My Computer Area

This area has my laptop computer desk, A straight comfortable chair, and my laptop and Ipad. On the End Table is my book nook with my Bible, prayer journal and current reading material. It also has a lamp, my phone, and a walnut chess board incase a friend stops for a game of chess. On the bottom shelf, that patch of blue is my footies in case my feet get cold. Behind the door of the end table is a portable file box. In the drawer of the other end table is a memo pad and pen and my Ipod and charging cords. On the wall are the high school pictures of my son and daughter. My son’s picture didn’t show up because of glare. There’s also a picture of Jesus when He calmed the seas with a caption, “Peace, Be Still”. That picture always makes me feel better when things are chaotic.

My Couch

Going counterclockwise around the room, next is my couch. It’s very comfortable if I decide to take a break and have a nap. Above the couch is my eye candy. I love good art. This is my original Klee that my husband bought at a mall after watching him paint it. It was before he became well known. I love the colors in this painting.

My View

Next is my view when I look up from the computer. Outside the window, it’s snowing today. It’s very pretty. The flowers on the table in the corner are my attempt at floral design. The bottom shelf of the table has a real hour glass. I love early American. The swivel rocker is great to turn around and sit in while I take in the view. There’s quite a bit of red in my living room toned down with taupe flowered wall paper, cream carpet, and this green/taupe chair. I love the color red. It makes me happy.

My Desk

Next is my oak rolltop desk with curio cabinets on either side. I love my desk because it’s early American and because I can hide what I’m working on when company comes. On top of the desk is our oil lamp for when the electricity goes off, some candles, and another attempt at flower arranging. Above the desk hangs a photo of the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. My husband took it when we were in the area for a kid’s crusade. It was so cool because I can say I walked across the Mississippi River. In the curio cabinets are mostly bells and Hummels. I collect them both. My oldest Hummels I inherited from my grandmother who also collected them. In the right curio cabinet, five shelves down, is my International Shepherd’s Cup Award dated 2007. I received it for lifelong achievement in the advancement of children’s ministry. It’s one of my most treasured possessions because of what it represents.

Hallway

We’ve come full circle where you can see a glimpse into my kitchen and hallway. In the kitchen is my ceramic checkered floor and checkered wallpaper, my china cabinet, and my quaker parrot, Olive Oil.

My husband has taken over our office area, so my writing area is my livingroom. We have a family room in the basement where we keep the TV, video games, etc., so the livingroom is not a high traffic area in my home. I have a laptop desk on wheels I can move out of the way when company comes and an end table with a small book shelf on it and a place to hide away my files and notes. I also have a rolltop desk in my livingroom where I store all my supplies. There’s a large front window with a view and a couch to take a nap on when I need a break. It works well for me. I’ll post pictures on Friday.

The important thing is to be creative about your writing space. If you can have an office, that’s great. But there are certain items every writer needs in her writing area.

1. Computer: The days of the typewriter are over. Thank God. Make sure you have a good computer that’s easy for you to use. I recommend a laptop. That way, you don’t have to carry around a jump drive if you’re away from home. An Ipad with a Documents to Go app and a portable keyboard is also a great tool for when you’re on the road.

2. Internet: Internet is essential for writers in today’s world. It gives us marketing tools, email, online writer’s communities, writer’s tip blogs, research at our fingertips, and access to publishers’ and agents’ websites. The only caution here is to schedule when you’ll be on the internet and when you won’t. You may want to schedule a certain chunk of time for the internet. I have the internet running all day, but I only check it once every couple of hours, and if I’m not done writing (unless I’m doing research), I don’t stay on it longer than five minutes.

3. Library: Every writer needs a library that includes writing books, a dictionary, a thesaurus, and books he enjoys reading. Some of these books may be on-line. Some won’t. See this link  and this link  for the books I believe every writer should have.

