work with the kids I work with, and do my work for the Church.




I am afraid one of my good friends also just lost her Father, so tomorrow I am supposed to be attending a funeral Lord willing! It hurts my heart because he was such a good man, but I rest comforted in the fact knowing he is with Jesus.



Other than the new book being published and life keeping me busy, with friends, family, ecct I really don't have much else to update on... I know I should really update this blog more, but doesn't one need something to say in order to do that LOL?

God Bless
Michelle~

The Power to Reach Hearts With The Written Word

Last summer I was preparing My sixth book, my third Mystery published in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series for publication, and now I find myself preparing the fourth and what I perceive to be the final book in this series. I have journeyed with this family for a long time, writing about them long before I published any stories or novels to do with them, and I am sure you will hear from them again, but if my feeling is right, there are going to be other projects to focus on.

The working title for this book is Running For Our Lives: Subject to change at authors or publishers discretion of course, but for now that is what I am calling it. I somehow manage to find a few spare moments to write, in the sometimes hectic pace of my life. But as they say a writer is not only writing when they are sitting at a desk with a laptop but they are writing when they are living life. Staring out a window can be a moment of inspiration for an author.

I do not know where this series will take me but I do pray that in someways it reaches its readers. Writing to me has always been about that, reaching and witnessing, because when I write my faith is evident, but I am not trying to shove religion down anyones throat because my faith is not a religion it is a relationship. I am not going to tap dance around the truth in my books but neither am I going to shove beliefs down anyones throats, but I do pray that in someway my writing reaches others, that somehow the good Lord is using my words to reach hearts..

Are Parents Being Heard

I went with Fran to Mikeys open house today, and it seemed like what was concerning Fran, Mikey's Mom the most was being glossed over. She would point out a concern, a kid that constantly picks on Mikey until he is to the breaking point, and everything but the issue would be dealt with?

My nephew is ten, and a very smart young man, but he has some learning issues and is in Special Ed, still he reads well, and is intelligent. But how can a child learn when they are being picked on till the point of snapping? And having a teacher not really acknowledge the issue, or just gloss over it, really isn't that helpful.

Shouldn't the teacher listen to what the parent has to say?

I for one think they should especially if it is affecting the childs ability to learn.

In Christs Love

Where Does the Time Go

Where Does the Time Go??May 13th already and little Ethan graduated from preschool today, where does the time go, my best friend J had her birthday the big 33, hope you had an awesome day friend...



Little Ethans Mom Fran and I have been friends since we were little kids, and now she has kids of her own and her youngest Little Ethan is going into preschool. Mikey is ten already, and I can remember when he was born.



I am proud of these boys and proud of the fact that in a couple of week my niece Amber will be graduating eighth grade, wow time sure does fly doesn't it?








Friends play an important part of my lfie and I am blessed to have friends who are like family to me. The picture above was taken after a fuernal but we knew that the person who had passed was no longer suffering and that does bring a measure of comfort.





On another please pray for the precious little boy in the first picture above, a friends son who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in November.2010 he just had a stem cell transplant, and his body is enduring a lot right now with the harsh chemo, this precious little boy can use your prayer. His name is Elijah and he is truly a fighter...

Preadator: Terri Blackstock: A Review

Predator
Terri Blackstock
Copyright 2010

Twenty Five Year Old Krista Carmichael does not want to believe her fourteen year old Sister is dead, murdered by someone who was stalking her on a social network called GrapeVyne, but when she is called to idenitfy the body of a girl partially buried in the woods there is no denying what has happened. When she looks at her Sisters Grapevyne Page she is surprised at how easy her Sister made it, by posting personal information for everyone to read, and it quickly turns into a crusade not only to find her sisters killer but to educate others of the danger of telling to much on Social Networks. The Crusade leads her to Ryan Adkins the creator of Grapevyne which he started in his college dorm.

When another young woman is attacked raped and nearly killed and her roomate killed it leads both Krista and Ryan into action to find the Predator, the one who is out trying to stalk and murder innocent women, but the path can lead them both into danger.

Will they discover the killer before its to late, or will the killer target them?

Definitely a book that I recomend we read, and have young adults read, because though fiction it deals with very real issues, and gets you to thinking about the way you act on Social Networks!!!

God Bless
Michelle

Be Done With the Nit Picking Lets Start Living Like Christians!!!

Why is it so often we are quick to judge?
Didn't Christ call us not to judge, and I am not talking about pointing out right from wrong, because that is not judgment, judgment is treating someone differently for the mistakes they make or the things they have done wrong or simply judging becase of something they could not help.

We judge others because they do things that we might not do, but again is that really our place.

I mean there are some things that are clearly wrong and should be punished, but is it really helpful to point out everyones smallest fault, there every mistake?

I believe we should point out right and wrong of course, but I do not believe we should beat a person down until they feel like there is no way they are worthy, because the fact is it is not about worth, it's about love.

The love that put Jesus on the cross for us.

God Bless
Michelle~

What is Sin to One: A Timely Reminder

I was thinking about what I was going to blog on this weekend, and then it came to me.

Why not judge on why some Christians feel the need to judge each other.

It happened to me today, over a simple facebook game I play.

I wondered what gave the person the right to judge me?

What made them have the right to point out my lack of convictions when they themselves are not perfect?

I can tolerate having a spirtual mentor in my life explaining to me why something may be wrong, but someone simply saying its wrong, and you are a dissapointment, all over a game. It just didn't seem right.

Jesus reminded others he who is without sin cast the first stone.

No one could cast that stone could they except for Christ himself and Christ choose not to Cast the stone.

Shouldn't that tell us something.

I like what a dear Sister in the Lord, and older lady explained once, at a Bible Study, she reminded us, what is sin to one may not be to another. I am not talking about the things that the Bible directly forbids, but other things.

We can make anything a crutch if we lean on it to hard and to long, so instead lets lean on the Lord.

And for goodness sakes, I don't think a game is going to send me directly to Hell, I think my heart is what counts don't you?

God Bless
Michelle~

Finding Star (A Hard Story to Tell)

Have you ever felt God telling you to write a story, but finding your heart tugging with each scene you wrote?

I feel that way about Finding Star?

How does one write about such abuse endured by a child without feeling emotionally drained after doing so?

Even though this story is fiction sadly abuse happens, and that is what makes this story so hard to tell, while at the same time making me feel the calling to write it.

I am only about seven pages into Finding Star now, but I am sure it will expand in time.

I was actually given this story, in a very vivid and real dream, and have had a couple of others since then that have led to more scenes in this story.

It is not an easy story to tell, but one I feel God has asked me to tell, so I know that he will give me the strength to write this very difficult piece of fiction.

In Christs Love
Michelle~