Don’t Touch That Fence
I wish she’d told me. As I gripped the cold wire to stare into the pasture at her horse, a chestnut brown gelding with a white marking on its forehead that looked like the number seven, I was enchanted.
And electrified.
Or at least the fence was.
I was a pre-teen city girl visiting my country cousin. I didn’t know there was such a thing as an electric fence. The purpose is to keep your animals safely inside, and the predators outside.
A fence is a boundary.
We all need boundaries, especially as writers.
Family is the most important thing to me. Giving them my time, talents (although it’s a stretch to describe my housekeeping or cooking skills as a talent), a listening ear whenever they need it, sharing a dinner with the kids once a week, it is all important and gives them an example of how to value their own families.
But learning to balance answering a phone call in the middle of the day or replying to a text right after your phone pings with finishing my current writing sprint or a run of dialogue is hard for me. Because I lack boundaries.
As a people pleaser, I have a hard time saying no to anyone. Sometimes, I don’t feel I can. Or should.
Or…
I know you’re with me on this. Or at least some of you are.
But boundaries can be healthy.
According to lifestyle coach Kim Anderson (kimanderson.life), it is okay to say no. Kim adds that “If we can’t say yes with a joyful and ready spirit, then we should at least consider saying no.”
It is okay to disappoint others. Sometimes we have no idea what other’s expectations are of us and it is easy to hurt feelings when we aren’t clear about our wants and needs.
Her third point is that we are the only ones who can protect our boundaries. She advises that “When it comes to your life, you have to be the one to advocate for you.”
As October fades into NaNoWriMo…I mean, November, how do you intend to keep the predators out of your writing time and space? How can you express to your loved ones your needs and expectations in a clear and kind way?
Pray about it. “Commit everything you do to the Lord and trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).
Try making a schedule of your work time and post it on the refrigerator or outside your writing space. Have a family meeting to apprise everyone of your intentions and ask for their support.
Or you could simply hang a sign warning them not to touch the fence.
Repossessing Christmas
A public man hiding from his pain.
Major league shortstop Max Southerton returns home each offseason to drive a tow truck for his uncle. Here he finds solace with his faith and the only family he has left. While repossessing a car, he meets a tenacious young woman down on her luck, and his heart starts yearning for something he shouldn’t want and doesn’t deserve.
A private woman outrunning an ugly past.
After four years in prison, Jenner Kincaid is starting her life over with a second shift job and God on her side. While her optimism outweighs her fortunes, she’s convinced it’s enough until she meets a stubborn tow truck driver who won’t take no for an answer. Can a moment of God’s grace bring two guarded hearts together?
As their friendship grows and hearts entangle, Jenner comes face to face with her greatest mistake. Can she let Max go before her past destroys him?
Pattie Frampton is a tea drinker living in the coffee capital of the world. Married for over thirty years, she is the mother of four children and soon-to-be grandmother of two. When she’s not penning Christian romance, because who doesn’t love a happily-ever-after, she is the family genealogist, an award-winning quilter, and a rescue dog mom.
Her first book, a Christmas novella, was released in Oct. 2017. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Northwest Christian Writer’s Association and Novel Academy.
You can find Pattie at:
Author Website: www.pattieframpton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattieFramptonAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Twitter: @lovesportslove
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36366969-repossessing-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=td73e8J9mz&rank=1
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Pattie-Frampton/e/B07647R2WS/
But boundaries can be healthy.
According to lifestyle coach Kim Anderson (kimanderson.life), it is okay to say no. Kim adds that “If we can’t say yes with a joyful and ready spirit, then we should at least consider saying no.”
It is okay to disappoint others. Sometimes we have no idea what other’s expectations are of us and it is easy to hurt feelings when we aren’t clear about our wants and needs.
Her third point is that we are the only ones who can protect our boundaries. She advises that “When it comes to your life, you have to be the one to advocate for you.”
As October fades into NaNoWriMo…I mean, November, how do you intend to keep the predators out of your writing time and space? How can you express to your loved ones your needs and expectations in a clear and kind way?
Pray about it. “Commit everything you do to the Lord and trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).
Try making a schedule of your work time and post it on the refrigerator or outside your writing space. Have a family meeting to apprise everyone of your intentions and ask for their support.
Or you could simply hang a sign warning them not to touch the fence.
We all need boundaries, especially as writers. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @lovesportslove
As October fades into NaNoWriMo…I mean, November, how do you intend to keep the predators out of your writing time and space? #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @lovesportslove
How can you express to your loved ones your needs and expectations in a clear and kind way? #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @lovesportslove
Repossessing Christmas
A public man hiding from his pain.
Major league shortstop Max Southerton returns home each offseason to drive a tow truck for his uncle. Here he finds solace with his faith and the only family he has left. While repossessing a car, he meets a tenacious young woman down on her luck, and his heart starts yearning for something he shouldn’t want and doesn’t deserve.
A private woman outrunning an ugly past.
After four years in prison, Jenner Kincaid is starting her life over with a second shift job and God on her side. While her optimism outweighs her fortunes, she’s convinced it’s enough until she meets a stubborn tow truck driver who won’t take no for an answer. Can a moment of God’s grace bring two guarded hearts together?
As their friendship grows and hearts entangle, Jenner comes face to face with her greatest mistake. Can she let Max go before her past destroys him?
Her first book, a Christmas novella, was released in Oct. 2017. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Northwest Christian Writer’s Association and Novel Academy.
You can find Pattie at:
Author Website: www.pattieframpton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattieFramptonAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Twitter: @lovesportslove
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36366969-repossessing-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=td73e8J9mz&rank=1
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Pattie-Frampton/e/B07647R2WS/