4. Files: Every writer needs a place she can file research, plot outlines, character sketches, ideas, agent lists, and other important information. Some writers use online files such as MS One Note. Others like hard copies. But you need somewhere to store information.

5. Online computer back-up: Don’t take a chance. Subscribe to an online computer back-up service. They aren’t expensive, and if anything happens, you’ll be covered. Schedule the back-up to automatically back up your files at least once a week.

6. Music: Whether you use an i-pod, your computer, a CD player, or some other device, you’ll want something where you can play music or some kind of white noise. Some writers like it quiet when they work, but even they benefit from listening to music before or after writing. Also invest in a good set of headphones that will be comfortable to wear for hours and will block out most noises including the phone ringing.

7. A comfortable chair: You’ll want a chair where you sit up straight, your feet are flat on the ground, and your back is supported. Don’t prop your laptop on your legs while you type in a recliner. Your back will thank you later.

8. A desk or table: Don’t use one of those portable lap desks unless it’s short term. You need something you can put your computer on even if it’s a card table or a TV table.

9. No distractions: If you really want to escape into the world your writing and let the prose flow, you’ll need an area without television, video games, or a telephone ringing. A door that can be closed is even better.

10. A notebook: Keep a small notebook with you to jot down ideas. If you have an IPad or a memo app on your smart phone, this works even better because it will always be with you. Before you begin writing, record these ideas in your idea folder.

So that all you need to begin writing. Other than the computer, most of these items are free or can be purchased for very little money. Make this investment in your writing career.

Where Wildflowers Bloom

By Ann Shorey

Description:

The War Between the States stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg– as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry.

With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her.

But first she must convince her grandfather to sell the family’s mercantile and leave a town their family has called home for generations.

When Royal Baxter suddenly returns to town, Faith allows herself to hope that her dreams might come true. Does he truly love her? Or could another man claim her heart?

Will she find that following her dreams may not mean leaving home after all?

My Review:  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Where Wildflowers Bloom is a touching story about a girl named Faith. She lost everyone she held dear during the Civil War except her grandfather, and now he’s suffering from Alzheimer’s. Faith’s grandfather has her take over the family store, but townspeople give her a hard time about it. A woman running a business is not considered proper. This story also sheds light on other issues of the time like people’s negative attitudes toward female nurses and how post traumatic stress disorder didn’t come about in the twentieth century. I also enjoyed reading about Faith’s dream to go to Oregon and escape the memories of war and how she comes to realize that her dreams might need to change. This was an enjoyable easy read.

The Christian religion is getting a bad name lately. Between slogans like “it’s not a religion, it’s a relationship”, YouTube video called “Why I Hate Religion” and songs like “More Like Falling In Love”, or Mark Driscoll’s ridicule of pastors in England wearing robes when they preach (a cultural sign of respect there), you would think the Christian religion was a bad thing. But I disagree. Not only that, the bashing of the word religion, even though people mean well, is causing problems and furthering the cause of people who don’t mean well.

If some of the well meaning people bashing religion, like the man on the video, substituted the words hypocrisy, legalism, false religion, or a religious spirit, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. What he’s saying about religion better describes those words, not religion.

Let’s look at the definition of true religion from two reliable sources: Merriman Webster’s Dictionary and the Bible.

Merriman Websters Dictionary 11th Collegiate Edition:

1. a. The service or worship of God or the supernatural. b. commitment or devotion to religious faith or service.

2. A personal set or institutionalized system of religious beliefs and practices.

3. A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Edition: Third Copyright:  Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

James 1:26-27(NKJV)  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

This doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me. Religion isn’t legalism or hypocrisy, and it’s not fear of change. It is fearing God, following Christ, obeying His Word, and loving our neighbors by showing them compassion.

The problem with bashing the word religion is that people take it too far. Some, like the YouTube video, use the word wrongly but mean hypocrisy and false religion. But because people define the word religion differently, others use the bashing of the word to justify being hearers of the Word and not doers. They consider themselves Christians but not religious because they have warm fuzzies about Jesus but don’t feel they have to do what He says. They don’t go to church, they don’t obey God’s Word, and they do whatever makes them happy with the attitude that God understands, and He wouldn’t really send anyone to Hell or discipline His children. Basically they make God into their own image – a God they can handle.

But Scripture says that the fear of God, the creator of the universe and the One who has power over everything including life and death, is the beginning of Wisdom. God isn’t a Santa or a fairy godmother who gives us what we want when we want it. He is God Almighty who loved us enough to save us from our sin and our selfishness. The only proper response to that is to follow and obey Him and to give Him our allegiance and our very lives to do with what He wants.

Jeremiah 32:40(NKJV)  And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.

Proverbs 9:10(NKJV)  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Romans 12:1-2(NKJV)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Now compare this to the song lyrics for  ”More Like Falling In Love” by Jason Gray

Its gotta be More like falling in love Than something to believe in More like losing my heart Than giving my allegiance…

Really! That sounds more like warm fuzzies and an emotional high than the love for God the Bible describes. If I love God with all my heart, I will believe in every word the Bible says and I will obey my God. I will give Him my total allegiance or it’s just emotionalism and not true religion.

I’ve also read some websites and movements that imply Christians are too hung up on the Bible, that we worship it when we take it too literally. God’s Word was meant to be taken completely in context with every other verse and literally.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we don’t take God’s Word literally, we start believing lies like God understands our failings and mistakes and won’t really send sinners to Hell. If there’s no Hell to be saved from, then why did Christ die a horrible death on the cross to be punished for our sins? We have to accept that gift. We have a choice. Also we need to study God’s Word, not just Christian books. Most Christian books are good, but they aren’t a substitute for the Bible.

Then there’s those who don’t go to church and pray at home. They don’t like religion, so they avoid it because at some point they were hurt. We’ve all been hurt, a lot of us by people who call themselves Christians but don’t practice true religion. But that’s no reason to withdraw from God’s people. It’s an excuse to do things our way instead of God’s way. If we don’t fellowship with other believers, we can’t receive encouragement and instruction from them, and we can’t be an encouragement to them. Listening to television preachers doesn’t substitute for it because you can’t fellowship with or serve a television.

Hebrews 10:23-25(NKJV)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

I don’t want to practice false religion, hypocrisy, or legalism, but I do want to be religious. I’m giving my allegiance and obedience to Christ as much as I can. I’m following hard after Him and His Word. I want to be with God’s people and show others that He’s my Lord by the way I treat them. I’m a Christian, a Christ follower, and a religious person.

How about you? Do you agree with me? Are you a religious person?

I was born, raised, and still live in Ohio. I sure could relate to these statement about Ohio from comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

You may be from Ohio (pronounced ah-hi-uh) if:

You think all Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange!

You know all the 4 seasons: winter, still winter, almost winter and construction.

You live less than 30 miles from some college or university.

You know what a buckeye really is, and have a recipe for candy ones.

“Toward the lake” means “north” and “toward the river” means south.”

You know if other Ohioans are from southern or northern Ohio as soon as they open their mouths.

You can spell words like Cuyahoga, Olentangy, Bellefontaine, Tuscarawas, Wapakoneta and you know which letter is doubled in Cincinnati.

“Vacation” means spending a day at Cedar Point in the summer and deer hunting in the fall.

You measure distance in minutes.

Your school classes were canceled because of cold.

Your school classes were canceled because of heat.

You’ve had to switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.

You know what should be knee-high by the Fourth of July.

You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: “Where’s my coat at?”

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, beer, and Jell-O salad with marshmallows.

You carry jumper cables in your car.

You know what ‘pop’ is.

You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightgown.

The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page but requires 6 pages for sports.

If you actually get these jokes

The six weeks are over. It’s time to pull out that manuscript and get busy. Now what? Here’s some things that will help.

Tip #2: Read or review a self-editing book to remind yourself what problems you are looking for. My favorite is “Self-Editing For Fiction Writers” by Browne and King. Even if you’ve read this book before, you’ll need the reminders fresh in your mind.

Tip #3: Use find and replace to search out ly words and other problem words, and replace them when you can. See this link  for the problem words and this link  for how to get rid of ly words.

Tip #4: Print out a hard copy of your manuscript. Read it over using a red ink pen to make notes in the margins. It’s amazing what you’ll find when you read a hard copy.

Tip #5: After reading the hard copy, go back and make your changes.

Tip #6: Print the manuscript out again, find the red ink pen. This time, read your manuscript out loud using your red ink pen to mark changes that need to be made.

Tip #7: Now go back and make the changes again.

Tip #8: You guessed it. Print the manuscript out a third time. No, I’m not trying to kill trees. This is a very important part of the process. You need that hard copy in front of you when you’re editing.

Tip #9: Make the changes, and read through it two more times. You don’t have to print it out this time. But you might want to try reading it backwards so you can find common grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.

Tip #10: Have a small group of people to read over your finished product. You will need at least one grammar expert in this group. The other members can be a couple of people who love to read and a writer or two who will give you a hard critique. See this link for how to have a critique help your writing. Make any needed changes you agree with.

Now you’re done. Give yourself a pat on the back. Then get busy and write a query and proposal, and research those literary agents and publishers.

A writer’s work is never done.

But it wasn’t always that way. When I married Rick, I was a Christian, he wasn’t. Through the first sixteen years of my marriage, he drank too much, was emotionally abusive and controlling, and did everything he could to stop me from getting closer to God. One day he ordered me to stay home from church or he said he wouldn’t be there when I got back. I left with the kids and went to church. He was there when I got back.

You may wonder why I stayed in a marriage like that. It wasn’t easy. A couple of years after I married Rick, I repented for being out of the will of God and marrying an unbeliever, and I asked God to save him and my marriage. God promised me that if I would stay, He would save Rick. Not only would He save him, but it would be like when the apostle Paul was saved.

So I stayed, and I prayed. I anointed my doors with oil, and I did everything I knew to do. The longer it went on, the meaner Rick got. I was to my breaking point.

Then suddenly, after 16 years of marriage, my husband decided to go to church with me. When the altar call was given, he went forward. He says that at this point, a flash of light appeared. When he reached the altar, he fell to the ground hard. While lying on the floor, he gave his life to God. When he got up finally, he began praying for other people.

He’s never been the same. Since then, he’s been the best husband, father, and Christian I know. He stopped drinking that week and started being kind and considerate to me and our children. He never misses church, and he ministers to and prays for everyone he meets. His voice even changed. He had a voice activated car phone, but it wouldn’t recognise him unless he talked gruff to it.

So what miracle has God done in your life? Nothing is impossible with God.

Do you have a schedule? I don’t mean just for writing, but for every important part of your life.

I heard a preacher say recently that those who have a scheduled time for prayer and a prayer list will pray 90% more than those who don’t. I assume that’s also true for writing, spending quality time with family, and even doing housework.

I live by my schedule. I don’t always follow it. When things come up, I throw it out the window for a short time. But I always come back to it. I find being scheduled makes me productive and helps me focus on the important things of life and not just the urgent.

Here’s a few tips in making a schedule.

Don’t make a micro-schedule with every event listed. Have clumps of times to do things that are similar. For instance, do all office work (bills, phone calls, etc.) at the same time.

Have a daily to do list, a weekly schedule, a monthly calendar, and yearly goals. The schedule determines when you do certain types of activities. The to do list has specific tasks listed according to your schedule. The monthly calendar lists appointments. The yearly goals will bring focus to what you want to schedule. All are important.

Be flexible. If something interferes with your schedule, adapt the schedule. The schedule is meant to serve you, not the other way around.

Have a weekly planning session. This will help you stay on task.

Always allow more time to do tasks then you think you’ll need. This will keep you from getting frustrated when interruptions come.

Don’t only schedule urgent things. Schedule important things such as prayer time, writing time, time with family, and personal time.

If you fail to follow your schedule, don’t beat yourself up. The schedule is there to help you not to dictate your life. If you can’t follow it, tweak it to work with your energy cycles. If you fall away from it for a few days of weeks, just dust it off and do it again.  You’ll still be further ahead then when you didn’t schedule your time.

by ML Archer

What would you do if you discovered your father wasn’t human? Ask Mike Malone, he knows…

Warning: PG-13 because of a small amount of  language and some violence.

Description:

In his early twenties, Mike Malone is already successful. He  has a loving girlfriend, a stellar future…and a father he thought long  dead. But now, Dad is back. He has revealed himself to be a fallen angel  and insists Mike become his very own anti-Christ. When Mike refuses Dad is not happy and all hell, literally, breaks loose.

Excerpt:

Mike glanced around. Tough guys, men who knew how to lie and steal, murderers—all were trying to hide in their very exposed cells. If the situation weren’t so desperate, he might have laughed.

Yeah, hide tough guy, hide.

In a nearby cell he spotted a Bible. “Toss me that Bible!” he yelled at one of the inmates.

A guy with a ratty ski cap on his head stared at him before shakily muttering, “Uh, yeah, B-B-Bible.” Dangling it between two fingers as if it would bite him, he flung the book to Mike. “Keep it.”

Mike looked at the tattered book in his hand and said quietly, “Father God, give me my sword.” In his hand, the Bible grew into a long, razor sharp weapon. He stepped forward.

More yells. “Oh crap, they’re gonna fight!”

“Lord Jesus, save us!”

“It’s a dragon, I tell you, a dragon!”

“I’ve come to get you, Mike,” Nieth, the huge lizard-creature growled. His oily snake-like head sat atop a long, black, muscular body that measured fifteen feet from head to tail. He reared up and raised his front claws. They looked capable of ripping a man open with a single swipe. His elongated jaw held rows of horrible teeth, and his undulating tail twitched behind him like an anxious viper. “If you don’t come with me, I will rip off your arm. Come to me. Come.”

“Yeah? Did my loving father send you?”

The horrible creature slithered forward, and then, right before his eyes, it began to change. The monster’s body shrank, the reptilian scales fell away, the tail melted, he stood straighter, his face became like liquid before morphing into a human shape; his form became that of a tall human man with white-blond hair.

Mike cried out. His sword suddenly felt like lead in his hands. He heard the sound of blood rushing in his ears. The creature was his father! His father was the creature. Ahiel stared at him with mad, fiery eyes and grinned. “Hi, son,” he said. “Like it?”

Mike could barely breathe as his mind fought to comprehend this new horror. That was my father. My father?

He remembered Wisdom asking him if he knew about Ahiel’s true form and how he had wondered what she meant by that. He had to shake himself and recognize this surprise for what it was—one more attempt to knock him off balance and gain control. Not this time. He gritted his teeth, lifted his sword, and with a great cry, ran towards Ahiel. As he did, his shirt transformed into a breast plate and coat of mail, his legs and feet were covered in armor, a helmet appeared on his head, and in his other hand he now gripped a magnificent shield.

The armor of God!

Suddenly, his father became bathed in a near blinding light, and although Mike cried out against its brilliance, he continued his charge.

Clang! Metal clashed with metal. The light around Ahiel faded just enough for Mike to see that his father was also dressed in the gleaming armor of a warrior angel.

“Like it, son?” Ahiel taunted. “I can make my armor look just like yours! Remember when we played swords back when you were a kid? C’mon, take me if you can, brat.”

Their swords connected, and for the first time, Mike felt his father’s full strength. The man could have battled fifty men with no trouble.

God, don’t let him pound me into the ground!

“Lizard-guy!” cried an inmate. “Let us out.”

Ahiel administered a blow to Mike’s shield that sent him flying backward.

“I will free anyone who gets on their knees and calls me God!” He roared and the walls shook with his fury.

Instantly, dozens of men were on their knees at the doors of their cells shrieking, “God…You’re god!”

Several cell doors opened.

“You people are crazy!” one man called. “You’ll burn for that. Yer gonna burn.”

“You first,” Ahiel yelled, gestured, and immediately the man burst into flames. The man’s screams, and the wretched scent of burning flesh, filled the air.

Hysterical cries rose up.

“Heal him!” Mike heard himself shout above the sound. “Save that man. Stop the flames.”

The fire stopped, but the madness in the cells grew by leaps and bounds. Men began slamming into their cell walls, trying to climb the bars, and screaming brutal obscenities. Some busied themselves pulverizing the prison staff. Mike could feel confusion and fear in the air like a fog.

Ahiel raised his arms in glory. “Like it, Mike? These small bits of heaven really entertain me.”

“Leave them alone. You said you came to get me. What’s wrong? You getting old, Ahiel, or are you afraid?”

His father stopped, a black anger roiling in his eyes. “I’ll do better than leave them alone. I’m going to set them free.”

There was a loud clang and every cell door snapped open. Men began pouring into the corridor, crowding, fighting mindlessly. Some of them were clearly under demonic power, crawling on all fours, or moving like insects up and down the walls.

Mike raced back to Pastor Wicker’s cell and popped the door open.

“I have to leave now!” Mike exclaimed.

“I know. Do what you need to do. I’ll be fine.”

Mike stepped into the pastor’s cell, slammed the door shut, and locked it. He raised his sword and whispered, “God, please give me the portal.”

Instantly, it shimmered in the cell and Pastor Wicker stepped back, smiling.

“You’re going to win, son,” the pastor said. “Go get Linda.”

Mike nodded and, concentrating on the one place he needed to be more than any other, took a deep breath and stepped forward.

My Review:  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Demons, fallen angels, zombies, and giant reptiles are just some to the the things Mike Malone has to deal with when he finds out his father who he thought was dead isn’t human. It gets worse when he finds out his father intends for him to join him in a battle against God. While battling forces of evil, Mike Malone needs to come to terms about who he is and his relationship with his father. Then he needs to decide whose side he will risk eternity for. It’s a lot to handle for a young accountant who thinks he’s an ordinary guy.

I loved this novel about spiritual warfare and the quest to fight for good and against evil at all cost. I can’t wait to read more of Archer’s books.

People from all walks of life are forming a list of New Year’s Resolutions this week. Some will diligently pursue these goals; others will lay them aside by the middle of January. Every writer who wants to become successful should have these resolutions and keep them.

1. Have a set word Count: Decide on a word count you will do every day and stick to it.

2. Have a time set for writing: If you have a designated time for writing, your creativity will show up at that time. If you’re having a hard time finding time to write, click here.

3. Read: The more you read, the better writer you’ll become.

4. Study the Craft: Plan to go to writer’s conference. Read blogs of writers, publishers, and agents. Subscribe to a writer’s magazine. Read writing books. However you do it, plan to learn more about writing this year.

5. Exercise: Writing is a sedentary activity. Plan a time to exercise. You’ll feel better, and it will get your creative juices flowing.

6. Find a Critique Group: Every writer needs a small group of people to help critique his or her work.

7. Marketing: Learn more about marketing, and start a blog if you don’t have one. It’s an important part of a writing career.

8. Get Organized: It will help keep you from getting distracted. To organize your office area, click here. To organize your computer, click here.

9. Don’t Get Discouraged: Writing is a discouraging profession. This year, plan ways to encourage yourself so you don’t allow discouragement to take hold. For encouraging quotes, click here.

10. Dream Big: Click here to learn more about how to dream big.

This year, may all your writing dreams come true.

Happy New Year!